It's a humble question. Really, can we? I live in Vermont. I know conservatives. I know good conservatives, and I'm even related to some. We won. Great, I'm relieved, excited.
But I'd really like to see the dialogue become a true national dialogue. It's probably pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking, but you do know that at least some of the hatred that spewed onto Barack was a backlash to what we, on the left, spewed onto Mr. Bush. Did GW deserve it? I thought he was the absolute worst, ever, but we did not act with dignity in our opposition. We ridiculed. We photo-shopped GW with a Hitler mustache just as he had his right arm out at 45%, and yes, I laughed at that as well.
So they had their turn. Worse even, pure bile, and worse for the delusional aspects of it. But it was payback time, and they did that. And it's a group I'd predict would do that. They freakin' eat deep-fried sticks of butter, for God's sake. They listen to Rush and their big business Sunday preachers, of course they would want payback.
But regardless as to whether we were brilliantly right on with our critique of GW and they were dead wrong about Obama, we spewed our venom on GW, and they spewed their venom on Obama. I'd like it to stop.
Mitt Romney gave a start with his concession speech. Barack Obama is reaching out to Mr. Romney (or so I hear). Let's make this easier for our leaders to do. Let's start at home. Let's say out loud that there is validity in conservative principles, as their is in progressive principles, if based on reason and logic or, as Mr. Mayor said, science and risk management. Let's hope we can find our national dialogue again -- if it makes sense, if it works, if it is affordable, if it moves us towards our most important national goals, I'm open to hearing about it.
By the way, kudos to msnbc for having Steve Schmidt a part of their dialogue -- it was richer for it, and he is a great example of a sane, reasoned conservative. I can listen to him, in a mix with minds like Larry's and Rachel's, all day.
Please consider dropping the bwa ha ha's and all that kind of adolescent stuff I expect from the other side, and let's be the adults in the room. It's the main reason I support Obama -- he's an adult, and we need adults in charge.