And yet for all the prime minister's political skills, and the way he overwhelms party and cabinet, and for all that his conduct may seem formidable in its sheer stubbornness, he cannot control events -- or dictate public opinion.
But young Democratic party supporters, using social media, rose up to overwhelm party insiders and secure the nomination for Obama.
If an insurgent can do that, then the resulting media frenzy might create enough momentum to propel him to victories in subsequent primaries, overwhelming the party apparatus.
"He is out-of-step with the anger that has overwhelmed his party and puts it at odds with the vast, sensible mainstream of this country," Joe Klein wrote on Time.com during the New Hampshire primary.
Some Democratic officials fear that high Republican turnout will overwhelm the party even in New York, costing Democrats not only swing seats they have gained recently, like Mr. Owens's, but also seats they have held for years, like Mr. Hinchey's and the Nassau County seat held by Representative Carolyn McCarthy.
Yet Mr. Xi's remarks on the lessons of the Soviet Union, as well as warnings in the state news media, betray a fear that China's strains could overwhelm the party, especially if vows of change founder because of political sclerosis and opposition from privileged interest groups like state-owned conglomerates.
Despite a very public push by Ms. Pelosi, Representative Anthony D. Weiner of New York has refused to surrender his House seat after disclosures that he sent lewd personal images over the Internet, admissions that have caused a national sensation that threatens to overwhelm the party's political message.
Tagg and Smullen have been overwhelmed by parties, news media requests and, finally, the controversy over whether Jose Santos carried an illegal device during his Derby-winning ride.
On September 16 Brant's company overwhelmed a scouting party of nine, killing a few and scattering the rest.
His movement, set up in April, hopes, in alliance with a women's party, for "overwhelming" support in Bulgaria's general election on June 17th.
