Instead, his second term focused on deficit reduction, Medicare reform, implementing welfare reform and narrower measures such as the creation of the v-chip to protect under-aged television viewers from edgy programs and the expansion of Medicaid to cover children.

CNN: What would a second Obama term bring?

In the short term (that is, before inauguration day on January 20th), the narrower view of politics should help Mr Bush overcome any damage to his legitimacy caused by the manner of his election.

ECONOMIST: The end, at last