The XX Factor: What women really think.

The Red Carpet

In all the idle chatter I picked up today about which private school the Obama girls might attend (see this New York Times story for the first guesses), one thing was absent: any hint of the gossipy, snarky tone that usually descends on a first family as soon as they step foot in this insular town (especially when discussing something so ripe with humor as progressive private schools jockeying for their attention).

It's not surpising, I suppose, given the general goodwill toward them. But it does make me wonder exactly what political species they will fall into. Messiah implies eventual disappointment. He is more like a benevolent king. He has an almost old-fashioned, regal gift of making the nation's destiny seem in line with his own. Usually, when politicians give us all the credit, we see this as faux humility padding their own ambition. But when Obama repeats, over and over, "this is your victory," or "this victory belongs to you," we believe him.