If his "true self" doesn't match his actions... frankly, that's hardly even a "defense", that's just further damnation.
As far as I'm concerned, you elect an authoritarian on the left, to pacify that side, and pass authoritarian policies. To say that they're really good guys, and shouldn't be held accountable, is defending the status quo IMO.
Obama and the Supreme Court are pro authoritarianism, and will not question more power, nor will they dismantle it.
And if he's not acting in malice, why would he be doing what he's doing now when he is well-versed in the Constitution?
Note: I disagree with a lot of his policies (including this topic), I'm going for a first-principles thing here.
There have been many opportunities for him to break through that bubble - it's not like there has complete silence on the issue. And what kind of President oversees constitutional breaches of this magnitude and then manages to overlook the entire issue? It's too big, too serious and too illegal for him to be some sort of innocent participant.
The relentless pursuit of whistleblowers, his unwillingness to address the NSA/4th amendment/etc debate on its merits, lack of movement on key policy fronts (anti-drug policy, DHS, serious financial system reform) - all of it indicates to me that while he is not a Muslim Communist Terrorist Baby Killer, he also does not espouse any of the left of center beliefs he held as a younger politician, and for someone who voted him in to see symbolic leadership and practical progress on all these issues, he has been a huge disappointment.
I personally will be campaigning heavily for independent candidates at most levels of government in the future. I will certainly never vote Democrat again. For someone who campaigns, votes, and participates in all areas of civic life, these last few years have left me very disillusioned.
I'm pretty sure Obama is better informed, has a more thorough background in constitutional law, and has spent significantly more time thinking about these issues than just about anyone in the crowd here on HN.
I'm of the naive opinion that he is not a sleeper muslim communist agent bent on destroying America; that he really wants to do the best he can for America.
He's not always right in his beliefs, but has been public about his intentions, e.g., continuing engagement in Afghanistan.