I am incensed by those calling for Joe Biden to surrender his role in directing one of the most productive presidential terms in US history. You are giving the opposition ammunition and creating a schism in the party at a critical time. Democrats are undermining the solidarity needed to win.
Why swap horses mid-stream? The country has done very well under Biden. Wouldn't it be great if that continued? Inflation is in retreat, industry is booming, jobs and pay are surprisingly good, we are at peace, and our foreign alliances have been restored. His state of the union speech was much better than most, and he was in good form today talking to us about the assassination attempt and calling for national unity.
We are finally starting to work on adapting to rapid climate change with the landmark $1.3 trillion infrastructure bill. Every administration since Carter has shirked their responsibility and kicked this can down the road until now the situation has grown desperate. In a few years everyone will know climate change is upon us, and it's terrible effects will grow measurably with every successive year. Nothing is more important, and Trump is a climate change denier.
In 2020, Biden was the only Democrat assured of beating Trump, and that is still true in 2024. Who else commands such respect in Congress, among most voters, and among our allies and enemies? Biden has a long and distinguished record, and an encyclopedic knowledge of domestic governing and foreign relations. No one else comes close.
Biden is 81 and his life expectancy is 93 according to actuarial tables. But if Biden were to die or become incapacitated, he has a capable VP - Kamela Harris, aided by a sterling Cabinet, so there will be no disruption. If Trump wins the election and dies in office, we have only J.D.Vance, who is not competent to lead the country.
However, according to new NBC News poll, just 33% of [Democrats] are satisfied with Biden. Among Republicans, 71% of them are satisfied with Trump. That just proves to me how wrong voters and/or polls can be. I expect that polling will change as the truth sinks in.
At his most recent press conference, Biden said "50 or more" Democratic leaders could beat Trump. That was generous, and you will never hear Trump say anything like it. Certainly, the Democrats have a deep bench of talent, but none have the name recognition or national awareness of Biden. The election is in 4 months; Democrats are likely to dither for 2 of them, and then what? A huge Hail Mary media blitz?
The idea of replacing Biden with someone younger is all about appearance. If appearances are everything, where does that leave substance? Biden clearly places less emphasis on appearance than Trump, and more on realities. Trump makes it up as he goes, lives in a bubble, and tries to force reality to conform to his fantasy.
Why do we let Republicans determine the rules and foster our doubts? It is ironic that Biden is being harshly criticized and asked to withdraw after an excellent first term, but Trump is not, after a chaotic, disruptive and relatively unproductive first term.
Yes, watching the first debate was excruciating. Biden was awful - in a fog, looking confused. But Trump was awful as well, attacking recklessly, displaying no relevant knowledge, digressing from the subject. He was there to rewrite the rules to his advantage, and against that of the voters. If we apply the same standards to both, Trump lost that debate. Actually, the American people lost, because there was no real debate.
Biden was strong in multiple public appearances before and after the debate; clearly he has bad days, like everyone else. I noticed that Biden listens and learns. Responding to critics of his pasty white complexion at the "debate", Biden put on a healthy-looking tan. Maybe that will help with the "appearance" people. Now, he just has to speak up, or was that issue created by a Trumpist sound man?
Biden's verbal gaffes haven't gone away. His syntax may be off sometimes, he sometimes mangles long sentences, but his meaning is clear. For example, Biden said he was proud to have been “the first Black woman to serve with a Black president,” he meant he is proud to have chosen the first Black woman as running mate and to have served a Black president (that is clearer in context). When Kamela Harris slipped and called Biden “Mr. Vice President,” Democrats questioned her loyalty and capacity to replace Biden. Really?
It is all relative. No one is perfect, even if Trump thinks he is. But ohmygod listen to Trump at any rally as he obliterates truth, promotes lies, mangles the English language, makes up words, stops in mid sentence, suddenly digresses, etc.
Though Trump is an empty suit, twice as many Republicans approve of him. That is a fault of our education system; many of today's voters are preoccupied, biased, shallow and undiscerning. Trump is a showboat, vain, constantly in the news, directing all attention to himself. He knows how to strut and dress for success, though his performances are largely negative and fact-free.
Trump's rally performance "skill" will be a detriment after the election; he may rule as a dictator, but he still needs to work with people. Biden is a consensus builder who does the work and shares the credit. Trump is an autocrat at heart, who takes credit for Obama's accomplishments because he had none. Biden is humble and teachable according to his faith; Trump is neither.
Why have we drifted so far? How can we get back to reason, discussing differences, seeking compromise?
Trump is old too, morbidly obese, with health issues and many unhealthy habits. He has visibly declined since 2016. He has a firm grip on Republicans, so no one dares to suggest he is too old to run. However, a number of doctors have expressed concern about his mental acuity, and a few about his sanity. Fitness to serve is important.
We should require all candidates to get a thorough physical and mental examination by experts, and make the results public. Also, the Constitution requires a presidential candidate to be at least 35 years old, perhaps we should add a maximum age too. How about 75, the average life expectancy? Just to be sure, how about 50?
We can fix all of these issues and more, if Biden wins.
Come on back, oh ye of little faith.