But not so fast. Is it possible Barack Obama is so pissed off by this smug notion of having been driven to the mat that he's now ready in the last two rounds to get up and fight?
There are indications: Immediately after the midterm election, he announced a secret deal with the powerful President Xi of China on carbon emissions. It relies on the good faith of both nations to adhere to the promises agreed to, but it establishes a cooperative process between two potentially hostile powers instead of letting the matter fester while rattling sabers. It's long view thinking reliant on science instead of the usual quarterly-focused crisis-managing. It's a crack of light suggesting there might be a future without doom and gloom and war without end. The deal seems to recognize US decline as a reality to be adjusted to. Obama followed it up with an announcement of a $3 billion injection of funds to the developing world to encourage them to join the US/China effort.
Next, President Obama made it clear he's going to use his power of prosecutorial discretion to extend a friendly hand to some five million illegal immigrants mostly from Latin America. Times center-right columnist Ross Douthat suggests this is "creeping caudillismo" on a scale unprecedented in American political history.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
2
1
1
