Good governor. An even better citizen

Here’s an insight I recently had: not all Minnesota governors are created equal. Some are Republicans. But even when I disagreed, they deserved respect.

Here’s what one governor, Arne Carlson, told us before this year’s Democratic convention: “Not surprisingly, I was delighted when President Biden passed the torch, and I immediately became part of Republicans for Harris. Although I have been a political independent, I served as a Republican governor — and firmly believe that the Republican Party will continue its obedience to Trump and destroy our democracy. “

Carlson went on from there: “What is not surprising is the uncontrollable exuberance that is launching Harris into the White House. I say that because poll after poll showed that the American public did not want a Biden-Trump rematch and the fear of a Trump autocracy was growing, causing many Americans to contemplate moving abroad. This was a very real trepidation and is not to be underestimated.

“The bottom line is that we all care about our national well-being and the images of mass deportations and turning the Justice Department into a police force loyal only to a despotic President was all too reminiscent of the horrors of Hitler’s Germany.

‘‘Kamala Harris was the right personality at the right time to lead and maintain this exuberance. For over eight years, America has been subject to the daily grievances of Donald Trump and his relentless thirst for absolute power and unquestionable loyalty. Trump is all about Trump and is incapable of being sensitive to the needs of others. Harris’s smiling optimism was exactly what the doctor ordered. And we have all responded with unlimited relief. Sanity has returned and the “can do’’ belief is back.

“Although I have political differences with Gov. Walz, his boisterous joy blends perfectly with Harris and, stylistically, they are the perfect team and the right tonic for this moment in history.

“It is my belief that they will sweep in November and, in the process, carry states like Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. It is my further belief that Trump’s behavior will worsen and cause us to openly discuss the fragile state of his mental health.

‘‘The media is seeing and interpreting Trump’s behavior through a political lens rather than requesting observations from experts in the field of mental health …

‘‘For those who thought his attacks on Republican leaders in Georgia were bizarre, what about his obsession with race? His inability to focus on conducting a national political campaign will continue and it will cause a multitude of Republican candidates to distance themselves from Trump and key campaign staffers will likely leave in frustration.

‘‘Frankly, I do not have a clue what Republican leaders will do. But the good news is that neither do they. My best, Arne.”

Trump and JD Vance are beyond deplorable for Republicans like Carlson. Harris and Walz may just be the lesser of two evils for many Republican voters — but that will be sufficient to make swing states electorally positive and give the GOP room and time to recover.

Norman Sherman of Coralville has worked extensively in politics, including as Vice President Hubert Humphrey’s press secretary.