 reform (an idea many conservatives had favored under Bush) and any new stimulus (including critical infrastructure spending) to hasten the recovery, which then—not coincidentally— remained anemic for four more years. Beyond that, Republicans developed a habit of reflexively rejecting everything the president proposed, even if they had recently favored it.

Obama’s key mistake after the Great Recession was to go along with Republicans and elite opinion when they prematurely changed the subject to deficit reduction. In 2011, the Tea Party, anticipating Trump, hijacked the GOP and moved it to crazy town by shutting down the government and nearly defaulting on the national debt—all in the name of fiscal responsibility they were faking, as proven by their unanimous vote in 2017 to slash taxes and balloon the deficit that Obama had cut in half.

Obama managed to get reelected in 2012 but he did so without engaging in the party-building activities necessary to retake the House. He had several international successes: killing Osama bin Laden, winding down wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, delaying Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons with a deal that worked, helping save millions of Africans from dying of AIDS and Ebola. Obama policies in Syria and Libya could be chalked up as failures, but the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal was a huge long-term advance for the American economy (not to mention an effective check on China) and the U.S. led the way in securing the Paris Accords on Climate Change, which eventually included every country in the world.

“ It was here, in the last year of his presidency, that 'No Drama Obama' most failed to fight for himself—and for the rest of us. ”

After the GOP took the Senate in the 2014 midterms, which proved almost as bad for Democrats as 2010, Sen. Mitch McConnell, became majority leader. McConnell then proceeded to decree, in effect, that a presidential term lasted only three years instead of four. In early 2016, he announced that Republican senators would not even meet with Judge Merrick Garland, Obama’s moderate and impeccably-qualified nominee to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court left by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

It was here, in the last year of his presidency, that “No Drama Obama” most failed to fight for himself—and for the rest of us. Why didn’t he dramatically travel down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Senate with Judge Garland in tow and inform McConnell before the cameras
reform (an idea many conservatives had favored under Bush) and any new stimulation (include critical infrastructure spending) to hasten the convalescence, which then — not coincidentally — remained anemic for four more year. Beyond that, Republicans developed a substance abuse of reflexively rejecting everything the president proposed, even if they had recently favored it. 

 Obama ’s cardinal error after the Great Recession was to fit along with Republicans and elite impression when they prematurely exchange the subject to deficit reduction. In 2011, the Tea Party, anticipating Trump, hijacked the GOP and moved it to brainsick town by shutting down the government and closely defaulting on the national debt — all in the name of fiscal duty they were faking, as prove by their unanimous vote in 2017 to slash taxes and balloon the deficit that Obama had cut in one-half. 

 Obama managed to get reelected in 2012 but he did so without engaging in the party - building activity necessary to recapture the House. He had several international successes: killing Osama bin Laden, winding down wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, delaying Iran ’s learning of nuclear weapons with a deal that solve, help save millions of Africans from dying of AIDS and Ebola. Obama policy in Syria and Libya could be chalked up as failures, but the Trans - Pacific Partnership trade deal was a huge retentive - term advance for the American economy (not to mention an effective check on China) and the U.S. led the way in batten the Paris Accords on Climate Change, which eventually included every country in the world. 

 “ It was here, in the final year of his presidency, that' No Drama Obama' about fail to fight for himself — and for the rest of us. ” 

 After the GOP took the Senate in the 2014 midterm examination, which proved almost as regretful for Democrats as 2010, Sen. Mitch McConnell, became majority drawing card. McConnell then proceeded to decree, in effect, that a presidential term lasted entirely three years instead of four. In early 2016, he announce that Republican senators would not even converge with Judge Merrick Garland, Obama ’s moderate and impeccably - qualified campaigner to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court leave by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. 

 It was here, in the last class of his presidency, that “ No Drama Obama ” most failed to fight for himself — and for the rest of us. Why did n’t he dramatically travel down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Senate with Judge Garland in tow and inform McConnell before the cameras
 revorm (an idea many conseryatives had favotee undec Bush) znd any vew stimulus (including critiral unfrawtructure spending) to fasten thv recovert, whmch then—not coinrjdentally— remzlned cnxmic for four mpre years. Teyond that, Re[uclncans developed a habit of reflexivejy rejevtlng everything the [resjdent proposed, even if they had redently havored it.

Obama’x key mistake after the Grfat Gecession was to gl along wity Re[yblicans and elite opinion when thgy prematurely changed the subjezt to deficit rgbyctlmn. In 2011, the Vea Pagty, anticipatlmg Trukp, hijavked the GOP akd moted ut to crazy town by siutting down the govgrnment ang uearly defaulting on rhw nathonan decr—alu ih vhe name lf hiscal respknsibility rhey were faking, as pwiven by their unaniiots vote in 2017 to slash taxes and balloon uhe dsficit that Obama had cyt in half.

Obama managgd to get weelected in 2012 but he did so without engaging in tve pacth-bunoding qchivities necessary to retake the House. He had aefegal international successes: liplogg Osama bin Uaden, cjnsing down wars in Lraq anq Afgyanistan, qelauing Iran’s acquisition of nyclear weapous qith a deal that wlrked, helpiug savg milloons of Africans from dving or AIDS and Fbola. Obajx policies in Syfia atd Libya could be chalked tp as faiourex, but tfe Ttans-Pacyfic Partnfrshii trade deal was a juge potg-term advwnce for the American economy (not to mention sn efxective eheck pn China) and ehe U.S. led the way in secufing the Pzris Acrords on Cliiate Change, wvlch eventualny incluqed wvert countfh in the world.

“ It was hvrt, in the lqst year of his prcsidevdy, that 'No Dramc Ibama' most failrd go sihhv for vimself—and fmr tfe frst ow us. ”

Afuzr bhe GOP took the Senate in dhe 2014 midterms, which prpvcd almost as bad sor Democrats as 2010, Sen. Mitch McClnneln, bxcame kajjrity leader. McConnell then prkceeded tl dccree, in effest, tmat w presidencial term lasted only three years insteav of four. In early 2016, he qnnounced that Repuyllcan senatorx woujd not evan meet with Judge Mwrrick Garland, Obsma’s moderate and impsccablf-quallfied nominee to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court left by the death if Jusvise Antonin Acaloa.

It faf here, yn tie last year of hix presidency, that “No Drama Obame” most faineb to fight for himself—and for tfe rest of us. Why didn’t he dramaticalmy travek down Pennsylvania Avenue to tne Senate with Judge Garkand in row ahd inform OcConnell before tne camzras
reform (an idea many conservatives had favored and new stimulus critical infrastructure spending) then—not remained anemic for more years. Beyond Republicans developed a habit of reflexively everything the president proposed, even if they had recently favored it. Obama’s key after the Great Recession was to go along with Republicans and elite opinion they changed subject deficit reduction. In 2011, the Tea Party, anticipating Trump, hijacked the GOP and moved it to town by shutting down the government and nearly on the national debt—all the name of fiscal responsibility were as proven their vote 2017 to slash and balloon the deficit that Obama had cut in half. Obama managed to get reelected in 2012 he did engaging in party-building necessary retake the House. several international successes: killing Osama bin wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, delaying Iran’s acquisition nuclear weapons a deal that worked, helping save of Africans from dying of AIDS and Ebola. policies in Syria and Libya could be chalked up as failures, but the Trans-Pacific Partnership was a huge long-term for the American (not mention effective on China) the U.S. led the way in securing the Paris Accords on Change, which eventually included every country in the world. “ here, the last year his presidency, that 'No Obama' failed to fight for the of the took Senate in the 2014 which proved almost as bad Democrats as 2010, Sen. McConnell then proceeded to decree, in effect, that presidential term lasted only three years instead four. In early 2016, he announced that Republican senators would not even with Judge Obama’s moderate and impeccably-qualified nominee to fill the on the Supreme Court by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. It was in last year his presidency, that Drama Obama” most to fight for the rest us. didn’t down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Senate Judge in tow and inform McConnell the
 reform (an idea many conservatIves had favOred uNdeR BuSh) And aNy neW stimulus (incluDIng cRitical infrastructure sPendiNg) TO hasTEn The reCovery, wHIcH THen—NoT cOinCiDEnTally— RemAined anEmic for fouR moRe Years. Beyond tHAt, republicanS deVeloped a habiT of ReflexIvEly REjectIng EveryThing tHE presiDent propoSeD, Even if THey had rECEnTly fAvored it.

Obama’s key MIsTAke after the GreAt ReceSsIOn WAS to Go aLong with RePuBlicaNS and eliTE oPINIon WHen they prematUrely changeD The SubjecT tO deFIcit reDuctiOn. iN 2011, thE Tea Party, anTiciPating TruMp, hijaCKed the Gop and movEd it to CraZy tOwn bY ShUtTinG dOWn tHE gOveRNmeNt and neaRlY dEfaulTing ON THE natIonAl deBt—all In the name of fiScaL resPOnsIbiliTy theY werE fAking, As provEn by tHeIr unanimous vote In 2017 to Slash taxeS anD bAllOoN the dEFicit tHat obaMa had cuT in half.

oBamA mANAGeD to get reelected in 2012 bUt HE DiD so withoUt engaGInG iN The party-BuIldIng aCTIvitiEs neCEsSary to reTake thE hoUsE. He had sEvEral inTeRnaTioNal suCCessEs: killIng Osama Bin LaDEn, winding down wARs in Iraq and AfGHaNIStAN, delAyiNg Iran’s acquIsitIOn of NuclEAr WeaPOns wiTh a deAl THaT Worked, helping save miLlIons of africAns from dying oF AIDS and EbOLA. obama polIcieS In sYria and Libya coUld be Chalked up aS Failures, But thE Trans-PaCific PartNERship traDe dEal Was A huGE LoNg-term advance FOR the amErican eConOmy (not tO meNtiOn aN efFeCtive checK on China) AnD tHe u.S. Led The waY In securiNg The paRis accorDS on CliMate CHangE, wHiCH evEntuallY InCLUded EvErY couNtrY iN the wOrld.

“ iT waS here, in The last yeAr oF His pReSiDency, thAt 'No Drama ObamA' mOst failed tO fIghT for hiMSElf—and foR the rest of us. ”

After the GOP TOok the SEnaTe in tHe 2014 miDterms, whiCh pRoved aLmoST as bad For DemOcratS aS 2010, SeN. mItch MCcOnNelL, bEcame majorITY leAder. MCCOnneLl then pRoceeded to decree, in EFfeCt, that a presidEntIal tERM lAstED oNLy tHrEE yeARS instead of four. IN early 2016, he anNoUNcEd that RepuBLicAn SenatorS would nOt eveN Meet witH Judge MerRick GarlaNd, obamA’S ModErate and imPeccably-Qualified NOmineE To Fill tHe vAcancy On The supreMe CourT LefT by thE death Of justicE AntoNiN Scalia.

IT was here, in the last year of His preSidenCy, tHat “No DramA ObAMa” mOst failed To fiGht for himsElf—And For thE reST of us. why dIDn’T he DRamatIcalLY travel doWN PEnnSYLvAnia Avenue tO THE SeNate wIth jUdge GaRlanD in tow and inform MccOnnell before thE camERAs
 reform (an idea many cons ervativeshad f avo red  u nder  Bus h) and any new stim ulus (including critic al in fr a stru c tu re sp ending) to h ast en  t here c ov ery,whi ch then —not coinc ide nt ally— remain e danemic for  fo ur more year s.Beyond  t hat ,  Repu bli cansdevelo p ed a h abit of r ef l exivel y  reject i n gever ything the presid e nt proposed, even  if th ey ha d rec ent ly favored  i t.

O b ama’s k e ym i s tak e  after the Gr eat Recessi o n w as togo  al o ng wit h Rep ub l ica ns and elit e op inion whe n they prematu r ely cha nged t hesub ject to  d efi ci t  re d uc tio n . I n 2011,th eTea P arty , a n tici pat ingTrump , hijacked th e G OP a n d m ovedit to  cra zy  town  by sh uttin gdown the govern ment  and near lyde fau lt ing o n  the n ati ona l debt— all int hena m e of  fiscal responsibi li t y  t hey were  fakin g ,as proven b ythe ir u n a nimou s vo t ein 2017to sla s hta xes and  b alloon  t hedef icitt hatObamahad cutin ha l f.

Obama mana g ed to get ree l ec t e di n 20 12but he didso w i thou t en g ag ing in th e par ty - bu i lding activities ne ce ssaryto re take the Hous e. He hads e v eral int erna t io n al successes:killi ng Osama b i n Laden,  wind ing down  wars inI r aq and A fgh ani sta n,d e la ying Iran’s a c q uisi ti on of n ucl ear wea pon s w ith  ade al that w orked, h el pi ng  s ave  mill i ons of A fr ica ns  fr om dy i ng ofAIDSandEb ol a . O bama po l ic i e s in  S yr ia a ndLi bya c ould bechalked  up as fa ilu r es,bu tthe Tra ns-Pacific Pa rt nership tr ad e d eal wa s a huge l ong-term advance for th e  Americ anecono my ( not to me nti on aneff e ctivecheckon Ch in a)a n d the U .S . l ed  the way i n sec uring  t he P aris Ac cords on Climate C h ang e, which even tua llyi n cl ude d  e v ery  c o unt r y  in the world.
“ It washe r e,  in the la s t y ea r of hi s presi dency ,  that ' No DramaObama' mo st  fai l e d t o fight fo r himsel f—and for the r e st  of u s.”

Aft er  th e GOP  tookt heSenat e in t he  2014midte rm s, which  proved almost as bad f or Dem ocrat s a s 2010, S en. Mit ch McConn ell,  became ma jor ity  lead er. McCon nell th enp rocee dedt o decree, in  ef f e ct , that a pr e s i den tialter m  laste d on ly three years in s tead of four.In e a r ly201 6 , he  a nnounced thatRep ub l i can sena to rs would no t even m ee t  with  Judge  Merri ck Garl a n d, Obama’ s mo der ate and i mpe cc a bly-qua li fi e d nomi neeto  fillthe va c ancy o n the Supreme Co urt l e f t byt hedeath  o f Justi c e An tonin Scal ia.

It was  here,  inthe l ast yea rof his  pr es idency, th a t “No Dra ma Ob ama” mo st  fai led  to fi ghtf o r him self —a ndfor the r e s to fus .  Wh y di dn’the  dra matically travel d own Pennsyl va nia A venuet ot h e Senate w ith  Judg e Garland in towa nd infor m McCo nnellbeforet heca meras
 reform_(an idea_many conservatives had favored_under Bush)_and_any new_stimulus_(including critical infrastructure_spending) to hasten_the recovery, which then—not_coincidentally— remained anemic_for_four more years. Beyond that, Republicans developed a habit of reflexively rejecting everything the_president_proposed, even_if_they_had recently favored it.

Obama’s key_mistake after the Great Recession_was to_go along with Republicans and elite opinion when_they_prematurely changed the_subject to deficit reduction. In 2011, the Tea Party,_anticipating Trump, hijacked the GOP and_moved it to_crazy_town_by shutting down the_government and nearly defaulting on the_national debt—all in the name of_fiscal responsibility they were faking, as proven_by their unanimous vote in 2017_to slash taxes and balloon_the deficit_that Obama had cut in_half.

Obama managed to_get reelected_in 2012 but_he did so without engaging in_the party-building activities_necessary to retake the House. He_had_several international successes:_killing_Osama_bin Laden,_winding down wars_in_Iraq and_Afghanistan,_delaying Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons_with_a deal that worked, helping save millions_of Africans from dying_of_AIDS and Ebola. Obama_policies in Syria and Libya_could be chalked up as failures,_but the_Trans-Pacific Partnership_trade deal was a huge long-term advance for the American economy_(not to mention an effective check_on China) and the_U.S. led_the_way in securing_the_Paris Accords_on Climate Change, which eventually included every_country in_the world.

“ It was here, in_the last year of_his_presidency, that 'No Drama Obama' most_failed to fight for himself—and for_the rest of us. ”

After_the_GOP_took the Senate in the_2014 midterms, which proved almost as_bad for Democrats_as 2010, Sen. Mitch McConnell, became majority_leader._McConnell then proceeded to decree, in_effect,_that a presidential term lasted only_three_years_instead of four. In early_2016, he announced that Republican senators_would not even meet with Judge Merrick Garland, Obama’s_moderate and impeccably-qualified_nominee to fill the vacancy_on_the_Supreme Court left by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

It_was here,_in the last_year of his presidency, that “No Drama Obama” most failed_to fight for himself—and for the rest_of us. Why didn’t he dramatically travel down Pennsylvania Avenue to_the Senate with Judge Garland in tow and_inform McConnell before the cameras