This is astonishing.

President Obama has a Christmas Party with his wife to attend, so leaves a White House press conference to former president Bill Clinton who turns on the impromptu policy charm. With video.

Imagine Gordon Brown:

Look folks, I have to go to a Christmas Party with my wife, so I’m leaving Tony to carry on explaining my policies to you – he’ll do a great job! Byeee.

At such moments of profound US national tragedy, we of course turn to Iowahawk to explain what is really going on:

Ending weeks of speculation and rumors, President-Elect Barack Obama today named Bill Clinton to join his incoming administration as President of the United States, where he will head the federal government’s executive branch.

"I am pleased that Bill Clinton has agreed to come out of retirement to head up this crucial post in my administration," said Obama. "He brings a lifetime of previous executive experience as Governor of Arkansas and President of the United States, and has worked closely with most of the members of my Cabinet."

Clinton said he was "excited and honored" by the appointment, and would work "day and night" to defeat all the key policy objectives proposed by Mr. Obama during the campaign.

"I am gratified that the President-Elect has entrusted me with this important responsibility," said Clinton. "I’m looking forward to getting back behind, and under, the Oval Office desk again. As I have told the President-Elect, I pledge to do whatever I can to serve his historic administration by making sure that none of that bullshit he talked about during the campaign will ever see the light of day.

Hope? Meet Change.