Carl Huse on the Democrats' achievements and the lack of celebration.

During a luncheon in early August with select Democratic senators in the Roosevelt Room at the White House, President Obama gave voice to that sentiment. He told his guests, according to lawmakers, that Democrats were winning and that critics within the party were wrongly focused on "what didn’t happen rather than what we have accomplished."

Democrats offer several rationales for why they are not breaking through with their legislative successes. They note that some of the chief benefits of the health care law and the overhaul of the financial industry, for instance, will not be felt for years. And they say that a news media environment that thrives on conflict makes it harder to get out their message about constructive achievements. Most important, they say, difficult economic times produce a disgruntled public.

"People are sour now," said Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York, the No. 3 Democrat in the Senate. "Times are bad, and people are worried about the future. So they say, all these things are good, but are they making my life better?"

Maureen Dowd's "No Love from the Lefties" on Obama press secretary Robert Gibbs.