I still haven't come off PEND (post-ecstatic non-stress disorder) since election night, but as someone on the left of most Dems I've worried whether this inscrutable new leader was a centrist by conviction or circumstance. If the former, I'd be disappointed because it would make seizing the day for major institutional reform less likely. Obama would intuitively believe the truth was mid-way between Teddy Kennedy and Newt Gingrich. But, perhaps centrism means his being open to listening to many points of view along the specrum but not being committed to moderation as the best solution to all problems.
Another possibility is that centrism as his style was needed to get the power to bring about major reforms. No point in rhetoric without the power to do something and being president was the way to insure effectiveness.
It's too early to tell, but while initially being dismayed by Obama's embrace of Democrats from the Clinton era I now think (or hope) it's part of a strategy which embodies the wisdom of the Godfather: "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
Obama wants to avoid internecine warfare between his supporters and Clintonites, led by Bill and Hillary. What better to do than make Hillary a cabinet official, the rumored Secretary of State post, and Emmanuel COS, especially if he wants to depart from DLC ideas and NOT suffer criticism within the party from ambitious rivals.
Unlike Bush, Obama doesn't need a Cheney to think for him. He has a vast amount of knowledge and his own perspective which may overlap with Clinonistas or not. But, if it doesn't, he can still force them to carry out his policies and unlike Bush, he won't be unaware of what's going on around him.
Again, this is perhaps just a hope and perhaps Obama is more centrist ideologically than i'd like to believe. Time will tell.