I fear that Mr. Kristol is being overly optimistic if he thinks Obama might soften his social agenda or leave a place at the table for pro-life conservatives.
Yes, Obama will extend a verbal olive branch by talking about the need to ?come together,? but that?s been seen before. Many liberal politicians talk about the need to reduce abortions ? that never translates into support for crisis pregnancy centers, which is one of the policy goals Kristol suggests conservatives pursue in an Obama administration. (Seldom mentioned, unfortunately, is the wisdom of using government funds at all for nonprofits of this type, whether they are Planned Parenthood or pro-life pregnancy centers).
Look at the president-elect?s past rhetoric and actions. There is no indication that he comes to the negotiation table, in a meaningful way, on cultural issues. I doubt he?ll start now. He doesn?t need to, given his solid majorities in Congress.
