It's a mistake to compare President Obama to the progressive we wish we could have in the White House but never will. Compare him to the the opposition and he at least appears sane. The only reason Republicans think he is so far to the left is that they have moved so far to the right. Carol says Doug is so far to the left he makes Reagan look liberal. If that is true, that just makes him a mainstream Republican these days. Obama didn't win in 08 by just getting a great turnout from the base. That is never enough in a national election. You must get the independents and in 08 independents were soul-sick from the previous administration, scared to death of Palin and shocked at McCain's meltdown over the economy.