Politics
Obama second term bogged down with politics, local issues and external conflicts
U.S. President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama has little to show so far for a second term stifled by political inertia at home and foreign crises that have defied American might and influence, and now a country deeply divided along racial lines as evidenced by the not-guilty verdict accorded by a nearly all-white jury to George Zimmerman the murderer of an un-armed African American teenager, Trayvon Martin.
Nearly six months after delivering an inaugural address brimming with liberal intent, Obama is in a familiar spot: banging his head against a brick wall of Republican opposition.
Big hopes of action on immigration, the economy and taxation are fading, meaning Obama’s second term may be more about cementing gains of his first four years than adding to his legacy.
With the Middle East aflame, allies angered by US spy snooping and amid challenges from North Korea and Iran, Obama may also look in vain for wins abroad that second term presidents crave.
Vindicated by voters, Obama returned to the White House with vigor in November. But there has been little to cheer since.
He did secure victory over Republicans in a row over raising tax rates on the rich at the turn of the year.
But since, he has seen a gun control drive crumble and had to delay implementation of part of his top achievement, the Obamacare health overhaul.
