James Flinn, unfortunately the Biden precedency was set up to fail on the issues you are referring to -- and more. He has also attached blinking lights to a number of the failures including voting rights and changing the filibuster (and those "cosmetics" have impact).

This would be enormously challenging (if not impossible) for the most talented person. In Biden's defense, he is trying to manage a very weak hand. Reality hits when the votes are not there to pass the legislation. He did manage to get through a substantial infrastrure bill (although it was sold as "spending" rather than doing something).

Joe Manchin? What was there to leverage him with? He should never have been part of the equation.

Where things go from here is a real concern. Options at the presidential level are very limited. Aspects of the BBB can be worked upon quietly and have some success. The local level is where Democrats can make a difference for themselves. But it's not sexy.

There is also the international scene that Biden may or may not be paying attention to. We may well have lucked out in 2021 because there were no major happenings. But that could well change, beginning with Putin -- and what the hell is going on with Iran? The international policy appears driven by popular domestic sentiment eg. withdrawal from Afghanistan and our deteriorating relationship with China.

On trade, Biden head is filled with sanctions, tariffs and U.S. protections. Not ONE new agreement and hasn't bothered to pick up TPP.

Many thanks. Best to you.