Like A Cowboy Saddling A Bucking Stallion,

Most Political Journalists Come To Washington Because They're Snappy Writers, Big Thinkers, Or News Breakers. Me? My Ticket To The Big Leagues Had Little To Do With Talent. It Was Mostly About The Governor I Was Covering, Bill Clinton.

By Nominating Chuck Hagel To Be His Defense Secretary, President Obama Is Putting Forward An Aloof Contrarian Who Doesn't Suffer Fools - A Striving Politician Who Considers Himself Above Politics.

Say What You Want To Say About The Rest Of His Presidency, Including His Tone-deaf Response To Katrina And A War Waged In Iraq On False Pretenses, Bush Connected With Americans In The Aftermath Of 9/11 Because He Looked As Frail And Unforgiving As We Felt.

It's A Deft Trick To Turn American Exceptionalism Into An Exceptional Political Tactic.

At His Best, Obama Promised To Work With Republicans To Reduce The Deficit In A Way That Honors Both Individualism And Community.