The President’s latest provocation – a debt  plan designed as a campaign prop masquerading as an economic treatise – was met by a chorus of catcalls from those on the other side of the aisle.  What to do when two seemingly intractable parties seem destined for an ugly confrontation?  Beer Summit.

Given today’s fractious political environment, this seems an opportune time to take a glimpse back to the early, heady days of the Obama Presidency.  Foreshadowing his indefatigable need to insert himself into virtually every aspect of our daily lives, this moment proved far too irresistible for our reticent President to pass up.

Remember?  Barging in to what was at that point a local law enforcement matter, the President announced that the Cambridge police had “acted stupidly” by arresting his friend, a Professor from Harvard (where else?).  He then helpfully added that “there’s a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately”.  Uhhh, about that F.O.P. endorsement …

The resulting charade on the White House patio made those old, stilted Politburo photos look casual and relaxed by comparison.  The two protagonists, implausibly dressed in dark suit and tie in sweltering Washington, DC.  The Professor, glancing lovingly and forgivingly at his new pal.  The Sergeant, appearing about as happy to be there as Elizabeth Warren at a House Hearing.  Obama, seemingly laughing at the Vice President (insert your own joke here!!) after one of Biden’s pull-my-finger bon mots.

Yes, it was quite a scene all the way around.  And, employing yet another Obama staple, the whole fiasco was dutifully declared to be a teachable moment.  As has become de rigueur, every time the President screws up, it becomes a teachable moment for everyone else.  Given his track record of late, expect the number of teachable moments to ramp up considerably.  More beer, please.