At the end of President Obama's first year in office, many faulted the so-called "big bang" strategy that had been mapped out, which envisioned quick victories on stimulus and health care to create momentum that would lead to other victories. Instead, health care appeared dead and Massachusetts elected a Republican senator.

But now, one week after the House cast final votes on the reform plan, it seems the big bang is back. It started with a raucous signing ceremony Tuesday, quickly followed by a fairly smooth set of votes in the Senate and House to approve so-called "fixes." That included a major overhaul of student lending, another administration priority. Thursday, Obama challenged Republicans to "go for it" in a campaign based on repealing his plan. On Friday, Obama himself came to the briefing room to trumpet an agreement with Russia on a new START Treaty. And Saturday, the White House took an aggressive stance meant to change the dynamic on stalled appointments, with Obama announcing several recess appointments that had been long blocked in the Senate.

Today, another major move: the president is in Afghanistan on a surprise visit, and will meet with President Hamid Karzai to "to make him understand that in his second term, there are certain things that have been not paid attention to, almost since day one," National Security Adviser Jim Jones told the pool traveling with him. (It sould be noted, the visit may have been in the works considering Obama was to have been traveling to Indonesia at about this time).

The strategy is fascinating, as the administration belatedly seems to be employing a shock and awe strategy to jump start the presidency and the party at a time when it seemed Republicans and tea party activists had taken control of the conversation. Whether it is effective remains to be seen -- there has not yet been a noticeable bounce in his poll numbers. But he'll remain on offense in the week ahead, as he signs the final health care fixes and student loan legislation in Virginia Tuesday, and then travels to Maine and North Carolina later this week to talk about the reform law and the economy, respectively.

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