Obama's Co-opting Skill

I heartily agree with Dreher's conclusion here in discussing some minor gyrations in the Dems abortion plank.

I don't see it as nearly the victory for pro-lifers that Steve does, but I do share Steve's enthusiasm over the insight the process in all this gives us into how Obama might govern -- for better, or for worse. An optimistic read is Steve's: that it shows Obama as a pragmatist who will push for workable compromises over ideological purity. A negative read (surprise!) is mine: that it shows Obama's skill at co-opting the opposition with therapeutic measures while conceding no meaningful ground on the culturally leftist positions he already holds.

I also have to praise Rod for calling Obama's positions "leftist". A lot of people in Rod's camp (i.e., disgusted with Repubs and "mainstream conservatism") are going around saying "Obama's not really a leftist. That's just the tired, old mantra from the right." But he is, and the abortion issue is a prime example. On Hugh Hewitt's show last night Hugh stated that Obama represents the marriage of Chicago-style machine politics and the far left. I think he's right and this is the kind of "pragmatism" that neither the Democratic Party nor the country needs.