In light of the tragedies in Tuscon, let us take a moment to be inspired by the Rep Gifford's own words after her 2010 election. Key portions below the fold.
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Rep Giffords starts by thanking so many who helped with her campaign - and then at about 1:30, speaks about what makes her campaign unique:
There's a big difference between a crowd and a community. When you are in a crowd, you are pushing, you are shoving, you are jockeying for position. But, when you are in a community, you stop for a second. You acknowledge one another. You let the other pass you by. You realize that if we are all going in the same direction, it'd going to be a whole lot better if we move all at the same pace and help one another. The difference between a crowd and a community, is that in a community, you can disagree without being disagreeable.
She speaks about her background, and thanks many individuals for their work. She repeatedly refers to all who helped her, including Democrats, Republicans, Indies, Greens (and vegetarians!) in her campaign.
She speaks of finding
real solutions to real problems - not fear, not anger - but real solutions
She talks about why she 'does this job' - to protect seniors,to help provide new types of jobs, to make sure that public schools continues to be here for all the young people, for our soldiers, sailors and airmen, the ranchers at the border (so we can finally fix our broken immigration laws).
Rep Giffords is inclusive in her eagerness to work across the aisle, for all of her constituents.
In her closing, Rep Giffords expresses her role in her campaign , and I expect her role in congress -
This campaign has been about different voices working on real solutions to extremely complex problems we face in a changing world.
Finally, and poignantly, she makes a promise:
We have got a lot more work to do, and I promise, I will keep standing up for the people of Southern Arizona.
Let us all work to stand up with determination and graciousness - even in the face of fear - to walk together in a community until Rep Giffords is able to stand with us again.