Obama's Second Act

As U.S. President Barack Obama won a second term he called on the country to come together to meet the challenges ahead.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:

"And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties to meet the challenges that we can only solve together -

There's no shortage of challenges.

Obama has already adopted a "get-tough" strategy on gun control after last month's massacre of schoolchildren in Connecticut. He's also calculating that he may finally be able to make good on his promise to achieve comprehensive immigration reform.

Thomas Mann of the Brookings Institution says he doesn't have to win to declare victory.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) THOMAS MANN, SENIOR FELLOW OF THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION, SAYING:

"He wants to seize the opportunities that are presented right now. It is not clear whether he will succeed with either, but I think he has a fighting chance that he will get something out of both."

For many Presidents a second term in office is a time to secure a legacy. Bradley Blakeman who served in George W. Bush's Administration says Obama has an advantage on this front.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRADLEY BLAKEMAN OF GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, WHO SERVED AS SENIOR ADVISER TO PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH, SAYING:

"Obama is lucky because the greatest part of his legacy has already been decided -- Obamacare"

But as Obama is set to begin his second term -- he appears to want to add more to that legacy.