I agree that Joe has done a great (not perfect IMHO) job - particularly with the House of Angry Children throwing sand into the the gears of any good program, then claim credit for the home-town folk when the measure passes...

I also think that he's not too old and in his case, it's the "board of directors" he brings with him to handle the day to day.

What you stated so well is that he's lost the narrative and battle of perceptions. Unfortunately that debate was bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, and he struck out.