The real problem is that the majority in the legislative branch, i.e. the Republicans, sat on their hands, or they were tapping their feet.
Dubya was too wrapped up with Iraq to pursue any real reform.
The major difference between the two parties is this: at least Pubbies occasionally admit to doing wrong, such as overspending during the Bush II administration. Democrats never admit to any wrongdoing, because their intentions are always noble.
Over the last decade I have argued that through Gerrymandering the US Senate is the worst collection of carpet-baggers since Reconstruction. I haven’t changed my mind. A potential historical analogy to consider would be the Roman republic’s Senate that had turned corrupt and was easily destroyed by Caesar; all we need is another depression and our Senate will implode with disastrous consequences.