Not quite a total failure but severely impeded by the Republicans, taking over a mess that was in no small measure a direct result of "not so smart" people in the White House for many of the previous terms (including Bill Clinton). 
The Republicans  who couldn't wait to get "one of their own" into the White House. 
If one takes a cross section of their party from side to side, wouldn't you agree they got as good as they could hope for and then some? LOL

While much of the rest of the globe is either laughing their heads off, shaking their heads or throwing their hands up in disgust, there is still a little hope.
The Barnum quote not withstanding, the "sucker" portion of the populace hasn't reached the 50% mark yet. So there is hope!