Editorial: Obama leaves legacy of lofty ideals, patchy execution

Politics requires two things: ideals and the ability to put them into practice. Absence of either makes good politics impossible. It will be some time before history passes judgment on the accomplishments of U.S. President Barack Obama. It is already safe to say, however, that his embrace of such lofty ideals as "a world without nuclear weapons" has helped made him a symbol of good sense in America even as anti-intellectualism gains ground around the world.