A quick note from an expert on presidential rhetoric, as we watch President Obama’s conversations with foreign leaders at the G-20.

Robert Scheslinger, a presidential scholar and assistant managing editor at U.S. News and World Report, recently talked to me about the shift in the President’s oratory.

“Obama’s tone has obviously shifted a bit in terms of tone inasmuch as he is taking ownership of the national situation. Note taking ownership — Bush still gets a lot of credit for the poor economy, but at some point Obama will have ownership of it and he’ll have to shift the emphasis in tone from doom-and-gloom to renewed optimism.

Scheslinger added, “He’s also learning that there’s a big difference between the voice of a candidate and the voice of a president — the bully pulpit magnifies in a way that can be hard to appreciate.”

So the question is to what extent will President — not candidate — Obama inspire the masses in Europe — or at least quell the anti-capitalism protests that have embroiled London.

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