Kaus: When Obama talks about the struggling middle class, etc., he always says "they" (seems distant) or "you" (seems condescending). Why not "we" or "us."? Or "my buddy Joe down the street"?

Answer: A) Because he is not middle class; B) he's being honest, and; C) if he said "we" or "us," he would've been justifiably hammered for being patently disingenuous.