Hillary Clinton Reaches Out

Three cheers to Hillary Clinton, who yesterday faced head-on that most divisive of issues, abortion rights, with the suggestion that partisans on both sides could find common ground in the effort to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies.
Senator Clinton's comments showed thoughtfulness, understanding, maturity, deeply felt principle and humanity, qualities sadly lacking in much of politics these days. She showed that she sympathized with the beliefs of those who would normally oppose her.
Abstinence counseling? Sure, as part of a range of options that should also include sex education and access to birth control. It is possible to be idealistic and realistic at the same time.
She reached out to her political enemies to suggest that they could work for a shared goal. Of course, she was immediately attacked.
That doesn't matter. Hillary Clinton demonstrated in a small way that public life still can be a force for good.