Will the Democrats become more liberal or more moderate for next election?

[kentuck]

Listening to the President today, it sounds like he is going to be more "populist". Why?

Since a Democrat lost in Massachusetts, a liberal bastion, few Democrats are feeling safe in the next election?

Also, since the conventional wisdom is that the moderate, centrist position is the best way to win elections, would the Democrats be making a mistake by running as a populist or liberal? Would that not mean instant defeat for them?

Isn't this a big gamble for those running for re-election if they run as "populists"?