The deadly politics of sounding rational

Obama is continuing to transform the politics of a generation with the same consistent and inclusive message that won him the election. The more he reaches out, refuses to be baited into harshly criticizing the opposition, the more he calls for the importance of common ground and compromise the more power he builds behind his message, his platform and his agenda. Conversely, the Republican party has yet to realize that the more they rage, roadblock and disagree for disagreement's sake the more attractive, rational and inviting President Obama looks. Brilliantly he has them trapped. Further irrational disagreement will only continue to alienate moderates and independents. The only way out of the spiral Republicans have created for themselves is to join with Obama on at least some key issues and in doing so will hand Obama his greatest political victory to date. The Notre Dame speech yesterday is a brilliant example of words as a weapon. Transcript: Obama's Notre Dame speech

Unfortunately, finding that common ground -- recognizing that our fates are tied up, as Dr. King said, in a "single garment of destiny" -- is not easy. And part of the problem, of course, lies in the imperfections of man -- our selfishness, our pride, our stubbornness, our acquisitiveness, our insecurities, our egos; all the cruelties large and small that those of us in the Christian tradition understand to be rooted in original sin.

He just defined the moral failings of his opposition.