Yes. Clemenza had proven his loyalty to Michael, and he was too old to have big ambitions on his own. Michael probably kept him on a long leash, so that Clemenza, on a day to day basis, was more or less like a Don.
Well, I think it's a distinction without a difference. Michael approaches Frankie about the Rosatos only because Frankie's relationship with the Rosatos threatened Michael's relationship with Roth. Otherwise, Michael stayed out of it. In the end, a Don is what a Don does. When this subject comes up I think of the relationship of Tony Accardo to the Chicago bosses even after Accardo retired. Accordo still had the power and respect to pull a few strings behind the scenes if he wanted to and he did especially rgarding Giancana. Michael had that power and respect also, but he pretty much stayed out of it. And I definitely don not see Clemenza or Frankie as only a street boss.
And by the way, it's the '51 massacre.
