David Axelrod described Obama's 12/16/2016 press conference this way: "On a tough day, he was big, honest & open, not defensive."
Obama is, as Chris Hayes says, an Institutionalist. His institution is American democracy, and he will pilot _that_ ship to the best of his ability for as long as he stands on the bridge. Right now, that means providing a smooth transition to the person the citizens of the United States have elected to be their next leader.
I think it is a good time to consider the cognitive, perceptual, and emotional differences between these two: Barack Obama, whom we know, and Donald John Trump, whom we know.
Here is a partial list. Please add to it.
My purpose here is to show the stark difference between the make-up of these two leaders. As the French teach us, Style is the Person. There is no question in my mind that this comparison is predictive — usefully so. This will let us know how President-elect Donald John Trump will perform as President.
I ask all Americans to join me in rejecting Donald John Trump, every member of his family who works for him, every person he appoints or hires, and all of Trumpism, in every way, every minute of every hour of every day.
Our country will not survive the rapacious vivisectioning Trump and his cohorts in greed are planning.
Obama — Trump
Smart — Stupid
Curious — Bored
Knowledgable — Ignorant
Mature — Immature
Thoughtful — Thoughtless
Engaging — Boring
Worldly — Parochial
Sophisticated — Vulgar
Expansive — Small-minded
Solvent — Insolvent
Confident — Cocksure
Loved — Loathed
Good Father — Absent skirt-chaser
Loyal — Treacherous
Wise — Foolish
Kind — Vengeful
Bright — Dim
Faithful — Unfaithful
Pays his debts — Steals
Empathetic — Sociopathic
Self-made — Spoiled son of rich Daddy
Tender — Blunt
Dutiful — Remiss
Democrat — Republican
His own man — Putin’s Puppet