Obama's health care plan is actually awesome because it's not mandated for every American. He wants to make corporations that don't already offer health care buy into a national coverage pool, and make it very easy for the average citizen to be covered without forcing it. I'm a fan.
The reason Obama has so much power as a force of change is because he gives every impression of being willing to listen to new blocs of voters. He's mobilized the apathetic youth, and by the nature of a representative democracy, enough voters concentrated on an issue will be able to make change happen - gradual change, yes, but that's simply how things are going to work in a country this size. A great deal of his candidacy is founded in perception and inspiration, but those are key to having your views represented by government.
I hope this makes sense when I read it later, it's 5:30 AM and my coffee isn't working.