Overseas, Obama Begins the Long Goodbye

Back home, President Barack Obama has eight months, a dogfight over the Supreme Court and scores of campaign speeches for a successor ahead of him. But overseas, the president already has begun a long, slow goodbye.
Overseas, Obama Begins the Long Goodbye
President Barack Obama answers questions at an event in central London on April 23, 2016. Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images
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LONDON—Back home, President Barack Obama has eight months, a dogfight over the Supreme Court and scores of campaign speeches for a successor ahead of him. But overseas, the president already has begun a long, slow goodbye.

As Obama wrapped up his valedictory trip to London on Saturday, he looked very much like a president on his way out the door, reflecting on his tenure and eager to shape how he is remembered. At a town hall with young people, he was asked to look back far more than forward—and he readily obliged. He offered advice for the next president, whoever that is. And then he carved out an afternoon to get out on the links with Prime Minister David Cameron, one of the few world leaders he’s made a point of describing as a close friend.

I think that I have been true to myself during this process.
Barack Obama, president, U.S.