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Jeanne Zaino, Thomas Schwartz and Michael Cornfield on whether President’s speech was too ‘political’
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World I'm joined in the studio here now by -- Zdeno.
Who is of course contributed to school and our school all the arts and sciences at the top of the Westchester Iona College -- -- -- -- -- make the president's speech I loved about it.
-- how Americans need to work together.
But he drew the political lines as well when he said for instance.
We the people understand that a country cannot succeed when he shrinking few.
Do very well -- growing many.
Barely make it he's did those economic lines are drawn once again.
Yeah I -- And this is not very -- even I was struck by how briefing was how short it was an end you know I think a lot of people said he should keep it short and he listened to that so.
I think that was a good sign.
I think it started out strong highlights the reference and the discussion of founding principles mom.
I think you're right in the middle he started to get into some political issues that supporters of the president will be very happy to hear.
And that opponents will.
The you know upset to hear about you know he talked he talked at one point about gay marriage and he talked about gun control about talk about Social Security Medicaid.
All things that his supporters absolutely want to hear but I think.
As you think about inaugural addresses the idea is this is not a political speech the election is over that this is -- time to bring people together and that's how they're usually -- I -- three weeks' time of course we have the state of the union yeah.
We have come do that benefit that's just not go back to the capitol very briefly as Kelly Clarkson American Idol season woman singer.
Sings my country -- of.
Okay.
-- -- -- Kelly Clarkson performing my country.
Toews is all of the L a bring in a couple of other analysts we have to discuss second -- and the perils and opportunities.
All -- such joining us from -- Nashville Tennessee.
Is professor of political science and history at Vanderbilt University.
Thomas Schwartz professor good to see him.
We thank you.
And also with us via Skype from DC is Michael Coleman.
Field who is acting director of -- of the political management program at GWU.
Good to see you -- -- Used to be living it up professor Schwartz let me come to you first up.
Got -- plots and just seeing my country tis of me that.
Her latest album was called stronger went platinum is president Obama's stronger or weaker as he begins formally -- -- -- -- I think he feels -- I think he is stronger as he begins his second term he's more experienced now he's had some victories he's been reelected which is an important step in its own right.
And I do think -- on the tone of the address gave me the sense that he feels very much.
That he's got the wind -- -- fact and this is a time to push ahead on many of the issues that he.
Found himself having -- to abandon at what point during the his first term moderate climate change.
He declared the war on terror over in effect.
And I think in that -- -- he he does feel himself I think much -- open.
My Michael they need to -- certainly.
-- -- As if he feels stronger the tone of what we've heard from it.
No I'm not necessarily in this speech for the -- we've heard of him in political debates so fog and pushing the legislation that he wants to get past.
Would indicate that he believes he is -- the would you agree.
I think he is stronger I think he's learned that he can't negotiate with himself he's -- better negotiations with Republicans.
I have to say I was very disappointed in the speech I expect it and same -- about -- patrol.
And I felt as far as that -- -- normal nation expected him to talk about America's place in the world.
Which is something that we normally associate with the -- aggressive.
Fortunately for for him in political terms inaugural dresses usually don't count -- much inaugural addresses are for.
The politician in the future generation to being fired and I -- this speech was.
Interesting some of our viewers weighing in John Young says -- this was just another campaign.
Speech up 683 agrees that was a campaign speech Rebecca Conrad says god bless our president vice president and their families.
And Ramos has made the president -- finally break Washington's record.
Of the shortest speech it was quick a little shorter as you said -- it would would you agree though where with the gentleman that he is.
In a stronger position -- -- Yeah you know I think is politically is it exactly the same position with the with -- house.
Owned by the Republicans -- the senate in democratic hands but it's it's not an easy to get anything done.
Well you know -- -- he has an approval -- you know 55%.
That's a very strong approval rating for president coming -- in the second -- I think we've heard -- -- in his advisors say that he feels stronger and as you mentioned on issues of gun control in terms of the debt ceiling and another -- -- since the I have to say that I think the new town shootings you know arguably had an enormous impact on him personally -- -- taken very seriously and just back to what the professor sent you know one point that I thought I was surprised that was not addressed in the speech as much as it might offend.
-- the connection to Martin Luther King Day and Martin Luther King himself I thought he was going to you know addressed that a little more brief mention enough was -- and -- and I thought there might be a little more -- that was another thing I thought he might do you know I have to say he.
You know I I think he was listening to people who said he he had -- -- economical about the speech but on the other -- and you know this is it time at which he can say things that you would necessarily -- a political speak.
Right up professor Schwartz.
Difficulties.
They sometimes have always obviously in in president Clinton's second term we saw impeachment yet not conviction.
And president Reagan's second term that was a lot of achievements but that was also.
Iran Contra.
Didn't come we draw any generalize nation's historically speaking -- to the the perils of all opportunities all -- second terms.
-- one of the generalizations we sometimes can draw I think is that president's coming into the second term often feel quite emboldened.
With some people forget that George Bush talked about he was gonna spend his capital on getting the reform of Social Security.
I think about the presidents often feel like there that they have this opportunity Franklin Roosevelt tried to reform the Supreme Court they have to be a little careful about overreach and I think if there's any dangers that President Obama might face is that he's gonna push such a range of initiatives.
That he may not push -- of that that that he might be frustrated that his opponents might be able to frustrate him.
-- in that manner so there is there is that there are some concerns here I think.
And that's and so far we're that he will test me and my advice I'd say the pick and choose among them all of which ones he's going to push actually first when he has the most political strength.
Michael would you agree with that led to up the focus is -- is sometimes say a danger all lack of focus is sometimes a danger in a second term and could be the President Obama if he tries to reach for too many achievements.
I do agree I think the professor is finding out who cautionary example that the in congress in 1937.
And -- all but he's safe but had basically dissipated all the political capital -- here because he wasn't far and the thing that George W.
Bush.
Obama better model even though they the other party would've been Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan.
Who focused on a few issues.
And -- -- its record but mixed record that included on the so so I would agree.
-- -- in between the president.
Should.
And will focus on most is is this all about gun control.
And the debt of what way do you see him if he if he if he is -- raised by a small people like you and and are two.
University guys here and is he gonna focus on just one or two things -- and what will it be.
I do think he has to prioritize and I would say immigration has got to be in the top of -- -- and I think it will be at the top of his list I think that summer where he can really have a real impact from a policy perspective I think he can get Republicans to join him on that.
I think on controls and an Indian much tougher road for him although he's he's personally so committed to what I think it will end up at the top of his agenda.
And you know I give him credit for that heat he feels personally.
That you know in some way.
He he is going to be committed to that issue you know I think one of the interesting things about second term presidents you know FDR wasn't term limited out but certainly Barack Obama is.
And every single other person he talks -- quite frankly is not term limits -- limited out.
You know everybody he's dealing with this thinking about the next election he's thinking about his legacy and that really puts him in a very different position when he's talking about negotiating and thinking about making policy so I think it's something that really does impact -- second term presidency in the way we don't see with congressmen and women.
Who aren't term limited out at this point.
