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While in Washington, D.C. last month, I took the opportunity to visit the Supreme Court as thousands of Americans mourned the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia. Justice Scalia left a remarkable legacy as a conservative giant on the nation's highest court. It was an honor to represent all Utahns as the first lady and I paid our final respects.

As news spread of Justice Scalia's death, it was surprising to me — and I'm sure to many others — to learn of the strong friendship between Justice Scalia and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. While the two sat on the Supreme Court together for nearly three decades, they were also polar opposites in how they interpreted the law.

"We were best buddies," Justice Ginsburg wrote in a statement."It was my great good fortune to have known him as working colleague and treasured friend."

The friendship and respect between the court's most conservative and liberal judges demonstrates an important principle we need in much greater measure in our politics: civility and respect.

In stark contrast, over the past several months millions of Americans — politicos and non-politicos alike — have tuned into the presidential debates of both parties. Pundits, columnists and bloggers score them like boxing matches, focusing on winners and losers rather than the nuances of policy proposals. The Democratic campaign garners headlines of one candidate slamming another. Republican debates have been covered less for policy positions and more for the collections detailing the "20 Insults from the CNN Debate in 1 Minute," or the "7 Nastiest insults from GOP Debate."

I know why so many are discouraged by what is happening in Washington, D.C. I'm discouraged by it, too. That's why we in Utah must continue to lead by example and show the nation the right way to do things — our track record of conservative governance and a record of producing results that make a difference for the people of our state.

I can speak from personal experience that the difficult work of governing depends far more on one's ability to listen and bring people together than on crafting a great zinger. Governing is about bringing people together. Leadership is about appealing to our best nature and highest aspirations. Campaigns for elected office should reflect that.

As Utah prepares to host a presidential debate for the first time, I am struck by the contrast between how politics generally play out on the national stage compared to how they have been handled in our state. In our recently concluded legislative session, we showed once again our ability to debate issues with passion and conviction, but to do so with respect for different ideas and points of view.

One of the many invaluable lessons I learned from my mother and father was the importance of treating others with decency and respect. As a young man involved in athletic competition, they helped me appreciate the importance of competing vigorously while maintaining a spirit of sportsmanship.

Of course, there will always be disagreements as we debate issues of significance. One of our most precious and fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution is to express our opinions, argue our positions and engage in vigorous debate. However, I strongly believe we the people deserve debate and discussion that maintains a civil tone and a high degree of respect. Surely we can argue the merits of a policy without making personal attacks or disingenuous arguments.

So as yard signs start to dot the landscape and TV commercials fill the airwaves, we find ourselves in a position to which we have become accustomed. Utah can, and I believe Utah will, show the rest of the nation how it should be done.

Attitudes of decency and common respect are the Utah way. They are the right way. Let's do our part, especially in this political season, to show ourselves and our fellow Americans, that there is a people and there is a state where doing it the right way does matter.

Gary R. Herbert is the 17th governor of Utah.