NEWS AND OPINION:
There’s a bodacious presidential event in the making, and it’s not the inauguration. President Obama is planning a major farewell address which does not appear to be a farewell at all. It portends to be a dramatic foreshadowing of his future plans, and it is bound to be a doozy, staged at Chicago’s McCormick Place — the biggest convention center in the entire nation. Talking points and noble references could be abundant at the event, scheduled for Jan. 10 — 10 days before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office.
“Since George Washington, U.S. presidents have often delivered a final address to the American people as a way to share both their reflections on their time in office and their outlook on the future of our country,” Mr. Obama reasons in a public advisory. “I’m just beginning to write my remarks. But I’m thinking about them as a chance to say thank you for this amazing journey, to celebrate the ways you’ve changed this country for the better these past eight years, and to offer some thoughts on where we all go from here.”
Interesting choice of words. Also interesting: Mr. Obama will host a reunion in Chicago for “Obama Alumni” staffers and volunteers nationwide who worked on multiple political operations. These alumni are many. There are, in fact, 14 distinct regional groups according to the D.C.-based National Obama Alumni Association; 99 “alumni” already have run for public office in 29 states. The White House is also revamping the old campaign phrase “Yes We Can” on social media. Mr. Obama, who will remain in the nation’s capital for the next year or so, does not appear ready to slip quietly into retirement.
“As I prepare to take on the even more important role of citizen, know that I will be there with you every step of the way to ensure that this country forever strives to live up to the incredible promise of our founding — that all of us are created equal, and all of us deserve every chance to live out our dreams,” the president said in a weekend address.
CONGRESS-APALOOZA
Yes, Capitol Hill is at last open for business on Tuesday. See the real deal: Always vigilant C-SPAN offers live gavel-to-gavel coverage of the opening of the 115th Congress, including a roll call of members and remarks by the big cheeses. The House will be covered on C-SPAN, the Senate on C-SPAN2; ceremonial swearings-in of new and re-elected lawmakers are live on C-SPAN3. Timing counts: Vice President Joseph R. Biden swears in senators at 1 p.m. and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan offers the same for his own flock at 3 p.m.
’WHAT IS PRESIDENT OBAMA UP TO?”
Indeed, that is the question from a daily national pollster.
“What is President Obama up to? With less than a month left in office, he’s gone on a foreign policy offensive, more aggressive than what we’ve seen in most of his eight years in office,” asks Fran Coombs, managing editor of Rasmussen Reports. “At a time when the United States and the rest of the world are facing an increasing danger from radical Islamic terrorism, Obama’s decided to attack and undermine Israel, America’s longest-standing and by far most reliable ally in the Middle East. Shouldn’t U.S. foreign policy decisions at this point be shifting into the hands of the incoming Trump administration?”
Mr. Coombs adds, “Why now, when the Obama administration is about to pass into the pages of history, is the president turning up the heat on Russia? Is he just trying to settle scores because 71 percent of Democrats think it’s likely the Russians helped Donald Trump win? Given the timing, it’s hard not to feel Obama is just trying to cause problems for the new Republican president since neither of his actions is going to solve anything, and both are very likely to be quickly repudiated by Trump.”
REINCE’S REMINDER
“The American people are getting a fresh start after eight years of disappointment, as our next president and a Republican Congress prepare to fight for the prosperity, security, and liberty of the American people,” notes Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus is his first message of the new year. “2016 was a banner year for Republicans, and 2017 offers limitless promise for what we can accomplish together on behalf of our country. I hope all Americans recommit to their core values and embrace new opportunities for themselves and their families.”
Mr. Priebus is incoming White House chief of staff.
A CHEER FOR JEFF SESSIONS
“Law enforcement has been missing a key component to succeed in their jobs — federal government support. While law enforcement is asked to do more and more with the ever-changing world of terrorism and public safety, the current administration has rolled-back much of the progress achieved through decades of effective policing through qualitative and quantitative resourcing. In return the nation’s crime rates have risen faster than at any time in our modern history,” writes Jonathan Thompson, executive director of the National Sheriffs’ Association in an op-ed for The Hill.
The administration is “out of touch with the public, he says, but suggests things could soon improve.
“With a new executive branch administration comes new promise. Law enforcement knows that we have a federal partner with the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General of the United States. The Senate must confirm Sen. Sessions because law enforcement and the citizens they protect needs his expertise, dedication and honor at the Justice Department,” Mr. Thompson continues. “The nation’s sheriffs and deputies know Sen. Sessions will support them because throughout his career he has been a crime fighter who seeks justice fairly.”
POLL DU JOUR
• 47 percent of emergency food facilities in major U.S. cities have turned people away due to lack of resources.
• 47 percent have reduced the quantity of emergency food issued at public pantries or kitchens to meet demands.
• 41 percent of the cities saw an increase in requests for emergency food assistance.
• 63 percent of these requests came from families, 51 percent from employed people, 18 percent from the elderly and 8 percent from homeless people.
• 14 percent of the cities say the total demand for emergency food assistance has been “unmet.”
Source: A U.S. Conference of Mayors Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness” in 38 U.S. cities conducted in December and released Monday.
• Chit chat, assorted annoyances to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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