Presidential candidate John Delaney: We need leaders who are truthful and don't divide us

Democratic Presidential candidate John Delaney, the featured speaker at the Winneshiek County Democratic Party's St. Patrick's Day fundraiser on Sunday, didn't talk about individual political issues in his speech to aorund 100 Democrats.  Instead, he talked about what he sees as the central issue confronting America today--how divided we are as a society.

Delaney told the group at the Lingonberry in Decorah that Democrats "need to become the leaders this country so desperately needs."  He says government used to work to take care of the needs of the country, but "we haven't done anything" to get people ready for the massive changes that have come over our economy and our society.  "Right now, we have a Divider-in-Chief," he told the audience.

What is needed instead, said Delaney, are leaders who will say to the country, "I represent every one of you--whether you voted for me or not."  Then those leaders should find common ground and start solving problems.

But his pitch to the Winneshiek County Democrats was that this task could be taken up by everyone.  He said Americans are so divided that it's difficult for them to even have conversations about the problems facing the country.  So he believes the country must first tackle the issue of finding common ground.  "That's what every one of us, working together, can change," he concluded.