whole_func_string: function selectDOMElement($) {
  	debug('select dom element `%s`', this.toString());
  	var domElement;
  
  	if (!this.el) {
  		var attrs = _.extend({}, _.result(this, 'attributes'));
  		if (this.id) { attrs.id = _.result(this, 'id'); }
  		if (this.className) { attrs['class'] = _.result(this, 'className'); }
  
  		var selector = '<' + _.result(this, 'tagName') + '>';
  		domElement = $(selector).attr(attrs);
  	} else {
  		domElement = $(_.result(this, 'el'));
  	}
  
  	return domElement;
  }
func_code_string: function selectDOMElement($) {
  	debug('select dom element `%s`', this.toString());
  	var domElement;
  
  	if (!this.el) {
  		var attrs = _.extend({}, _.result(this, 'attributes'));
  		if (this.id) { attrs.id = _.result(this, 'id'); }
  		if (this.className) { attrs['class'] = _.result(this, 'className'); }
  
  		var selector = '<' + _.result(this, 'tagName') + '>';
  		domElement = $(selector).attr(attrs);
  	} else {
  		domElement = $(_.result(this, 'el'));
  	}
  
  	return domElement;
  }
func_documentation_string: Function: selectDOMElement
  Tries to select a DOM element for this <View> using the passed DOM
  manipulator that confirms to the jQuery API (http://api.jquery.com/).
  
  Parameter:
  (Object) $ - A DOM manipulator that confirms to the jQuery API
  
  Results:
  (Object)