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Taking to the world's biggest bully pulpit Taking to the world's biggest bully pulpit
(35 minutes later)
Article written by Mark Mardell North America editor   Article written by Mark Mardell North America editor  
The US president rounded off his second and last inauguration day with the troops, at the commander-in-chief's ball.The US president rounded off his second and last inauguration day with the troops, at the commander-in-chief's ball.
Even here, speaking down a link to soldiers in Afghanistan, his mind was on the home front - assuring them they would be looked after when they came home, given a heroes welcome. Even here, speaking down a link to soldiers in Afghanistan, his mind was on the home front - assuring them they would be looked after when they came home, given a heroes' welcome.
He does not want any new foreign wars but he has signalled he is ready for a series of monumental fights at home. He does not want any new foreign wars, but he has signalled he is ready for a series of monumental fights at home.
He has used the biggest bully pulpit he will ever get to punch home a feisty message that contained not an ounce of compromise.He has used the biggest bully pulpit he will ever get to punch home a feisty message that contained not an ounce of compromise.
When Teddy Roosevelt talked of the president's "bully pulpit" he didn't mean "bully" as in "pushing people around", but simply the old-fashioned sense of "fantastic", enormous" and "unbeatable". When Teddy Roosevelt, president from 1901 to 1909, spoke of the president's "bully pulpit" he didn't mean "bully" as in "pushing people around", but simply the old-fashioned sense of "fantastic", enormous" and "unbeatable".
President Obama seems to agree this ability to preach to a nation is the source of his power, really his biggest weapon. President Barack Obama seems to agree this ability to preach to a nation is the source of his power, really his biggest weapon.
Fire in the belly
His speech has delighted most supporters, linking their philosophy - liberal, progressive, call it what you like - with America's most cherished values.His speech has delighted most supporters, linking their philosophy - liberal, progressive, call it what you like - with America's most cherished values.
The framework of the speech was the argument that the ringing words of the founding fathers find real expression in his values.The framework of the speech was the argument that the ringing words of the founding fathers find real expression in his values.
But it was more than abstract argument. For anyone who has missed it so far, his re-election has put fire in the president's belly.But it was more than abstract argument. For anyone who has missed it so far, his re-election has put fire in the president's belly.
Gone were the aspirations of 2009 for a new, harmonious, purple politics where men and women put aside partisan politics and seek common ground.Gone were the aspirations of 2009 for a new, harmonious, purple politics where men and women put aside partisan politics and seek common ground.
Once more he punched home his priorities - immigration reform, protecting the elderly and the sick, investing in schools and roads, gun control.Once more he punched home his priorities - immigration reform, protecting the elderly and the sick, investing in schools and roads, gun control.
His shout out for "gay brothers and sisters" has enraged conservatives.His shout out for "gay brothers and sisters" has enraged conservatives.
Adding climate change to his already long "to do" list shows this man does not expect a quiet life.Adding climate change to his already long "to do" list shows this man does not expect a quiet life.
As he sat down, supporters were getting emails urging them to join a new campaign, not this time to win an election, but to fulfil its promise.As he sat down, supporters were getting emails urging them to join a new campaign, not this time to win an election, but to fulfil its promise.
It is not easy to see how even the most enthusiastic support of Democrats earns him Republican votes in the House.It is not easy to see how even the most enthusiastic support of Democrats earns him Republican votes in the House.
Perhaps by dividing moderates off from the rest in the face of public opinion, perhaps it is about the mid-terms in 2014.Perhaps by dividing moderates off from the rest in the face of public opinion, perhaps it is about the mid-terms in 2014.
But this president is loving the bully pulpit and he is not about to climb down.But this president is loving the bully pulpit and he is not about to climb down.