Obama: GOP could cooperate more in second term

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — President Barack Obama says his re-election might help end the political stalemate in Washington, much like “popping a blister.”

In an interview with Time magazine, Obama says he expects Republicans in Congress to work more cooperatively in a second term, since his re-election would no longer be a factor.

The president says he also wants to do a better job of explaining to the public how his policies will help the economy grow. Obama claims he didn’t do a good enough job selling Americans on the stimulus plan and the auto company bailout because he was so focused on acting to fix the economy.

Obama says he wants to focus on overhauling immigration laws and reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign energy during a second term.