The premiere of Lawrence O'Donnell's MSNBC show last night provided a great glimpse into the Alice-in-Wonderland-like feedback loop between the progressive pundit class and the progressive base.
Keith Olbermann -- arguably the dean of the "professional left" -- joined O'Donnell in what amounted to a meta conversation about the power struggle for the hearts and minds of base voters.
Of course Olbermann has never shied away from discussing the nuances of political strategy, but when paired with O'Donnell -- someone who has seen the inner machinations of practical politics inside and up close -- Olbermann seemed compelled to reveal his cards in a more transparent manner than ever. In doing so he shows us a dark side of the professional left.