That said, I think Obama was qualified, and participated in decision making, as well as surrounding himself by good advisors in consideration of his aims. 

I think that’s a good word:  “participated.”  Obama didn’t set the agenda based on his own ideas of good governance (save a few things like maybe the selling of disused properties), but he participated.  He shared the party’s goals;  he had to, in order to have been nominated.  So does Biden, but he’s less of an active participant in decision making.