Obama's Tough Year

09:10

December 31, 2013

President Barack Obama speaks on the Affordable Care Act in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building December 3, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

From the fight over health care reform — and its subsequent glitchy implementation — to criticism over the NSA's data collection program, 2013 has been a very difficult year for President Barack Obama.

In fact, many analysts say it has been the worst year of his presidency.

Historian Julian Zelizer tells Here & Now's Robin Young that second-term presidents often have to confront immense obstacles, but it seems Obama wasn't prepared for what was to come.

Zelizer also suggests some New Year's resolutions for the chief executive, which include treating Democrats better than he has so far and paying more attention to details.

Guest

Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School. He tweets @julianzelizer.

This segment aired on December 31, 2013.