Which is why I think at some point soon(maybe in the fall campaigns, or certainly afterwards) he will use defense as one argument for reigning in entitlements and other garbage. But he needs too things: a cooperative Senate, and a deep and solid trust of a broad spectrum of the public. He's building that trust right now, but I don't think they believe that can make shifts that are too dramatic, since many would right him off using their old stereotypes. Control of the Senate changes a great deal, but I think the administration is also preparing for if it doesn't. Then all they can rely on is public support, and if its fragile you can't take drastic measures. So I think they are trying to deepen support by showing that they move carefully and deliberately.
While that certainly could be construed as simply babble to cover a move to the left, I think he has already signaled his intent, with the stated goal of reforming social security. Without it there is no way to reign in entitlement spending, thus I take it(and other signals) as a sign that he plans on reigning in the size of govt. But saying it and pulling it off are two different things, and they are seeking the best way to accomplish this, its not like snapping one's fingers. Timing is everything.