Call me what you will . . . cheerleader, dupe, naive . . . but, I'm doing okay living with this Democratic president. I think his prospects for success on many controversial and desired issues has been overstated and exaggerated throughout his term. I really don't see the point in dismissing the progress he's made so far on many of the planks of his agenda and on many topical issues which have presented themselves during his presidency. I'm still pressing and hoping for a political equation in Congress which will better advantage his presidency in achieving his goals.

Yet, I'm also increasingly mindful that his presidency isn't occurring in a political vacuum. There is still a rabid and dishonest opposition which isn't about to provide much room in this election season for much more presidential progress, other than his batting down their nutty proposals and accusations as they hurl his way. I'm enjoying watching President Obama in the role of their agitator.

I can't imagine having significant success in defending a more radical presidency in this atmosphere. I think we can see the parameters of the political debates and it's hard to imagine maintaining our party's political influence with too strident an agenda, although I admit it would be interesting to watch our party and president try and prevent themselves from being torn to shreds on election day defending a truly progressive agenda. Destructive, but interesting.

I would agree that my rationalization is a poor substitute for actual progress on the issues and initiatives which concern us the most, but I don't believe our Democratic president's actions and agenda is so far removed from what I understand as effective 'politics' that I'm ready to abandon hope for prospects for the advancement of our Democratic and progressive agendas in this toxic atmosphere. Have we EVER had a presidency which has been able to persist and find partisan success in pressing a truly progressive agenda?

I've got to go with the fellow who has managed to advance our party and our agendas this far. It's not enough for me to look to folks for inspiration who haven't managed the political gauntlets which would place them in an actual position to effect change, no matter how much I would agree with their sentiments and proposals. I've got a strong and caring Democrat in place in the presidency right now and I'm looking forward to carrying his agendas into the next campaign and beyond, even as I press for more substantial, progressive progress. I'm excited to support this president to victory against the desperate and confused republican opposition. Steady as she goes . . . Yes We Can!