@Scheavo: Yes, replacing the entire Congress would be great, but the President is the one person who has the most power to shape public opinion and the terms of the debate through the bully pulpit. And I know, advice and consent, but he didn't have to pick the safest, most entrenched people around.
And I'm just asking that you pay attention to how the president is trying to shape the current public opinion. Listen to his speeches. I never heard him really sway off track, I just never heard him when I would have liked to - there were some issues he dropped / ignored / switched on, but it's a continuation of bureaucratic policies in essence. Now that it's campaign season, he not only has a reason to bring up these issues, but the media also has a greater reason to pay attention to them.
Besides, as I already pointed out, the people with the
most power to shape public opinion is the Media.
As for the entrenchment, I think part of it could have to do with Obama's inexperience as President (Cabinet members would probably have the most experience in the matter), and experience is something you can't just ignore, even if you disagree with it. I hope the issue comes up in the campaign, and that Obama will change up his cabinet in some area's.