THE COUNTDOWN

NINE DAYS TO THE AGE OF OBAMIUS

Posted at 8:08 a.m.

In nine days, Barack H. Obama Jr. becomes president, and a halo will form around Washington.  We can report these developments:

- CIA director-designate Leon Panetta requested that from now on he be known as "008."  Obama turned him down, and ordered him to stop introducing himself by saying, "Panetta.  Leon Panetta."

- Obama shocked reporters when he displayed his new book, written in secret, called, "What I Really Believe."  He claimed it can be read at one sitting - all three pages.

- Joe Biden missed a high-level intelligence briefing after he left his I.D. at home.

- All key members of the new administration have been invited to watch the season premiere of "24" tonight.  Eric Holder, nominated to be attorney general, was ordered to prepare a memo on the bad guys' legitimate grievances.

- Mr. Obama was reportedly skeptical when his top global-warming advisers were asked to do the climate forecast for inauguration day, and predicted bikini weather.

January 11, 2009.