People praise FDR and LBJ's ability to "get things done" but it's important to remember that both had the benefit of *massive* majorities in both houses of Congress. Personal charm and legislative skill aside, they had numbers.a

The next Congress is going to tilt against democrats - and the modern practice of reflexive and compulsive opposition will make almost everything harder. Democrats could offer a bill declaring "Water is Wet" and not get more than a handful of Republican votes. In that Climate, and incrementalist who knows how to operate the machinery is about as good as you can do.