The challenge for ascendant Dems

Democrats have positioned themselves for a blow-out election based on three broad principles:

1. They’re not Republicans; and they’re not led by George W. Bush.

2. They promise competence over ideology.

3. They recruit strong candidates from across the political and cultural spectrum.

That kind of big-tent approach makes for powerful politics.

When you have Kirsten Gillibrand — a fairly conservative Democrat from upstate New York — working in sync with Barack Obama — a fairly liberal Democrat from urban Chicago — it’s a tough coalition to beat.

The challenge will be translating the Democriatic “mandate” into policy — if November 4th does indeed turn into a blow-out.

What, exactly, do all those very different Democrats stand for, or want from their government?

There’s a lot of pent-up hunger among progressive groups for their issues and their $ priorities to be at the top of the list in Washington DC.

Can Democrats harness all those conflicting forces and keep them in line? Can they avoid the intoxication and temptation of power?

Joe Biden says Barack Obama will be tested within six months. The big test may come from within his own party.