If, indeed, that's why the Times published them. There's no comment on them. (I just think that, right now, Obamiana is of general interest. Better a couple of old poems than, say, photos from his garbage can.)
It does show that he has/had interests outside politics. Which is, I think, a comforting thought in itself. Kind of like, say, who was that Republican fellow a few years back who sang the song about the mighty soaring eagle? Ashcroft?
I don't think they're write-offs by any means. And they were published (twice now, at least). I just got an impression that they are, er, poetical.
