> "clean out the cobwebs"

This isn't specific enough to respond to.

> "get rid of a bunch of old laws"

Which ones, and why? Sure there are probably some like where people can tie up horses or something that aren't especially relevant, but having them there causes no harm because they aren't used.

> "clean up the tax code"

There is no way to do this without creating winners and losers. Choosing who wins and who loses is a political act.

> "take on the public unions"

Taking on unions is one of the most political acts you can do. Whether or not it is "right", unions are a powerbase of some political groups.

> "operational house cleaning that has nothing to do with politics"

What - specifically - do you mean? The two examples you give here are highly political.