The President has been fond of blaming his legislative failures and lack of leadership on Republican "obstructionism." He has himself called for greater "civility"in our national discourse.

But the problem for him now is that the campaign he has conducted is giving the lie to his excuses and his image as an avatar of "civility." He has allowed his campaign workers, allies and other Democrats, without any evidence, to call his opponent a  potential felon, a tax cheat and even amurderer.