RE Tort Reform and Energy Policy -- Well I don't know the answer.
But RE Social Security Reform, what happened is this -- The President took point, and lead the way. He was then attacked on every side, by libs of every stripe, with claims of everything from "stealing from old people" to "destroying FDR's legacy".
And republicans ran for cover, leaving the President exposed. The President alone, and unable to move forward, retreated.
That's What Happened, and so now the problem sits cooking until someone else dares to handle something that's hot.