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Subscribe to RSSWith less than a month before his inauguration the President shares his four biggest priorities for his second term in office.
While all eyes remain fixated on the nation’s budget woes and the so-called fiscal cliff negotiations, President Barack Obama told NBC News on Sunday that he has more ambitious goals in mind for his second term.
In an exclusive interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Obama said that there are several major issues sitting atop his agenda for the next four years, including immigration, economic growth, energy issues, the environment, and gun violence.
The president discussed efforts to address gun violence and immigration with particular urgency on Sunday.
"I've said that fixing our broken immigration system is a top priority," he said. "I will introduce legislation in the first year to get that done. I think we have talked about it long enough."
And in the aftermath of December's deadly elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn., the president vowed to put his "full weight" behind the gun violence recommendations he asked Vice President Joe Biden to generate.
Recommended: Obama on Benghazi: 'This was a huge problem'
Obama said that battle would also be fought during the first year of his second term, the success of which the president suggested would hinge upon just how searing the deadly shooting was to the public psyche.
President Barack Obama says "I think anybody who was up in Newtown, who talked to the parents, who talked to the families understands that something fundamental in America has to change."
"Will there be resistance? Absolutely there will be resistance," the president told NBC's David Gregory. "And the question then becomes whether we are actually shook up enough by what happened here that it does not just become another one of these routine episodes where it gets a lot of attention for a couple of weeks and then it drifts away. It certainly won't feel like that to me. This is something that was the worst day of my presidency. And it's not something that I want to see repeated."
Obama also said he was "skeptical" of the National Rifle Association's proposal to put an armed guard in every school, though he said he would not "prejudge" any proposals to address mass shooting events.
Those items alone might constitute an ambitious agenda for a second-term president, who, history suggests, has a limited timetable to accomplish top goals before the waning powers of a lame-duck presidency set in.
Key staffers huddle behind closed doors against the backdrop of a snowy capital as they attempt to hammer a last-minute deal to avoid going over the so-called fiscal cliff. NBC's Kristen Welker reports.
But Obama added to that list two other priorities which eluded him in his first term. He said energy and the environment would be a "third thing" on his second term agenda, for instance.
"We've got a huge opportunity around energy. We are producing more energy and America can become an energy exporter," the president said. "How do we do that in a way that also deals with some of the environmental challenges that we have at the same time?"
The president acknowledged, though, that his top priority is preventing automatic tax hikes on all Americans come Jan. 1 as part of the fiscal cliff. That battle has been playing out vividly in Washington during the final days of 2012, and directly involves the fourth priority as described by Obama: stabilizing and growing the economy.
"Part of that is deficit reduction. Part of it is also making sure that we're investing, for example, in rebuilding our infrastructure, which is broken," he said, arguing that the combination of spending cuts elsewhere and new investments would help stabilize the economy.
But Obama's ability to accomplish those four priorities — and then some — could be sapped by the protracted fiscal cliff battle, or any of the other legislative battles he might encounter along the way.
Related: Obama: GOP's insistence on halting tax hikes for the wealthy is stopping fiscal cliff deal
Immigration reform, for instance, had failed to advance over the objections of Republicans during Obama's first term. He said during the campaign that he would seek comprehensive reforms again in his second term, predicting that, if Republicans fared poorly enough with Hispanic voters during the election, they might relent in their opposition to an immigration bill.
Pete Souza / White House Photo
President Barack Obama is interviewed by David Gregory of NBC's "Meet The Press" in the Blue Room of the White House, Dec. 29, 2012. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
In fact, the GOP did not fare particularly well with the increasingly important bloc of Latino voters, but the question of whether they would relent on immigration reform was an untested proposition.
Other tough battles that could inhibit these goals include pending Cabinet confirmations. While Obama has nominated a new secretary of state — Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry — he denied having settled upon former Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., as his new secretary of defense. But Obama also shielded Hagel, reportedly a front-runner for the defense gig, by saying he sees nothing in the former senator's record as disqualifying.
And there were other second term commitments Obama resisted; he would not commit to significant reforms to entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security during the first year of his second term, for instance.
In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, President Barack Obama tells David Gregory he's optimistic the fiscal cliff can be averted, lays out the goals for his second term, and also discusses the Benghazi attack and how it was handled by the administration and those on Capitol Hill.
At several points in his "Meet the Press" appearance, Obama referenced President Abraham Lincoln and the recently-released film about Lincoln's pursuit of the 13th Amendment, and the trade-offs needed to achieve that goal. Obama invoked that example on both gun control and the fiscal cliff, saying that while he was not comparing himself to Lincoln, that movie offered a lesson in the occasional ugliness of political leadership.
"A, I never compare myself to Lincoln and, B, obviously the magnitude of the issues are quite different from the Civil War and slavery," he said. "The point, though, is democracy's always been messy. And we're a big, diverse country that is constantly sort of arguing about all kinds of stuff. But eventually we do the right thing."
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Perhaps he believes the schools are filled with American ambassadors or former navy seals?
Yeah now the dear leader is going to confiscate our guns. This is one of the first steps a dictator takes and that is get guns away from private citizens so they cannot resist the takeover. Obama has shown he is more than willing to piss on the Constitution.
And his next step is to grant citizenship and voting rights to the 20 million illegals here forever keeping the Democrats in control and increasing the 47% to a majority.
Boelifer...
This I believe is the grand scheme..The USA will then be a one party nation...Progressive liberalism, then to socialism..God help us all.
O-Bomb-a needs to know the facts:
Almost all the celebrities and representatives calling for gun control have their own armed security!
The last "assault weapon" ban had NO EFFECT.
The places where this sort of crime happens is always 'gun free' zones. Go figure that one.
Home invasions these days with multiple assailants pretty much require a large capacity magazine to be repelled. Ain't gonna do it with a 6 shooter.
Making any law respecting guns is an abridgement, and therefore totally un-Constitutional. Feinstein's bill is in particular a seriously vile abridgement of the second Amendment.
All of the shooters are jacked up on some medications. This must be looked at and regulated.
The last shooting had so many holes in the story it has to be a CIA operation. Did you hear the whacky medical examiner? The long gun was locked in the car - makes no sense at all.
Violence in our culture, starting with drone bombing and ending with the media, must stop immediately. It is a culture that is definitely responsible.
Why do we have no concern about your killing of hundreds of children in other countries via Drones while we get all sorts of bent out of shape when it happens here. Why not become just as upset over the many kids killed in domestic violence, or from correctly prescribed medications??
At least we have the Republicans in control of the house and they will stop this trampling of the Constitution that the dear leader wants.
They have also been trashing it
I do hope and pray they stand firm for our constitution and maybe more of the Democrats (several have) will gain common sense. If the majority support our constitution and stand up against obama's tyranny we will keep the USA So many have fought for.
Our constitution is the only thing that stops obama from achieving his goal of becoming Emperor of the USA. obama is not for the USA , he is an enemy of the state and works for our destruction! Just read his history
They all have armed security,their kids all have armed security....
But he's skeptical of armed security for other people's kids?
I remember the 95 pound weakling from the old magazine ads....this must be the 95 pound hypocrite.
Any "Progressive's" agenda scares me.
This Progressive's agenda should scare EVERYONE even those of you who "agree" with him
What about the guns him and Holder sent to Mexico that have killed hundreds of people? Live by example and stop shooting your mouth off because it is hard to hear when your head is up your a$#. Worst so called president actually he is just Goldman Sachs mouth piece and nothing more. Time for the American people who believe in the Constitution to take the country back from the English scum again. Lets impeach this idiot and throw him out of office along with all the worthless politicians in D.C..
obama wants to disarm the US and is using the horrible massacre in Conn. and the media to further his cause. If weapons are banned then only the bad guys will have weapons. There is a town that made owning a firearm mandatory for each head of the household ( Felons and nutcases excluded). Their crime rate is almost non existent now. A bad guy does not want to go where he just might get shot. I have carried for nearly 40 years and have used my weapon only once in the defense of another.
obama wants to disarm America so no one can fight back in the revolution he has predicted and called for because of his policies. Hitler did the same Stalin did the same Now obama is doing the same.
By the way he has an army of seret service protecting him we don't nor do the school children
I believe a woman has the right to chose
I believe gays should be able to marry who they wish
and I believe law abiding Americans should CONTINUE to have the right to protect themselves
Look at the Fuehrer is not wearing any clothes
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/29/3160893/how-florida-limits-care-for-disabled.html
We need to go after those that hire the illegals and pay under the table. We have 13 million illegal Mexicans in this country, just counting Mexicans, that pay no taxes but are voting. What's wrong with this picture?
It's simple: Deport every illegal immigrant including their children born here. Ban all guns and ammunition. Problem solved!
He is going to over reach as he thinks he is a little God.
Republicans support automatic and semi-automatic weapons, large capacity magazines for rifles and handguns, minimal background checks for gun sales at local gun shows, tax breaks for the top 2% of Americans (the ones who donate big bucks to the Republicans) starting a new war with Iran, and the best one of all, Arming America Teachers. The Party of NO seems to say YES when it comes to the killing of average citizens at home and abroad.
Morning Terry,
It's oblame that has let loose with drones overseas as you very well know and is using them here on us in America. The time is now the President is oblame. Stop passing the buck. He wanted to be President, he should act like one and his minions should stop blaming.
How about this....
I'll give up my gun when you tell me how to protect myself (single woman living alone in the woods) and my domestic animals from feral and rabid animals, and from thieves, without one. It takes local law enforcement 25 minutes to get here when called.
Also, when Obama stands down the armed guards at the school his children attend, he will have proper grounds to talk about how armed guards are not the answer for anyone else's children.
You must be one of those commie socialists with their hand out wanting money from others - I despise you and people like you. House republicans - The debt ceiling is coming don't budge one inch - you have to starve the beast and if we can default on the debt no one will lend us money so the entitlement game is then over and we can fix this sick country called the USA.
@terry
You should call Obama, HuffPo, MSNBC and CNN and congratulate them on their job of propagandizing you well done!
Actually his main agenda must be to act Presidential:
Be the Diplomat, the Ambassador, and Statesman he should be, first and foremost in representing ALL Americans and America.
Stop spending spending spending spending spending. The rest of us working American's do it each and everyday no matter how easy or hard it is.
Do not mess with our Constitution, Our Freedom, Our Rights for your JOB is to protect them NOT take them away or think you can.
Come clean on Benghazi and be prepared to handle the truth, if you cannot, resign before impeachment. Happy New Year Barack, you'll need it.
Simple agenda, JUST DO IT.
Won't never happen with this empty suit.
This idiot of a president doesn't realize its the economy and jobs first stupid - Oh I forget he has to keep the half the country on government programs so that democrats can be re-elected. Unbeliveable - Please God take this anti-Christ out!
I'm with you Lambo123. His agenda is to further divide and eventually destroy America and Americans. His problem with us true Americans and the real America is that we are not like the Egypt or Libya, he dismantled. He thinks he can do that here with ease, but he has learned one major lesson, that there is one problem, we Americans do not back down. We are his problem, always have been, always will be.
Fake interview,fake questions,fake president who saw a movie and thinks hes Abe Lincoln
Where's the tough questions from the host???
"Mr President,you have armed security for your kids,why are other people's children different,are they less important?"
Where was that question?
Bogus "news" interview.
What about immigrants WITH guns ON unemployment??
Ah yes,,, what can this dim bulb screw up next....
What bull crap, his number one agenda is the same now as the day he got elected...divide the country, pit citizen groups against each other, decimate the constitution, eliminate the control of congress by passing executive orders, by votes by handing out special favors to the special interest groups for votes in return, put the country on it's knees so they actually need government for assistance there by insuring their votes.....problem is he has accomplished most of that and the worse is yet to come......So as you can see he is following the Socialist agenda to a tee, which has the Inherent virtue of equal sharing of misery for all...And if you don't see that you have some damn big blinders on or are just very, very gullible to his charming and destructive rhetoric
I predict an upcoming shortage of 8" PVC pipe and screw caps.
I agree.
"skeptical of the National Rifle Association's proposal to put an armed guard in every school"..... said the elitist guy whose kid's school is protected by armed guards to the other elitist guy whose kid's school is protected by armed guards.
Armed protection is for the elite. Not for the rest of us.
FIX the FKING Economy FIRST! Everything else can wait! $14 Trillion dollar debt needs to come down now! Why should anybody pay their debts when our own government can't do it? Government needs to stand up and be a leader showing EVERYONE that you pay your debts and you DON"T SPEND MORE than you MAKE!
?????Quess WHO I AM POSTING THIS ABOUT???
TAKE THE QUIZ IF YOU DARE...
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and
necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and
pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should
be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large
districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of
Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable
to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual,
uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the
sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing
with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause
others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of
Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the
State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from
without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for
that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to
pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of
new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his
Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of
their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms
of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without
the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior
to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction
foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent
to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any
Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring
Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its
Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for
introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws,
and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves
invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his
Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns,
and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign
Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already
begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the
most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high
Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends
and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has
endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian
Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all
ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these
Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our
repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose
character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be
the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in
attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of
attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us.
We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement
here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have
conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations,
which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too
have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must,
therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold
them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of
America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the
world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of
the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these
United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that
they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all
political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought
to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have
full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce,
and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection
of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes
and our sacred Honor.
According to the NRA all legal gun owners are responsible. I know some legal gun owners who are irresponsible. They don't lock up their weapons and have young children. Another is so paranoid he sleeps with a gun! Adam Lanza's mother who was a legal gun owner was irresponsible too. She took her mentally disturbed son to a shooting range to become a marksman. This gun nut also failed to properly secure her weapons. Because of this she's dead and so are 26 other people. There are many irresponsible gun owners,some are unstable and very careless. The most unstable ones usually have the most weapons too.
Shadowbosses, Government Unions versus Taxpayers
Short and sweet, no argument, just facts and logic and perhaps because the truth is being told & the lies exposed in the works of:
Mallory Factor's book "Shadow Bosses"
Well it's about Time. Jolly good show Ole boy, Jolly good!
heh ! Get Used Too It, Union Thugs 4ward-----> ho
Hear ye Hear ye
I've ordered 20 k coppies of this book for distribution Nation wide
Oh and BTW, if I laid you off, or any of your Family or friends, Sorry it is just business not personal... mostly