I'm going to burn up one of my 3 daily threads to praise some Obama supporters here

[Tom Rinaldo]

There continue to be plenty of trash talking, smearing and or simply divisive threads posted on GD-P, yes from both sides, but in the interest of not being divisive with this one (given my purpose in writing it) I don't want to argue over who is more to blame.

I just want some of you Obama supporters to know, and I think you know who you are, that I have noticed some repeated efforts by a number of you folks urging that we return debate to a more civil level here. I have noticed quite a few instances where Obama supporters have made posts that essentially start out by saying "In all fairness..." while validating a complaint or a position that a Clinton supporter may have. I have seen numerous posts by Obama supporters acknowledging that we all will need to work together in the fall to elect a Democrat against McCain, and therefor we need to act better toward each other now.

There are very few saints on political message boards and we all fall short of our better intentions some times, but I have noticed an effort being put out recently by a number of Obama supporters urging other Obama supporters to avoid any temptation to flame.

With the current limit of times that we all can start threads in a day, there are less threads started here lately that don't directly promote our own given candidate or attack the other one. But I think this is something important to acknowledge.

To the many Obama supporters on DU who are trying to further an honest debate about our two candidates without destroying the village to save it, but even more to those who have stepped forward to pointedly advocate for fairness and civility in all of our discussions here on DU, across candidate supporter lines:

As a Clinton supporter, I very sincerely thank the many Obama supporters here who are making those now difficult efforts. They are noticed, they are acknowledged, and they are making a positive difference.

[endarkenment]

1. Perhaps we can all start going positive?

Nah...

[azmouse]

3. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one single step.

Keep hope alive! :)

[azmouse]

2. Thank you for your effort here also.

I sincerely hope everyone will post only positive thoughts here. :hi:

[monmouth]

4. Very nice...n/t

[yardwork]

5. As an Obama supporter who used to be a Hillary supporter, I thank you

and would like to note that your posting name is recognized as one who is consistently fair, even-handed, and positive in your contributions.

[tekisui]

6. We got to be the change we want to see.....

Thanks for the positive OP.

[Mother Of Four]

7. This OP--

Has some serious class :)


:hug:

[LakeSamish706]

8. It's sometimes difficult, but I took the pledge to not post negative and I'm...

sticking to it. There is absolutely no point in posting negative toward another candidate because we would not be changing any votes anyway.

[futureliveshere]

9. Well said

From an Obama supporter, kudos to you for showing such grace too.

edited to correct a typo.

[SoFlaJet]

10. hater....

;-P

[hfojvt]

11. How about some songs?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvf5rVzmHuc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_9sbNXNNYA

[nxylas]

12. And I want to praise YOU!

If only more posters (on both sides) had your class.

[redqueen]

16. I'll second that.

[Qutzupalotl]

22. Thirded.

Hope you'll stick around regardless of who wins the primary.

[helderheid]

28. Ditto that!

[myrna minx]

39. Hear hear.

[myrna minx]

40. Hear hear.

[malik flavors]

13. We gotta start the healing sometime. Might as well get a move on it.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

14. Don't mention it.

:D

[azmouse]

15. kick

[Road Scholar]

17. I just hope it's not too late. nt

:cry:

[TheDoorbellRang]

18. As an Obama supporter, I am sincerely grateful to you as a Clinton supporter

I've enjoyed reading information posts from both sides, and yours are ones I read whenever I come across them.

Thank you for being one of the rational, calm voices here. You're an example for us all. :toast:

[goodgd_yall]

19. As a Clinton supporter, I want to second that

I've noticed many posts by Obama supporters acknowledging the need to unite once the our nominee is selected and urging others not to alienate Clinton supporters since our support will be needed. I appreciate that sentiment.

[Voice for Peace]

20. Thanks Tom for writing this.

I've appreciated the intelligence & fairness of your own posts here. On the high road there is common ground.

[bigtree]

21. Kick for the good folks on the Obama side

see y'all in the general :toast:

[txaslftist]

23. Thank you. And kudos to those Clinton supporters who've stayed positive

We're all going to have to work together come November, no matter who the nominee is.

Let's don't repeat 1968.

[Maddy McCall]

24. Thank you, Tom. As a Hillary supporter I agree with you 100%

And I'm kicking and recking this thread.

You rock, as usual. :hug:

[Dinger]

25. Yes Tom, This Deserves A K & R, And My Thanks

I'll try it. Like someone else here said, might as well start, or try to start the healing. I'm tired.

[Swamp Rat]

26. k&r

[Lerkfish]

27. very nice post!

[RiverStone]

29. kicking for unity!

Well said Tom. Thanks :hi:

When the dust settles and it will eventually, we must find a way to heal, forgive, forget, and unify.

The swift boat tactics which will be aimed at our nominee will pale in comparison to the mudslinging that has happened around here.

I share both your optimism and appreciation for folks on both sides who see the full side of the DU glass.


peace~

[JohnnyLib2]

30. Got home late, glad to find this one.

Thanks! K & R

[BooScout]

31. Mike03 is one....

He is a nice guy and has always been very civil to me. I would have a drink with him anyday.

[depakid]

32. It's sad (though entirely predictable) that the most obnoxious supporters (for any candidate)

would also be the loudest, most persistent and vacuous.

I don't really expect that to change much if at all- and like you, I appreciate posters who are interested in rational public discourse and winning in November.

A toast to them!

:toast:

[mmonk]

33. I really hope something or some sanity can be worked out

before the convention. I don't want convention coverage to be about us and become a media circus.

[Tom Rinaldo]

34. I just want to thank everyone for all the support this simple thread has gotten

from supporters on both sides. And I appreciate the positive tone that the replies here have taken. People who really don't care if McCain wins perhaps have the luxury of not caring how much we tare each other apart now. I suspect there will always be a few trolls at least who would rather have us destroy each other than have a Democrat win in November

[mzmolly]

35. Thanks Tom, yours is a very nice post.

:hi:

[guruoo]

36. K&R

[bagimin]

37. Ah screw this!

just kidding...K&R!

[Mezzo]

38. I've noticed it too...a concerted effort for truthful debate...

but it gets all too easy to get wrapped up in it. Sometimes, I just can't help it. :mad:

[angie_love]

41. You've always been very reasonable and are always "democrat first"

Thats a standard I hope everyone can follow. Those who really appreciate and cling to democratic ideals know how impt it is for us to have a democrat in the whitehouse this year.

[DeepModem Mom]

42. Thank you, Tom. nt

[gateley]

43. There are a LOT of

REALLY great people here in both camps.

Wonderful post! :hug:

[ZinZen]

44. Tom

your posts are always well reasoned and thoughtful. I have never read anything from you calling Obama supporters "bots" or anything else derogatory. Thank you for that. You are a classy guy. I have no problem with "reasonable" Hillary supporters (my mom is one and I still love her to pieces), but it is the name calling from both sides that is getting tiresome.

I remember this happening in 2004 but it was shortlived because Kerry racked up the nomination fairly soon so the atmosphere did not become too toxic. I am worried that Dems won't stick together to beat our real adversary John McCain in November.

[wileedog]

45. *Wave Tom*

I'm new here, but your reputation precedes you.

With good reason I see.

Don't agree with your positions, but I always admire someone who can present them reasonably and without rancor.

[lumberjack_jeff]

46. Very well said.

We don't all need to join in the self-immolation.

I'll be behind Obama when/if he's the nominee.

[Maine-ah]

47. thanks, Tom.

I was really starting to think that some efforts had not been noticed, and was about to give up. I'm sick of the damn alert button which was something up until recently I rarely used. :hi:

[Tom Rinaldo]

49. I'm glad that I posted this in time then!

And I just want to say that I appreciate the respect that many Obama supporters have shown me here. I wanted to return that courtesy.

[faithfulcitizen]

48. awesome post! thank you!

:applause: