WASHINGTON Yes, President Obama fears the beard. He feels akinship to Tim Lincecum, too, for packing a wallop in spite of hisskinny frame. And he wishes the Giants well in their quest to defendtheir World Series championship as long as they aren't playing hisflagging Chicago White Sox. "Which right now, is not a sure thing," he said, filling theEast Room of the White House with laughter. In front of an audience studded with San Francisco's politicalelite, President Obama saluted the Giants on Monday afternoon, shookhands with the players and accepted gifts that included a No.44jersey which Hall of Famer Willie McCovey graciously unretired forthe occasion.