Interestingly, Obama is universally credited for his charisma, yet is has not yet demonstrated his ability or willingness to use his perceived political capital to propose REAL, not merely rhetorical changes:
1. On crime: Still pandering to Heartland America and dodging the debate on gun control, even a no-nonsense ban on semi-automatic weapons which are absolutely not necessary for self-defense but are so necessary for newsworthy college rampages.
Not brave enough to publicly question the relevance and the effectiveness of the death penalty in a nation that calls itself advanced.
Despite his much-touted "youth", still not in favor of lowering the legal drinking age from the puritanical 21, when on the other hand it is OK for a 17-year-old to enlist in the military without parental consent and legally kill.
With the caveat of his valid concern about racial inequities about sentencing, no plan to dent America's leading market share on inmates, most of whom are non-violent drug users who end up costing society far more than they would in rehab.
2. On the economy, no changes at all. Same centuries-old rhetorics about the role of government (yup, more of it); populist propaganda against free trade (hardly a novel concept); slew of government programs (education, energy, ...) with no means to finance them except for the suppression of the Bush tax cuts for the "rich", which he would (as Clinton) spend 10 times over.
Pulling out of Iraq will not bring in new revenues, either.
3. On foreign policy, I am still unclear as to why some unconditional Obama fans tout him as an instrument of reconciliation with Islam...His deceased dad converted from Islam to atheism, a crime punishable by death in the Koran. His anti-war refrain may entice Russia, China not to mention N. Korea, Iran, ... to become even bolder than they are now.
The Iraq meddling was a mistake for which I hope history will not forgive W but I am not sure we can just let the Iraqi kill each other and stay on the sideline either.
4. On reaching over the aisle and healing the rift between Republicans and Democrats...how sweet...but the guy, while less to the left than Edwards, is clearly Democratic all the way...How will he compromise with the GOP on Iraq? Abortion? School Choice? Taxes?
He has been all sweet talk and no walk.
I agree that he will be ready, in 2016.