[Nuclear1]

The thing is, in our system of government, the current president becomes the de facto leader of their party, for better or worse. 

Definitely for worse.

I don't mind having Obama as the de facto leader of the Democrats...I just think he has a greater responsibility as the de jure leader of the country as a whole to deal with the petty squabbling between Congressional Democrats.  That's what Reid, Durbin, Pelosi, and Hoyer are for.  Much to their credit (even though I despise what they do) the Republicans got the right idea when it comes to their minority leaders taking control.