Barack Obama, who in 2009 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for having done nothing, is now called a great man by some of his backers for having done not too much more. He was re-elected, but by millions of votes fewer than the last time — the first time a president won re-election while falling in favor relative to the opposite side.

Most people felt the country was on the wrong track and doubted things would get better. General Motors is (barely) alive but not getting better. Osama bin Laden is dead, but al Qaeda isn’t. His triumphs thus far don’t seem that triumphant. Carter he isn’t, but he isn’t Reagan, either. Put the plans for Mount Rushmore on hold.