Obama enjoys the high life

Amidst all the talk of Tony Blair’s post-office earnings, it is interesting to read in The Times of Barack Obama’s post-presidency ambitions. In Jodi Kantor’s new book on the Obamas, the president is quoted telling old friends of the couple that:

‘When I leave office there are only two things I want. I want a plane and I want a valet.’

Now, I am sure Obama made the remark half in jest. But it does show how quickly politicians become accustomed to the conveniences of office. Though in Blair’s case, his money-making seems to be motivated more by a desire to match the lifestyle of the global elite that he met in office and now spends so much time with.

One other thing that struck me in the serialisation was how the biggest row between allies of the First Lady and the President’s staff was caused by a report in a British newspaper about Michelle Obama supposedly telling Carla Bruni-Sarkozy that living in the White House was hell.