I think you too might like to see the rather longish post I just sent to the Sarumans ring ( /staffs) thread.
I think it is not so much about the innate power when it comes to maiar. It is about the sources of power. The istari were allowed to use only certain powers that were different from what they used in Valinor. And most of all they were only allowed to tap their own personal power, and not to try and become more. The most revealing fallen/failed istari is Radagast. He had perhaps become something akin to Tom Bombadil, or was on his way of becoming that. Saruman was on his way of becoming what Sauron was. I would not be surprised if one of the blue wizards had been on his way of becoming something akin to balrog.
That was the temptation that Istari (and all Maiar) faced on coming to the mortal lands. Power was available... personal power indipendent of the will off the valar... but that was not why the Istari had come after all, was it. To become beings like Sauron or Tom Bombadil.
Perhaps this goes to say something of the habit of the maiar serving Aule to fall. Their ambitions and desires were less of... errrm "symbiotic" in nature (or with the nature), then the desires and ambitions of say maiar serving yawanna. Their fall perhaps was flashier. Radagast and Bombadil were in sense also fallen maiar. They just fell from the grace of valar in a way that did not threaten anyone else, losing their purpose, becoming somewhat benevolent nature spirits in middle earth.
Janne Harju
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