NY Times covers Obama’s final presser

Obama’s final press conference as president provided New York Times reporters with a wonderful opportunity for color, analysis, conjecture, guesswork and psychology. Here are some choice bits from their story, on Jan 19, 2017, with commentary in parenthesis by old-time reporters at the National Press Club’s Reliable Source bar.

“The encounter had a last-day-of-school feel to it….” (The kids and teachers were happy as hell, but that’s probably not what the Times guys meant.)

“A few of the President’s aides sat wistfully on the side of the room, taking a break from packing their belongings.” (Wistfully? Hell, the hacks were scared silly at the thought they’d have to get a job, perhaps in the dreaded private sector.)

“… Obama appeared to realize the spotlight was finally swinging away from him…But he also seemed like a man aware that a part of his life was ending…” (Appeared to realize and seemed to be aware? Do the reporters mean he was surprised that his eight years were up?)

“Obama signaled he was ready for some time away from the spotlight.” ( Signaled? He’s delighted he doesn’t have to face pompous pundits posing as reporters.)

“Obama ruminated about America… He spoke with equanimity about his party’s loss and future.” (Ruminated? Equanimity? That means he didn’t pound the podium and rant and rave.)

“… ‘I think we’re going to be OK’….He seemed to be saying he would be too. (He seemed to be saying, but was he saying it?)