Obama pledges ... to buy a Chevy Volt

Presidents seeking re-election make campaign promises.

Today, President Obama made one of those rare post-presidential pledges.

To buy a Chevy Volt.

Speaking to a raucous crowd of United Auto Workers, Obama recalled a 2010 visit to the General Motors Hamtramck plant near Detroit, where he slid behind the wheel of "a new Chevy Volt fresh off the line."

"Secret Service wouldn't let me drive it," Obama said.

"But I liked sitting in it," he added to laughter. "It was nice. I'll bet it drives real good."

"And five years from now -- when I'm not president anymore -- I'll buy one and drive it myself," Obama said to thunderous applause. "Yes, that's right."

Note the "five years" comment, a re-election prediction Obama has been making a lot lately.

Even if Obama follows through with a Volt purchase some time in the future, we doubt he'll do much driving -- ex-presidents get Secret Service protection.