Reply #1: GREAT Question

[tsipple]

I would argue that the two governors in the race, Dean and Graham, would tend to be favored in terms of ability to get Democratic issues implemented. Both had to work with sometimes hostile legislatures.

It's still hard, as Carter and Clinton both discovered, but it is worthwhile experience.

Reagan had the ability to do an end run around Congress by convincing the public that his policies should be implemented. I like Dean in that respect, although I'd put Edwards #2 on that list. I think he could also persuade the public to rally behind his objectives.

I'm not wild about a status quo president who wins but doesn't get anything other than a D next to the name of the President. (As the Greens would point out, what's the point?) Certainly that sort of president could work with Congress but, as Bill Clinton showed, sometimes confronting the opposition and letting them do something stupid, like shut down the government, advances your agenda.