Ben Smith = Clueless.

Left Coaster:

Politico's Ben Smith notes that Obama's use of GOP talking points has pushed some prominent bloggers away from him. Smith mentions Markos, Atrios (now for Edwards, in Iowa), Jane Hamsher, Crooks & Liars, TalkLeft (Big Tent Democrat, actually), and Ezra Klein.

And then:

Two themes to watch: Some of the bloggers are arguing that a win in Iowa that's based on independent and/or GOP support would in some way be less valid; though I suspect that the storyline that he's bringing new people in and appealing to the center will actually be a pretty powerful case outside the most partisan circles.

As one who has made that argument, I'd like to point something out, to Smith: a Democratic caucus is supposed to be a partisan circle! I want a Democratic nominee who represents Democratic values. I don't care about the opinions outside the most partisan circles. They haven't done the nation or the world much good, the past seven years, have they?

Smith closes with a swipe at Hillary. Noting that Klein has criticized Obama for using the "old politics of centrist caution and status quo bias," Smith says:

That's what used to be called, ironically, Clintonism.

And it's why many criticize Hillary. And it's why many Beltway pundits criticized President Clinton- does the word "triangulator" ring a bell? But, of course, Smith proves what has become so clear, in this primary: to middlebrow consumers of conventional wisdom, Obama can do what the Clintons can't. If Obama does it, it must be right; if the Clintons do it, it must be wrong.