Reply #16: A President's Ability to Change the Culture of the Institutions they ....

[radio4progressives]

are faced to deal with and rely upon to implement policies, I think is a question largely dependent on how much brick and mortar has been added or chipped away from previous administrations.

For instance, the Iraq sanctions was put into place by the Bush administration - Clinton really had no choice but to continue that policy, especially given the level of distrust the Pentagon and the Military had for Clinton going in. This president being an exception, (W.)i think it's generally really hard for any president to impliment policies that are seen as a radical departure from previous administrations.

your mileage may vary... ;)