There is a big difference between running for president and preparing to be president. President-elect barack Obama is finding that out. His selection of Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State, the retention of Robert Gates as Defense Secretary and the naming of retired Marine Corps General James Jones to be his national security adviser represent an embrace of pragmatism over left-wing ideology.

These and others he has named – like Dr. Susan Rice for U.N. ambassador – could still pursue an agenda that may not be in the best interests of the country. But these selections are a far cry from what many conservatives thought Obama might do, given his campaign rhetoric.

The proof that these decisions were correct is yet to come. No one can predict the circumstances that will confront a new president, or how he will react to them. But these picks are better than I expected. There are plenty of liberal policies I fully expect Obama to pursue, but I would like to see him focus on results over ideology. Each time he does, I might be able to support him.

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.