David Brooks: Obama made the case for a more progressive America

New York Times columnist David Brooks said Monday night that President Barack Obama boldly stated the case for progressivism in his inaugural speech, unlike his previous inaugural speech.

"Four years ago, it was about being trans-partisan, about healing divides," Brooks said on PBS' Newshour. "He was sort of above the fray. Now he's in the fray. He's picked a team. And his team is his party, his belief system."

Obama advocated a wide array of progressive causes in his inaugural speech, from immigration reform to equality for LGBT individuals to protecting safety net programs.

According to Brooks, Obama's speech indicated a change in tactics. Obama has faced stubborn oppositions from House Republicans, forcing him to compromise on key issues like taxes and the federal debt ceiling. Now it seemed the President intended to make the case for progressive policies rather cave to Republican demands.

"I think now he's making the long game," Brooks explained. "He's thinking about the long game: 'I believe in a more liberal version of America, a more progressive version. I'm going to make the case. We're going to have an argument, and over the long term, I will try to a make a case for my belief system. I will try to undermine their belief system. And then in the long run, my vision will win.'"

Watch video, uploaded to YouTube by PBS Newshour, below: