Obama frames populist theme for Dems in 2014

[Cha]

5. Thanks steve..

"You know what they say: Fiftieth time is the charm," Obama said to laughter. "Maybe when you hit your 50th repeal vote you will win a prize."

Riffing on women's rights and the GOP, Obama quipped: "This isn't 1954. It's 2014."

Such partisan rhetoric from the president had the desired effect of revving up members of his party, some of whom are openly fretting that the unpopular health law, Obama's low approval ratings and historical trends could all work in Republicans' favor this year.

But it also served as a clear reminder that the encroaching election, with all the political posturing it will bring, augers poorly for anything Obama wants to accomplish with Congress this year. After all, 2014 offers Obama potentially the last opportunity to secure legislative achievements before attention turns to the 2016 presidential election and Obama's successor."