For some reason–perhaps the relatively normal marriage with Michelle–Obama has always reminded me of Charles I: a relatively small man way out of his depth, who hangs on to the One Big Idea through thick and thin as a way of avoiding a collision with his own mediocrity. Brown’s election was Obama’s Naseby, but he will be no more able to accept the facts on the ground than Charles was. A one-trick-pony, he will continue to pick the wrong fights (the Bishop’s Wars); throw people under the bus, but too late (Strafford, Laud); and ultimately be of no use to anyone, even the moon-eyed Scots. (Like Obama, all of Charles’ promises came with expiration dates.)

A pity: unlike Charles, who might have turned out all right in the end if his brother had lived to cover up his spindley legs with a bishop’s robe, Obama brought it on himself.