In his first formal news conference in months, Barack Obama showed that getting re-elected can increase a president’s confidence and combativeness. He staked out tough stands on several issues, especially on the looming budget negotiations.

Looking ahead to the “fiscal cliff” Dec. 31, when the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts expire and sequestration cuts government spending sharply, Obama demanded $1.6 trillion of increased revenues as part of any budget bargain.

That’s twice the number he and Speaker John Boehner agreed on in the grand bargain talks in summer 2011.