Conservatives — including center-right members of the Democratic Party — won some significant victories this week.<\/p>\n
They pushed through gun rules that allow people to carry loaded firearms in national parks; they scuttled President Obama’s quick-closure plan for Gitmo.<\/p>\n
They threw Nancy Pelosi on the defensive about the CIA. <\/p>\n
Obama himself sided with conservatives on several issues, including the decision not to release new torture photos and maintaining military tribunals. <\/p>\n
There were also growing signs that the White House has little interest in challenging the Don’t-Ask-Don’t-Tell policy that bans openly homosexual Americans from serving in the military.<\/p>\n
Two interesting points here:<\/p>\n
First, a lot of these debates are now happening within the Democratic Party. <\/p>\n
The Dems have elected so many members from conservative states and “red” congressional districts that fault lines on culture issues and national defense are more visible within their ranks.<\/p>\n
Second, we’re getting a first chance to see the President in a news cycle where he’s not controlling the message.<\/p>\n