HMM.  ANALYZE THIS – AT 9:46 A.M. ET:  The intriguing issue is whether President Obama will run again.  Most people seem to think his ego will demand that he make the race.  But consider this, from The Politico:

President Obama says he’d still rather have one good term than be a “mediocre” two-term president.

Getting reelected is “not what I think of my work,” Obama told the Spanish newspaper El Pais. “The description of my work I do is to solve problems and help people. I'm not going to slacken in regard to trying to solve the major problems facing the United States.”

“I still believe it is better” to be a good one-term president than a “mediocre” two-term leader, Obama said in the interview.

Obama added: “I do not want to have to look back and tell myself that all of what worried me was my own popularity. That is not my goal. My obligation is to make sure I'm faithful to the principles, beliefs, ideas that will advance the United States and strengthen our partners around the world.”

COMMENT:  Well, look, he's a politician and maybe he said what he thought people wanted to hear.  On the other hand, most two-term presidents have a miserable time during their second term, when they've already worn out their welcome.  And Obama certainly doesn't want to be the first African-American president to be defeated for relection.

So maybe we're in for a surprise, or maybe Obama just wants to keep the guessing game going. 

Stand by.  If Obama drops out, Ms. Hillary is ready to measure the drapes.

November 19, 2010