She said the inaccurate perception is created when nominees break high-profile pledges, which get intense media scrutiny. Even so, many of his proposals were enacted. Mr. Clinton also had some disappointments. Efforts to expand the Family and Medical Leave Act to allow work absences for children's doctor visits and parent-teacher visits failed. And a proposal to allow workers a choice between time off and money for overtime also failed.
Proposals fail for a variety of reasons.
Former President Jimmy Carter riled fellow Democrats, who controlled Congress, by trying to cut public works projects. They later rejected his energy bill. Economic conditions and foreign events also throw curve balls. President John F. Kennedy reversed plans to build missiles after he learned that campaign claims of a missile gap with the Soviet Union were untrue. President Bush never planned on Iraq invading Kuwait.