NOT WHO THEY THOUGHT HE WAS:

In U.S., Majority Now Say Obama’s Policies "Mostly Liberal": Fewer than half believe he has kept his election promises (Lydia Saad, 11/04/09, Gallup)

A majority of Americans now see President Barack Obama as governing from the left. Specifically, 54% say his policies as president have been mostly liberal while 34% call them mostly moderate. This contrasts with public expectations right after Obama's election a year ago, when as many expected him to be moderate as to be liberal.[...]

While most Americans say it is important to them that President Obama keep the promises he made during the campaign (82%), far fewer, 48%, currently believe he has done so. This represents a slide in support for the president on this measure since April, when nearly two-thirds of Americans (65%) said he was keeping his promises.