[jnbiche]

> I get the sense that Obama actually wants to improve things for the middle class, but is realistic about what he can accomplish with Republican houses shutting him down at every turn

For the record, Democrats had total control of Congress when Obama first came into office.

[burke]

Indeed, and it's curious that a lot of the more would-be-impactful things have come later in his term when he faces stronger opposition. I don't have any explanation for this.