Precisely... a few months ago he was overheard (via live mics that he thought were dead) telling Putin "give me a little space, this is an election year. After November I'll be able to settle your worries over the "European missile shield"".
He has said similar things to others who have complained their views are being shunted aside... various gun-ban groups among them.
He has made it clear that many of the policies he has followed were "re-elect the President policies"... and that once he doesn't have to worry about elections many policies will change.