I like to read Weapons of Mass Discussion. It is a fun, but always informative site. Matt delivers the type of knowledge and activism that makes our system work and win elections. I emailed Matt after his piece about Lori Viars because I know Lori, like Lori and respect Lori. Matt answered me in a forthright and open reply that I disagree with, but that is our system.
Disagreement should not be disagreeable among friends, allies and peers. Disagreement makes us stronger. Disagreeable makes us the minority.
Many conservative/moderate Republicans work together to enlarge our reach and the good of the people and our country enduring disagreement without being disagreeable. At the "Ford" convention I disagreed with many and chose to whole heartily support and work for Ronald Reagan, but those on both sides chose to be disagreeable.
I wasn't trying to be contrary though I came by it honestly. My father, as a Goldwater delegate, took me to my first convention in '64 and had to explain his "traitorous" behavior for shouting, "That's the sonuvab*tch we should run" after Reagan's speech. That we shortly after the convention met with Strom Thurman, Jesse Helms (then Democrats) and Fulton Lewis, Jr only further confused my young mind.
It was my father's death in 1967 that caused me to reflect and try to understand those events and my father's place in them. The incredible number of people who attended his funeral and personally wrote to me after to explain their disagreement, but also their admiration for his passion and devotion to his beliefs helped explain a contrarian's place in the workforce of American ideals.
As I said before, I know Lori Viars, I like Lori Viars and I respect Lori Viars. A few weeks ago Lori and I discussed the very subject of Matt's post and I know she has intellectually and as a matter of faith struggled with the depth of her involvement in a McCain campaign. I have tried to consistently urge that we all work toward a McCain victory because the option is really no option.
I will never worry about Lori Viars because I have broken bread with her (actually broken fortune cookies) and Lori has watched my back as others attacked me for personal reasons in a political situation. Lori is one of the most consistent, honest and hardest working people I have come to know in Ohio politics.
This is not an attack on Matt. He is, as well, in the trenches doing important work. This is a defense of a great person and it is a defense of our conservative strength; unity and teamwork once the decision to move forward has been made. This is a defense of disagreemnt, but not of disagreeable behavior.
