Just say that Obama had issued some mild rebuke, after McCartney’s insult of his predecessor. Had signaled somehow that he disapproved of the remark, made at the White House during a completely non-political event — at a concert, in fact. Forget what is right or wrong to do: Don’t you think such a move would have impressed a lot of people in the country? Won points for the president?

The Obama people should realize that the White House is not the campaign trail, is not a Democratic political rally. Standing at the presidential press secretary’s podium, Robert Gibbs makes partisan remarks all the time. Okay. He’s got a right. But would you do that, if you were in the White House? Wouldn’t you think you were kind of representing all America, not just one politician or one party? And, to be crass and cynical about it: Don’t you think it would be helpful to your administration? That it would be helpful to show yourself above the low kind of politics?

Of course, wherever he goes, the president is the president. A few months ago, Obama was speaking to some of his donors in New York. And he said, “Democrats are an opinionated bunch. You know, the other side, they just kinda sometimes do what they’re told. Democrats, y’all thinkin’ for yourselves.” Okay. But does the president realize he represents all Americans, even Republicans, simply because he is president? And that he represents all Americans even when he’s at fundraisers — so long as he’s president? There comes a time to stop being a candidate, just for a bit.

I’ll tell you what I think is the worst thing to come out of this White House so far. Speaking on Meet the Press earlier this year, Vice President Biden was going on about what a great job the administration was doing in Iraq, and how successful Iraq was turning out. The host, David Gregory, said, “Was the war worth it?” Biden answered, “No, I don’t think the war was worth it, in the sense that we paid a horrible price.”

You may well think that. You can say it freely. But do you say it if you’re vice president of the United States? Given the 4,000 dead, given their 8,000 parents? Frankly, I’m not sure you say that as a senator or House member. But as vice president? You say the sacrifice wasn’t worth it? Really? I’m a partisan, sure, and I’ve supported the war, but I find Biden’s statement disgustingly wrong.