Does he ever say anything he actually believes?
He's about the most consistent politician I know of who says, year after year, the same things about what he believes.
Does that mean all of the policies of the federal government follow those ideals? Of course not.
He's not a Benevolent Dictator. He's the President.
"A man's got to know his limitations." Obama does. He understands his role. On policy, he can only do what Congress gives him the money and the authority to do, what the Constitution says he can do, and what existing laws say he can do.
For example: One of his first acts was to set in motion the closing of Guantanamo. Congress blocked that.
He wanted civilian trials for al Qaeda people in NYC. Congress and Bloomberg blocked that.
Etc.
He's consistent about his ideals - amazingly so. He tells you where he would like to go with great clarity. But he can't get there without the votes in Congress. (You know the rest of my spiel that goes here...)
Cheers,
Scott.