[fwr]

Is there a more powerful political position he could have?

[jeltz]

Yes, he could be a president with reliable support from the senate and the house. But that said he still managed to reach very far.

[ByteJockey]

Is that an option these days? When was the last time that existed?

2010?

[disgruntledphd2]

It seems to me (as an outside observer), that this normally happens for the two years after a new President is elected.

Normally they don't get 60 in the Senate though, which means that the system is working at intended (you need to stay consistently popular for 6+ years to start swinging the Senate).