[ISiddiqui]

Republican obstructionism was partially brought up when the Democrats couldn't get a public option in the ACA, but mostly after the Democrats had lost Congress, which is pretty obvious.

I think experience can matter, but I also think that someone who has experience being a Senator has the requisite experience to pass policy. I don't know how much more you may learn with an additional decade in the job (now if you were in other jobs as well - like Cabinet member, etc, then sure). At some point personality and natural deal making is more important than experience.

There is an argument to be made that the Obama Administration passed more substantial legislation than most and is on par with the Reagan and LBJ Administrations in terms of policy.