by thenewgreen



Senator Obama quickly rose to national prominence in a political environment that couldn't have been better tailored to his rise. Candidate Obama was able to successfully communicate a message of change and hope for a future that seemed to be forged out of progressive ideas. When you heard him talk it was as if we'd all be driving cars powered by Doc Browns Mr. Fusion, we'd have accountability in our economic system and the most ethical governance in the history of man.

Has President Obama been as progressive as he campaigned to be, as transformative as you had hoped? Has the reality of governance forced a more moderate hand? Has his naiveté forced a more right leaning hand? Or is he just a lefty, progressive socialist?

Recently cliffelam, mk and b_b were having a discussion regarding this and I'm curious what you all think? Where does Obama, now that we have a term to look back on, fall on the political spectrum?

I'll quote b_b who said in jest regarding his policies:

He's ended the Bush tax cuts, restored the Glass-Steagall Act, enacted Gay Marriage nationwide, ended the wars and closed Gitmo. Edit: He also stopped No Child Left behind and doubled science funding. Yippee!

-Pretty hard to call him a "leftie". From where I stand he seems pretty smack dab in the middle ---in an opportunistic way. But I'd like to know why I'm wrong or what the other opinions out there are. We are entering in to what will be a very exciting political climate imo.

Fire away!