Trump and Obama: Two characters in search of a legacy

Their love – not too strong a word – for this man they mourn begs the question: “What achievements, what legacy?”

And in what way did he fail? For Democrats can blame turnout, blame Twitter, blame Hillary Clinton, blame fake news, but surely the failure of his party to get a third term in the White House was in some sense Mr Obama’s responsibility? As he said, his name wasn’t on the ballot, but his achievements were.

This goes to the heart of a question about character: his, Donald Trump’s, most importantly their country’s sense of self.