The reality is that Obama isn’t going to pursue some sort of radical left-wing agenda — and, perhaps more importantly, I’m optimistic that Obama will be effective at explaining his proposals to the public in ways that appeal to non-partisan common sense. Whether we’re talking about the economic benefits of investing in infrastructure, education and health care — or the economic benefits of smarter regulation — Obama’s agenda seems far more centrist now than it might have a decade ago. In any event, a lot of people who have relied exlusively on right-wing media for their news are expecting their taxes to go up — so they may be more open to the Dems when their taxes actually go down.

The worst thing Dems could do would be to adopt a partisan tone that leaves ordinary right-wing Americans feeling excluded — as people like me felt excluded when Karl Rove and Tom Delay seemed to pursue a national agenda that relied upon not needing my support ever again. Barack Obama told people who didn’t support him that he hears their voices, needs them, and will be their president too — smart politics, good for the country.