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David Axelrod: Obama's legacy can't be erased

By David Axelrod, CNN Senior Political Commentator

Updated 8:57 AM ET, Fri January 20, 2017

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Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States on January 20, 2009. Click through the gallery to see 100 moments from his administration.
Photos: 100 moments from Obama's presidency
Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States on January 20, 2009. Click through the gallery to see 100 moments from his administration.
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The Obamas share a moment on a freight elevator as they head to one of the inaugural balls on January 20, 2009. "It was quite chilly, so the President removed his tuxedo jacket and put it over the shoulders of his wife," White House photographer Pete Souza said. "Then they had a semi-private moment as staff members and Secret Service agents tried not to look."
Photos: 100 moments from Obama's presidency
The Obamas share a moment on a freight elevator as they head to one of the inaugural balls on January 20, 2009. "It was quite chilly, so the President removed his tuxedo jacket and put it over the shoulders of his wife," White House photographer Pete Souza said. "Then they had a semi-private moment as staff members and Secret Service agents tried not to look."
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Obama wears 3-D glasses during a Super Bowl viewing at the White House on February 1, 2009.
Photos: 100 moments from Obama's presidency
Obama wears 3-D glasses during a Super Bowl viewing at the White House on February 1, 2009.
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Obama speaks with aides in the White House Oval Office on February 4, 2009. From left are Senior Advisor Pete Rouse, White House Director of Legislative Affairs Phil Schiliro, Senior Advisor David Axelrod, National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
Photos: 100 moments from Obama's presidency
Obama speaks with aides in the White House Oval Office on February 4, 2009. From left are Senior Advisor Pete Rouse, White House Director of Legislative Affairs Phil Schiliro, Senior Advisor David Axelrod, National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
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Vice President Joe Biden watches Obama sign <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/02/17/economic.stimulus.2010/" target="_blank">the economic stimulus bill</a> on February 17, 2009. The goal was to stimulate the country's staggering economy by increasing federal spending and cutting taxes.
Photos: 100 moments from Obama's presidency
Vice President Joe Biden watches Obama sign the economic stimulus bill on February 17, 2009. The goal was to stimulate the country's staggering economy by increasing federal spending and cutting taxes.
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Obama acknowledges applause before addressing a joint session of Congress <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/24/obama.speech/index.html" target="_blank">for the first time</a> on February 24, 2009. The President focused on the three priorities of the budget he presented to Congress later in the week: energy, health care and education.
Photos: 100 moments from Obama's presidency
Obama acknowledges applause before addressing a joint session of Congress for the first time on February 24, 2009. The President focused on the three priorities of the budget he presented to Congress later in the week: energy, health care and education.
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A boy touches Obama's hair in the Oval Office on May 8, 2009. "A temporary White House staffer, Carlton Philadelphia, brought his family to the Oval Office for a farewell photo with President Obama," White House photographer Pete Souza said. "Carlton's son softly told the President he had just gotten a haircut like President Obama, and asked if he could feel the President's head to see if it felt the same as his."
Photos: 100 moments from Obama's presidency
A boy touches Obama's hair in the Oval Office on May 8, 2009. "A temporary White House staffer, Carlton Philadelphia, brought his family to the Oval Office for a farewell photo with President Obama," White House photographer Pete Souza said. "Carlton's son softly told the President he had just gotten a haircut like President Obama, and asked if he could feel the President's head to see if it felt the same as his."
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Obama kisses Sonia Sotomayor after announcing her as a Supreme Court nominee on Tuesday, May 26. Sotomayor went on to become the court's<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/06/sonia.sotomayor/index.html" target="_blank"> first Hispanic justice.</a>
Photos: 100 moments from Obama's presidency
Obama kisses Sonia Sotomayor after announcing her as a Supreme Court nominee on Tuesday, May 26. Sotomayor went on to become the court's first Hispanic justice.
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The President returns to the Oval Office after going on a hamburger run for West Wing staffers and aides on May 29, 2009.
Photos: 100 moments from Obama's presidency
The President returns to the Oval Office after going on a hamburger run for West Wing staffers and aides on May 29, 2009.
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Obama closes his eyes before taping his weekly radio address at the White House on June 2, 2009.
Photos: 100 moments from Obama's presidency
Obama closes his eyes before taping his weekly radio address at the White House on June 2, 2009.
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Obama tours the Great Pyramid and Sphinx in Giza, Egypt, on June 4, 2009. In a speech at Cairo University, Obama pledged to "seek <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/04/egypt.obama.speech/" target="_blank">a new beginning</a> between the United States and Muslims around the world," imploring America and the Islamic world to drop their suspicions of one another and forge new alliances.
Photos: 100 moments from Obama's presidency
Obama tours the Great Pyramid and Sphinx in Giza, Egypt, on June 4, 2009. In