Obamacain

* Social issues. Of the three biggest issues of the day -- abortion, same-sex marriage and embryonic stem-cell research -- Obama and McCain agree on two. That is, both oppose a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, and both would like to eliminate restrictions on federal funding for stem-cell studies. McCain, though, is an outspoken abortion opponent who wants to see Roe vs. Wade overturned and would appoint Supreme Court justices who share that view. Obama is pro-choice.

The two candidates disagree more often than they agree, and are poles apart on Iraq, taxation, international trade, healthcare and gun control, to name just a few issues. Yet there is common ground even in areas of opposition. On foreign policy, much has been made over their dispute about negotiating directly with rogue states like Iran. Yet nuclear nonproliferation is a top foreign policy priority for both. They have different plans to solve the mortgage crisis, but both favor government assistance to help people stay in their homes.

Some might complain that this means voters will have little to choose between in November. We say: Welcome to the middle, candidates. We hope you stick around here once you're in office, unlike the White House's current occupant.