In our last installment ("Obama's Christmas Carol - Part I"), our hero, well, let's say "our protagonist" -- as this is a very modern story and has a very anti-hero type hero -- the fellow about whom this whole story revolves, Barry Obama, was settling down for a Christmas nap in the White House when he was visited by a spectral presence in the form of George W. Bush. Describing himself as the Ghost of Presidencies Past, this spirit took Barry to view the Constitutional Convention and, after listening to the learned debate, Barry decided that he had been wrong to blame Bush for all his ills, the real villains were the Founding Fathers. And, having learned that lesson, Barry awoke, alone and confused, back in the Oval Office once again.

Let us pick up our story once more at that point.

For another individual, one with more of a gift for introspection, the spectral visitation would have been cause for dismay, perhaps even put an end to plans for a nap. But Barry, mercifully lacking in that sort of insight, simply shrugged, muttered "weird", and returned to his interrupted sleep.

Only to awake once more.

"You know, I really do look good!"

Barry sat up suddenly upon hearing the voice, expecting to find George Bush once more standing beside him. But he found something entirely different.

Barry found himself standing before him. A perfect reproduction in every way, as if he were looking in a mirror, but reversed. It was a perfect duplicate of him, dressed in the suit he had worn to his last press conference, smiling broadly.

Obama: You're....
Visitor: An incredibly handsome and charming man? (He laughed). I'm you! Who else did you expect?
Obama: I... (He stuttered for a moment, at a loss for words.)
Visitor: Would you like a teleprompter? (Another chuckle) No, no. I'm kidding. (Pushing Barry to the side, he sat beside him on the sofa) I'm the Ghost of Presidencies Present. And, since you ARE the president, that means I'm you.
Obama: Me?
Visitor: Who else? You want me to look like Joe Biden, then resign. Otherwise, I'm you.

The visitor suddenly jumped to his feet, pulling Barry with him.

Visitor: Well, much as I would love to sit here staring at myself for hours, we have to take a little trip.
Obama: Not to another convention I hope? The second hand smoke there almost killed me! I thought I was the only one who could smoke in public buildings.
Visitor: No, no trips to the past this time.I'm you, remember? We're going to check out my presidency.
Obama: (smiling) Oh, thank G-d! Something fun this time!
Visitor: You got it!

And with a step through the Oval Office door they once more found themselves transported, this time to a town hall meeting about health care. Angry voices rose from every corner of the room, men and women holding signs were shouting down the speaker. What had clearly been intended as a congressional photo op had degenerated into chaos.

Obama: What's the matter? Why are they so angry? Is he a Republican?
Visitor: Afraid not. One of ours. He is trying to tell them all about our health care plan.
Obama: (Looking  a bit confused) We have a health care plan?
Visitor: (laughing and patting Obama on the back) Of course not. (Wiping a tear from his eye.) Our plan! Yeah, that is funny... (Regaining his composure) I mean the plan Nancy finally drew up. He's telling them how we back it 100%. And explaining all the benefits.
Obama: So, what's the problem? They know we support it, don't they?
Visitor: He didn't even get that far. They shouted him down as soon as he started.
Obama: (Nodding) Ok. Now I see. If they knew we supported it, things would be different...
Visitor: (Nodding along) I didn't think of that. You're probably right.

And with a wave of the visitor's hand, the two were whisked away from the town hall meeting and found themselves somewhere else. This time a news studio. As they watched, the anchor's read the day's headlines. Stock market down 300 points. Unemployment tops 10%. Health care likely to fail in the senate. Democrats losing off year elections.

Obama: Fox news?
Visitor: (Nods.)
Obama: (Smiling with satisfaction) That explains it.

And with another wave of his hand, the two were once again transported, this time to a White House press conference. As they watched, the president's press secretary called upon various members of the press. Unlike the last stops, there was nothing angry or heated about the scene. Instead the press asked about the number of jobs saved or created, how well the stimulus was working, when they could expect cap and trade to pass, and what economic benefits the new health care bill would bring. Without fail they accepted the answers provided by the press secretary, and any follow up was asked simply to elaborate upon the benefits they could expect from the administration's initiatives.

Obama: That's more like it!
Visitor: Much better.
Obama: I knew it. The people love me.
Visitor: Who wouldn't?
Obama: After all, I was born to be president!
Visitor: You keep that positive attitude! You're the man!

And with a cheery wave and a slap on the back, the visitor slowly faded from sight, the press conference fading with him. And, once more, Barry found himself alone in the Oval Office. This time, however, he wasn't even slightly puzzled. His dreams always consisted of a cheery Obama doppelganger telling him how great he was. So this was hardly new ground to cover.

Smiling, Barry went back to sleep once more.

And that brings us to our final section, in which Barry will meet the most terrifying of all his visitors, the Ghost of Presidencies Future.