Barack Obama hasn't had much to cheer him up in the run-up to his 50th birthday – although he must wish his US poll ratings, currently 43% approval, outscored his years.
But the president – who in recent weeks was battered by the debt standoff that ended with a deal no one liked – seems determined to enjoy the milestone.
On Wednesday, he took aides to have burgers at an eatery on Capitol Hill before leaving Washington briefly for a campaign fundraiser in his adopted home town of Chicago. Supporters paid up to $38,500 to join him to hear him joke he would soon have a reminder from a national organisation that helps the over-50s have "independence, choice and control" in ways that "are affordable to them and society as a whole".
"By the time I wake up, I'll have an email from AARP asking me to call President Obama and tell him to protect Medicare," said Obama on the eve of his half-century. Happy birthday was inevitably sung, by a group from North Carolina, and there was music from Jennifer Hudson, Herbie Hancock and the band OK Go,a rock band originally from the windy city but now based in Los Angeles. Its presence presumably was not meant as a message for the president, rather encouragement to reignite in his re-election campaign the spirit that so memorably took him to the White House. He may, however, take hear from their new EP, All is Not Lost.
At a small dinner for high-dollar donors later, Obama revealed he already knew of one very important present waiting for him in back in Washington on Thursday. His oldest daughter, Malia, was coming home from camp to celebrate his birthday.
The festivities back in the capital were to include a toast from senior staff in the White House's blue room, followed by a party with family and friends. An administration official said the Obamas would be footing that bill.
The president then plans a weekend trip to Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland.
www.guardian.co.uk
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