NORTHAMPTON — In a swing through the Valley Thursday afternoon to mark the opening of a nursing home at the VA Medical Center in Leeds, Congressman James McGovern urged his constituents disheartened over Tuesday’s election results to keep positive and stay engaged in the political process.
“I think it’s important we do more than agonize,” McGovern said during an interview after the VA event. “We need to organize. We have a responsibility beyond just voting. We have a responsibility to be engaged in the process after the voting.”
During his opening remarks at the VA, McGovern quipped with the audience of roughly three dozen that the event provided some much-needed “good news” coming out of Tuesday’s election.
While McGovern’s remark gave the crowd a brief chuckle, the congressman was quite serious.
In an interview after the event, McGovern conceded he, like so many other Democratic lawmakers, was still reeling after real estate tycoon and reality television personality Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, emerged victorious.
His victory over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been called the most stunning electoral upset in modern political history.
While Trump’s supporters have hailed his ascension to commander-in-chief as the genesis of a political revolution, his election to the presidency sparked a visceral reaction around the country.
Protests that drew thousands erupted Wednesday night in many communities from coast to coast.
One group even burned a piñata-esque Trump head in effigy in front of Los Angeles City Hall, the Los Angeles Times reported.
In an interview after his remarks, McGovern stressed that it was imperative his constituents maintain a positive attitude and to take proactive steps to engage with the political process moving forward.
Above all, McGovern said, do kind acts. Help others in your own community.
“The other thing we need to do is we need to be more engaged in our own communities and do things to support our neighbors,” he said. “I’m getting ready to do this 43-mile walk, Monte’s March … I usually dread the idea that I’m going to be walking 43 miles, but this year I’m welcoming it, because at least I will know I’m doing something good, something that’s helping people.”
Monte’s March is an annual event which takes participants on a 43-mile walk across the Valley to combat hunger, and is led by local radio personality Monte Belmonte.
“But I really think … it’s good therapy for all of us to get more involved in these local activities,” McGovern said. “Let’s combat the hate in this campaign with the goodness.”
As for political steps the legislative delegation is considering, McGovern said it’s too early to tell — “Look,” he said, “we don’t know what’s going to come when Donald Trump takes the oath of office, but I can tell you this, that we’re going to have to do a lot of damage control.”
Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com.