Since then, a graying Obama has struggled to accelerate a weak economic recovery, failed to meet hugely elevated expectations for his presidency and waged a political war of attrition with Republicans.
He begins anew with several fierce budget battles looming in Congress, and his “Yes We Can” rhetoric soured by sarcasm over the blocking tactics of Republicans in the partisan brouhaha paralyzing government in Washington.
Abroad, the US confrontation with Iran is fast-headed to a critical point with the specter of military action becoming ever more real the longer diplomacy over Tehran’s nuclear program remains stuck in neutral.
And terror strikes that killed Americans in Benghazi and Algeria call into question Obama’s election year sound bite that “Al-Qaeda is on the run,” despite the killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011.
Muscle-flexing by China and rising tensions in contested waters with its neighbors, as well as North Korea’s nuclear belligerence, will meanwhile test the president’s signature pivot of US diplomacy to Asia.
Obama was taking the oath of office on Sunday to comply with the US Constitution, which dictates his first term ends at noon on January 20.
Tradition states that when that date falls on a Sunday, a private swearing-in is followed on Monday by the public festivities, including the second oath taking, the address, parade and glittering inaugural balls.
Obama knows that for second term presidents, power quickly wanes and political potholes await.
The second term “curse” often strikes: Richard Nixon resigned, Bill Clinton was impeached, George W. Bush’s image was shattered by Iraq and Hurricane Katrina and Ronald Reagan’s legacy was marred by the Iran-Contra scandal.
Plouffe said however that with a full agenda, including immigration reform, gun control and speeding the economic recovery, Obama would hardly be shuffling around the White House looking for things to do.
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