The “crucify them” presidency

EPA chief Lisa Jackson was quick to assure the public that her regional administrator—who was caught on video describing his desire to “crucify” oil and gas companies—was not “representative of the agency.” Mr. Armendariz’s views, she said, “don’t reflect any policy that we have, and they don’t reflect our actions over the past two years.” At least she didn’t say it under oath.

The Armendariz story matters precisely because he is the model Obama regulator. Hamstrung by both public opinion and Congress, President Obama has turned to these types to enact his broader agenda…

His actions are no aberration. This is the “Crucify Them” presidency. Mr. Obama couldn’t get a card check law passed, so his National Labor Relations Board’s union lawyers sue Boeing for locating in a right-to-work state. He couldn’t outlaw offshore drilling, so Interior activists continue a permitorium in the Gulf. He can’t make ObamaCare work, so Health Department officials threaten to exclude insurers from exchanges if they raise premiums. He couldn’t outright kill nuclear energy, so his top nuclear regulator has shut down the Yucca Mountain waste repository to strangle industry growth.

Mr. Armendariz apologized for his “words,” though you might wonder why. He was picked to do a job—to “crucify” industry—and he did it. His real mistake was admitting it.