Are liberal expectations out of sync with reality?

[kentuck]

This President gets a lot of criticism from many on his left because they do not feel he has done as much as he should or as much as he could have in the last 3 years.

At the same time, many Democrats praise the President as doing a great job keeping the Republicans in check and getting this economy back on the right track.

Which of these two camps is correct or does the truth lie somewhere in the middle?

There is little doubt but that the economy was in the pits when the President took office. Did he handle it correctly or could he have done it differently? Of course, hindsight is 20/20.

Will his Presidency leave a lasting legacy that is beneficial to the majority of people in this country? Or will we be deeper in the clutches of the 1% when his 2nd term is over?

The President's supporters say that it is not about an "ideal" - it is about a choice. We have to compare this President to what we might get if he is defeated. Isn't that a fair point?

[TheWraith]

1. Some people appear to have wanted a liberal version of George Bush.

Someone who would run roughshod over Congress, enact laws by fiat, and generally govern for a select percentage of his base and say "fuck anyone who feels differently."

That would feel really satisfying, no doubt, but as the Republicans have proven it's not a policy that results in long-term stability either as a government or as a party.

[Uncle Joe]

3. Not so much as wanting a liberal version of George Bush, as not wanting a moderate version.

"Change you can believe in" meant more to them than changing the oven from 400 degrees to 300 either way your goose will get cooked, the latter just takes longer.

[whatchamacallit]

8. +1

exactamente!

[Puzzledtraveller]

2. I believe it's pragmatism.

The idea that "whatever works" is good, or adequate, particularly among congress. The reality of course is much different.

[GeorgeGist]

4. So far the 1% is doing fine ...

but they would do better under Willard.

[Puzzledtraveller]

6. Excellent point

To the extant that the 1% have managed to stay the 1% precisely because of tax payer funded bailouts. Where's our GM dividend checks? Are we not shareholders now?

[OranicManic]

5. Corproate Ownership

Nader can't get elected. After Clinton, who took away Glas-Speigel, gave us NAFTA, etc - you have to learn that any politician is going to be controlled by the big money boys.

Nader is still poo-poo'd here, so most people seem to prefer a corporate 'liberal'.

[edhopper]

7. "If not now, when? If not us, who?"

Robert Kennedy

[Quantess]

9. Our expectations were clearly out of touch with reality in 2008.