The Second Term Begins

Second terms in our political system are often only about two years along before the next presidential election overshadows everything.  However, Obama's second inaugural speech promises at least some interesting possibilities.  It was a much more realistic speech than his first which was full of hope and bold pronouncements.  I think he learned if nothing else the very real limitations of presidential power in the US during his first term.   Unless you have both houses of Congress firmly on your side...absolutely nothing is going to happen.

I think what may occur and the wiser Republicans like Boehner are already realizing, is that through his more assertive stance since the election, his high popularity and personal likability he could do a lot of damage to the Republicans chances in the national arena.  By highlighting the "anti-middle class, anti-poor, anti-elderly, anti-minority, and automatic weapons everywhere" stances of the Republican right even if he doesn't get exactly what he wants, President Obama could set them up for further failure in 2016...and beyond.   The unfathomable, twisted process that somehow declared Romney the Republican candidate is even more of a disaster in hindsight....

Shields and Brooks talk a little bit about this at the end of their interesting (as usual) analysis after the inaugural speech.



    

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