Mr. Obama has demonstrated little willingness to show anger publicly during his three and a half years in the White House. Even in some of the most trying moments for his administration — and he has had his fair share — his demeanor in front of the cameras has been more cool than hot…

But some Democrats want to see more. They want to see the frustrations of the past several years — the clashes with Republican lawmakers; the disappointing Supreme Court decisions; the economic misfortune — bubble over in Mr. Obama they way it sometimes bubbles over in themselves…

Will he get hot? Some believe Mr. Obama is careful not to provide his detractors ammunition for a charge that an “angry black man” is in the Oval Office. (The first lady, Michelle Obama, rejected charges that she is “some kind of angry black woman” after the publication of a book about her marriage to the president.)

But if the court overturns one of his signature accomplishments, it may just be too much, even for the president.