Members of the House and Senate are spending today debating over the extension of a tax cut for millions of Americans.

Republicans want a full year extension. Democrats want just two months. If the gridlock isn’t resolved, taxes will go up for millions of Americans on January 1st.

So where’s President Obama today? Maybe wrangling members of Congress into a conference? Moderating the gridlock? Trying to find consensus? Searching for common ground so we can get things done?

No, silly. He’s Christmas shopping in preparation for his vacation in Hawaii.

Even members of the press corps are asking Press Secretary Jay Carney why Obama is Christmas shopping rather than trying to build bridges and push through the extension.

Maybe we’re just being naive, but it seems like the same president who talks tough about getting things done should actually be available to, you know, get things done. Just thinking aloud here.

Update: Obama talked about the $40 the extension will save Americans in their paychecks. So what did he do today? He went out and bought a $25 dog toy. Really connecting with the people.