Fred Barnes‘ latest Weekly Standard column examines the notion President Obama presents of being “the nonpartisan adult in the room in the struggle over raising the debt limit.”

One might think from the president’s claim of aloofness that he acted as a fair and effective mediator in the five days of talks he presided over at the White House. Quite the contrary, according to three participants.

He was not above the fray. He exacerbated disagreements. Obama hardly let anyone else talk. When a Republican made a point, he would interrupt and dispute the point, talking on and on. Instead of tugging Republicans toward a compromise, he alienated them.

Obama’s speech on Monday was not a serious attempt, by a nonpartisan overseer of the national interest, to bring Democrats and Republicans together. It was a partisan attack on Republicans.

He delivered a campaign speech that emphasized themes lifted from his reelection effort. It may help Obama in his bid for a second term, but its chances of producing a debt limit compromise to Obama’s liking are just about nil.