Imagine a man — an affable, attractive, liberal guy who happens to be the President of the United States. He gives speeches, signs bills, attends fund-raisers. He quotes Bob Dylan when addressing employees of defense contractors who have lost their jobs because he’s successfully avoided armed conflicts during his administration. Hail to the Chief, right?

Not so fast. The state of the union is… not great. There’s widespread unemployment, a sagging economy, a restlessness within. And the President is faced with a problem of epic proportion: an upcoming re- election campaign in the midst of possibly the lowest approval ratings in history.