Probably the first and last time I rec the same diary that Know Vox does.

Obama is squarely in the middle of the 30 or so Democratic Senators that are usually described as liberal.  Schumer, Dodd, Boxer, Harkin, Wyden, Bingaman, Levin, and Kerry...Obama's right with them on all the issues.

Is he a leftist in the mold of the activist wing of the Democratic Party in the 60s and 70s?  No.  There aren't many of them that are left in the presidential pool of Senators and Governors.

I believe Obama will try to always do what is right and will listen to criticism.  I think his heart is in the right place and he will pull us back from the idiocy and crime of the past 8 years.  I think he will push good, progressive legislation and help get other progressives elected.  I think he will be a decent president who will improve the standing of the Democratic Party and pave the way for people a bit further left to be taken seriously again in national politics.  And most of all, his election will serve as the ultimate nail in the coffin of rightwing, divisive Karl Rove politics that have given us one disaster after another, and in the idea of reactionary tools like McCain being seen as so-called "moderates".

I don't have to hold my nose to vote for Obama.  I never saw him as some progressive messiah who would instantly bring every soldier home from Iraq and institute REAL universal healthcare.  I have the same reasoned enthusiasm for him that I had for Kerry and for Gore, recognizing that they are real people with faults who nonetheless are lightyears ahead of the opposition and would have made great presidents.