If anything, Obama's approach has been irritatingly balanced and centrist. One look at the link Lilo gave and you can see the tax plan he has proposed is half of what it was in Clinton era. They shot down his plan of 1 to 10 tax increase to cutting spending. I personally would do 0.8 to 1. He has been centrist and not getting love from this congress. It's time for him go a bit to the left.