Moderates who voted for Obama

It's becoming apparent that much of the grumpy battering of the conservative base coming from moderates is caused by the fact that many moderates voted for Obama, and now that things aren't going so well, they have placed themselves in an uncomfortable position. To admit they were wrong about Obama would be seen as an admission that the strong opposition to Obama and progressive policies from the conservative base is the correct reaction, yet they are constantly chastising the base for over-reacting. It has to be intellectually embarrasing that the conservative base is leading the opposition to what is obviously wrong-headed policy, when it should have been the intellectually superior moderates who first recognized this and stood against the current government over-reach.

So, the moderates are stuck with grudgingly criticizing the most egregious aspects of the progressive juggernaut, while trying to marginalize the base and take back the lead in opposition. The problem is that for the moderates to take the lead, they will have to more forcefully oppose the progressives, just like the conservative base is doing. I don't see any way out of this quandary except to admit that they misjudged Obama -- otherwise, ironically, it's the moderates who will be marginalized.