Obama brings more optimism, partisanship and populism to second inaugural speech
By Scott Wilson, WashPost, Monday, January 21, 2:29 PM
President Obama used his second inaugural address Monday to make the case for a liberal last-term agenda that would more sharply define his legacy, arguing that issues such as climate change, immigration reform, gun control and gay rights represent the civil-rights concerns of his generation.
The speech served as an epilogue to his first inaugural address, which was defined by the stern tone he employed “in the midst of crisis.” He echoed some of the same broad themes, including the need for the nation’s political leaders to act in common cause to adapt to a changing country and world.
But Obama did so with more optimism, partisanship and populism than he did on a far colder day four years ago. The caveats and compromises that he included then to appease leery Republicans uncertain of his political approach were almost entirely absent from the arguments he made Monday.
“Progress does not compel us to settle centuries-long debates about the role of government for all time, but it does require us to act in our time,” Obama told the gathered crowd on the Mall. “For now decisions are upon us, and we cannot afford delay.”
(More here.)
President Obama used his second inaugural address Monday to make the case for a liberal last-term agenda that would more sharply define his legacy, arguing that issues such as climate change, immigration reform, gun control and gay rights represent the civil-rights concerns of his generation.
The speech served as an epilogue to his first inaugural address, which was defined by the stern tone he employed “in the midst of crisis.” He echoed some of the same broad themes, including the need for the nation’s political leaders to act in common cause to adapt to a changing country and world.
But Obama did so with more optimism, partisanship and populism than he did on a far colder day four years ago. The caveats and compromises that he included then to appease leery Republicans uncertain of his political approach were almost entirely absent from the arguments he made Monday.
“Progress does not compel us to settle centuries-long debates about the role of government for all time, but it does require us to act in our time,” Obama told the gathered crowd on the Mall. “For now decisions are upon us, and we cannot afford delay.”
(More here.)
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