I used to worry that these sessions would just worsen the chaotic fragmentation in the Democratic Party and threaten the urgent, ultimate goal of defeating President Donald Trump and all for which he stands. I thought that elevating minor, sure-to-lose candidates would only distract from or delay the process of uniting around one strong nominee.
But presidential campaigns aren't just about that year's race. They're also a way of vetting future leaders, expanding the window of ideas, defining a party's values and priorities. And to that end, Wednesday night's CNN town hall was exceptional.
When Inslee first announced, he seemed to do so as a candidate with a single issue -- climate change -- and he didn't quite walk away from that perception. "In the presidential debates leading up to the last election, only four minutes total were spent on climate change," he said. "That's one big reason I'm running: to ensure that doesn't happen again."
But while he pledged to make confronting climate change the country's top priority if elected, he wasn't running solely on being green. He was thoughtful in discussing how the changes in our increasingly volatile and degraded environment disproportionately harm the marginalized and people of color. He discussed the need for smart gun reform, the duty to defend Obamacare and fight for single-payer health coverage, noting that Washington may be the first state to offer a public option for health insurance.
And he made the case for national legalization of cannabis, an initiative he had opposed as governor, but now calls an unalloyed success, generating $700 million in tax revenues for children's wellness and education with none of the feared increases in youthful drug use or street crime.
In fact, it's Inslee's willingness to admit mistakes and change course that distinguishes him most. He said he now regrets voting as a congressman for the infamous 1994 crime bill that led to a huge increase in incarceration among African-Americans. He admitted he simply didn't know the answer to a question about recycling, and promised to follow up. He came off as humble, authentic and thoughtful, refreshing traits in a presidential candidate in the age of Trump.
I still don't know that I can support Inslee for the nomination -- there are other extremely qualified candidates who are women or people of color or both, and if nothing else is clear, it's long past time to diversify the all-too White House.
But Inslee certainly convinced me that he deserves consideration for a future Cabinet, perhaps as the sustainability czar this country sorely needs. Or maybe the second spot on the ticket. He wouldn't be the first Democratic vice president to make finding a solution for climate change his personal mission.
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