Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenCast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response Biden tells CNN town hall that he has benefited from white privilege MORE called for national unity in his commencement address at Colby College in Maine Sunday.

“It’s time for America to get up. It’s time to regain our sense of unity and purpose,” he told graduating students. “It’s time for us to start realizing who in God’s name we are.”

The political veteran went on to condemn the negativity and divisiveness conjured during the 2016 presidential election.

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“The past election cycle churned up some of the ugliest realities in our country. Civilized discourse and real debate gave way to the coarsest rhetoric and stoking of our emotions,” he said.

However, the former vice president struck a hopeful tone, saying the ugly political mood would not last forever.

“I assure you it’s temporary. I assume it’s transitory. The American people will not sustain this attitude,” he said.

Biden’s comments come after he said he never thought former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton was a great candidate.

Biden had mulled a 2016 presidential run, but ultimately decided against it in 2015. He maintains that he would have been the better choice between him and Clinton.

“I thought I was a great candidate,” he said.

While the former vice president was in Maine, sitting Vice President Mike Pence Michael (Mike) Richard PenceControversial CDC guidelines were written by HHS officials, not scientists: report Former DeVos chief of staff joins anti-Trump group Scott Walker helping to prep Pence for debate against Harris: report MORE was addressing graduating students at the University of Notre Dame, where a large group of students walked out on the address.