AS BOYISH BEN RHODES DROPS TRUTH BOMBS, OBAMA’S MEDIA MASK CRUMBLES, John Schindler writes in the New York Observer:

This will convince the president’s ardent fans but, one suspects, few others. The real damage the New York Times piece does to Mr. Obama’s legacy is how, using Mr. Rhodes’s own words, it confirms so many negative stereotypes about his administration. First, there’s the enormous self-regard, not always based in achievements, coupled with undisguised contempt for opponents—really, enemies. There’s the overweening sense that they really are the “smartest kids in the room.” Always there’s emphasis on domestic politics at the expense of all else, even deals on nuclear weapons with a country that’s been an avowed enemy of the United States since 1979. Salesmanship, not always consistent with facts, matters more than anything else. Above all they think they can get away with anything, aided by much of our media, whose customary skepticism gets suspended when Mr. Obama or his mouthpieces are doing the talking.

How will this all play out in the long run? If journalism is the promised first draft of history, future scholars will surely find Mr. Rhodes’ interview a fascinating look into Mr. Obama’s two terms in the Oval Office, a penetrating insight into what made Team Obama tick. Much will depend on whether Iran gets an atomic bomb anytime soon, as this White House has assured us now they cannot, thanks to Mr. Obama’s deal. That seems like a risky bet right now.

Do yourself a favor and definitely read the whole thing.