Just like all guns are loaded.  Assume a gun is loaded, and there won’t be any mishaps like you read about now and then.  Likewise, all microphones are on.  They aren’t, of course, but assume they are and you won’t let the truth slip out when reporters can overhear it.  Our president is still a rookie.  Four years into his term, and he makes a rookie mistake a junior senator from Illinois should know not to do.  Here’s what he said.

President Obama: On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it’s important for him to give me space.

President Medvedev: Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you…

President Obama: This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.

President Medvedev: I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir.

So he’s saying that he’ll do a lot of stuff next year that he won’t do this year, because this is an election year and he won’t have another election.  We all knew that, of course.  It’s not exactly a revelation, but it’s still nice to hear it for real.  At least he’s not going to go for three terms, as more than a few have suggested.