But mainly, the Democrats succeeded in making the election about Newt Gingrich and the nasty Republicans -- and the Republicans helped him to do that by making a series of huge, stupid strategic errors.
Remember Clinton's first SOTU speech after the '94 election? The R's hooted at a statement Clinton made about budget numbers; Clinton merely smiled, and then he smacked them down with a hammer. He absolutely humiliated the Republicans in a few short words, and ended up carrying the night. Shoulda been a warning ... but the R's didn't heed it.
Remember Medicare Reform? That was supposed to be Newt and the boys flexing their muscles. Clinton killed them.
Remember the Government Shutdown? Once again Clinton killed the Republicans. (And that, only in the meagre intervals during which he was not succumbing to the wiles of Monica Lewinsky.)
Remember the time Clinton and Newt held the so-called "Budget Summit?" Newt left the WH with Clinton's boot prints all over his back.
One can certainly point to the economy as a factor, but that wasn't what got Clinton re-elected.
I don’t a think a single one of those things mattered but the economy.
You are assuming that 0bama is as skilled a politician as Clinton.
0bama’s successes are mainly due to Pelosi’s scorched-earth tactics with her own party.
I am not saying that what you have written is not possible, but I’m not so sure that 0bama is anything more than a great campaigner, without Pelosi.