Obama: Reverent constitutionalist or benevolent despot?

I really don't have anything to add to Adam Serwer's analysis of President Obama's speech. I do think the speech was a strong condemnation of the last administration's "ad hoc approach" and, specifically the use of torture, which, he was clear, is neither morally right or efficacious. Clearly, you won't hear from Obama that "the Constitution is not a suicide pact." He is saying that he reveres the documents on which this country was founded and does not find our traditions "quaint" in the face of modern terrorism. He takes the rule of law seriously.

But he's also saying, "Look, I've been left with a mess and we are facing real threats. Trust me to find a way to solve this. We're consumed with solving this, in fact" But he doesn't say how he'll do that. And there's the rub.

As Serwer concludes, Obama may be more dangerous than George W. Bush because we trust the former. But, for now, I'll go with the thoughtful constitutional scholar rather than the fear mongerers.