The problem with the last three Democratic administrations was that they could not properly focus on their fundamental goals. They got easily distracted from fundamental progressive ideals, and they all faltered politically.
Obama clearly does not have this weakness, but a lot of you progressives do. You don't seem to understand how to focus on our top three or four priorities and steadily work towards accomplishing them, one at a time. You don't get that Obama is doing exactly what he's been promising to do for the last 2 1/2 years. This is what it looks like.
In order to focus, he won't get bogged down in other, lower priorities that would distract from his top goals. Right now those top goals appear to be: fix the economy, win in Afghanistan, withdraw from Iraq, and deliver on health care. If he accomplishes these goals - or at least makes a lot of progress on them - he will win re-election and Democrats will do well for years to come.
President Obama is keeping his eye on the ball. He is not going to spend political capital on a sideshow involving a minor aide whom some people believe is a rock star. He's not going to turn over the next seven news cycles to 9/11 Truthers -- which would absolutely, positively happen if he got involved in Van Jones's latest ego trip. Jones will do just fine selling his shtick on the lecture circuit, believe me. (Let's hope he doesn't run on the Green Party ticket in '12. That would truly complete the Circle of Life on this foolishness.)
Finally we have a President with the balls to triage what is important from what is transitory, ethereal and esoteric. We have a President who seems to understand that, at the end of the day, all arguments boil down to what a middle-class guy can follow and support at the dining room table. And while he's not perfect and has screwed up on occasion, he gets the big things right.
Let's not all search for the nearest shower rod the next time we don't get 100% of what we want. Let's keep our eye on the freakin' ball and advance things together.