This is, of course, a stark contrast to Obama’s rhetoric during his 2008 campaign, which positioned change in lofty, idealized terms. And it’s also a contrast from the early days of his administration, when Democrats controlled Congress and sweeping new laws seemed possible.

Part of the rhetorical shift is surely because Obama’s had to reckon with the limitations of the president’s power. With the low-hanging fruit plucked and his congressional majorities gone, further change is now grinding and difficult. And some would surely argue that Obama calls for taking the long view because he’s simply failed to make much progress on several important issues.

But this defense of incremental change has been on Obama’s mind these days — as he made clear earlier this year, in a revealing appearance on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast.