Legacy, n. What remains of reputation after the removal of spending authority.

2007 NYT 14 Jan. "President Johnson was increasingly concerned about his legacy. He wanted it to be the Great Society, but more and more he feared it would be overwhelmed by failure in Vietnam."

2006 D BRINKLEY in WAPO 3 Dec. "So Bush's legacy hinges on Iraq, which is an unmitigated disaster."

2007 WAPO 2 Jul. "The White House was in the midst of tough negotiations with [House Ways and Means Committee chair Charles B.] Rangel over trade pacts. But Bush did not try to cut a deal with Rangel, chatting instead about baseball."