I am always fascinated by the policies that FDR was able to implement during his presidency: New Deal, Lend Lease, Price Fixing, Wage Cap, Social Security etc. And by mos accounts, he had the support of most american people.
Was this due to
More friendly business leaders after great depression? A more pro-union public opinion? Super majority in Congress? Personal political skill?
And if FDR were in Obama's shoes, what would he do differently during the great recession?
This part of American History isn't my strong point, but I can take a stab at it.
From what I understand, the impact of the Great Depression gave FDR a wide mandate to implement big changes. People became disillusioned with laissez faire Capitalism and wanted the government to take an active role in relieving the suffering the Depression caused. The 1932 and 1934 elections gave FDR a super-majority in congress to enact the New Deal.
I believe Obama took a page from FDR's playbook in passing the economic stimulus in the short time he had majorities in congress, though the Recession was not as bad and far reaching as the Great Depression.