General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: 80% of the US Population is at or below the POVERTY line - WHY is this NOT a National Emergency??? [View all]libdem4life
(13,877 posts)significance and those with immature egos need not apply. And it is tradition that ex-presidents have a high earning capacity, if they so choose.
However, back to 2009, being a politically correct campaigner as a Washington outsider has serious drawbacks when you get elected and need insider cooperation. The unelected and unappointed permanent Federal Bureaucracy mostly runs the Beltway. The Heads...Cabinet, Department Heads, et al are placeholders, and usually merely political appointees who serve at the pleasure of the current administration.
The parties through the House and Senate, determine who writes the checks...R or D. The Presidency is primarily an advisor with a bully pulpit with veto power that's seldom used, but is short term in comparison. The power of the President depends on how well he can put all of that together and if you are just getting to know these folks and who can do what to whom, it's significantly more difficult. He's part of the group now.
He never was a Progressive, in my definition, so wasn't terribly disappointed. And he did give us the ACA which is as Progressive as felt he could be, although surely far short of what I would have hoped for. But do I expect him to start going back to 2008 and revive what many thought he meant and he likely hoped he could do? Sorry. And it is my opinion, but I don't think so.