The fact that many, many pragmatists/realists have endorsed Obama's policies would indicate that he is a pragmatist.
He can be and is both--they are not mutually exclusive. Obama's ideal is a classless, Communist society--that is his dream of change and his ego tells him he can do it. Obama's pragmatism is both promoting and using economic chaos to bring his dream to fruition. To that end, he has hired over 220 staff to work to promote his policies--only about 9 or 10 times what any other Pres. has done.These are non-confirmed appointees working for the Exec. branch to further his usurpation of powers to the Executive.
Name me a few realists that have endorsed his policies, and define your meaning of the word realist.
vaudine