Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren is a very progressive Democrat.
She made no secret of her disdain for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during the acrimonious campaign season. She went after him verbally in several speeches and tweeted mocking comments on his bad behavior and nasty language.
Senator Warren is a liberal.
But she is an American first.
Senator Elizabeth Warren spoke to the Boston Globe yesterday, after the shocking results of the election had become clear.
The Senator showed the nation what it means to be gracious. Like Hillary Clinton, for whom she had worked so hard during the election season, Sen. Warren put the best interests of the nation ahead of her own disappointment.
The always forthright Senator said this about the election:
“It’s no secret that I didn’t want to see Donald Trump win yesterday.”
She went on to express her frustration with the fact that for the second time in 16 years, a Democratic candidate has earned more individual votes than their Republican opponent, but has still lost in the electoral college.
She didn’t dwell on that fact, though. Instead the Senator turned her attention to the needs of the nation, and to the integrity of the democratic process.
She pledged her willingness to work with the new President, and said that she wanted to find common ground and common goals.
Senator Warren is aware of the importance of a peaceful transition of power, and of the fact that we must all respect the democratic process even when we don’t like its outcome.
She isn’t about to ignore her progressive values, however. Even as she promised to respect the office of the Presidency, she warned the future President that she and other progressives would continue to watch his behavior and his policies.
She said:
“President-Elect Trump promised to rebuild our economy for working people, and I offer to put aside our differences and work with him on that task. When he takes the oath of office as the leader of our democracy and the leader of all Americans, it is my sincere hope that he will fulfill that role with respect and concern for every single person in the country, no matter who they are, where they come from, what they believe, or whom they love.”
I wonder if its too early to start a “Liz 2020” campaign.
Featured image by Edward Kimmel via Flickr. Available through CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
