I remember Obama campaigning on reining in the executive privileges and privacy encroachment that became tokens of the post 9-11 Bush administration. But of course those tunes change when you're the one holding such power.

I was in NYC teaching English as a second language when Obama won. One of my Ukrainian students was sooo cynical because this happened in the aftermath of the Orange revolution. He said enjoy your cheering and fireworks but know nothing ever really changes, just the names. I think of that often these days.