I don’t doubt that Obama is driving the train, but he’s left Congress to shape the legislation and provide the details.
Pelosi has hurt him, big time. Her caustic style has made it easier for Republicans to close ranks and attack the Obama agenda, substituting Pelosi as a surrogate. It’s been a double-edged sword, this one party power, and the way that Pelosi and Reid have wielded it will end up being the Democrats’ undoing. I remember some really skillful Speakers (e.g., Tip O’Neill, Tom Foley) who also had overwhelming numerical advantages, but were able to finesse that damaging image (one-party arrogance and partisanship) much better than Pelosi/Reid. There’s “overreaching,” legislatively, and then there’s just plain bad public relations. The Democrats are setting themselves up for a very big fall in the midterm elections, especially if they can find a new “Newt,” and a new “contract.”
Obama has distanced himself from the sausage making part of the bills so he can see which way the wind is blowing in terms of the polls on the various parts of the bill. This gives him greater freedom and latitude in making changes and he is not publicly invested in one solution or another. Ultimately, the WH will decided what is best in terms of policy and public support. It is just a case of good cop, bad cop. Obama is still in charge despite these orchestrated perceptions.