There is an old adage that in politics as in life timing is everything. That is why pundits often talk about such things as the importance of “momentum” and the necessity of not “peaking too early.” In March 2012 when President Obama was running for his second term he got caught on a hot mic in Seoul, South Korea asking then Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to reassure Vladimir Putin, “After my election I have more flexibility.… On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it’s important for him to give me space.… This is my last election. After my election, I have more flexibility.”
