The jujitsu of agreement

Obama has just unleashed the most devestating weapon in his arsenal. McCain went on CNN and admitted that 16 months might be a "good timetable" for withdrawal from Iraq. Obama immediately responded, "The fact that John McCain now thinks that it's possible for us to execute a phased withdrawal — I think that's a positive thing and if the administration believes that as well, then I will be fully supportive." No accusation of flip-flopping. No sarcasm. No 'nice you could join us.' Just gentlemanly agreement. The two candidates are now just millimetres apart on Iraq. McCain can of course disagree that they agree. But he risks looking, well, disagreeable, in the process.