Current:Home > ContactBiden and Utah’s governor call for less bitterness and more bipartisanship in the nation’s politics -Zenith Investment School
Biden and Utah’s governor call for less bitterness and more bipartisanship in the nation’s politics
View
Date:2025-04-19 14:52:54
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox disagree on many issues but they were united Saturday in calling for less bitterness in politics and more bipartisanship.
“Politics has gotten too personally bitter,” said Biden, who has practiced politics since he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972. “It’s just not like it was.” The Democratic president commented while delivering a toast to the nation’s governors and their spouses at a black-tie White House dinner in their honor.
Cox, a Republican and chairman of the National Governors Association, preceded Biden to the lectern beneath an imposing portrait of Abraham Lincoln above the fireplace in the State Dining Room.
The Utah governor said the association “harkens back to another time, another era, when we did work together across partisan lines, when there was no political danger in appearing with someone from the other side of the aisle and we have to keep this, we have to maintain this, we cannot lose this,” he said.
Cox had joked earlier that he and Biden might be committing “mutually assured destruction” by appearing together at the White House since they’re both up for reelection this year.
He said that as state chief executives, the governors “know just a very little bit of the incredible burden that weighs on your shoulders. We can’t imagine what it must be like, the decisions that you have to make, but we feel a small modicum of that pressure and so, tonight, we honor you.”
Biden said he remembered when lawmakers would argue by day and break bread together at night. He is currently embroiled in stalemates with the Republican-controlled House over immigration policy, government funding and aid for Ukraine and Israel.
Cox went on to say that his parents taught him to pray for the leader of the country.
“Mr. President, I want you to know that our family prays for you and your family every night,” he said. “We pray that you will be successful because if you are successful that means that United States of America is successful and tonight we are always Americans first, so thank you.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat who is the association’s vice chairman, also offered a toast.
“We have a lot more in common and a lot more that brings us together as Americans for love of country and love of the people of our country,” he said.
Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, were among Cabinet secretaries and White House officials who sat among the governors. The group included North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who in December ended his bid to become the Republican presidential nominee and challenge Biden.
Guests dined on house-made burrata cheese, an entree choice of beef braciole or cod almandine and lemon meringue tart with limoncello ice cream for dessert.
After-dinner entertainment was also part of the program.
The governors heard from Biden and Harris on Friday during a separate session at the White House.
veryGood! (65)
Related
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- NFL's highest-paid wide receivers: Who makes up top 10 after Justin Jefferson extension?
- 'Just incredible': Neck chain blocks bullet, saves man's life in Colorado, police say
- Who will make the US gymnastics team for 2024 Paris Olympics? Where Suni Lee, others stand
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Brothers charged in Georgia strip club shooting that left multiple injured
- Fraud trial juror reports getting bag of $120,000 and promise of more if she’ll acquit
- How To Prepare Your Skin for Laser Hair Removal
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Sandy Hook families ask bankruptcy judge to liquidate Alex Jones’ media company
Ranking
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- New York City is building more public toilets and launching an online locator so you can find them
- Police arrest pro-Palestinian demonstrators inside San Francisco building housing Israeli Consulate
- Poppi sodas 'are basically sugared water' due to low prebiotic fiber content, lawsuit says
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Why jewelry has been an issue in Shilo Sanders' bankruptcy case: `Don’t wear it'
- Novak Djokovic drama among top French Open storylines in final week at Roland Garros
- Does Miley Cyrus Want Kids? She Says...
Recommendation
New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
Cucumbers recalled in 14 states due to salmonella risk
Out of a mob movie: Juror in COVID fraud case dismissed after getting bag of $120,000 cash
USWNT's Korbin Albert booed upon entering match vs. South Korea
Small twin
Diver found dead in Lake Erie identified as underwater explorer
Georgia appeals court sets tentative Oct. 4 date to hear Trump appeal of Fani Willis ruling
Muhammad Ali’s childhood home is for sale in Kentucky after being converted into a museum