Mike Gallagher, From Right Wing Demon to Compassionate Person in One Short Column

Today I stumbled across Mike Gallagher's column on townhall.com, a conservative site. I Was expecting it to be the usual right wing stuff about liberals destroying America, helping the terrorists and forcing teens to have sex. Then, I was shocked. Mike Gallagher was actually wishing the Edwards well on their tough battle ahead, while still acknowledging his disagreements with John's policies. This is what added the truly human element to it. I would think of it as the usual "I have to say this" sort of thing if it was just a quick sorry and oh man that sucks. Then Mike went even farther.

He defended the Edwards' decision to continue the campaign, answering several people who had already began the nay saying. We have heard that if he truly cared about his wife and kids, he would be at home with them. We have heard he used this for a political bump, and if it doesn't work, he will suspend the campaign. We have even heard that its typical of some lib like him to put his false religion of a message ahead of his sick wife. The Edwards made their decision, and they feel it is the best thing to be doing. Gallagher back them up on this saying that we don't know what they talked about, what they decided, and as such, should shut up on the speculating. Then his last lines are the best:

But a personal tragedy like this should transcend politics. Agree with him or not, this is a man – and woman – who are deserving of our prayers.

I can almost picture some die-hard politicos shaking their heads and clucking at my empathy for the Edwards. After all, politics is blood sport, right?

Not for me. Not in this case.

I guess I just don't have what it takes. Oh well, so much for my dream of getting elected to anything at all…

Thank you Mike Gallagher, I definitely disagree with you about 99% of the time, but you have helped remind us that we can come together still, and meet somewhere. We should all strive for this, Right Left, and Center, realizing there are boundaries, a certain point when its OK to see someone as a human, and treat them as such. I have a lot of work to do on this, do you?