The criticism over here in the UK of Obama iis that he lacks backbone, because he panders too much to the repubs and misguidedly indulges the idea that they can be persuaded to engage in politics in a mature way.

Those who disagree tend to say that he is in fact courageous for not employing their tactics pushing ahead without listening or thinking.

The idea that he hasn't listened to the repubs is one from la la land.