Jim Geraghty at the Kerry Spot predicts that 2005 will see the emergence of "Pragmacons" -- a new self-proclaimed “middle group” of conservatives who share the pro-democratic goals and ideals of the neoconservatives, but who believe that "American options and resources in this effort are limited by a faulty U.S. intelligence system and the Herculean difficulties of turning 'subjects' into 'citizens.'"

I believe that, in a sense, most conservatives are already Pragmacons. Indeed, it seems self-evident that there are significant limits to the ability of the U.S. to spread democracy, pluralism, free markets, free speech and religious freedom throughout the world. The tough question is where those limits are located (e.g., are they located in Iraq). A distinct Pragmacon "wing" will emerge to the extent that conservatives conclude that the neoconservatives are radically wrong on that question. And, yes, 2005 could well be the year in which this occurs.