I don't think that is entirely true. One could make the argument that a Republican influence makes the job of cutting social entitlements easier for Obama. Obama was backed by Wall Street and the Austerity crowd from the get-go and has not made any real meaningful changes to the Bush agenda since he got into office(he has in fact strengthened some of the ugliest points).

I doubt presidents have much of a position to take outside the needs of the greater demands of Empire except for possibly a few cosmetic differences. That being said - I think the focus on politricks in the US is kind of a waste of time at this point. We know it's corrupt - now the greater discussion is what are we doing as citizens, communities to come to terms with where we are at this juncture?