A point of view relies on how you look, and not just where you look.

Similarites can be made figuratively, while differences naturally abound.

Octavian was in a position of being highly suspect by the Republicans (actual name of the wealthy Roman class) while hailing himself as a populist to the teaming masses.

The previous adminstration like that of Octavian had vested enormous powers in the executive/Cesear. While Obama has not divested himself from many of these new executive patriot act powers but a draw down of certain provincial wars as in Iraq is ongoing. Barak has made it clear that he claims no god like powers that his predecessor claimed in comments such as "God told me what to do in Iraq".

Octavian had great popularity. He accomplished this with carefully designed statues that revealed a much less militaristic pose and weaponry than other leaders as well as coins that all could view.

So far Obama's stimulus package hes helped some shovel ready road projects in some communites.

Obama is performing a balancing act between the Repubicans and the people much the same as Octavian as well as other leaders in similar circumstances of dichotomy.