The Notre Dame community is to be applauded for the way in which it comported itself amidst the controversy surrounding the commencement invitation to President Obama.  Other than the spectacle put on by outside radical elements of the abortion debate, the University and its students demonstrated a civility and respect for differing views that isn't frequently seen on campuses around the country.  Hopefully, many on the Left will take the cue and afford the same courtesy to controversial conservative speakers.

Whatever you think of the President, there's no denying he deserves credit for insinuating himself into the fray.  One can argue that his actions haven't always matched his rhetoric (including on this issue), but today, the rhetoric was powerful.  It was the very best of Barack Obama.

The words and ideas were not in any way surprising.  In fact, the key themes were very predictable.  However, it was all woven together in such a rich, masterful, and elegant fashion.  The text exuded reason, empathy, and practicality.  It did not attempt to defend a particular position, but rather to provide a framework for understanding.  Obama correctly and astutely pointed out that the differences may in fact be irreconcilable because both sides have passionately held convictions and strong arguments. 

I thought the story of the doctor who wrote Obama when he was running for the Senate was especially compelling.  The doctor essentially said he was a strongly pro-life Christian who was not going to vote for Obama in the general election (he voted for him in the primary), not because of his stance on abortion, but because of words he had just seen on Obama's campaign website.  It stated that he would "fight right-wing ideologues who want to take away a woman's right to choose."  The doctor's very apt point was that if Obama considered every pro-life person to be an ideologue, he couldn't possibly be reasonable.  The doctor wrote, "I do not ask at this point that you oppose abortion, only that you speak about this issue in fair-minded words."

Fair-minded words.  What a country this would be if all politicians and pundits would heed that advice.

So, let's see if fair-minded words translate into sensible policy.  Obama got off on the wrong foot with the pro-life crowd when he issued executive orders in the initial days of his presidency that lifted abortion restrictions established by the Bush administration. 

There is, however, common ground to be found in a number of areas, including funding and/or support for: carrying babies to term, adoption, programs to help reduce unintended pregnancies, limitations on late-term abortions, etc.

Congratulations to Notre Dame and the President for engaging in the debate.

Now both sides just need to go out there with all they got and win one for the country.  End scene.