"On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it's important for him to give me space," Obama can be heard telling Medvedev, apparently referring to incoming Russian president -- and outgoing prime minister -- Vladimir Putin.
"Yeah, I understand," Medvedev replies, according to an account relayed by an ABC News producer, who said she viewed a recording of the discussion made by a Russian camera crew. "I understand your message about space. Space for you ..."
"This is my last election," Obama interjects. "After my election I have more flexibility."
In context, this appears to mean flexibility to make a deal much more favorable to the Russians than he can make now without endangering his reelection.
Makes you wonder what other changes are in store for a more "flexible" second term. How about Supreme Court nominations? Mr. Obama has taken some heat from lefties who think his two appointments so far are not radical enough. Would he nominate someone who refuses to follow Gregg v. Georgia and votes to overturn every single capital sentence, as Brennan and Marshall did? Or perhaps go farther and declare life-without-parole unconstitutional?
Let's hope we don't find out.
(Safety tip: Firearms, microphones, and naked babies should be handled as if loaded at all times.)
He'll discover that the so-called Fair Sentencing Act didn't go far enough, and pardon every crack dealer in federal prison. Marc Rich will look like a piker compared to what we can expect once Obama faces no more political accountability.