Barack Obama's pre-election speeches, often playing to themes of hope and change, seemed like clever marketing at the time.

His words, 100 days into his presidency, seem to hold even more meaning than before.

As conservatives lob every attack conceivable - comparisons to socialism, fake indignation over handshakes, a sudden concern about the nation's debt - Obama has navigated the political fires with intellect and confidence.

One criticism, however, - Obama has made the Republic weaker - is especially troublesome.

The charge is beyond cynical; it's tragic.

Politics, like everything else in America, have become Big Box, not big ideas. And there's no room for nuance.

Party loyalty comes before country.

It's not just that it's become impossible for Democrats and Republicans to agree on anything. Progress is not heralded; it's lampooned for being too this or too that.

We've known for years that our economic problems have roots in the high cost of health care, dependence on fossil fuels, and an inadequate public education system.

They have become the failures we believe in.

But we've lacked the leadership necessary to tackle big problems with even bigger ideas.

Bush revered corporate wealth, fanned the rage of the rich, shredded the Constitution, and promoted the ideology that government can't be trusted to do anything right.

Yet, conservatives say that in just 100 days, America has become less safe.

Try telling that to the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have lost their jobs and their homes; or the millions of Americans who saw their 401K retirement savings drop to half their value from a year ago.

Obama has used this time to renew the importance of community and to remind us that government can be a great partner.

Clever marketing aside, it turns out that hope just may be the perfect antibody to a world filled with uncertainties.