The Idea Of American Exceptionalism Doesn't Extend

I Find Having A Column A Very Difficult Form Of Journalism. I'm Not A Natural Like Tom Friedman And Anna Quindlen.

Since Hillary Clinton Is The First Time We've Had A Woman Who Was A Serious Contender For President, It's Been An Adjustment To Watch Her More Changeable Looks, And To See The Lengths She Goes To Get The Right Lighting And To Make The Right Wardrobe Choices. Her Campaign Is Devising Strategies To Humanize Her And Make Her Seem More Warm And Maternal.

The Obamas, Especially Michelle, Have Radiated The Sense That Americans Do Not Appreciate What They Sacrifice By Living In A Gilded Cage. They've Forgotten Rule No. 1 Of Politics: No One Sheds Tears For Anyone Lucky Enough To Live At The White House.

The Sounds Of Silence Are A Dim Recollection Now, Like Mystery, Privacy And Paying Attention To One Thing — Or One Person — At A Time.

Even When Conservatives Have All The Marbles, They Still Act As If They're Under Siege. Now That They Are Under Siege, It Is No Time For Them To Act As If They're Losing Their Marbles.