After vowing in his State of the Union address to use the power of the pen to pursue his agenda in 2014, President Obama once again is hitting the campaign trail to tout his proposals -- while countering criticism that his presidency has entered a lame-duck phase. Who criticized him? Where's the IRS?
The president on Wednesday will launch a multi-state, post-speech tour. The stumping comes after the president offered a mixed message in his State of the Union address -- he made clear he'll sidestep Congress "wherever and whenever" he can to tackle economic issues but also lowered his sights for what is achievable at this stage in his presidency.
Achievable meaning without the GOP.
In his State of the Union address, Obama stopped short of proposing any sweeping new initiatives. He renewed his call for Congress to approve an immigration overhaul "this year," but for the most part narrowed his focus to smaller-ticket items he's vowing to do on his own. Urging a "year of action," he pitched what he called "concrete, practical proposals" to boost the middle class and build "new ladders of opportunity" for others to enter it
Not small business ladders, for sure, but government ladders - like raising the minimum wage so burger-flippers can be elevated into the middle class.
Thematically, Obama focused his remarks on income inequality and American workers. He argued that the economic recovery largely has benefited those "at the top" while leaving many Americans struggling to break into the middle class.Among the other executive actions Obama is vowing to take is a plan described as "starter savings accounts." Obama said he'd launch "myRA" accounts to help people save for retirement -- under the rough outline of the plan, the accounts would be offered, via employers, through a Roth IRA account and backed by the government.
Can I have a MyRA with my 401k and my Roth IRA? And Social Security, too?
Though Obama's address focused largely on the economy and wages, the health care law remains a major challenge in 2014. The administration has worked to address widespread technical problems with the federal insurance exchanges, but lawmakers are still voicing concerns about the financial stability of the system.
Obama did offer a defense of his health law toward the end of the address. He stressed that the law prevents Americans from being dropped from or denied coverage over a preexisting condition, and said Americans "aren't interested in refighting old battles" on the law.
Just those represented by Congressional Republicans, including the TEA Party - a majority in the House.
To Republican critics, he said: "Tell America what you'd do differently. Let's see if the numbers add up. But let's not have another 40-something votes to repeal a law that's already helping millions of Americans like Amanda. The first 40 were plenty."
I don't think so, Mr. President. You still haven't heard the voice of 60% of the people.
Obama left foreign policy for the end of his address, defending his administration's decision to engage Iran in nuclear negotiations while
"While we have put Al Qaeda's core leadership