Some of this must be political strategy. Barack Obama is the first President in American history who is primarily after the same precious 18 to 35 year olds that Madison Avenue covets. He won about 2/3rds of this age group in the 2008 election, and he needs them to vote Democrat this November. Talking sports and culture and “kicking ass” is a way to stay in touch with them. I have expect him to start driving around in a Nissan Cube.

But some of this must be narcissism. This is, after all, the President who got up on stage to sing Hey Jude with Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, and Jerry Seinfeld. There is no electoral utility to this sort of spectacle. Obama clearly enjoys the attention that comes with being a super cool Commander in Chief…

Mr. Obama is a very young man. He will have years of a post-presidency to enjoy his status as a cultural icon slash pundit-at-large. But I doubt ESPN or Beatle Paul will be as interested in hanging out with him if he’s a one termer.