A tinny high-pitched ringing started again in his left ear. Just out of the corner of his eye, a flock of aides scrambled into panic just offstage.

“And that’s why,” he continued, “we have to get to work now. Progress isn’t something we can keep kicking down the road. At least, it’s not something I can. So, I ask you, I invite you, to join me as we work to make our hopes for the future, the real...