Ms. Gabbard adjusted her position on warrantless wiretaps of overseas communications. She promised not to oppose reauthorization of the measure, a key switch in time that reassured Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, the Republican chairman of the Intelligence Committee, and Senator Todd Young, Republican of Indiana and one of the fence sitters.

Only on rare occasions does an individual emerge as the only viable candidate for an important government post. Thus, when an obscure senator finally decides to bring his or her views into line with the express wishes of President Donald Trump and his tens of millions of supporters by voting to confirm said candidate,