One can't be both for life and against life at the same time.
One can't be for more big govt and for smaller govt at the same time.
One can't be for more free enterprise capitalism and for taking over 1/7th of the economy through a govt take-over of the massive healthcare system at the same time.
One can't be for the wholesome Boy Scouts and for the unwholesome gay agenda at the same time.
One can't be for a democratic Israel and for the anti-democratic muslim palestinians at the same time.
One can't be for the 2nd Amendment and for gun control at the same time.
And that's only the start. I could go on and on for hours at a time. (but I'll have mercy on you all and stop there :) )
As I said, liberalism and conservatism are diametrically opposed philosophy's of life. They can't be joined.
Godspeed
Cohen is very specific about what he identifies as the values that are at the heart of the liberal dream. America as the land of opportunity for everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or religion; an end to poverty; good education.
Most of us would agree with that. Where we differ is on tactics. He believes that the tactics of the liberal mindset, increasing the size of government, socialism, increased regulation, and a foreign policy based on opposition to the existence of Israel will not accomplish those goals.
A pro-choice position is not a value, it is a tactic.
Big government is not a value, it is a tactic.
Government take-over of healthcare is not a value, it is a tactic.
Etc. etc.
That said there are other genuine values that are incompatible with conservative thought. The liberals mistake “individual freedoms” with sexual freedom. Conservatives (generally) don’t.
But on so many things, many, if not most, liberals really are well-intentioned and ultimately want the same things we do. They simply don’t understand how to get there.
What Cohen is describing IMO, are Classical Liberal values. Once he realized that the Left only USES those values to advance a radical agenda, did he come to his senses. After all, who would be against a fair shake for all or equality UNDER THE LAW? The Left doesn’t want equality, they want the dominant ethos of America destroyed.