On the first anniversary of his historic election victory, President Barack Obama went back to school Wednesday, quickly reviewed the last 12 months and then made a pitch for the future with a $4 billion education reform proposal.

His appearance at James C. Wright Middle School was rich in political symbolism. In many ways, he faced a new political landscape after Republicans won governorships in Virginia and New Jersey on Tuesday night. And he came to a state where the Democrats are still searching for someone to run for governor in 2010.