Russ Reid, I agree with you on the Keystone delay. I think that was Obama stalling deliberately to avoid approving the pipeline, which would have cost him many "green" or pro-environment voters, who are generally part of his core. With a margin as slim as it turned out to be during November's election, at least in the popular vote, it was a wise move by Obama in order to preserve his presidency.

I think he will allow the pipeline to move ahead in his second term.

It's hard not to be cynical about the whole political process. The Republicans certainly deserve their share of the blame. In October 2011, the GOP rejected Obama's jobs bill.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15267269

The president was aiming to put people back to work and lower the ugly unemployment rate. The Republicans argued it was going to raise taxes on millionaires. They will go any length to protect the rich it seems, even costing out-of-work Americans a better chance of finding a job.

That said, I have great respect for the commander-in-chief as an individual. Not only do I believe he has the country's best interests at heart, he actually comes off as a genuine human being who cares about others. He has a sense of humor too. Check out the pictures below. Cool guy.