One thing that always has to be kept in mind regarding how people evaluate any candidates performance is this:

The opinion they already have about the candidate profoundly influences their evaluation of the candidate's behaviour.

If they already like someone, then they will put the best interpretation on what he or she says and does. If they don't like someone, they will put the worst interpretation on what he or she says and does.

I see exactly the same problem cropping up all the time on this forum, as regards its membership and the way they relate to one another. ;-)

So it tends to become very subjective. Those who love Obama already will usually think he did a wonderful job. Those who hate Hillary already will sneer at everything she says, no matter what it is.

And vice versa. It cuts both ways.

It's pretty rare to find people who are genuinely impartial and fair in their judgements of politicians...because they usually have a well-used axe to grind.

And that is why those on opposing sides often simply cannot comprehend what in the hell the other people are going ON about! ;-)   (I can't help but think of myself and DougR, for instance, when I say that...)