Don't get me wrong. Obama was not a successful president. But, that he was able to moderate himself to a degree, because he was brought into check by the 2010 mid-terms.However you want to describe it. I don't think there was a single thing that Obama touched that didn't turn into a disaster or utter failure. Except he was black and gave "eloquent" prepared speeches.
Had he been given a free hand because he had the same power he had early on,he could have been the most destructive president ever. That he didn't, or couldn't, is testament to his pragmatism.