Soon we will learn what Barack Obama is made of. Is he mostly politician? Or is he mostly ideologist, one who clings to an ideology through gravy and gruel.

He lost more in Massachusetts than candidate Coakley did. He lost ground in the Senate. He lost credence. He lost face. He lost the perception – in people’s eyes – that he carries clout. His short hair is perfect, for he now seems a Samson shorn.

If he is mostly politician, he will counter-attack by moving toward the center. If he is mostly ideologist, he will double-down on the policies that trimmed his locks.

Politicians do believe in something. They do cherish some ideals. But they will jettison them in order to survive. Don’t be caught in a lifeboat with them when the food and water run out.

Ideologists believe so much in something, they refuse to compromise. “I would rather be right than be President” serves as a good motto for them.

Bill Clinton is mostly a politician. (My guess is 45 percent lover, 55 percent politician.) After two years of his policies voters handed him his head. They voted in a Republican Congress, the first in 40 years.

Clinton counter-attacked by moving toward the center. That is, toward where the voters pointed. Twice he vetoed welfare reform from that Congress. When a top advisor told him he would not be re-elected if he vetoed it a third time, he signed it.