We loose track of that fact at our peril. Moreover, the netroots can walk and chew gum at the same time.
It's perfectly fine for Obama to take the stands he takes, and it's not our job to second guess him. It is, however, our job as citizens and as progressives to hold him accountable.
Obama's got to be overjoyed about this on every level.
First, his FISA stand has taken away yet another attack that he's just another lefty. Second, we've proven that self organizing works and that's very important. The stronger the core of activists that survives through the crucible of this election, the more powerful our ability to help Obama advocate and move his progressive agenda.
Bottom line, the Obama-nation is not going away. No matter what happens between now and November Obama will have more volunteers and more small donors than any presidential candidate in history.
Obama needs to do what he needs to do to win. He has proven that he is now running as a candidate for president, not as the leader of a movement. That he IS in fact a leader of this movement does not preclude the need for leadership within the movement at all levels, from Feingold, Kennedy, Webb and Dodd to the Kos, Armstrong, Stoller and you, yourself.
Obama is a leader, but he's sure as hell not the only one, and the other leaders of this movement can and must be heard.
After 8, or arguably 40, years out of power, the bench of named progressives with executive branch experience is pretty thin. When Obama wins the white house, he will usher in an era of increasing political significance and experience for progressivism at all levels.