(Source: newyorker.com)

The Inauguration was over. The second term had begun. And President Obama had put it off for as long as he could. It was now the last possible day to fill out his benefits forms, because the White House open-enrollment period was about to end….

“O.K., Barack, let’s get this done,” the President said to himself, straightening in his chair. “Twenty minutes, tops.” He logged in; the password worked. He felt good. Presidential.

He refocussed and texted Michelle to ask her what insurance plan they should choose. Michelle texted back, saying the best one, because they tried to go budget during his first term to benefit the American people, and the only eye doctor who’d see them had an office that doubled as a magic shop. 

(Source: newyorker.com)

With less than twenty-four hours to go until the January 1st deadline, it’s still anybody’s guess how the fiscal-cliff negotiation will end up. One thing is patently clear, though. President Obama isn’t going to get nearly as much out of them as he wanted or expected…

Continue reading: http://nyr.kr/VtZcP9

Photograph by Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty.

Alex Koppelman on the White House placing blame on the legislative branch: http://nyr.kr/OJKUHt

[Blaming Congress] can’t be the answer for every failure to act, and you certainly can’t accuse the legislative branch of obstruction when there’s nothing on the table to obstruct—especially when the White House wants it that way.

Some versions of what Churchill supposedly reveals about Obama are more thoughtful, or ugly, than others. Churchill, for conservatives, has come to represent less a political ideology, or even the sum of his actual wartime decisions, than a stance of strength, a stubborn pose, and a commitment to hawkishness. That last is where the idolatry stops being just about style and starts having political consequences. Removing the bust somehow becomes of a piece with not wanting to bomb Iran, or talk to anybody about anything.

Click-through to continue reading Amy Davidson’s post on the case of two Churchills and what’s behind the White House bust controversy: http://nyr.kr/MYUit5 

(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.)

The Secret Service

“After watching the large Secret Service apparatus that surrounds the President around the world, I realized many of their duties are a study in contradictions,” Kraft told me. “They are close to the President, but rarely interact with him. They are surrounded by excited crowds and movement, but must remain calm and focussed. They observe the ultimate power and privilege, but are there to protect it instead of experience it. Despite long days frequently filled with monotonous and repetitive duties, they maintain a steely decorum and laser focus. It is not the James Bond movie most imagine.”