I’d say this has all been in the works for years.
The odd thing is that the Clinton wing of the Dem party has allowed it without dropping a metaphorical bomb. I think Obama was *chosen* as a sort of blank slate (but not as blank as his handlers thought) as well as his lack of ability and brains to NOT do whatever his backers say. And that is the scary part.
Heard Obama assured some in the Republican ranks he would govern more centrist.. And they BELIEVED him!
Scary.