Reagan gave 27 Oval Office addresses in his presidency. Obama has given 2.

[nyquil_man]

46. Reagan? The movie actor?

It's not surprising that a man who spent half his adult life in front of the camera would prefer speaking to a camera. That was how Reagan was comfortable communicating. It's far safer than playing to any crowd and much more easily controlled. President Obama prefers having an audience. He picks up on their energy and they pick up on his. There is a greater chance of the unexpected occurring but, when it works, it's a stunning thing.

I think your comparison speaks more to the mindsets and backgrounds of these two men than it does to their relative ability to communicate.

And, please, let's remember that Reagan was never as popular as his most rabid promoters pretend he was.