Brummett, too, is writing about the potential for lasting political realignment. Such predictions have failed to solidify in the past. Recipe for success this time?
American politics indeed will be transformed if Obama governs smartly and successfully and coalesces the groups that, in this one potentially fleeting season, lined up for him in a perfect storm. It was a storm facilitated essentially by an economic collapse and a blundering Republican opponent who didn’t have nearly as much political talent.
The story the next four years will be a personal one. The main story will be Obama and how he performs the presidency and how luck favors or bedevils him.
The sub-plot will be Sarah Palin. It will be one of how deftly she solidifies the dwindling right wing while positioning herself to build on it should Obama fail and squander these tenuous demographic and geographic advantages.
Yes, Sarah Palin.
There’s more.