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This past March, in a private meeting with moderate House Democrats, Barack Obama aligned himself with centrists.

"I am a New Democrat," he reportedly said, choosing a term synonymous with the moderate Democratic Leadership Council.

It appeared the left wing lost its man.

Tonight, Bill Clinton headlines a Washington gala honoring the retirement of a New Democrat leader, who helped bring Clinton to the White House and the Democrats out of the wilderness.

Al From founded the DLC after Ronald Reagan trounced Walter Mondale. A young congressional aide, From sought to steer Democrats from George McGovern to the electoral mainstream. And liberal activists decried him for it.

But over the long Democratic slog from McGovern to Obama, From's side has...