Mr Obama'sspeechandsensibleproposals, which are similar to those drafted by Mr Baucus, and his opennesstothetriggeroptionfavoured by Ms Snowe, can onlyboostefforts at compromise.
That too is a peculiarly tricky combination, since the two presidencies will coincide with the moment governments must consider the constitutional proposalsdrafted by Mr Giscard and his colleagues.