Why Obama Secretly Likes the Trump Win

While I don't have any data to prove it, my perception is that President Obama was the most public President in my lifetime.  It seems as if not a day went by when he wasn't in front of the cameras giving a statement; signing an executive order; giving a news conference; meeting with some world leader; handing out an award; or giving a speech over some liberal agenda item that was near and dear to his heart.  Honestly, he truly enjoyed the attention and the limelight.  You could see it in his face and in his mannerisms; especially in front of an assemblage of adoring supporters.  Sure, there were times when he was somber; as during a statement following a mass shooting.  But, for the most part, being before the cameras and the press was always something he seemed to enjoy.

If Hillary had won, and the Senate, and maybe the House went Democrat, the former President nay have little to say about what was going on in Congress or the Presidency. His legacy would protected under a figurative third term.  Basically, the on-camera limelight would be dimmed; if not gone.  For someone who thrives on a very public lifestyle, that could be depressing.

But now with Trump's victory and both Houses of Congress remaining Republican his public persona may have a revival.  Now he has a major political challenge to confront and respond to. He can stay firmly ensconced in the limelight.  I can just see it.   Every media agency will fight over interviews to get his opinion on what Trump or his right-wing Congress is up to.  In essence,  he will be in seventh heaven.  It will be like a reprise of Sally Fields Oscar acceptance speech when she said "you like me...you really like me!"

Don't believe what Obama said a few days ago when he stated that he won't be a constant critic of his successor.  Instead, take this statement as fact:

"As an American citizen who cares deeply about our country, if there are issues that have less to do with the specifics of some legislative proposal or battle or go to core questions about our values and ideals, and if I think that it's necessary or helpful for me to defend those ideals, I'll examine it when it comes."

Essentially, with those words, I am certain he will find himself with a constant need to "defend" "our values and ideals".  The "our" in that statement isn't the American people.  The "our" is him. I also think that the fact that he will remain in Washington D.C. after he leaves office is more proof that he wants to maintain an on-camera presence.  It's an obsession with him. Just mark my words!

Reference:

Obama: I'll push back on Trump if needed to defend US ideals:  http://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/20/obama-ill-push-back-on-trump-if-needed-to-defend-us-ideals.html

Obama may be a rare ex-president who stays in Washington: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-may-be-a-rare-ex-president-who-stays-in-washington/2013/11/29/81ba049c-5912-11e3-8304-caf30787c0a9_story.html