Some stray final thoughts on the Obama book that I finished a couple of days ago.
It was a long but easy read. Dude writes with an easy fluidity. And in a very informal and self-effacing way. And most importantly, with a self-awareness that is especially rare these days. But...

.. Right off the bat, my biggest disappointment. He just perfunctorily mentions drone strikes. No nuanced, introspective, "yes I was wrong in this way" kind of analysis that he gives every other decision of those years. How did he sleep at nights knowing weddings were bombed?

Other than that, he does a good job of talking about his failures, real and perceived. You might not absolve him of it all. But he makes his case. And lays out the rationale. Except about drone strikes.

I should note that I'm generally more favorable towards Obama than many of my fellow progressives. Part of it is personal history. I used to be a libertarian/centrist 13 years ago. Obama was like my gateway drug into the progressive side. So I always thought him as moderate.

I saw him exactly as he describes himself. Not some once in a century ideological and transformational force for all that is good. But a smart, decent, thoughtful moderate-liberal guy whose winning the election was likely to be more transformative than his actual presidency.

Which is why I found the accusations of Soviet socialism from the right bizarre and the expectations of Finland socialism from the left unrealistic.

Given the hand he was dealt, I give his presidency a solid B+. I doubt any other candidates either side could have done better.