Tales from the Trail

Think legacy. That’s what President Barack Obama advised Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Obama tried to appeal to Mubarak’s ego and sense of place in history as he pressed for movement on a political transition. “I believe that President Mubarak cares about his country. He is proud, but he is also a patriot,” Obama said.

He didn’t call for the Egyptian leader to immediately step down, but brought up Mubarak’s promise not to run again. “The key question he should be asking himself is how do I leave a legacy behind in which Egypt is able to get through this transformative period?”

Obama capped his comments at the news conference by urging Mubarak to do the right thing: “And my hope is, is that he will end up making the right decision.”

The president will have a lighter dilemma on Sunday in deciding who to root for in the Super Bowl — the Green Bay Packers or Pittsburgh Steelers. Obama says he’s neutral, but it’s no fun to watch a football game without cheering for someone.

While Washington deals with freezing temperatures this Sunday, Super Bowl XLIV will kick off in sunny Miami Gardens, Florida, as the New Orleans Saints take on the Indianapolis Colts. But the snow has not dampened football fans’ spirits, and even a few senators are betting on the outcome.

Senators Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Evan Bayh of Indiana announced a friendly wager on Friday, each betting that their team will bring home that coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy.

What’s at stake?

Well, a win for the Saints in their first ever Super Bowl appearance means Bayh will be bringing Landrieu and her constituents Indiana popcorn, a local favorite.

WASHINGTON – Lots of spinning going on.

Morning TV shows had footage of a spinning shark twirling out of the water and a spinning small plane blown about by the wind upon landing. And sports fans looking forward to the spinning football at Sunday’s Super Bowl.

NBC touting a live interview with President Barack Obama at about 5 p.m. EST before kick-off on Sunday.

Obama saying Wall Street taking bonuses while firms are being bailed out by taxpayer money is “the height of irresponsibility” and “shameful” is still making the rounds.

The newest sports fan at the White House isn’t afraid to pick sides in Sunday’s Super Bowl. And like many Americans, he’s having a few people over to watch the big game.

President Barack Obama says he’ll be rooting for the PIttsburgh Steelers to win, although he joked that Kurt Warner – the 37-year-old quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals and a former Super Bowl MVP — was closer to his age than anybody else who’ll be playing on the field.

“I wish the best to the Cardinals. They’ve been long-suffering; it’s a great Cinderella story,” Obama said of the Cardinals, who peaked in the post-season and stunned many by making it to their first Super Bowl.