I got this email from my brother:

I don’t quite know where to post this, so I’m just sending it around.

I was watching tv yesterday during the day (and I understand exactly what that makes me) and Prez-elect Obama came on to issue his third statement in three days about what he’s going to do about the US economy. He was calm, focussed, witty and brief. As he made his announcement, the Dow moved from negative to positive territory, like a little dog following its master.

He took questions. A reporter asked him if he was worried about retail sales, and if he and the Mrs. would be hitting the malls in advance of Christmas. Kind of a dick question. He replied that he would be shopping, but that his children receive their gifts from Santa.

This guy is stepping into the most important job of his life, inheriting a spectacular mess, assembling a team and making a thousand decisions, and he has the presence of mind to protect his children’s belief in Santa Claus. Just in case they happen to be watching him on tv at that moment, making an economic announcement.

I mean, come on. You can’t not get your hopes up.

That or we should worry that he really does believe in Santa.