Does it strike anyone as odd that Obama often refers to America (surely, it’s America) with the aloof phrase—”the country that I love.”

If a man referred to his spouse as “the wife that I love,” I’m sure he would get an earful from a wife who felt slighted and perhaps a wee bit confused. 

Obama’a phrasing could imply that a country exists somewhere that he does not love; it could imply his uneasiness in expressing love in a more active and persuasive voice; it could simply be Obama’s platitudinal language run amok.  If the latter is the case, just imagine life in the Obama household:

Michelle:  “Hon, what do you want for dessert?
Barrack:  “For today, I desire that cheesecake that I love.”
***
Michelle:  “I’m going to the grocery store; do you need anything?”
Barrack:  “I no longer have any of that shaving cream that I prefer.”
***
Obama’s daughter: “Daddy, can we go for a bike ride?”
Barrack: “Yes we can; yes we can. Let me tuck my Polo shirt into my jeans and find the belt that I want.”
***
Michelle: “Honey! Jesse Jackson’s here to see you.
….. Honey?
….. Obama!
…. Where’d you go?”