John Aravosis, another panelist, who blogs about gay-rights issues on AMERICAblog, reminisced about the heady early days of the left’s relationship with Obama.

“I honest to God thought I was voting for these guys and that it was going to be the first time in my lifetime that I’m finally in a position of power, where I could be working with the White House on a regular basis, saying ‘Ok what could we do this year on gay stuff?’ Wouldn’t it be cool, oh, ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ this is great.’…

Jane Hamsher, who blogs at Firedoglake, said with the election approaching progressives should work the relationship with the White House for what it’s worth.

“This is the time when Barak Obama has to care,” she said. “This is the time when he needs your vote. So don’t give yourself away cheaply. Ask for what you need and what the country needs and this is the time to do it.”