American politics never was a summer picnic.

President Obama can look back to July 11, 1804, for help on the campaign. Two quick-witted men in frockcoats are at his service: Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. The rivals fought history's most famous duel and sowed seeds of distemper to this day.

Without blood spilled, Obama and Mitt Romney are engaged in a duel of sorts. The race for the presidency is as personal as it gets. Only one lives to row back across the river, shine in the sun and tell the tale.

After a July sunrise, hearts broke when two were rowed back across the river, one mortally wounded. On the heights facing New York City, Burr, a leading Republican, fatally shot Hamilton, the brilliant Federalist. Nearing 50, they were young men among the founders. Burr, Thomas Jefferson's sitting vice president, challenged Hamilton, George Washington's treasury secretary. The bad blood ran deep. Yet on July 4, both joined a Revolutionary club gathering to toast the spirit of '76.

So what's the lesson for Obama from the duel? Obama should study Burr more and Hamilton less. After all, Burr won. This is roughly what he'd say to Obama: Don't play it cool in a smokin' hot summer. The president's self-contained reserve could prove a fatal flaw. This is no time to be calm.

Obama is largely running against himself and the deflated expectations of enthused voters in 2008. Burr, too, had polished manners, like Obama, but showed high emotion when the moment was ripe. His parting speech in the Senate made men weep, as he knelt on the floor and said if liberty ever perished forever, it would be right there. It's considered one of the greatest speeches given in the Senate.

On the hustings, people like to take the measure of the man who would be president again. We like to see urgency, restlessness at a glacial pace of change. Frankly, we like to see a temper flare at the other side — not an impersonal politeness to enemies and friends alike. We like to know whose side the man is really on.

A corollary is showing more grace, favor and warmth to his own party in Congress. It's not clear how unified Democrats are behind a president who doesn't reach out and touch much. On Capitol Hill yesterday, House Democrats endured another repeal vote — yes, on the health care reform law the Supreme Court upheld in June.

House Democrats, an embattled minority since the 2010 tea party election, are taking a lot for the team — and 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. seems like a long way up the road.

Obama, whose experience in the Senate was as slender as he is, has a handful of friends there. If Sen. Edward M. Kennedy were alive to orchestrate, the tempo would be more upbeat. He was Obama's best friend forever. Even some Senate Republicans say they miss Kennedy's dexterity in working with the chamber's delicate dynamics.

To stay in touch with his base, Obama should address the NAACP convention. Obama is sending his No. 2, Joseph Biden, instead. Get thee to the NAACP, sir! Romney got booed — all the more reason to show up.

Easily Jefferson's equal, Hamilton invented the modern world we live in. He offers Obama a cautionary tale. Arrogant and too clever by half, he never held elective office. He lacked the common touch.

A final note: Hamilton studied at Columbia College, like someone else we know who's awfully smart — but too cool in a hot summer.

To find out more about Jamie Stiehm, and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.