reap the rewards of that unusual or unprecedented strategy. depending on how you see it, this was either an unprincipled, unprecedented power grab of the worst kind or maybe just the shrewd politics that has come to define the last few years, a necessary tactical move. in that new interview with david axelrod, president obama said that as a matter of politics, mcconnell's tactics worked. >> mitch mcconnell's insight, which i've said just from a pure tactical perspective was pretty smart and well executed, the level of discipline he was able to impose on his caucus was impressive. his insight that we just have to say no to that. >> we just have to say no. and that was smart and well executed is one way to put it. presidt obama might be looking for ways to avoid any notes of sour grapes as he turns the over his desk to donald trump. but other democrats and liberals see this obstruction very