The president spoke of his commitment to passing an assault weapons ban and a magazine-capacity limit. He also stood alone with the vice president -- even though he needs members of Congress to succeed in a floor vote.
He could have pledged to work across the aisle. Instead, he pushed for a ban on assault weapons and a ban on magazines with more than 10 rounds -- which might or might not pass in the Senate but surely would stall in the GOP-controlled House.
"I will put everything I've got into this," Obama pledged.
But working with others is not in his toolbox.