I believe this graph comes from somewhere official in the Obama campaign.

I didn't notice it when I first looked at it, but there is one important piece of information that is missing. Who is going to spot it first?

One of the problems with graphs is that there is always  alternative ways to look at information. For example, I am assuming that this graph doesn't take into account the rate of inflation, which is probably why Carter sticks out like a sore thumb. Obama has had many economic problems, but inflation isn't one of them. So there are different ways that this data could be presented, and they might not always look like this.

But: overall, this is good. It presents the information clearly and succinctly. Although the case for Obama's restraint at spending might not be as clear as this graph says, it is good for one thing: dislodging a narrative.

It puts the burden of proof on the entire "Obama is a socialist" narrative back on the people who support it. Like most narratives, that one is more about identity politics than actual policy politics, but that is another discussion entirely.