Mr Obama has had his failures, but this record of effort should at least give the lie to the proposition that he is neglecting America's interests in the world or shirking its unique responsibilities.
If he is to be the strong, even radical leader that he claims to want to be, the most immediate use of that power shouldlie in the appointment of a resolute cabinet rather than the muddled cabinet-in-waiting that was elected last year by the party and is stipulated by Labour tradition.