A loyal reader writes:
Just saw your post on the prospects for Obama's trip to Asia. There's important historical precedent here. Clinton dropped out of the 18-19 November 1995 APEC summit in Osaka because of the Washington shutdown, sending Al Gore instead. Meanwhile, back in the White House, he was attracted to the young intern, Monica Lewinsky, who was keeping things going in the oval office.
Clinton would have saved himself and the country a lot of trouble by going ahead with the Asia visit.