I did not expect this year of all years to end with an Obama victory lap, but it’s understandable. He’s in “legacy” mode. Time to start making his case to historians that the utter destruction of his party was worth it somehow.

This bit near the end feels like a wink that he really does plan to become an activist of sorts in retirement:

“As I prepare to take on the even more important role of citizen, know that I will be there with you every step of the way to ensure that this country forever strives to live up to the incredible promise of our founding — that all of us are created equal, and all of us deserve every chance to live out our dreams,” Obama said.

Wherever a liberal’s scolding a conservative and torching a field of strawmen to do it, he’ll be there. But maybe not immediately: He said in an interview a few days ago, “I have to be quiet for a while. And I don’t mean politically, I mean internally. I have to still myself. You have to get back in tune with your center and process what’s happened before you make a bunch of good decisions.” Does he … really want to “process what’s happened,” though? In his case, that’s like setting aside time to relive the day you watched your house burn down. He’ll be crying in the shower for weeks. Maybe Michelle will get him a Nintendo or something to keep him distracted.

As a special New Year’s Eve treat, enjoy the second clip below in lieu of an exit question. It’s all uphill after 2016. Right?