No one shifted an armchair, moved a flower arrangement or asked an unexpected question.

President Obama gave five back-to-back television interviews broadcast on Sunday that were as tightly choreographed — and eerily similar — as the multiple Magritte bowler-hatted men milling in the remake of "The Thomas Crown Affair."

He said the same to David Gregory, the host of "Meet The Press" on NBC. "The media loves to have a conversation about race," Mr. Obama said, adding, "This is catnip to, to the media because it is a running thread in American history that's very powerful."

Mostly, however, Mr. Obama demonstrated that the news media are catnip to presidents.