Curiously enough this statement comes in a speech packed with special pleading. And yet it's the closest thing to an admission of defeat. A more honest political figure might concede that stating, "I have pushed to the limits of my executive authority" is the sort of thing that validates the Supreme Court's split.
But of course Obama only mentions it in the context of not being able to abuse his authority any further.
There is the usual appropriated language of civil rights in a case which is about the imperial presidency. And in it, Obama accuses Americans of hypocrisy, while unloading a spiel packed to the ceiling with hypocrisy.
"Hopefully we are going to have a vigorous debate during this election. This is how democracy is supposed to work. And there will be a determination as to which direction we go in," Obama said.
In case he hasn't noticed, that's already going on. And the verdict isn't leaning his way. Mr. Right Side of History appears to be on the left side of history instead.