I’m going to stand with Beto O’Rourke and his belief that civility should return to our public discourse.

Speaking to the Dallas Morning News editorial board, O’Rourke – the Democratic candidate for U.S. senator – said he disagrees with former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s belief that “when they go low, we kick them.” That’s not who O’Rourke is, he told the DMN.

I recently chided a Republican candidate for governor in Pennsylvania for declaring his intention to “stomp all over” the Democratic governor’s face with “golf spikes.” Scott Wagner said he was peaking metaphorically against Gov. Tom Wolf. Still, the language is harsh, crude and unacceptable. Wagner later apologized for using such harsh rhetoric.

Holder’s comments about “kicking” the folks on the other side also are unacceptable, although not as graphic as the bellowing assertion that Wagner made.

As for O’Rourke, he is showing remarkable restraint as he campaigns against Sen. Ted Cruz in this year’s Senate race midterm election. I want to applaud him for seeking to remain true to his belief that civility is better for the cause of public discourse – and for the nation – than the angry rhetoric that we’ve been hearing.

I still think former first lady Michelle Obama’s advice is the best: When they go low, we go high.