Conservatives who are waiting for Obama to support school choice are going to wait a long time, I suspect. Yes, it would be wonderful if he were to come out and endorse the currently imperiled DC school choice program. Politically, there’s hardly an easier place to do it: The program is small and it enjoys strong support among local Democrats. Even Marion Barry believes in vouchers! Right now would be the time for Obama to do it. But so far, not a peep.

There’s also the practical political problem. Obama might be wise to get to McCain’s right on an issue or two. But McCain has been a reliable backer of school choice. Obama possibly would be a more persuasive advocate, but the issue isn’t really a weakness for McCain among conservatives who care about the issue.