The theater of thoughtfulness is critical to the president’s success.
He has the knack of appearing moderate while acting radical, which is a
lethal skill. . . But underneath the thoughtful look is a transformative domestic agenda
that represents a huge annexation of American life by an ever-more
intrusive federal government. One cannot but admire the singleminded
ruthlessness with which Obama is getting on with it, even as he hones
his contemplative, unhurried, moderate routine on primetime press
conferences. On foreign affairs, the shtick is less effective . . .