President Obama ought to campaign in the 2014 midterm elections as if his presidency depends upon it.

The stakes are so high that the lofty orator should float down to become "the people's president." A populist for his last phase in the Oval Office would be true to the liberal he professed to be in the first place, back in 2008.

Let Obama be a change agent, riding the waves with Bill de Blasio, the new mayor of New York. There is something to the "income inequality" chorus going around. It's real, the anxiety that pervades the young with student loan debt and seniors who can't afford to retire.

Obama's presidency really does depend upon the November referendum. The Congress that comes to Washington for his last two years will control his destiny. His second-term legacy is on the line. It would be a shame if nothing passed the House for him to sign into law.

The House turned Republican red overnight in 2010. That was the scalding tea party election. The Senate has stayed Democratic throughout Obama's presidency, but some warhorse Democrats are stepping down — in West Virginia, Iowa and Michigan — so the party will have to defend formerly safe seats. Two Southern Democratic Senators — Mary Landrieu and Mark Pryor — are in tight races. Three strong House Democrats — Rush Holt of New Jersey, Henry Waxman and George Miller of California — are retiring.

Obama certainly can't lift every candidate, especially those down south, but why not "nationalize" the 2014 election? It's not a strategy for the faint of heart. But for starters, most agree the president must do many more fundraisers to help his party, as Dana Milbank noted in The Washington Post.

Granted, I am freely advising the president to go for broke — not only at fancy fundraisers, but in a frank dialogue with the electorate. Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose, the song goes. The American people respond when a mighty politician shows a humble side. Ask Bill Clinton, who lost for Arkansas governor after one term. He went around his state and asked for people's votes, all over again, listening to what was on their minds. Listening and persuasion make strong political medicine.

Similarly, Obama could reach out and tell voters he needs their help to accomplish the rest of his agenda. He might say that he's tried to work with Republicans in the House, but there's no way to make progress for the people. For example, House Speaker John Boehner batted down immigration reform with a rude remark.

Using the bully pulpit, Obama could remind voters that the tea party crowd shut the government down for days, even weeks. He could say it's hard to do business in a divided government. Being confrontational does not come easily to him. But more of the "give 'em hell" Harry Truman style would do Obama good. He is almost too much of a gentleman for rough weather. A ship captain willing to lash himself to the mast in a storm is by far his best fall look.

Leaving Obamacare aside, there's no need to dwell on the negative out on the hustings. Obama could speak eloquently on extending unemployment benefits, raising the minimum wage and taking steps to study and prevent climate change. I can almost hear him talk of inclusion and the sweeping social revolution going on now for gay rights. Lifting the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military ban was a signature achievement of his first term. That advancement will always have his name on it. Economic fairness, environmental protection and social inclusion — championing bold goals in these areas would likely boost blue voter turnout by energizing the base, especially in cities. Taking a stand on the Keystone XL pipeline would win back the hearts of disaffected "green" supporters.

Heck, Obama could even talk about gun control aspirationally, raising the Newtown, Conn., school shooting. He had promised parents he would take action, but nothing came of it. The bill died by a close call in the Senate.

"Nothing came of it." Obama does not want that to be the story of his second term.

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