As Mr. Obama begins his eighth month in office, Republicans show no signs of wanting to work with him, having lost whatever fear they may have had after his impressive victory last year. And Democrats are split over the next step for health care.

Image President Obama left Washington on Friday for a nine-day vacation, and has sent his top advisers on vacations of their own. Credit... Brendan Smialowski for The New York Times

His political base, which offered a well of political and spiritual nourishment during the darkest times in his primary and general election battles, shows at least some signs of being disillusioned by his handling of not only the health care issue, but also of the issue of gay men and lesbians in the military and his decision to send more troops to Afghanistan.

David Axelrod, a senior adviser to the president, said in an interview Friday that Mr. Obama’s experience through a bruising two-year political campaign provided a dose of perspective.

“We have the advantage of having been through so many political storms that have sent Washington into a frenzy,” Mr. Axelrod said. “What we’ve learned from that is that you have to look to the distant shore. You can’t panic from the choppy waves around you. He’s got his eye on that.”

But the White House also has its eye on public opinion polls, along with the administration’s own extensive political research, which show that confidence in Mr. Obama’s leadership has fallen throughout the summer largely because of the health care debate.

At several points in recent weeks, including during a retreat for members of the cabinet and senior advisers, Mr. Obama has expressed frustration that his message has not been as sharp as he believes it should have been. As he did through the campaign, he pressed members of his team to learn as they go and not to repeat mistakes.

“He doesn’t like being off track,” Mr. Plouffe said. “He works to get people on track.”

The White House is still discussing how to present the president’s health care agenda when Congress returns in September. A speech before a joint session of Congress is a possibility, aides said, as is an address to the nation from the Oval Office. The president is also expected to hold more town-hall-style meetings across the nation.