Interesting piece in the NY Times by Peter Baker and Jeremy Peters about how Democrats on the Hill are beginning to openly defy President Obama and are complaining about his leadership:

In recent weeks, disgruntled Democrats, particularly liberals, have bolted from the White House on issues like National Security Agency surveillance policies, a planned military strike on Syria and the potential choice of Lawrence H. Summers to lead the Federal Reserve. In private, they often sound exasperated describing Mr. Obama's operation; in public, they are sometimes only a little more restrained.

They complain the White House has not consulted enough and failed to assert leadership. They say Mr. Obama has been too passive and ceded momentum to Republicans. Their grievances are sometimes contradictory; some grouse that he takes on causes he cannot win, while others say he does not fight hard enough for principled positions. The failure to enact tightened gun control laws and the Republican hold on immigration legislation have left liberals little to celebrate this year.

"If you read the papers, you almost think the Republicans are in control," said Senator Bernard Sanders of Vermont, an independent who caucuses with Democrats and vigorously opposed Mr. Summers until he withdrew from consideration. "They're constantly on the offensive. Democrats are on the defensive."

The lack of strong leadership, he added, has created a vacuum. "I think you're going to see more independents saying, 'Mr. President, we look forward to working with you, but we're not simply going to accept your leadership and your ideas,' " he said. " 'We're not going to follow you. You're going to have to work with us.' "

Mr. Obama's trouble with Democrats is not unusual for a second term and could be temporary or episodic. With re-election behind him, members of his party see no need to stick with him to secure another four years. They are also looking ahead to the next election earlier than usual with the emergence of Hillary Rodham Clinton as a front-runner.

I find it fascinating that GOP partisans have many of the same complaints about their own leadership. Republicans in the base complain constantly about how weak and defensive the GOP appears compared to Democrats, while Democratic partisans echo those sentiments about Obama.

What's unusual about this is that the criticism cuts to the core of the Obama presidency. He has never been a strong leader and Democrats are just noticing that now? The fact that he never consults with them about policy or even pending legislation is unprecedented. There is no substance, only campaign rhetoric and pretty speeches.

Obviously this does not bode well for Democrats going into 2014. They will try to run away from Obama, but when you've given him your loyal support for 5 years, it's difficult to disavow your actions.