The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Julian Zelizer and Melissa Lerner.

CNN: Commentary: Obama can succeed in Mideast

"There is a kind of familiarity with brinksmanship politics and budgeting, " said Julian Zelizer, a Princeton University historian and CNN contributor.

CNN: Suffering from sequester burnout? You're not alone

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Julian Zelizer.

CNN: Chris Christie's weight: Why it matters

The opinions in this commentary are solely those of Julian Zelizer.

CNN: Why 2014 is the year to watch

"There isn't any connection between connecting with an average voter and being an average voter, " said Julian Zelizer, a CNN contributor and history and public affairs professor at Princeton University who has written books on former Presidents George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter.

CNN: Romney, Obama: Why they have trouble connecting