President Joe Biden and Utah Governor Spencer Cox may not see eye-to-eye on various issues, yet their voices resonated in harmony on Saturday as they jointly advocated for diminished political acrimony and heightened bipartisanship.
Biden, a seasoned politician with a career spanning back to his tenure in the U.S. Senate since 1972, lamented the current state of affairs, remarking, “Politics has gotten too personally bitter… It’s just not like it was.”
Expressing his sentiments during a formal White House dinner honoring the nation’s governors and their spouses, he emphasized the significance of unity amidst differing perspectives.
“What makes me feel good about hosting the governors is that we have a tradition of doing things together,” Biden reflected. “We fight like hell, we make sure that we get our points across. At the end of the day, we know who we work for. The objective is to get things done.”
Preceding Biden at the lectern, Governor Cox, a Republican and the chairman of the National Governors Association, echoed similar sentiments against the backdrop of Abraham Lincoln’s portrait.
Biden and Utah Governor Unite to Advocate for Reduced Political Hostility and Increased Bipartisanship (Credits: The Denver Post)
Cox reminisced about a bygone era characterized by collaborative efforts across party lines, underscoring the importance of preserving this cooperative spirit. He leads an initiative called “Disagree Better,” which seeks to mitigate divisiveness in political discourse.
Despite light-hearted jests about potential political fallout, Cox conveyed sincere respect for Biden’s leadership, acknowledging the weight of decision-making at the federal level. “We can’t imagine what it must be like, the decisions that you have to make,” Cox empathized, “but we feel a small modicum of that pressure and so, tonight, we honor you.”
Reflecting on a time when lawmakers would debate vigorously yet break bread together, Biden shared sentiments of nostalgia amidst current stalemates with the Republican-controlled House. Cox, meanwhile, underscored the importance of familial prayers for the country’s leader, extending well wishes to Biden for success, recognizing its implications for the nation’s welfare.
Governor Jared Polis of Colorado, the association’s vice chairman, further emphasized the common ground shared by Americans despite political differences, echoing the call for unity and patriotism.
The evening’s ambiance, featuring a blend of bipartisan camaraderie and shared appreciation for the nation’s well-being, was punctuated by a sumptuous dinner and entertainment by country singer Trisha Yearwood.
The gathering, part of the governors’ annual winter meeting in Washington, provided a platform for dialogue and collaboration between state leaders and the federal government, reaffirming the enduring spirit of cooperation in governance.
