(CNN) -- President Barack Obama's speech to the American public Monday night was eloquent and forceful. But given the odds arrayed against him -- some of his own making -- the persuader in chief likely won't make the sale. Indeed, it's likely that none of the other great communicators and explainers -- Franklin Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton -- could have either. And here's why: Chico Marx was right Impersonating Groucho in "Duck Soup," Chico makes a remark that sums up Obama's challenge: "Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?" The American people are their own experts this time around on what constitutes a vital national interest for the United States and what they want done about it.
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Aaron Miller: Speech could not sell skeptical Americans on need for action on Syria
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He says speech couldn't convince war-weary citizens that U.S. interests at stake
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He says Obama's handling of Syria issue has not inspired confidence
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Miller: A strike would have to be broader than Obama describing, and Americans fear this
Even under normal circumstances, a single presidential speech to persuade @placeholder to back a military strike would be a tough sell.