1. Removal of most (but not all) American troops from Iraq.

2. Addition of two divisions, properly equipped, to our military capacity to handle new security difficulties.

3. Noticable steps to reduce the annual deficit, plus an agreed-plan to start paying down the ongoing debt (but not progress by the end of the first term).

4. A substantial step on the uninsured (but not as big or as good a his proposals, because he'll have to negotiate).

5. A major green-jobs program that addresses the recession most of all, but contributes on global warming and de-industrialization.

6. Major backtracking on No Child Left Behind, because it's the only reasonable option when neither the feds nor the states can afford to do anything better than that.

7. Bully-pulpit work that actually changes national discussion and some of what actually happens on a linked set of issues: public education for underprivileged students, math and science education, family roles in children's learning and well-being.

8. Adoption of the military rules for interrogation by non-military personnel.

9. Constitutionally respectable trials for those now held at Guantanamo.

10. Continued eavesdropping, but only by FISA warrant.

11. Paper ballots with computer voting.

There's a difference between what I expect him to do in general, and what I really want him to do that I think he'll do (it's a difference of emphasis more than of substance). I'll address the latter rather than the former.

The first thing that I'd expect from either Clinton or Obama would be the repealing of all the stupid "environmental" initiatives put in place by Bush. These include, but are not necessarily limited to: "clear skies" initiative, "healthy forests" initiative, redefining "waterway", easing up on smog regulations.

Secondly, I'd like to see him restore all of our constitutional rights (again, I'd also expect this from Clinton). Admittedly, this is probably of more immediate importance than the first thing, but I'm just letting my environmental bias show. He has a slight advantage here over Clinton in that constitutional law was his specialty. It's only slight since most of these seem to require only a modicum of common sense.

Thirdly, I'd expect him to work with Congress to get sane legislation in place that protect our environment and wildlife, and that creates a pragmatic yet responsible energy policy. His advantage here, IMO, will be his ability to get the country on board.

Fourth, I'd expect him to work with world leaders to help craft a global solution to our global environmental problems.

To answer your other question, although I voted for Bill Clinton in '92, I voted for Dole in '96.

Great question - kind of.

1. Walk on water.
2. Part the Red Sea.

Obviously I'm joking on those. But this is a good opportunity to address the Kool-Aid claims. I'd be lying if I said that there was no emotional and intuitive component on my ardent support of him as a candidate. The Kool-Aid argument implies that overrides logic and reason, when in reality, for me, it is all of those factors that drove me to support him. Equally. So no, I don't support him "less for his plans than for his overall vision". And that's kind of the same thing anyway - the overall vision is really just the sum of all the parts - or all the plans put together.

So, what I'd like to see out of an Obama presidency. (and a Clinton one, for that matter.)
1. Reform NCLB - the intent of this act is good, the implementation bad. I'd like to see changes in the way that progress is measured, using measures that track individual progress rather than by comparison to other students, and I'd like to alter the focus to broaden the focus that has been narrowly on math and reading.

2. Healthcare - I'd like to see his full plan implemented, but I'm realistic about the politics of it. Specifically, I'd like to see his proposal that up to 25 year olds can stay on their parents' policies, allow portability, and prevent insurance companies from denying coverage because of "pre-existing conditions".

3. Iraq, Afghanistan, and Military Action - I'd like to see our troops out of Iraq, ideally. I know that this is all very tricky. But I think if we increase the use of diplomatic, political, and humanitarian avenues, it's possible. More than anything in this area, I want a President who will be honest with the American public about the need for military action, the real situation on the ground in the Middle East, and the reasons for whatever decision is made. The honesty thing is the biggest thing for me on this.

4. Restore diplomacy - I think that his view on meeting with leaders of countries is the right one for this time in our history, after a Bush presidency which has annihilated the view of the US in the world.

5. Care for our vets - Improve mental health treatment by processing what I consider to be time-sensitive claims of PTSD faster, as well as establishing screening and standards of care for all vets coming back with traumatic brain injury.

6. Restore some trust in the government by increasing transparency in accessible ways.

7. Increase federal funding for scientific innovation - particularly stem-cell research.

8. I would also like to see a serious attempt at moving towards energy independence and "saving the environment". I won't pretend I know the best way to do this, so I really can't give any specific and deliverable proposals on this, but I suspect any Democrat will do more for this than a Republican.

As far as the second question, it's kind of pointless conjecture, no? Will I vote for him if he only gets half of the things on my list? Will I vote for him if he gets 3 out of 5? I think determining who I'm going to vote for in 2012 right now is rather irresponsible. I think we have to wait and see what any President would do in office, what new challenges the country may be facing at that point, before we can determine who we'll be voting for. So will I support him if he does absolutely nothing good in office? No, but I don't really see that as a possibility for either Clinton or Obama. And I don't foresee myself ever voting
Republican, so I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions.

P.S. TPM - Submitting comments is seriously no easy task these days.

I was thinking about this last night and wanted to ask the opinion of the Clinton supporters.

It seems to me that many support Clinton in a very personal and emotional (more so than those who support Obama). And you support her less for her plans than for her overall vision and promise of the future, although I could be wrong. So, to clarify this, I have two questions for Clinton supporters:

1. What do you specifically expect her to deliver in her first term? Specific actions, laws, programs, etc - I mean practical deliverables for the country, practical change.

2. Obviously, if she delivers you would support him for a second term. Would you still support her if she doesn't deliver?

Thanks

/snark off

I'm embarrassed that vets weren't on my list. Yes, a giant, long-term step up on doing what's right for those who have serves will also happen.

Actually, I think that one will happen under Obama, Clinton, or McCain, because all three are dramatically more responsible than the current incumbent. McCain isn't up to putting all the pieces together, but he won't miss the one on veterans.

Here are three things that I believe only a Democrat can accomplish:

1) Social Security reform -- expect a new formula for annual increases, such as blending the inflation rate and the wage increase rate. The inflation rate is inherently lower than the wage increase rate, so blending the two would slow the growth of the annual increases. Alsol, you juice the retunrs by investing in equities; treat the surplus like a pension funds, NOT like Congress' piggy bank. Which leads to . . .

2) balance the budget -- the GOP simply has no credibility. I expect an Obama administration to conserve dollars and prioritize spending, in the fine Yankee tradition. No more splurging on cable after dad loses his job.

3) better international relations -- this will be done as soon as international pariah GWB is gone.

4) expand the military -- we need more soldiers. And guess what? Kucinich's idea for a Department of Peace is also a good idea. That Department would include our newly expanded Peace Corps and peacekeepers.