He's been retired for less than two weeks, but the Smithsonian Institution and its TV channel are already enhancing his legacy and have already finished and readied for airing a complimentary documentary on former President Obama.



Calling him a gifted speaker and "writer in chief," the film "The Obama Years: The Power of Words" suggests that Obama's speeches "tell us more about our hopes, dreams, aspirations and dark realities than any other document to represent that era," said Smithsonian.

It will feature friends and allies of Obama, including is closest aide Valerie Jarrett and political advisor David Axelrod. "It looks at Obama's attempts to redefine patriotism, address race relations and turn divisive events into moments of national unification," said the Smithsonian.

The documentary will be the first to gush on Obama since he left office and will air first on Feb. 27. Believing it has a blockbuster on its hands, the taxpayer funded institution will also take the documentary on an 11-city tou.

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner's "Washington Secrets" columnist, can be contacted at pbedard@washingtonexaminer.com