A defiant Barack Obama dives into what could be a defining period of his presidency this week, after repeatedly enraging Republicans from afar during his Asia tour. Obama faces showdowns with the GOP over immigration, the Keystone XL pipeline and his drive for a nuclear deal with Iran, all of which have huge consequences for his political legacy. Far from being chastened by the Republican capture of the Senate, Obama is setting out to prove he is no lame duck and can still set the agenda. But the GOP insists the mid-terms gave them a share of power in Washington, and believe Obama risks usurping his authority and even the constitution with his bold new strategy.
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Obama stakes out defiant tone toward GOP
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The White House readies executive action on immigration
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Republicans puzzle over how to respond
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@placeholder officials have not said when Obama will wield his executive powers in a move that could remove the threat of deportation for millions of undocumented people.
Asia
So, as he trekked through @placeholder, Obama rattled Republicans almost every day.
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So, as he trekked through Asia, Obama rattled @placeholder almost every day.
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While in @placeholder, the president debunked the idea that the plan, opposed by environmentalists in his political base, would create lots of jobs and lower gas prices.
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Republicans are fuming over Obama's go-it-alone attitude since voters handed the @placeholder the Senate and expanded its majority in the House.