It's a difficult question to answer for anybody: What is your biggest failure? But for most people, it isn't difficult to be consistent in answering the question. President Obama has been asked what his biggest failure or disappointment has been during his first term three times this year and he's given three different answers.
From 60 Minutes Sunday:
I'm the first one to confess that-- the spirit that I brought to Washington, that I wanted to see instituted, where we weren't constantly-- in-- in a political slugfest but were focused more on problem solving that, you know, I haven't fully accomplished that. Haven't even come close in some cases. And-- you know, if you ask me—what’s my biggest disappointment is that we haven't changed the tone in Washington as much as I would have liked.
From Univision last week:
JORGE RAMOS: What is your biggest failure?
OBAMA: Well, Jorge as you remind me, my biggest failure so far is we haven’t gotten comprehensive immigration reform done, so we’re going to be continuing to work on that. But it’s not for lack of trying or desire.
From ABC News in July:
“The mistake of my first term – couple of years – was thinking that this job was just about getting the policy right,” Obama told CBS News’ Charlie Rose. “And that’s important, but, you know, the nature of this office is also to tell a story to the American people that gives them a sense of unity and purpose and optimism, especially during tough times.”
As a recap, President Obama's "biggest" failure(s) are not telling enough stories, not changing the tone in Washington and not getting immigration reform through (despite having a super majority of Democrats his first two years in office.) Obama didn't say his biggest failure is not getting people back to work or not turning the economy around as he promised to do.
Obama has a habit of being inconsistent, whether it's giving different answers about his biggest failure, saying he hasn't raised taxes or making nearly everything a "top priority."