Not becoming the bad guys

This weekend I had to have a discussion with my children regarding the importance of showing respect to McCain supporters. My youngest had said some things to a friend of my eldest during a car ride. the friend is a McCain supporter and "NObama" person. Without the gory details, I simply did not approve of what was said.

Fast forward to today. A friend of mine confesses that he has hit the point that he doesn't even want to discuss politics with supporters of the opposition. He is tired of the backlash and more importantly, tired of the ignorance he finds every day.

One of the things I find about the Obama supporters I know is that this group is the most informed, well read group of people I have ever seen in a political campaign. The Obama campaign started as much as a movement behind "Yes We Can" as anything else. Over the course, it has evolved into an intelligent discourse on the future of the United States.

I have been politically active and a self describe junkie for my entire adult life. I have never seen anything like this in any campaign. Usually, when I start conversations, rolled eyes and yawns are the response. This year is different. People, especially young people, are earnestly interested in the facts of the campaign. Not just the junkies.

So, what does this have to do with my title? The closest thing to this level of interest (and it was no where near this level) that I have ever seen was in 1994. Anyone remember the Contract with America? Newt Gingrich led a Congressional charge to communicate a message of conservatism. The GOP rode this wave to a blow out in the mid-terms.

That campaign was issues based, and while limited in audience, was similar in tone to the current Obama campaign. It was a campaign of change with specific goals and paths to meet those goals.

The problem with a well thought campaign is that it generates disdain for those that are not deeply involved. It certainly did this in the GOP in the 1990's to the point that being a Republican simply required a hatred of all things Democrat. This is evidenced by the success of certain right wing talk radio shows that made their name by bashing Bill Clinton.

Any way, some advice to those committed to intelligent, informed debate:
1. Stay informed- duh
2. Question everything, even on your own side. Being able to support your argument is the key.
3. Do not look down on those that support the other side. People have their reasons.
4. Do not expect to change someone's mind in a Eureka moment. These decisions take most people much time to commit to and as such take even more time to change.
5. Never attack the person for his opinion.
6. If you don't have the supporting facts at hand, commit to following up-- then DO.
7. Don't get frustrated or down.

We are on a real positive wave, let's not lose the high ground.