President Obama made his 2010 State of the Union address memorable. With Congress (the first branch of government) assembled before him, Obama (the second branch) rather rudely chided the justices (the third and least dangerous branch) for having “reversed a century of law to open the floodgates for special interests” with their Citizens United decision. That elicited Justice Samuel Alito’s quietly murmured “Not true” response. It also prompted legions of liberal fundraising drives that put millions of dollars in Democratic campaign treasuries in the ensuing months by creating the prospect of unlimited corporate money forever corrupting American politics.

Tossing political barbs at Supreme Court justices during a nationally televised speech is one thing. It’s something else entirely for a sitting president to point a justly accusing finger at the Senate majority leader who will be seated nearby. This is especially the case when both men are Democrats and despite the fact that today marks the 1,000th day since the Senate Democratic majority he leads approved a federal budget.