He was/is low level management.

I can go for that, but It seems like at best the presidents in my lifetime were hostages of low level management.

Yes. Anyone that doesn't see Presidents as puppets aren't really looking into it. Bush Jr was told, while growing up, that he was going to be a puppet President. They were compromised before being selected for office. I'm not sure how far back the puppet game goes, but it's been going on since before we were born. Maybe even prior to 1913.