The Obama-McCain Convergence

On many issues, getting past the culture war means an erosion of deep ideological differences. This is what McCain's Teddy Roosevelt conservatism means for the right and Obama's post-boomer liberalism means for the left. Of course they agree where others once didn't:

On immigration, faith-based social services, expanded government wiretapping, global warming and more, Obama and McCain have arrived at similar stances -- even as they have spent weeks trying to amplify the differences between them on other issues, such as healthcare and taxes. Even on Iraq, a signature issue for both candidates, McCain and Obama have edged toward each other.

The remarkable thing about this election year is that in many ways, a big shift away from the polarization of the past has already happened.