I wanted a single-payer system -- but he only insured 50 million people who formerly had no health coverage, achieving something that eluded presidents for generations.
I wanted both wars stopped immediately -- but he only ended the war in Iraq and began winding down the one in Afghanistan.
I wanted 8 million new jobs -- but he only presided over the creation of 4.5 million new private-sector jobs.
I wanted an end to all Bush tax cuts -- but he is still fighting to end them for the most well off, those of us who can afford to just pay what we paid under Bill Clinton.
I wanted an equal pay act -- but he only managed to get Congress to pass the Lily Ledbetter Act.
I wanted a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) -- but he only had his Justice Department stop defending the unconstitutional law, and only started championing equal marriage this summer.
I wanted an immediate end to Don't Ask Don't Tell -- but he only got around to ending it a little later.
I wanted a $1.2 trillion stimulus -- but he only fought a recalcitrant Congress to get $800 billion.
I wanted an end to foreclosures -- but he only slowed foreclosures and accelerated loan modifications, helping several million families save their homes.
I wanted an environmental champion -- but he only doubled fuel economy standards and rejected the Keystone pipeline.
I could go on and on. But of course, you see, I am disappointed.
I am disappointed that many of us apparently held on to such high and unrealistic expectations that, for a while, we looked at triumphs but could only see shortcomings. And I am disappointed that many of the most liberal/progressive of us prefer being lukewarm to taking up the hard work of re-electing this president.
But anyone's laundry list of disappointments with Obama is nothing compared to how we will feel on November 7 to wake up and see the country heading down the Romney-Ryan-McConnell-Boehner path.