Obama confronts his political failure on campaign anniversary

Even as he works to accentuate eight years of achievements, President Barack Obama paused Wednesday to highlight where he readily admits he's failed.

Returning to Springfield, Illinois, site of his presidential campaign launch nine years ago, Obama confronted the gaping shortfall between his lofty 2007 rhetoric on changing the country's political discourse, and the reality of politics today: meaner and more divided than ever.

Obama reflected on his time in the Illinois state Senate when he worked with Republicans, even on issues where they didn't agree with. He contrasted that with current political rhetoric, saying in the state Senate they didn't refer to name calling.

"They trusted each other even if they didn't agree," Obama said. "We didn't call each other idiots or fascists who were trying to destroy America."

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