WATCH SNL Spoofs President Obama and Mitch McConnell #39;s #39;Bourbon Summit #39;
WATCH: SNL Spoofs Obama and McConnell #39;s #39;Bourbon Summit #39; Ever wonder what the planned "bourbon summit" between President Obama and new Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) ...
By: America Now
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WATCH SNL Spoofs President Obama and Mitch McConnell's 'Bourbon Summit' - Video
Abdul Rahman Kassig killing is pure evil, says Obama
Subscribe US President Barack Obama has condemned the killing of US aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig as "an act of pure evil". The Islamic State (IS) militant group released a video showing...
By: Today World News
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Abdul Rahman Kassig killing is pure evil, says Obama - Video
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Washington (CNN) -- A week ago, President Barack Obama landed in China with a considerable political limp after this month's midterm elections. But as the President left Australia following a G20 Summit in Brisbane, the narrative, at least overseas, spotlighted Obama with more of a spring in his step.
"This was a strong week for American leadership," Obama said at a news conference at the conclusion of the summit on Sunday. The headline in the country's "Daily Mail" tabloid read "Wham Bam," below a picture of a confident-looking U.S. President.
Obama's trip to Asia began with a foreign policy bright spot -- the release of two American prisoners from North Korea. In China, the president unveiled a surprise climate deal with China. Stopping in Myanmar, Obama pointed to progress in democratic reforms in the Southeast Asian country. Arriving in Australia, there were ample opportunities to take some jabs at Russian President Vladimir Putin.
As a result, Obama left for Washington, largely having avoided the mishaps that dogged his recent foreign travels -- save of course the blip of chewing gum in China. The result was a trip more focused on deliverables than distractions.
"If you ask me I'd say that's a pretty good week," Obama said Sunday. "I intend to build on that momentum when I return home tomorrow."
Challenges however weren't far behind Air Force One. Within hours after Obama's departure from Australia, a new foreign policy test had emerged for his administration -- reports that an American aid worker, Peter Kassig, had been beheaded by ISIS.
Related: Obama calls hostage's beheading by ISIS 'pure evil'
Before leaving Australia, the President offered no apologies for Putin's frosty reception in Brisbane.
But he steered clear of the heated rhetoric used by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot who scoffed that Putin was reliving the glories of the Soviet Union or Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper who ordered the Russian leader to "get out of Ukraine."
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Obama declares 'strong week' abroad
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Washington (CNN) -- A defiant Barack Obama dives into what could be a defining period of his presidency this week, after repeatedly enraging Republicans from afar during his Asia tour.
Obama faces showdowns with the GOP over immigration, the Keystone XL pipeline and his drive for a nuclear deal with Iran, all of which have huge consequences for his political legacy.
Far from being chastened by the Republican capture of the Senate, Obama is setting out to prove he is no lame duck and can still set the agenda.
But the GOP insists the mid-terms gave them a share of power in Washington, and believe Obama risks usurping his authority and even the constitution with his bold new strategy.
Obama drawing lines on immigration, climate change
Obama chose a highly symbolic setting to set the tone for two final White House years in which he will face a unified Republican Congress.
Side-by-side in Myanmar with the world's most famous dissident, Obama refused to bow to what Republicans regard as the capital's new political "reality."
On the veranda of the lakeside villa from where Aung San Suu Kyi faced down a junta, Obama said he had long warned House Republicans he would use executive power to reform the US immigration system if they failed to.
"That's gonna happen. That's gonna happen before the end of the year."
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Defiant Obama won't bend to GOP
U.S. President Barack Obama comes off a swing through the Asia-Pacific region punctuated by a series of foreign policy victories only to return to a more deeply entrenched opposition in Washington.
After eight days spent locking in trade and climate agreements with China, trying to reassure allies about the U.S. commitment to their interests and pushing along the democratic transition in Myanmar, Obama he said he would try and leverage goodwill from the trip in service to his domestic agenda.
If you ask me Id say thats a pretty good week, Obama said after he ticked through a list of accomplishments at a news conference yesterday, shortly before departing Brisbane, Australia. The American people can be proud of the progress weve made and I intend to build on that momentum when I return home.
Obama arrives back in the U.S. with major issues on his plate and a limited window of time to deal with them. Democrats are in their final weeks as the majority party in the U.S. Senate. Spending and tax bills are being negotiated. Lawmakers are debating legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline over his repeated insistence that the review process at the State Department be allowed to play out.
He also faces a decision, as soon as this week, on what executive actions hell take on immigration -- such as easing deportations for some categories of undocumented immigrants -- that will set up a confrontation with Republicans.
While Obama was in Myanmar, House Speaker John Boehner told reporters in Washington that Republicans will fight the president tooth and nail if he follows through on his plan. Congressional Republicans have raised the prospect of legal action or even a government shutdown to try and stop him from acting unilaterally on immigration.
Obama yesterday dismissed the threat of shutting down the government by holding up spending measures to keep operations going. The political pain for both parties resulting from a partial government shutdown was too intense to repeat.
We traveled that path before, Obama said. Besides, Obama added, Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, who is set to become majority leader when the new Congress is seated in January, said the day after the midterm elections that there would there would be no closing down the government.
I take Mitch McConnell at his word, Obama said.
Some Republicans in Washington have suggested Obama may be underestimating how far lawmakers are willing to go to block him on immigration. McConnell and Boehner have warned that Obama risks poisoning relations at the Capitol.
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Obamas Asia Momentum to Run Into Capitol Hill Reality