This guy is writing for the brie-and-Chablis circuit. He's not going to convince anyone else.
E.J. Dionne is of the brie-and-chablis circuit, writing for the brie-and-chablis circuit and all his thinking is by the brie-and-chablis circuit.
Dionne is the quintessential Washington "insider" -- he doesn't know anybody who isn't.
What Dionne is writing is what Washington is thinking. And, thus, revealing of just how out of touch his entire circle is. Despite their pretense toward intelligence...