I think he knows EXACTLY what he will face.

That's not my impression.  I hope I'm wrong.  

As he says, we need to compromise WITHOUT compromising our values.

... a quote which, IMO, typififes Obama at this point: sounds "stately", warms the cockles desiring peaceful coexistence, but entirely lacks specificity.

Compromise whith fundies... how?  On what?  

Personally, I'm hoping for Gore/Dean/Feingold (I know it's a long shot) because they are unequivocal in rejecting the rw extremists.  I would include AIPAC/AEI in that group myself, and like to see a dem candidate publicly & thoroughly reject 'em all, citing precisely why.

Chris Floyd has book review/commentary today on new book by ex NYT reporter (Chris Hedges: fired for questioning NYT's pre Iraq invasion reporting) on extremism of the X'stian right, titled:

 American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War On America

Floyd's post is here .  This short synopsis is very consistent w/my experience of the fundies.  In particular, Floyd's  quote describing means by which these guys achieve leadership of (my words) "blind leading blind" is right on the money.  

It also supports my personal opinion these guys, also, are (literally) nuts... crazy.  Among other things, that means unreliable and unpredictable.  You just don't compromise on principle w/such folks.