(City Journal) -- The media spun President Obama’s Tuesday night farewell address as a call to unity. But the speech’s setting and Obama’s words about the Constitution were a reminder of how his presidency deepened divisions within the nation. In the modern era, presidential farewell addresses have been delivered from the Oval Office, a symbol of the president’s role as head of state. Obama’s speech, by contrast, had the feeling of a campaign rally. He seemed more like a party leader than a president.
Much of Obama’s speech was a restatement of Democratic positions on inequality, climate change, and race. His comments about the Constitution, however, were troubling:
"Our Constitution is a remarkable, beautiful gift. But it’s really just a piece of parchment. It has no power on its own. We, the people, give it power. We the people give it meaning—with our participation, and the choices we make. Whether or not we stand up for our freedoms. Whether or not we respect and enforce the rule of law."