Until 1869, when they were banned, debtors' prisons were the great incinerators of British reputations. Those who were unable to pay their bills were jailed until their creditors were paid - an unlikely event, given that the prisoner was unable to work.
Any great, long career has at least one flameout in it.
One of the the great things about having had something that didn't work out is: So what? I am fine.
Obama's great asset has always been an ability to maintain his air of authority without being baritone about it. He can be boring, but he is never ridiculous or pompous.
Obama fans become more and more glum that he keeps flubbing the very role he was expected to be so good at: Therapist to the nation. The Great Comforter.
You can get an interview with anyone overseas on the basis of being part of 'Newsweek.' It still has a great deal of impact.
The question for Obama is how he can rein in the furies of populism while making us all feel the malefactors of great wealth are being sufficiently punished.
What does it take to be a great social chronicler? Perhaps one of the key attributes is an understanding of what it feels like to fall from grace.
I'm excited, but I'm always optimistic, maybe too much so. It's a great location; you can't ask for anything more.