The talk in Washington is that President Obama, after highlighting immigration, gay marriage, gun control, global warming, and other issues in the first weeks of his second term, will “pivot” to an emphasis on jobs and the economy in his State of the Union address. That’s nothing new for Obama. Throughout his term, as he concentrated on policy initiatives, like passing a national health care scheme, that were not centered on jobs and the economy, the president and his aides have promised to “pivot” back to the public’s number-one concern. This is just one more time. Here are a few examples in headlines — by no means a comprehensive list — from the last three years:
Obama to pivot back to the economy (Washington Post, February 10, 2013)
President Obama pivots to jobs — and dares GOP to follow (Politico, September 8, 2011)
After bruising debt battle, Obama pivots to jobs agenda (Agence France Presse, August 3, 2011)
Obama pivots to pocketbook (Baltimore Sun, May 7, 2011)
Obama pivots to job creation (San Francisco Chronicle, January 28, 2010)
Obama pivots to the economy and jobs (Christian Science Monitor, January 8, 2010)
