Therefore, in order to establish proofof principle that they can hold ground over the long-term against the Tea Party, Democrats had to at least moderately erode the gains made by Republicans in 2010.
The Republicans have targeted Ms Boxer as one of five vulnerable Democrats they need to unseat in order to achieve their dream of a filibuster-proof 60 votes in the Senate.
Russia, recall, is now a full-fledged member ofthe World Trade Organization, proof that it is broadly comfortable with the liberal international economic order, an order which the Soviet Union fought tooth and nail until it collapsed.