No more mister nice president

>>> the american people . the budget cuts are hurting poor americans and republicans don't care. but the president has a plan to deal with it. today, the new york city reports that with few avenues left for winning a comprehensive budget deal, president obama has begun reaching out to gop sfat tors in a bid to isolate republican leaders in congress and force a compromise. it's no more mr. nice guy. he's practically darie ining republicans to defie his wishes. good luck.

>> i will not negotiate.

>>> they will not collect a ransom in exchange for not crashing the american economy . ordinary folks, they do their jobs. the notion that our elected leadership can't do the same thing is mind boggling to them. it needs to stop. it's not fair. it's not right. the american people don't think it's fair.

>> this is not a complicated concept.

>> it's not a complicated concept. the american people are behind him and his working. today, we learned the senate has reached a bipartisan agreement on gun tracking. suddenly, republican senators are upbeat about immigration reform and to the growing list of gop governors embracing the president and the health care law . he's landing political punch after political punch. and the bullies can't seem to get up.

>> how is this in-your-face approach working, angela ?

>> well, rev, i think that you can really see -- you can see the fruit of his labor. right now, the president has held a very hard line to what he wanted to accomplish with the state of the union address . he was very clear about immigration. about gun control about what we need to do to rectify the state of the american economy . and therefore, he's telling the republicans, look, i have the american people on my side. i'm going to work very hard to ensure that these goals that i share with the american people are reached. i'm sure we have a strong chance of winning the 17 seats required to gain the house back in 2014 .

>> now, margie , angela used the term fruits of his labor.

>> we have seen the tax bill actually get through. is this strategy beginning to work where he's been able to get some republicans by some assertive way to go with him and push things through. i think in addition to the election and the polls have really forced some republicans to recognize that the american people are on the side of moving forward on a variety of issues. that partisan gridlock is not furthering the goal of the american people . it doesn't improve the economy. it just makes people feel like washington is not can't be true anymore. he's always been in favor of working toward the american people . you always got the sense that he was fighting for the american people while you get the sense with republicans, that they're really more concerned about the politics. that they wanted to have a political fight because they thought that would help them electorally. maybe some are concerned about primary views, but in the broad view, it's really hurt them.

>> angela , the people have gotten behind the president, especially on big issues. 92% support universal background checks . i mean, ever since inauguration, the president has been taking his fight to the american people . these numbers show it's working. and he's been out there working his plan and policies to the american people . listen to this.

>> what i can't do is force congress to do the right thing. the american people may have the capacity do do that.

>> i need you to keep up the fight. if you do, congress will listen.

>> so is -- angela , is it this combination of rallying the american people that the poll numbers are showing has suddenly helped? is this kind of strategy put together the thing you're talking about baring fruit?

>> yes, reverend. when you consider the fact that the president is taking an all-hands on deck approach, and he's saying if i can be the get the majority of the house on board, i can certainly get members of their district on board. when you look at what the house is voting on, all they can reach is the naming and post offices . that's not high priority for the american people . the president is saying we've got large issues to address. i certainly need everyone's help.

>> now, margie , the president is always talking about the next election. it says obama, fresh off of his november re-election, begin almost at once executing plans to win back the house in 2014 , which he and his advisors believe will be crucial to the outcome of his second term. and his legacy as president. you just heard a few moments ago, angela saying it's impossible to win these 17 seats. is the president moving forward in a way that he also has an eye on if he can recapture 17 seats and take the house, this could cement some of the things he wants for his legacy.

>> it absolutely should be a goal. it's absolutely something that everybody is focused on. i think it's also important because it shows that there will be consequences. that number you showed about background checks , that's been true for a long time. and which party doesn't even want to have that conversation. it's important to highlight which candidate is looking to come to the table and fieg for the american people and which party is looking to say no to avoid a primary challenge .

>> well, i'm going to leave it there. thank you, angie and margie . thanks to both of you for your time tonight.

>> thank you, rev.

>> ahead, we know the right wing media is in the tank for the republican party . but proof on live tv ? and five decadingses in the making, an apology brought john lewis to tears. i'm a conservative investor. but that doesn't