&gt; Who would&#x27;ve guessed in 2008? (a few people did, but very few)<p>Well, lots of people noticed that the hope-change rhetoric was almost entirely devoid of actual policy commitments. He also opposed same-sex marriage, sneered at atheists, etc. Anyone who expected a left-wing presidency was deluding themselves.<p>But sure, he has also reversed course in a number of ways that probably surprised even the cynics. He talked a lot about transparency and shutting out lobbyists, then wound up doing the opposite.