Obama's policies have nothing to do with the divide being created in the US. Since Reagan took office, the right (religion and wealth) has controlled Washington, and are not about to give up that power quietly. For a generation, the US has been living a "me first" lifestyle for HealthCare, Investments, Consumption, and others. Now they see the demographics and power base moving towards the Democrats long term and are scared. That is why the Becks and Palins are out in full-force try to slow this movement towards a fairer democracy for the middle and lower income. Obama has 100s of fires to put out after 20+ years of republican waste, spending, tax cuts, foreign policy, lobbyists, deregulation, man could I go on. It's not being aggressive or assertive, it's getting down to business.