The holiday season is always tough in Washington, D.C. The Republicans can’t find three wise men, and the Democrats can’t find a virgin. But the one I’m worried about is President Obama. Even though the country has been in what seems like a never-ending economic recession, this is actually the Obama family’s first Christmas in the White House.
It’s been a harrowing year for President Obama. The very moment he stepped into the Oval Office, everything in his already-overstuffed POTUS inbox was marked urgent. From trying to prop up an ailing auto industry and stem the rising tide of home foreclosures to guiding us through two concurrent wars, he’s burned through most of his political capital.
So, to make it easier for him to enjoy the holiday, I’m suggesting a few inexpensive yet meaningful gifts he can dole out this season.
To my favorite cable-TV channel (CNN) with its excellent political team, the president can give the gift of the high ratings it enjoyed in 2008 when CNN offered nonstop coverage of his historic bid for the White House. As a stocking stuffer for our departed colleague, Lou Dobbs, perhaps Obama can add an autographed copy of his birth certificate.
Speaking of his critics, Obama might give Rush Limbaugh a yearlong subscription to an NFL TV package so they can each watch their favorite sports teams compete without insulting one another.
For Democrats, especially Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, he could share his current approval ratings, which, even at just below 50 percent, is still higher than that of any congressional peer either one can name.
For Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, North Korea’s Kim Jong-il and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, as well as other “mad men” rulers, President Obama should send each of them a McDonald’s Happy Meal.
Though Obama has lots of political advisers, policy coordinators, czars, special assistants and personal chefs, he only has one Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Called upon to explain each presidential move to White House reporters, Gibbs deserves a presidential fiat regarding press conference rules: Questions must be less than 140 characters long and submitted in advance via Twitter.
For the White House press corps, the president should announce that he has finally accepted all their “friend requests” on Facebook.
For the American people, I suggest a national health-care plan that will cover Maalox for heartburn, since heartburn over health care is now considered a pre-existing condition.
As for the electorate, Obama led us to expect more from him than the average politician. So for those of us who voted for him as well as those who didn’t, why not just give us what he promised during the campaign — a new chapter in American politics that puts aside the partisan warfare and extends multiple olive branches to the Republicans.
I doubt Republican leaders will ever break bread with Democratic leaders on important issues, but all the president needs to do is show the American people that he’s offered the GOP a heartfelt invitation to help resolve the issues they should also be caring about.
Ultimately, all that really matters is that the president give Michelle and their two lovely daughters something special — like “Chicago 2016″ T-shirts.
While he’s at it, maybe Obama will consider replacing “Hail to the Chief” with Barney’s “I Love You, You Love Me” song.
We do love our president. We also love the brave men and women serving in our military. It’s time for us, who are so blessed to live in one of the greatest countries on the planet, to love and support one another as fellow Americans.
So, in the spirit of the season, let us each consider what we can do for one another. Specifically, look inside your pantry and donate 25 percent of those canned goods to your local food bank. Give up that beautiful coat, suit or dress you know you’ll never squeeze into again to someone who needs it now. If you have a little extra money, send it to a local shelter or soup kitchen. Even if you don’t have much, volunteer a few hours to help serve others.
Remember the reason for the season. Believe in the hope of this moment. Give of yourself. If you live the reason and give life to the hope, 2010 will be better. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
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