He has been issuing executive orders to create some progress where there was little chance of Congress doing it. He couldn't have started with 'signing statements' immediately, or they would easily been able to assert that he wasn't even trying for bipartisan progress. He HAD to give the Republicans enough rope to hang themselves.

In this stupid game, timing is important. People's memories can be short. It's "what have you done for me lately?" Neither can he beat his brains out combating every accusation and insinuation by either the Republicans OR the mass media. He needs to save ammo for the actual campaign...once he knows which cretin ..umm..opponent he will face.