The Lame Duck President

++I guess he didn't get the message. The man who had the worst year in Washington seems to take a licking but keeps on ticking. I guess if you don't believe you are a lame duck and act as you are not, then you aren't. 

++With one move, he took Torture right off the front pages and regained the momentum to set the agenda. David Axelrod said that President Obama has a check list of issues that have stymied America for decades and is trying to do as much as he can to settle them before leaving office.

++Prior to his Cuba announcement, he asked Pope Francis for assistance in moving the Gitmo prisoners who have been approved for release over the last several years. 

++He followed his Cuba announcement with pardoning prisoners who have been serving almost life sentences for drug violations. Look for more pardons to follow.

++His judicial legacy was secured yesterday and we will see it in action for years to come.

++Obamacare's enrollment has hit 60% of last year's with more to come before the Supreme Court tries to mangle it.

++The President saves Bristol Bay. I just wish he would save the Apache land Congress gave to Rio Tinto mining.

++Look for a climate change agreement in Paris next month. It will disappoint environmentalists because of its non-binding nature but will remain significant.

++Also next month we will have the final push for an agreement on Iran's nuclear program. Congress has already unanimously voted to provide Israel the weapons for a first strike against Iran. Pressure or sabotage?

++President Obama approved additional sanctions against Putin's Russia as that country's economy is evaporating. But Putin did win Russia's Man of the Year for the 15th straight time. I guess President Obama is coddling him like Mu'ammar Qaddafhi.

++Watch a strange development with Israel. The EU wants to recognize Palestine and allow it to take a seat at the UN. John Kerry has promised Netanyahu to veto this very popular measure. What do we get in return? I suggest some re-start of Palestinian-Israeli talks.

++The worst part of the next year--besides the GOP Congress, which will be pretty awful--is the war against ISIS. It is the type of issue that may drown President Obama's other accomplishments.