With Christmas less than a week away, Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama appealed to the North Pole for a little aid in selecting a suitable gift for his wife, Michelle, since he’s been on the campaign trail almost nonstop. 

“I’m counting on some help from Santa,” the Illinois senator said when in New Hampshire he was asked what his wife might find under the tree this year. 

As for the Obamas’ nine-year-old daughter, an iPod is on the list, he said, adding  “She’s got all the songs picked out and most of them are from Beyonce.” 

For the candidate himself, weary after months of traveling to early voting states like Iowa and New Hampshire,  a day off is the best present he could receive, short of winning the presidency, of course, he said. (Though, he is taking off Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.)

And maybe there will be a new cellphone, too, Obama joked after his phone crashed onto a cement floor and broke into two pieces in a warehouse where he was delivering toys for needy children.  

– Photo credit: Reuters/Brian Snyder (Obama helps sort gifts for Toys for Tots)