Obama at the pinnacle

With ObamaCare secure for at least four years, he could focus on reforming a government that too few Americans trust, on growing the economy faster than 2%, and on raising the middle-class incomes that have declined throughout his Presidency. This is the audacity of our own hope.

But to court understatement, this does not seem to be Mr. Obama’s plan. Since his victory he has shown even less inclination to compromise, and his rhetoric against his opponents has become even harsher. Consider this broadside from his gun-control remarks this week:

“There will be pundits and politicians and special interest lobbyists publicly warning of a tyrannical, all-out assault on liberty, not because that’s true but because they want to gin up fear or higher ratings or revenue for themselves. And behind the scenes, they’ll do everything they can to block any common-sense reform and make sure nothing changes whatsoever.”

So anyone who disagrees with him isn’t merely wrong but is morally corrupt and on the take. This tone increasingly defines his Presidency.