Rob, here's my thought on the current stalemate (while acknowledging that both parties are responsible at some level). One of the two individuals (Obama and Boehner) has been elected the President of the United States. When there is tough conflict in the private corporations I've worked at, it's usually the senior executive (CEO, COO, President, etc.) who brings everyone to the table and says "You all may not like every detail of the agreement we're going to reach, but we're going to reach an agreement, so figure out what you can live with."
Obama's way is my way, or nothing. Want to investigate Fast and Furious? I'll just use executive privilege to keep the Committee from having access to pertinent documents. Congress not going to pass an Assault Weapons ban? I'll look at avenues for doing something on my own. I'll close down Parks and Refuges to the American people, but will open the National Mall for a pro-immigration rally.
I live in the DC area, and can tell you that he spends MUCH more time in front of the camera bashing the Republicans, than he does behind closed doors trying to hash out an agreement. THIS is where he strays from Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, etc. - sure they also bashed the other partied during negotiations, but they were also behind closed doors, working to find common ground.