Is Obama a Conservative or a Progressive Realist?

Author and journalist Eric Alterman argues that Obama is a progressive realist, a consensus politician who understands that he must compromise in order to be electable. Alterman makes it clear that he believes Obama is doing what he needs to do to get into the White House, where "he'll be the most effective president since Franklin Roosevelt."

Pepe Escobar, an analyst for the Real News Network, believes that "Barack Obama is a very conservative politician. That's why Americans still haven't got Barack Obama. If you analyze his policies, he's extremely conservative."

What do you think? Is Obama a conservative or a progressive? Do you think he's playing his cards close to his chest or that his recent moderate moves are his true colors? Sound off and let us know.