NYC Letter: Presidential Self-esteem Check

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Day 703 of CHOPE

And the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty ONE, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Apologies to Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

He's not the best president on Earth, but he's pretty good. Or so we're told. By himself.

OBAMA THE GREAT - IF HE DOES SAY SO HIMSELF

December 23, 2010 (WaPo) - Seven weeks earlier to the day, the president faced harsh questions about his leadership as he took responsibility for Democrats' loss of the House in the previous day's election. But the man who faced reporters Tuesday afternoon in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building was treated by his questioners as a conquering colossus - and Obama didn't mind wearing those shoes. ... He bestowed superlatives on his accomplishments:

"The most productive post-election period we've had in decades."

"The most productive two years that we've had in generations."

"The most significant arms-control agreement in nearly two decades."

"The biggest upgrade of America's food-safety laws since the Great Depression."

"Al-Qaeda is more hunkered down than they have been since the original invasion of Afghanistan in 2001."

More! Most! Biggest! And when he wasn't praising his accomplishments, he was praising himself: "One thing I hope people have seen during this lame-duck, I am persistent. I am persistent. You know, if I believe in something strongly, I stay on it."

... The president, fresh from his successful triangulation of the Democrats in negotiating the tax deal, spoke as if he were an entity distinct from Republicans and Democrats alike.

... Obama even looked better: The makeup was heavy, the lip injury faded, his blue tie coordinated with the curtains. He gave his questioners only half an hour - which turned out to be more than enough for the gentle lines of inquiry.

OBAMA'S OVERALL APPROVAL STEADY AT 46%
PRINCETON December 21, 2010 (Gallup)

In the spirit of the season we will let Mr. Obama, happily wrapped in his reverberant self-regard, exit. Without mock (or not much). Without sneer. Our snickers solicitously muffled behind a hand. Merry Christmas, Mr. President.

Thanks to readers, commenters, correspondents -- you precious few -- to complainers and cranks and misdirected skimmers. To you all, E-N! wishes you and yours a safe, holy -- as best you can manage -- and merry, very merry Christmas.

CHOPE.

The mostest.