"The most damaging myth in American politics is that the pres..." — Ezra Klein

The most damaging myth in American politics is that the presidency can fix our problems. It's a myth backed by a media machine that finds it convenient to frame American politics as a grand drama in which the president is the lead actor. It's a myth fed by every episode of the West Wing in which President Jed Bartlet solves the country's problems with a heroic speech. It's a myth cemented by every presidential candidate who knows that you win campaigns with inspiration, not realism. And it's a myth voters desperately want to believe.