Sometimes Carter and I get asked to speak about the 1984 Hunt-Helms Senate race. Some of the people we see weren’t born then. For them, it’s like going to the Dinosaur Museum – and the dinosaurs come out and talk.

Because we lost, I’m often asked what was the biggest lesson I learned. That’s easy, and it’s not what people seem to expect, given all the attention to the negative ads and tough attacks both campaigns dished out.

My lesson was – and is: The most powerful weapon in politics is a positive message.

In 1984, our mistake was making the race about what a terrible, awful person Helms was. We forgot to make the case that Hunt could do more for North Carolina. We didn’t make the same mistake when Hunt ran again for Governor in 1992 and 1996.

Democrats should keep that lesson in mind today. In the Time of Trump, it’s tempting – in fact, almost irresistible – to out-Trump Trump. To be just as mean and malicious, just as vicious and venomous, just as petty and personal.

No way. You can’t. You’re a higher form of humanity. You can’t get that low. And you don’t want to try.

Above all, you don’t want to inflame the fires of hate and violence that struck again yesterday.

Democrats should dare to differ. Rise above it – and him. Call on America to be better and do better. Be positive and uplifting. Give people hope and optimism. Appeal to their hopes, not their fears. Talk about the great things we can do if we pull together instead of coming apart.

People know where Washington is falling short and failing them. People know where Trump is failing, as a man and as a leader. He makes that case for us every day, with every Tweet.

We need only tell a simple truth: America can do better than this.