I have been struck by the multiple blogs and comments that give the President no credit at all for anything he has done, and disparage him relentlessly for all that he has not accomplished.  I have said repeatedly that I am also disappointed at the issues he has not weighed in on with the full force of his mandate (such as the Public Option on health care).
Whenever anyone who asks the simple question "Who could have done better?"  The response is either:  "George W Bush,"  "It's irrelevant," or "I wanted Kucinich."  
Who can disparage Kucinich (since he didn't win?)  After all, in the debates the only particular question he was asked was about UFO's.  Who can say whether he would have had to compromised?  Or who can say if he could have gotten one single thing passed?
Kucinich, in my opinion is an example of our best Democrats, but he simply could not have been elected.  

So this is a thought exercise: What would have, and how could have the most vocal progressive candidate for President accomplished at this point. 
AND HOW WOULD HE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED IT considering the mess he would have inherited?