This debate is similar to one over at Dkos; there are hordes of Obama fans bashing Kos for voicing his anger at Obama's position on FISA. They are making the same mistake some here are, confusing criticism from the left with right-wing smears.

I am a huge Obama fan but if the left sits on its hands until election day then the only voices in the media will be the Krauthhammers and Bill Kristols and Rush Limbaughs. That will inevitably shift the conversation to the right-a disaster for all progressives.

I like Obama a great deal but he's a politician and has to be taken to task, publicly, by his base when he strays.