Dont kid yourself. President Obamas decision to withdraw 33,000 troops from Afghanistan before he stands for reelection is not driven by the United States position of strength in the war zone as much as it is by grim economic and political realities at home. – Ron Fournier
With gridlock the norm, Congresss approval rating is below 10 percent and the public has lost faith in its national leadership. – Ron Fournier
Obama is capable – as evidenced by his first-term success with health care reform. But mandate-building requires humility, a trait not easily associated with him. – Ron Fournier
Republicans would have preferred the court overturn the health care bill, an act that would have underscored Obamas biggest liability – the perception among voters, including those who like and trust him, that he has been ineffective. – Ron Fournier
I saw the president make the tough calls in the Situation Room – and today, our troops in Iraq have finally come home so America can do some nation building here at home. That was the change that we believed in. That was the change we fought for. That was the change President Obama delivered. – Rahm Emanuel