Sounds like Goodwyn's Law.

Look, this is a talking point, a spin from dKos and other pro-Dem sites to shut up all criticism and critical thought. But few critics talk about some ideological purity, and that's in fact a completely wrong frame. What matters is not the position in some sterile virtual ideological space, but the real-world consequences of some important decisions. In the real world, not being up to doing something on the economy or the environment IS a decision, too, and it is NOT one for status quo, but for letting things go awry -- which can overshadow or even undo any advances achieved in less important fields, or worse, bring back the Other Side in power in the worst of times.

Whether Obama will get anything done is another issue entirely.

I disagree entirely. If you think it is impossible to draw up any expectations on a campaigning politicians' actions once in office, then voting is a lottery for you.

However, calling his campaign out for being hopeful and inspiring is just ridiculous.

Uhm. On one hand, I don't think Chomsky calls it out for being hopeful and inspiring  -- rather, for using empty words. On the other hand: it inspires what, exactly?

inspiring people will make it possible to act on the issues, if he decides to do so

So, should we believe that Obama will act purely on faith?... Back during the primaries, on these pages I read supporters of other candidates or Europeans following it more than me likening Obama supporters to a religious cult, but the above came most close for me to see why.

It also has the potential to pull the public opinion in general one way or the other, and change the nature of public discourse.

I agree that, in principle, such political stardom can be used to pull people in a different direction. But based on everything I know about Obama and his advisors, not to mention significant parts of the majorities likely to back him in Senate and Congress, I don't have very high hopes of it being used in the right way in the essential policy areas. I am guessing Chomsky is even more sceptical than me. Meanwhile, Chomsky is absolutely right that Europeans are completely deluded regarding his standing on foreign policy, which they shouldn't be had they really listened to Obama's Berlin speech.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.