Removing the stain of so-called American justice
“Y ou won’t have Nixon to kick around anymore” Richard Nixon said bitterly at his “last press conference” after losing his 1962 race for governor of California. In any event Nixon proved a poor prophet: Six years later he was elected president and Watergate still lay in the future.
Barack Obama made no promises about going quietly into the night upon leaving office. He and his family intend to stay in Washington D.C. and he has served notice that he will not hesitate to speak out on the questions of the day.
Still I have searched my heart and find no ambivalence about the loss of a favorite subject. My relief at no longer having to write the words “President Obama” is pure.
Before leaving office however President Obama provided plenty of last-minute material by ordering his UN ambassador to abstain on UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and by exercising his power to pardon and commute sentences.
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