Geraghty: if Obama loses in 2012, will he run again in 2016?

Is it too early to begin speculating about that?

Ha! Of course not! Not in Punditsland, anyway!

So what do you think, Jim Geraghty?

If there’s anything we’ve seen, it’s that President Obama loves to campaign – to hold fundraisers, to attend rallies, to attend ‘town meetings’ where the questioners mostly ask why people aren’t smart enough to see how great he is. In January 2013, former President Obama would find himself with a lot of time to do all that.

…In fact, thinking back to my Jolt of a few days ago, about how political leaders seek to have heroic narratives… perhaps Obama would be even more pleased with himself with “wilderness years.” In fact, if Obama really is a messiah-like figure in the minds of his biggest fans… doesn’t he need to return and demonstrate a political resurrection?

I’ll go out on a limb, here, and predict that – if Romney wins the election – Obama will not attempt a comeback in 2016.

Okay, that’s not exactly one of the really thin limbs way up high in the tree, and I’m not exactly getting very far from the trunk. Still.

I think Obama likes the trappings of the presidency, but those trappings come with a lot of crap. Work. Opposition. Stress. Crap. It’s not an easy job.

Get him out of office, let him see how awesome it is to be a former president – still important, still beloved, still with lots of perks but far fewer responsibilities – and I think he’ll just stay put. Travel, write some books, give speeches, bask.

I can’t wait to see who’s right. But first, Romney/Ryan has to win. Don’t get cocky.