What Americans would miss most about President Barack Obama

As US President Barack Obama’s second term nears its end, many Americans will perhaps agree that he has accomplished a lot in his eight years in office.

Even Paul Krugman, one of his most notorious faultfinders, acceded to the fact that the first black president introduced and efficaciously delivered many changes in healthcare, social change, national security, climate change and economy.

"I do care that he has, when all is said and done, achieved a lot," he admitted in a Rolling Stone article , which could be synonymous and translated to how The Week’s Paul Waldman sees him, which is, "one of the most consequential presidents in recent history, if not of all time."

His last appearance, though, at the most recent White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April reminds Americans what kind of a person he is. His supporters see him as kind, and he managed to exude that kindness amid the problems that befell their country in the past years. He was also in touch with the times, peppering his speech with jokes using pop culture references, and was not afraid to be self-depreciating, delivering one-liners at his own expense.

This, however, does not imply that the past presidents are apathetic jokers. It is just that there’s something about Obama that’s difficult to fathom, ignore even. He simply rocks that sincere face when he mixes social issues with pun. Call it charm, charisma — whatever — he owned the night twice, as it was really his to begin with.

The Guardian’s Megan Carpentier writes, “[N]ext year will bring a new president: the question now is whether that president will be able to laugh at him or herself, and how much material with which she or he will give the host to work.” It’s hard to disagree with her . Although he did aim some scathing jokes at Donald Trump, Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell, without comic timing and innate witticism, all these would end up as harsh political invectives.

This is something that journalists, publishers and even the likes of Born2Invest and Apple News, will forever remember. Especially, of course, his jokes -- and non-jokes -- about them. "Even reporters have left me. Savannah Guthrie, she has left the White House press corps to host the Today show. Norah O’Donnell left the briefing room to host ‘CBS This Morning.’ Jake Tapper left journalism to join CNN," he said at the dinner , which was met with laughter. "And I’ve always appreciated the role that you have all played as equal partners in reaching these goals. Our free press is why we once again recognise the real journalists who uncover the horrifying scandal and brought some measure of justice for thousands of victims around the world.”

Obama triumphed at converting his political successes into memorable puns and clever quips that no other president has ever done. Again, all American presidents from Kennedy to Reagan to Bush have tried their best to portray that other side people would want to see in them. They attempted at being funny, if not the funniest, but it was Obama who seemed to have set a benchmark for the next presidents, or even leaders aiming to speak publicly without boring the crowd.

Indeed, amiability and harmless jokes transform a leader into an ordinary citizen for a short time, and such a thing is very important in ensconcing an image back to American consciousness again.

There are the jokes all over the Web for everyone to see or hear. And there would be people who would dismiss Obama as being a genuinely funny man. But one thing is incontestable: He tried all his best to provide the change he’s promised in 2008. And if he really succeeded or not, it is where the subjective part comes in. It’s Obama’s prerogative to believe that he did, and the American people to simply agree or think that he didn’t.

His last day as the US president will be on Jan. 20, 2017.