Jonathan Cohn at TNR: What Do Liberals Want From Obama?

Jonathan Cohn notes that while Obama has angered conservatives, he has pushed progressives away, too. Obama has compromised on health care and kept many Bush policies, particularly war, in place. But Cohn seems to believe liberals should be happier with Obama than they are.

Look at the record: Obama has made a pair of liberal appointments to the Supreme Court, the second of whom appears to be on track to easy confirmation. He’s populated the National Labor Relations Board with officials who actually believe in labor law. He’s rescued the auto industry, and the region of the country that depends upon it, from economic oblivion. He’ll likely get the chance to sign a major Wall Street reform package, just as he did an overhaul of the student lending program. And, of course, he led and won the fight for comprehensive health care reform.

…

Critics on the left seem to think the choice was between a pretty good plan and a spectacular one. It wasn’t. The choice was between a pretty good plan and nothing at all. Even plenty of Democrats thought Obama shouldn’t also pursue climate change and financial reform. Yet he’s continued to pursue both, albeit with varying results

Liberals, posit Cohn, should be proud. Are we?

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.