President Obama has hit his roughest patch since he took the oath from the man Stephen Colbert calls the Justice Chief of the Court Supreme.

So yesterday Obama rolled out his most powerful weapon: Barack Obama. He “roadblocked” every network. He did interviews with Big Feet like Anderson Cooper and Brian Williams. That’s when you know the situation is serious.

He admitted “I screwed up.” He took responsibility. He tried to put the focus back on his stimulus bill – the original reason for doing the interviews, before Tom Daschle became the story of the day.

He wheeled out his ultimate weapon – one George Bush sadly lacked: a clear intelligence and an ability to describe problems and solutions clearly.

For all the comparisons with Lincoln, FDR and JFK, the President Obama most resembles is Ronald Reagan. Obama, like Reagan, has a clear view of the role of government (exactly opposite Reagan’s). Obama, like Reagan, can write lucidly and explain his ideas. Obama, like Reagan, has a voice both soothing and uplifting.

Now we will see whether Obama can rise to the level of the Great Communicator.

Reagan, too, had his rough spots at the start. Then he survived an assassination attempt with grace and humor. After that his economic-recovery plan shot through Congress.

Obama has yet to face the big early test that Joe Biden promised would come. It still may come, and outside events may test Obama’s communications skills, his luck and his ability to tame Washington.

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