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In the days leading up to President Barack Obama unveiling his gun-violence proposals -- a first chance to signal his intended path forward -- no one was entirely sure what to expect.
Would the characteristically cautious Obama go incremental, putting forth measures intended to have a chance at passing Congress? Or would he go bold? The answer wound up being the latter, with the president making a sweeping call to action on guns -- the broadest proposals in a generation.
Go big or play it safe is a calculus all second-term presidents make when they’re fresh off a re-election, emboldened by the satisfaction that a majority of voters approved enough of their first term to send them back to the White House, yet experienced enough to understand the pitfalls of the legislative fights ahead.
Like many of his predecessors, Obama is exuding a newfound confidence as he begins his second term. His gun-control push, combined with a narrower approach to Afghanistan, contentious national-security nominations, and harder lines in dealing with House Republicans, foreshadows a president -- free from electoral politics -- who appears ready to shed some of the pragmatism that marked his first term. It signals that while he may remain open to deals, Obama likely will feel less inclined to spend significant time pursuing them with an entrenched opposition.
TODAY's Lester Holt reports from Washington D.C. on how the struggles and victories of President Obama's first term have set the stage for opportunities of the second.
“It makes sense, historically,” said Michael Beschloss, a presidential historian and a NBC News contributor. “There is more of a sense of command. He speaks more confidently. There’s just a difference between becoming president after being a senator for four years and being the most powerful person in the world for four years.”
Barbara Perry, a senior fellow at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center, agreed.
“He has this kind of calm, self-confidence, cool, to his enemies bordering on an arrogant demeanor, and that may be coming out now,” Perry said. “He seems bolder than coming in.”
Obama's newfound command style is typical for a second-term president, Beschloss said. He pointed to similarities between Obama’s presence now and Bill Clinton in 1997 and George W. Bush in 2005, after both were also re-elected.
“America tends to treat two-term presidents very differently,” Beschloss said. “In terms of body language, this is a different dimension.”
Presidents in their first terms are often self-conscious, he added, about whether they will earn the legitimacy granted in the annals of history to those who win re-election.
“He’s proved that he’s not a historical fluke,” he said of Obama, noting that all presidents wonder if they are just that.
A strong position
Obama is in an especially strong position for a second term, considering that he accomplished a signature legislative achievement -- heath care -- in his first term, Beschloss noted.
“He is less encumbered than many second-term presidents are,” he said.
According to Beschloss, Most presidents hold off on a push for a major legislative achievement until the fifth year, when they believe they will be free of electoral politics. Think John F. Kennedy and civil rights.
“Most presidents I can think of would have waited to do health care in a second term,” Beschloss said, adding that Obama, though, “did the opposite” likely because he realized he might not have the same structural advantages again of large Democratic majorities in both the House and Senate.
“That makes this as a second-term president a little different. He’s not girding for that kind of fight.”
Perry also points to the Supreme Court upholding the health-care law as a turning point.
“It had to show the president, ‘I really do get this system,’” she said. “I just don’t think people make enough of that victory.”
Couple that with Obama’s decided victory in November, and “that has to infuse him with confidence,” she added.
Obama will have to make sure the health care law is implemented well, but he can turn his legislative focus to guns and immigration, both areas where they expect Obama will go bold.
Another reason for the shift, Beschloss said, is Obama is no longer in crisis mode the way he was when he came into office in 2009.
“You’re probably getting much more of a view of the true person rather than someone responding to crisis after crisis,” Beschloss said.
Comparing to JFK
Beschloss and Perry see similarities to Kennedy in how Obama has evolved as president. Like Kennedy, Obama was young and a relative political neophyte when he took office. Neither was known for or seemed to enjoy the back slapping or arm twisting seen as necessary for major legislative victories in the way Lyndon Johnson or Bill Clinton did.
But both learned from mistakes.
“He does seem to have that quality, a JFK quality,” Perry said. “They aren’t natural-born politicians; they have charisma, but aloof. Personality-wise, they’re very similar. He learned from his mistakes, and I think Obama has that capacity, and that is a major skill for a president. You didn’t get to see that in a second term for Kennedy.”
Beschloss added, “You sure want a president with a sharp learning curve. Kennedy’s the best example of that.”
Perry said perhaps Obama deserves the criticism that he’s not sociable or seen as good negotiator. “He may be aloof,” she said. “His personality doesn’t lend to backslapping.”
But structure may matter more. Both Perry and Beschloss believe Obama has taken away from his first term that he doesn't have a good-faith negotiating partner in the GOP and that since it will only continue, as the GOP looks to who can become the next GOP president, Obama won't try as hard to woo Republicans.
“I think, and he has said this, he was optimistic and tried to improve the relationship,” Beschloss said, but now he “feels more chastened, and you can see it in his actions.”
Perry added, “I don’t see us moving much beyond the Mitch McConnell statement from four years ago.”
As Obama was beginning his first term, the Republican Senate leader from Kentucky famously proclaimed, “The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.”
“Now the goal of the GOP will be to put a Republican back in the White House after eight years, so anything they can do to short circuit this president’s agenda, they will do,” Perry said. “And that’s not a criticism. That’s just the way the system has operated since we’ve had two parties, since the founders walked out of the signing of the Constitution.”
The question now is “will this newfound confidence get him over that hurdle?” Perry said.
It only makes sense then, they said, that Obama will try and play an “outside game” to try and leverage pressure on Congress.
Clock is ticking
But there remain warning signs for the president. The economy is still in a fragile recovery and many second terms have been marred by scandal or mismanagement (Watergate, Iran-Contra, Monica Lewinsky, Katrina and Iraq).
There are also the unknowns. Obama had to deal with several unexpected major events in his first term, from the BP oil spill to the Arab Spring to the debt-ceiling crisis.
In addition, for Americans, “familiarity breeds contempt,” Perry notes. Nearly every president since World War II, except Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, has become less popular in their second term.
“Americans grow weary of just about everyone and everything,” Perry said. “We use up politicians and celebrities, and sports figures … It’s an unusual personage who can overcome that handicap, but Obama is one of the few presidents who has the ability to do that.”
She also points out the irony that, like with Reagan and Clinton, “The farther we get away from them [presidents], the more we like them.”
The biggest hurdle, though, in Obama’s second term is there's only so much time to get it all done.
In fact, presidents who win reelection only have about six months before they become a lame duck, Beschloss said. Elected officials start thinking about their own reelections in the midterms. The parties start looking beyond the president to the upcoming open presidential election. It’s something Johnson understood well.
“LBJ said, ‘We’ve got exactly six months,’” Beschloss said of Johnson after winning election in 1965. “Most of what you and I think of as the Great Society passed in the first six months.”
And in Obama’s case, every day spent on fiscal fights with House Republicans is one less day spent on any major initiatives the president wants passed.
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NEW QUESTION in gun registration to determine if you competent to own guns...1. did george w. bush leave this country better off than when he got it.?hahhhahahhahahahahhahahahah
Obama has been sworn in for his 2nd term, thereby formally ending the GOP's hope of winning the White House!
Now, the right-wing will criticize who gave the invocation, who administered the Vice Presidential Oath, how many non-whites were in the audience, etc. etc. etc.
But, will they try to work with the Democrats for a better America?
let's hope so
Thumbs up, Sir!
This deficit started in 2000 when Republicans gave huge tax breaks to the wealthy creating a huge windfall for them - their incomes went up something like 6000%. At the same time, Republicans started spending like crazy - including two unfunded wars (and kept these expenses off the books to hide the costs). So, having "experienced" a huge windfall in their income under Republican "leadership", why is it a catastrophe that these same ultra-wealthy entities are being required to pay more taxes?? The hypocrisy of the so-called "conservatives" and right wing radicals is beyond description. The mismanagement, favoritism, corruption, greed and incompetence by Republicans (just since 2000) defies explanation and human decency (part of which aka: "Family Values"). The radical right wing fundamentalism exhibited by the right wing can only be described in terms such as "treason", "plunder", "fraud", "recklessness", "foolhardy", "pigheaded" "narcissistic", etc, etc - the list is endless!
Here we go!
A self-proclaimed Republican just posted on another website "how improper for the President to take the Oath with his hand on a Bible. The Bible has no place in our society@.
Yes, indeed, religious freedom at its finest!
I am asking for understanding from our friends on the Right. Please try to understand how significant this 2nd Inauguration is to many of us. It means the first 4 years was not just a moment in time. It means, America has a great potential for growth, compassion, and equality.
We on the Left, are so proud of this President and what it means to America and the world. and to those of us who are old white lefties, we can barely believe how far we have come.
Please give this President a chance.
Excellent!
Very well put friend.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell lashed out at people in the Republican Party who spent the last four years spreading “birther nonsense” and other “things that demonize the president,” calling on GOP leaders to denounce such talk — publicly.
“Republicans have to stop buying into things that demonize the president. I mean, why aren’t Republican leaders shouting out about all this birther nonsense and all these other things? They should speak out. This is the kind of intolerance that I’ve been talking about where these idiot presentations continue to be made and you don’t see the senior leadership of the party say, ‘No, that’s wrong.’ In fact, sometimes by not speaking out, they’re encouraging it. And the base keeps buying the stuff.
“And it’s killing the base of the party. I mean, 26 percent favorability rating for the party right now. It ought to be telling them something. So, instead of attacking me or whoever speaks like I do, look in the mirror and realize, ‘How are we going to win the next election?”
Powell, who endorsed President Obama’s reelection bid in October, said that his critiques of the GOP have left some wondering, “Why are you still a Republican?”
Because, Powell said, “I grew up under Ronald Reagan and Cap Weinberger and George Schultz and George Herbert Walker Bush — that’s the Republican party I know — the Howard Bakers of the world, and I think we’ve drifted from that. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with trying to drift a little bit back. Not because it’s just good to be moderate, but because that’s where the American people are. They lost an election — two.”
But Powell also said President Obama needed to do a better job, during his second, term of reaching out to members of Congress. And as for the president’s second inaugural address, Powell said, “I hope he can, through his own example, restore a sense of civility in the country.”
He said that today was a day for members of both parties, “not to scream and argue with each other, but to come together.”
There is no chance the Powell will get his wishes. There is no way 0-bama can lead by example, restore a sense of civility in this country. It is not in his personal make up or DNA. He is a community agitator doing what he does best - thrive on conflict. He loves the fact that 49% of the people hate him and 51% like the free stuff he gives to his supporters.
I laugh at the people who are comparing Obama to Lincoln. Personally, I hope President Obama mimics President William Henry Harrison. If you don't remember your history I suggest you look it up. : ) Maybe history will have a way of repeating itself. He isn't wearing an overcoat either.
Un-Amerigal...
You are sick and disgusting to wish ANYONE death! Crawl back under your slimy rock
Looks like UnAmericangal has a history of being disgusting and repulsive! She needs to get off the sour-grapes kool-aid soon.
Michelle Obama goes sparkling, sophisticated for inauguration
Mon Jan 21, 2013
Michelle Obama goes sparkling, sophisticated for inauguration
Mon Jan 21, 2013
Michelle Obama goes sparkling, sophisticated for inauguration
Mon Jan 21, 2013
Michelle Obama goes sparkling, sophisticated for inauguration
Mon Jan 21, 2013
A more confident Obama emerges for second term
Sun Jan 20, 2013
'I did it!' Obama takes oath surrounded by family at White House
Sun Jan 20, 2013
'I did it!' Obama takes oath surrounded by family at White House
Sun Jan 20, 2013
'I did it!' Obama takes oath surrounded by family at White House
Sun Jan 20, 2013
Hey Republicans ---- listen up. I thing I have a strategy that may work for you.
Now --- Mitt Romney may have been the best you had and that’s the problem --- he was the best of a horrible insane, ridicules batch. Seriously – Rick Santorum, Michelle Bachmann, Herman Cane, Newt Gingrich --- as president ---- any of them?? I don’t think so. But that’s all in the past. So let’s look to the 2016 election. This is my advise Republicans --- if you want to have any chance of winning in 2016
I just wonder how the fool will feel when after his last day in office and the new republican pres. wipes out everything he did to screw up the United States in the last 8 years of O'dumbo.............
The next GOP president will not be until 2032. Don't think Obama or Hillary have any concerns there.
How is that sour-grapes kool-aid?
@Robert
You mean like Mitt Romney promised to do on Day 1 of his presidency? LOL!
Slow day, everyone must be getting their hair done for an Inaugural Ball.
Did you see Mitt and Ann Romney in the audience?
They were the ones sobbing in the big red crying towels, wailing "that could have been me!".
The Globalist Bankers must be wringing their hands with Scrooge Mc'Duck glee.
If you thought the last 4 years were long - these next 4 are gonna be even longer. A lame duck POTUS that was barely elected to office and thinks he has a mandate. Can't wait until he tries to make us register our guns or turn them in. I have been in practice for 25 years now - it is time to retire and treat old people for cash and get the govt out of my medicine anyway.
@Black+belt...
Lame duck? With 4 years to go?
Barely elected? 51% for the 2nd time, first time since Eisenhower! And Electoral College (the only votes that matter) 332-206....61.7%!
Any more lies you wish to spin? You claim to be a doctor? God help your patients...you rant and rave like an old fool.
Say What> a liberal loser who loves having his NANNY in the Oval Office.
Oh, you're scary nasty...
Four more years of a do nothing congress. Obama will jet all over the world looking presidential, posing for photo ops and in general, staying away from the important topics.
The debt will continue to skyrocket, unemployment stagnant and our tax money will flow like a river into the hands of corrupt third world nations.
Where in the Constitution or Bill of Rights does it say we are the welfare office for the world.
The Senate is worse than the house, at least the house voted on a budget. Even if no one liked it the senate should have voted it down instead of doing nothing. The amendment that needs fixing is the 10th, we need to be able and recall all those congressmen and senators. Same with term limits. They are virtually untouchable.
Obama's World the welfare officeof the world, seems fitting for a president that is intent on taxing the rich and giving it all away and the borrowing .40 cents on a dollar to do it. Not my president I voted for the other guy.
So now Obama is blaming what happened in his first term on a lack of confidence...and in his second term he has more confidence...which means what exactly...obfuscation...incompetence...narcissism...
Ya got that right.
Go to single payer health care, this will solve the health care and the debt problem at the same time. Next, declare all the immigrants who do not have a criminal record, legal, and give them a path to citizen ship, after wards document, finger print and make sure they all are in the system paying taxes, deport anyone who is found to have come into the country illegal in the future. Redirect the money spent on ice to other , or to pay down the budget deficit, as they down size this work force over time. Start to cut waste, like only give oil companies two billion dollars, instead of the usual four billion, and apply the other to the budget deficit. then think of other ways to get this country back on track. cut monies in half that go to other countries for one thing. There are many things that could be done to get the country back on track.
dale-763548---I see you voted for Obama!!! Everything Obama did in in first term caused more division and debt than anyone that came before him. No jobs for those are out of works more expenses for the people that do have jobs. Take a look around you everything cost more and poverty level in this country is going up and not down.
You got taken by Obama twice!! That's not a good record.
Absolutely False.
Stop listening to Fox news.
If Obama gets any more confidence he'll have the whole world on food stamps and no one working.... not to many working now.
WOW! The sour-grapes kool-aid is flowing for the loser GOPers tonight!
Did you see Mitt and Ann? They had the big red crying towels sobbing "That coulda been me, YOU PEOPLE"
LOL! Teapublicans done...finished....kaput.
Kaput, interesting choice of words
You entitlement LOSERS are patheic. You have your nanny government to take care of your worthless as#es...
Congrats when the DOLLAR crashes, and you jerkwads try to blame Bush
dale-763548---I hope that you are real young and healthy because you have a lot of bills to pay"My Friend", to take a line from Biden. If Obama would be a good president maybe we wouldn't be here debating his poor performance in his first term. You like bringing the country together instead of breaking us apart, would have been nice. We are divided now, more division will come and will stay that way until Obama is gone because that's what he wants.
Mitch Cumsteen---Your pitiful. Your beating your own Parents and Grand-Parents to death. Obama twisted your mind really well.
So paul I just could not help but notice the, either sheer ignorance or the blat-en lie.
1964 Lyndon Johnson Democratic 61.05%
1972 Richard Nixon Republican 60.67%
1984 Ronald Reagan Republican 58.77%
1988 George H.W. Bush Republican 53.37%
2008 Barack Obama Democratic 52.87%
2012 Barack Obama Democratic 51.06%
let's see your Numbers Paul, or are you just getting senile ??????
First since Eisenhower to hit 51+% twice.
Resounding win? A couple percentage points is hardly resounding.
Ludicrous, impossible to sustain, insane to impute... Nice braying and hoof stomping however. lol
convenientliesyoubelieve,
Notice how there are no links to back up this posters claims. Typical GOP Nut post!!
These are the convenient lies you believe!!! Plus, the poster can't even spell...
Checkered Demon---So let's see if you can not afford a new car, so you go out and buy two instead? That about sums up the Obama World.
Biggest buffoon of a President since Coolidge, Pierce, etc. The guy wants everyone on WELFARE
Mitch,
Grow a stem, and quit watching FAUX!!
Bush killed our economy and put millions on welfare and made his Presidency all about lying about the Iraq Threat, and sent us into a multi trillion war based on LIES!!!
You can dummy yourself up here:
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_8049600
Mitch,
You got a comeback on this???
What? You don't??
Another clueless GOP wonder!
The real buffoons are the Republican-Tea Party-Right Wing base...and there are probably more of you on some sort of welfare than anyone else. That's addition to the wealthy and corporate types who are on Republican welfare...
Checkered Demon--Will4203---Well I tell ya, I hope both of you are healthy and live a long life, you have a lot of new programs to pay for, and that means a lot of taxes coming out of that pay check. Both of you two don't forget that Obama has stuck us deeper in a hole and you will be taxed to bail us out. It's your turn to carry the load and Obama gave you a lot to carry. He ran up the tab by $6 Trillion Dollars. We are still in January and we are already in the hole for $1 Trillion Dollars, in deficit spending. A great accomplishment by the Obama Bunch.
Get that other part time job to satisfy Obama's thirst for your tax dollars.
The Republicans bankrupted our country and then crashed our economy. And after seeing their own screw-ups, Republicans said "Hey! Let's go after entitlements, etc and extract all the costs from Democrats and poor people! That way, everybody else can pay for our F-Ups! It's genius I tell's ya - it's genius"!! And so, that's how the Republican/Tea Party/Right Wing process operates to this day. But now, they have extended this their psychotic delusions to the Hurricane Sandy and Newtown disasters - where will they go next? Well, they have been rejected by the – real people – but that doesn’t seem to impress them, which means they are genuinely criminally insane….
Will4203---Your making yourself you silly. Under Obama and the Democrats theymanaged to spend over $6Trillion Dollars bring up the National Debt close to $16.5 Trillion Dollars and we are still in the month of January.. That means they didn't cut spending in no way, shape or form. The biggest thing is that you believed that they helped you.
When faced with the facts, all GOP Nutters run over to FOX NEWS, where they get stroked by the Sheeple who control their minds.
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_8049600
Anybody care to respond?
You can't and you know it.
Checkered Demon---Come on!!! Really?? That's it? You must have forgotten about all of the poison gas used by Iraq against their own people and Iran when they were at war. Why in the hell do you think the people in Israel have gas mask all over the place? You need to go to school before your late for class. Pay a little more attention in your history class because you didn't learn to much.
Right on Will.
teapartysnuffer------Oh another Obama Fan. Another lost soul in the sea of imaginary dollars floating around Washington DC.
I agree CD. The only response you will get from those cons will be profanity laced hatred.