On four key policy fronts, Obama is making the same mistake.
Obama is relying on middlemen who are not committed to his agenda to carry out his policies.
And while he begs them for help, they ignore even the most minimal exhortations to act in the nation’s interest — rather than their own immediate / short-term benefit –
and chortle into their Veuve Cliquot 
… making it a joke for them, but not so funny for everyone else …