I'm not American, so I did not vote for Obama, but I assume I would have voted for him in 2008 if I were American.
I did not agree with many things Bush did, especially the war in Iraq and the expansion of executive power which I consider excessive in many ways. Legal experts may debate if kidnapping, extralegal detention, denial of legal assistance and fair trials of non-Americans violates the Constitution, but no matter what they say, it's definitely a violation of rather basic Western values. I understand people were angry and afraid after 9/11, but I think respecting our basic values, like giving every suspect a fair trial and considering him innocent until his guilt is proven, is a no brainer. Maybe a police state is technically safer than a free democratic republic, but even if it is, this lack of total safety is the price for freedom.
So I was hoping Obama would put an end to these policies. Unfortunately, he has done way too few in these regards so far, and in some cases even expanded this executive power.
Yet I wonder who else would do more. Among the Republicans ... maybe Ron Paul. But does he have a chance of ever winning a nomination? I don't expect any of the mainstream Republicans to curb these questionable laws.
So as sad as it is, I still think Obama is the lesser evil, although I am by far not that hopeful about him anymore than I used to be. At least, as a nice bonus, he has restored international support for America again. And he indeed held a few nice speeches that give the impression he cares about America's international spending. So maybe if the substance of his Presidency is disappointing, at least the cosmetics are spot on. :/