Gen. Petreaus Also Builds the Case for Oama

Earlier, prominent conservative thinker and avowed Republican David Brooks made the case for Obama. Today, one of the nation's top military leaders does the same: General Petraeus. Petraeus' words don't constitute a direct endorsement, and I have no doubt that the General will serve whatever Commander in Chief fate and the American people hand him. But still, he told the Heritage Foundation, "It's important to talk to your enemies."

Petraeus' sentiments aren't original. The adage goes that to know your enemy is to know yourself. But that's not even what the General meant. He meant that sometimes, in the process of getting to know your enemy, you discover his enmity is not what you thought. And in that small window lies a world of opportunity for the diplomatic process. But first, someone has to open the window.