Two analyses say his aversion to it could hurt in new Congress

(NEWSER) - President Obama is apparently going to have to learn how to schmooze. Both the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times weigh in today on that similar theme given the new realities in Washington.

• Post: Obama arguably has a "schmooze deficit," writes Anne Kornblut, who sees signs that he's trying to overcome his natural aversion to the practice. (A golf date with John Boehner has even been floated.) He'll never be on par with the master, Bill Clinton, but unless he's pushed to open up—"he just doesn't like being with people who he doesn't necessarily know," says one adviser—his agenda could suffer. Full story here .

White House hasn't given it 'a second' of thought

(NEWSER) - President Obama is far more concerned about a second term than his legacy—but two cities are duking it out to host his presidential library, Politico reports. Four groups at the University of Hawaii, in the state where Obama was born, are already hard at work on the matter, hoping to entice officials with a beautiful mountain or ocean setting (they'll pick the final location in the next few months), while the University of Chicago aims to capitalize on Obama’s ties to both the school and the city. "It’s like bidding for the Olympics," says the professor leading the University of Hawaii's effort, "except there are no rules and no formal criteria." More»

New economic team, defense chief as Obama eyes reelection

(NEWSER) - President Obama is readying a reorganization of his staff, altering his economic team and choosing new defense and press secretaries, among other changes. The aims: an executive branch operating at its full potential, progress with a Republican Congress, and an eye on reelection, the New York Times reports. “This is a bubble,” said adviser David Axelrod. “There’s an advantage to bringing in folks who have a fresh set of senses.” More»

111th passed vast legislation in 'dysfunctional' environment

(NEWSER) - The 111th Congress adjourned last night, after passing more key legislation that affected more Americans than any since Lyndon Johnson’s 1960s “Great Society,” Bloomberg reports. That included $1.67 trillion spent to save the economy, health insurance for 32 million people, and new regulations on Wall Street; in the lame-duck session alone, there was the tax cut deal, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal, START treaty ratification, and 9/11 health bill. More»

He also says repeal of 'Don't Ask' will take months, not years

(NEWSER) - President Obama today reiterated that his views on gay marriage are "constantly evolving," reports ABC News . Asked in today's victory-lap news conference why he supported repeal of "Don't Ask" but still opposes same-sex marriage, the president said his "baseline is a strong civil union that affords them legal protections." But, he noted, "I have friends, I have people who work for me, who are in powerful long-lasting gay or lesbians unions." He said he knows that gay marriage "means a lot to them." More»