Over the past six decades, I've watched or attended 15 presidential conventions. While the specific policy solutions for our nation's most pressing issues have differed, every major party convention I've witnessed has had one thing in common: a hopeful vision for the future. Sadly, that message was missing from this year's Republican National Convention.
Over the past week, President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and leaders of the Republican Party have painted a dark and apocalyptic portrait of America. Rather than heal our country with messages of hope or offer solutions for this unprecedented period of health and economic turmoil, the 2020 Republican National Convention largely ignored the coronavirus pandemic and resorted to the fearmongering and divisive rhetoric that has so well defined the Trump administration.
I may have left elected office a while ago, but there is still a fundamental principle that is as true now as it was then: You win and govern effectively by building coalitions. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris understand this. During the Democratic National Convention, Biden and Harris talked about uniting the country and solving our problems as one country. During his convention address, Biden specifically said, "While I will be a Democratic candidate, I will be an American president. I will work as hard for those who didn't support me as I will for those who did." This is the type of unifying message that will resonate with Minnesotans and the American people.
Despite our political differences, Minnesotans agree on a lot. We believe in kindness and basic human decency. We believe in justice, fairness and our most sacred American ideals. We want our kids to return to school when it is safe to do so. We want our seniors to live with dignity upon retirement. We believe in good-paying union jobs, and we support one another in times of need.
For the last four years, we've been told to live in fear: fear of the immigrant, fear of the neighbor who doesn't look like us, fear of those who don't agree with our beliefs. The truth is we face myriad crises: a public health crisis, an economic crisis and a crisis of systemic racism. Taking on these crises requires everyone's help. Trump and Pence should understand by now that we won't solve these problems by pitting Americans against one another.
On the heels of the RNC, Pence is visiting our state. Rather than provide Minnesotans with a unifying vision and agenda that speaks to the issues impacting working families in Duluth and across our state, Pence — like Trump — will resort to more divisive rhetoric, falsehoods and broken promises.
I've held the office that Pence occupies today. It is a powerful position, where people listen to what you say and your words have a huge impact. Rather than try to use the power of his office to heal the country, Pence has fully embraced Trump's message of fear and anger. But that's not what residents of our state want to hear.
Minnesotans, like all voters, want to vote based on hope, not fear. Throughout this campaign, Biden has offered that message. He recognizes that the best leaders are those who speak to the best in us, even when we disagree. He and Kamala Harris can be trusted to unify this country and help working families build back better than ever before.
