President Obama's year-end news conference Friday afternoon ran the gamut of issues -- from the fight against the Islamic State to climate change to what to do about the Guantanamo Bay prison. But one thing was consistent throughout: Obama's insistence that he has always been playing the long game on policy and politics -- and that his administration's accomplishments over the past year prove that strategy right.
"So much of our steady, persistent work over the years is paying off for the American people in big, tangible ways," Obama said in his opening remarks. Toward the end of his hour-plus-long presser, Obama touted his "steady, persistent leadership on many initiatives I began when I first came into office." (You can watch the whole news conference at the bottom of this post.)
Obama's rhetoric reflected his view of 2015: This was the year -- in terms of accomplishments -- he had been waiting his entire presidency for. The Supreme Court knocked down the last major challenge to his health-care law, virtually ensuring that it will be the law of the land for many years to come. The economy, finally, began to show signs of sustained strength and growth. A fast-track trade deal was struck with a Republican-controlled Congress. Same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide by the high court. A major international climate accord was reached in Paris. Congress passed an omnibus spending bill that avoids the brinksmanship with the White House that had defined the past four years.
"So much of our steady, persistent work over the years is paying off for the American people in big, tangible ways," Obama said in his opening remarks. Toward the end of his hour-plus-long presser, Obama touted his "steady, persistent leadership on many initiatives I began when I first came into office." (You can watch the whole news conference at the bottom of this post.)
Obama's rhetoric reflected his view of 2015: This was the year -- in terms of accomplishments -- he had been waiting his entire presidency for. The Supreme Court knocked down the last major challenge to his health-care law, virtually ensuring that it will be the law of the land for many years to come. The economy, finally, began to show signs of sustained strength and growth. A fast-track trade deal was struck with a Republican-controlled Congress. Same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide by the high court. A major international climate accord was reached in Paris. Congress passed an omnibus spending bill that avoids the brinksmanship with the White House that had defined the past four years.
