As reported by all major news outlets (for example, here, here and here) Joe Biden named Kamala Harris, the junior senator from California, as his running mate.  I do not know much about Ms. Harris’ policies but so long as she is a person of character and intelligence I’m good with his choice.  As I learn more about her (after all, I am an informed voter) I’ll know where we agree and where we disagree. But here’s the thing.  I have cautioned against the pitfalls of being a single issue voter.  Yet here I am taking the position that character is of fundamental import. I am a witness to the rule of a person completely devoid of character and can say with absolute certainty that no position on any single issue compensates for the lack character.  Character will determine whether AND how a person executes the responsibilities that come with the office.  When a person lacks character as Trump so evidently does, this:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”  – The President’s Oath of Office

becomes this:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, not preserve, not protect and not defend the Constitution of the United States.”

So what we must not do is over think Biden’s decision or denigrate his choice.  We can disagree with Harris’ policies as we can disagree with Biden’s but we all agree that Trump has to go.  The future of our nation is at stake.

When Hillary clinched the democratic nomination Sanders supporters were slow to get behind her.  They continued the squabbling literally writing the attack ads for Trump right up to the election.  Too many Sanders supporters did not vote or cast a protest vote.  Clinton’s margin of popular votes was not large enough to carry the electoral college or overcome Russian interference in our election and we are suffering the consequences of that lack of unity in the Democratic Party now.  Let us not ignore the lessons of our past and in doing so repeat our failures.