Presidential overreach or a go for it push that fits the times?

Two RCP articles today discussed President Obama's recent actions and their legitimacy. The first one (here) looks at the unilateral actions taken by the White House as possibly the only realistic ones, while acknowledging that these sorts of decisions are far less successful during implementation than thorough legislation passed through Congress. The second (here) discusses the constitutional legitimacy of Obamas's executive action regarding immigration, or rather, the lack of legitimacy.

Obama's course of action seems to be a refusal to accept some of the difficulties of being a second term president. His actions, while largely unpopular and lacking support, may in fact have been the only way for him to implement any sort of change. With this in mind, what would be the most successful way to address the adversity of being a second term president without overstepping perceived jurisdiction? Is there potential for domestic reform, or is the president too often forced to focus on foreign policy issues if he wants to do anything of significant value?

The Presidency, Foreign Policy, and the Future

Seventy-three years ago today:

 

The Reagan Doctrine and The Reagan recordings

Black Hawk Down

Clinton on the Rwandan Genocide

The Bush Doctrine(s)

• Unilateralism
• With Us or Against Us
• Anticipatory Self-Defense:  preemptive war v. preventive war
• Spreading Democracy through the World

Future standing of Bush?

Things Presidents Have to Know

• CIA Briefings of Candidates
• Daily Briefing

The Next Robert McNamara?

Good profile from Politico on Obama's recent nomination for Secretary of Defense, Ash Carter. He already has broad bipartisan support, which is telling considering the recent shift in power in the Senate. It will be interesting to see how his style of leadership contrasts with that of his predecessors. His technical proficiencies are almost reminiscent of Robert McNamara:

"A nuclear physicist who has also studied medieval history – and a Motown fan, Obama said — Carter is considered an expert in weapons programs, budgets and the operations of the sprawling Defense Department."

Harry