A belief 'if you lose,I win.'" Republican Senator Bob Corker told VOA that the president's tone was cordial,but that the speech lacked specifics on ways to reach out to work with Republicans.

VOA: standard.2010.01.28

Sources familiar with the position of the Secret Service in the dispute tell CNN that Director Lewis Merletti told Starr and other independent counsel staffers, in a February briefing, that should his agents be denied the privilege, "we will lose a president of the United States to assassination" and that trust and confidence between the protective service and its protectees will be lost.

CNN: Quayle: Secret Service Should Testify

Some Republicans have framed the 2012 election as theirs to lose against a president with weak poll numbers.

WSJ: Gingrich Defends Stances in GOP Debate

Mr Obama will be mindful that an attack would dominate his bid for re-election in November though it is unclear whether he would gain as a war president or lose ground because of a surge in oil prices and an economic reversal.

ECONOMIST: Israel and Iran