(Underscore mine.) The selection of Warren is, one way or another, an illustration of Obama as triangulator — someone who cobbles-together a plurality based upon a reading of demographics and of polls, with little regard for the vision thing.

I don't know to what extent the present rank-and-file of the Democratic Party will tolerate an alliance with social conservatives of any sort; but, again, politics tends to be tribalistic. Many Democrats will find formulæ to rationalize cleaving to the Party as it now further intrudes into the bedroom as well as into the boardroom. Some will argue that the Republicans have forced such alliances upon the Democrats. Others will persuade themselves that they have to stick with Obama or lose any chance at progressive policy in any area.

If the Democrats succeed in forging such ties, the Republicans will have considerable trouble off-setting the lost numbers with classical liberals, who have been terrifically alienated by what the Republicans actually did while in power. Not, though, that there's really anywhere else for the classical liberals to go now, since the Libertarian Party sold-out for a cupful of thin, red stew.

Tags: Barack Obama, Obama, opportunism, pragmatism, triangulation

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