Since the “debate” last week, in which President Biden’s performance fell woefully short of expectations, there have been many calls for him to step aside. Some claim that his remaining in the race is a selfish act, and lay the blame for his performance and his generally low approval rating at his feet. I am not of that opinion. I’m also not ready to write him off; instead, I feel compelled to write a bit of a tribute to him.
You’re welcome Bob, I am honored to be here, with you, a great American, and so many great Americans here and on other substacks. It helps to see comments, concerns, opinions and hopes as well bc it matters. Thank you again, stay safe and healthy everyone. ❤️🇺🇸
Bob, I completely agree with assessment of Biden’s running in 2020, in 2024, and now having him stay in the race. Biden stepping aside now is exactly what convicted Felon DT, the MAGAts, the Republican enablers, and the milquetoast enabling MSM want. Democrats are excellent at creating their own chaos and as you say forming a circular firing squad, but let us not help the other side. I give you 1968’s convention and 1980’s primary challenge as examples. Methink some Democrats overthink, over worry, over panic, and over perfection as the enemy of the good.
Few on SubStack have theoretically turned the mirror the opposite direction. Do we hear any Republicans (except for the Lincoln Project, Liz Cheney, and Adam Kinzinger) asking for Convicted Felon DT to step aside every time he has incoherent word salad discussing sharks, batteries, and his wrestling fantasies? No, we don’t, nor do I expect to hear any, because they believe in their (misguided) cause and take the long view.
Biden is old. I worry about that. Is it going to change my vote or ask for his stepping down? No. He has an excellent team and he’s dedicated to the cause of a free and democratic United States.
I have my thoughts on others, as we all do, and I agree with your assessment on some people. But now is not the time. Let that and them wait to 2028.
Michael, you are SO right! I wish that President Biden didn't have to run, but I see no other viable alternative, particularly at this stage. I'm grateful for his commitment, but disappointed in the fair-weather Dems who are so easily spooked. I share the wishes of many who wish that we weren't in this position, but if wishes were horses, we'd all be up to our necks in horse$#!+.
Sorry, Bob. I DO NOT think a man of Biden's age and obviously cognitive decline should be president! And Ms. Harris is not at this stage of her life ready to be President of the United States.
I won't comment further. But at 83, I know what it's like to be old! And I certainly don't pretend to have it "together" all the time! We have good days, and we have bad days. Last Thursday was so darn bad for Biden, I was embarrassed for him and his family. And just where is Jill in all this? I don't believe for a second that she actually WANTS to have another 4-year run dodging Secret Service agents! There are a few good democratic senators that could step up to the plate here! I wish they would have the guts to declare their possible candidacy before it's too late!
"Obvious cognitive decline"? Sorry Catherine, but I find your comment here quite condescending. Just because you are 83 does not mean you know the intimate health status of Joe Biden. You sound just like my brother, (a trumpublican) who often states when we discuss the dementia status of our 89 year old mother as , "that is just what happens". I feel it's his way to try to undermine Biden by stating so.
That is in fact a lie, it is not "just what happens". I have been a nurse , and nurse practitioner for 44 years. I have cared for many, many folks in their 80's and even 90's. I have had and still have many patients of advanced age who are completely cognitively intact. I can therefore surmise that this is true for Joe Biden as well, for he would know to bow out if he was not capable. I also know that being in my 7th decade, I could not keep up the pace he has had to endure- not even for a week.
What makes you think you are better to decide for Joe and Jill Biden? The comments you make here are more of a reflection on you than it is on them.
The President has a grueling schedule to maintain, and he does it in service of our country. I suggest you keep up with what he is accomplishing every day with this Substack. No one with "cognitive decline" as you suggest could keep up the pace that he does.
Dear Bob, my admired and esteemed friend and fellow blogger: I agree wholeheartedly with everything you say about Biden's selfless and expert contributions to this nation, and everything you say about FT's despicable presence among us. But as a longtime strategist and marketer, I have to say that I think you amass evidence for everything EXCEPT whether Biden can now keep FT out of the Oval Office. And that is all that matters to me. I profoundly believe that he cannot beat Trump now. I say "now" because he had very little wind at his back before Thursday, and now that wind has gone away completely. Dems and Independents and thinking Republicans (both of them) were dissatisfied with both candidates but willing, grudgingly, to probably (not enthusiastically) vote for Biden...if they would even bother to vote at all in a time of double-hating.
To win now, all those who lacked enthusiasm before Thursday, and all those who fell even further away Thursday night) would somehow, miraculously, have to decide they REALLY want Biden and will bust their butts to elect him. A wholesale reversal of depression about Biden? I just don't see that happening. At all. And because I deeply fear the consequences of FT's taking over the Executive Branch as well as dictating to a Republican Congress, I believe we must put forward a fresh pair of Dem candidates that will pull people out of the bushes to find out who they are and why it's going to be okay to vote again. People are yearning for rescue from this election that seems to be the worst of all worlds, for someone to cheer rather than decry. (From my lips to God's ear, right?)
Wonderful! But I guess all I can say is that I hope one of us is wrong. I don't see a path for the Dems to coalesce around a new pair of candidates in time for the election, and I don't think Kamala is ready to be the ticket-topper. So I guess I'm back to stirring the lemonade.
Pour two tall glasses of that lemonade, but leave and inch or two of room in them. I'm on my way over with some really fine Split Rock craft-made vodka from a nearby distillery here in Maine, and we will liberally spike both the lemonade and our hopes.
Thanks so much Bob. What a wonderful idea you had, in creating a tribute to your Dad while he was still with you. I truly appreciate you sharing that.
Thanks!
You’re welcome Bob, I am honored to be here, with you, a great American, and so many great Americans here and on other substacks. It helps to see comments, concerns, opinions and hopes as well bc it matters. Thank you again, stay safe and healthy everyone. ❤️🇺🇸
Thank you Bob 👏 Bravo and grateful at the same time. Well done indeed.
Thanks, Joan!
Bob, I completely agree with assessment of Biden’s running in 2020, in 2024, and now having him stay in the race. Biden stepping aside now is exactly what convicted Felon DT, the MAGAts, the Republican enablers, and the milquetoast enabling MSM want. Democrats are excellent at creating their own chaos and as you say forming a circular firing squad, but let us not help the other side. I give you 1968’s convention and 1980’s primary challenge as examples. Methink some Democrats overthink, over worry, over panic, and over perfection as the enemy of the good.
Few on SubStack have theoretically turned the mirror the opposite direction. Do we hear any Republicans (except for the Lincoln Project, Liz Cheney, and Adam Kinzinger) asking for Convicted Felon DT to step aside every time he has incoherent word salad discussing sharks, batteries, and his wrestling fantasies? No, we don’t, nor do I expect to hear any, because they believe in their (misguided) cause and take the long view.
Biden is old. I worry about that. Is it going to change my vote or ask for his stepping down? No. He has an excellent team and he’s dedicated to the cause of a free and democratic United States.
I have my thoughts on others, as we all do, and I agree with your assessment on some people. But now is not the time. Let that and them wait to 2028.
Michael, you are SO right! I wish that President Biden didn't have to run, but I see no other viable alternative, particularly at this stage. I'm grateful for his commitment, but disappointed in the fair-weather Dems who are so easily spooked. I share the wishes of many who wish that we weren't in this position, but if wishes were horses, we'd all be up to our necks in horse$#!+.
Sorry, Bob. I DO NOT think a man of Biden's age and obviously cognitive decline should be president! And Ms. Harris is not at this stage of her life ready to be President of the United States.
I won't comment further. But at 83, I know what it's like to be old! And I certainly don't pretend to have it "together" all the time! We have good days, and we have bad days. Last Thursday was so darn bad for Biden, I was embarrassed for him and his family. And just where is Jill in all this? I don't believe for a second that she actually WANTS to have another 4-year run dodging Secret Service agents! There are a few good democratic senators that could step up to the plate here! I wish they would have the guts to declare their possible candidacy before it's too late!
"Obvious cognitive decline"? Sorry Catherine, but I find your comment here quite condescending. Just because you are 83 does not mean you know the intimate health status of Joe Biden. You sound just like my brother, (a trumpublican) who often states when we discuss the dementia status of our 89 year old mother as , "that is just what happens". I feel it's his way to try to undermine Biden by stating so.
That is in fact a lie, it is not "just what happens". I have been a nurse , and nurse practitioner for 44 years. I have cared for many, many folks in their 80's and even 90's. I have had and still have many patients of advanced age who are completely cognitively intact. I can therefore surmise that this is true for Joe Biden as well, for he would know to bow out if he was not capable. I also know that being in my 7th decade, I could not keep up the pace he has had to endure- not even for a week.
What makes you think you are better to decide for Joe and Jill Biden? The comments you make here are more of a reflection on you than it is on them.
The President has a grueling schedule to maintain, and he does it in service of our country. I suggest you keep up with what he is accomplishing every day with this Substack. No one with "cognitive decline" as you suggest could keep up the pace that he does.
https://whatdidbidendotoday.substack.com/p/what-did-joe-biden-do-today-d4e
I hear you Catherine, and in a perfect world, would agree. I was hoping that President Biden would have declined to run again, but alas, he did not.
I agree about Kamala, and if the Dems were to abandon her, there'd be hell to pay.
During the debate, my face hurt from cringing so much.
But here we are, and we can either get behind our guy, whose team can carry on without him, or we can get into a circular firing squad free for all.
At 70, I'm still a junior senior (my definition and claim) and I don't plan to relinquish my meager cognitive abilities anytime soon.
p.s. Thanks so much for contributing to the conversation. It means a lot.
Really well done Bob, and the high point of the Substack commentary day. Thanks.
Thanks, Dave!
Dear Bob, my admired and esteemed friend and fellow blogger: I agree wholeheartedly with everything you say about Biden's selfless and expert contributions to this nation, and everything you say about FT's despicable presence among us. But as a longtime strategist and marketer, I have to say that I think you amass evidence for everything EXCEPT whether Biden can now keep FT out of the Oval Office. And that is all that matters to me. I profoundly believe that he cannot beat Trump now. I say "now" because he had very little wind at his back before Thursday, and now that wind has gone away completely. Dems and Independents and thinking Republicans (both of them) were dissatisfied with both candidates but willing, grudgingly, to probably (not enthusiastically) vote for Biden...if they would even bother to vote at all in a time of double-hating.
To win now, all those who lacked enthusiasm before Thursday, and all those who fell even further away Thursday night) would somehow, miraculously, have to decide they REALLY want Biden and will bust their butts to elect him. A wholesale reversal of depression about Biden? I just don't see that happening. At all. And because I deeply fear the consequences of FT's taking over the Executive Branch as well as dictating to a Republican Congress, I believe we must put forward a fresh pair of Dem candidates that will pull people out of the bushes to find out who they are and why it's going to be okay to vote again. People are yearning for rescue from this election that seems to be the worst of all worlds, for someone to cheer rather than decry. (From my lips to God's ear, right?)
Cheers (sort of),
Eliot
Wonderful! But I guess all I can say is that I hope one of us is wrong. I don't see a path for the Dems to coalesce around a new pair of candidates in time for the election, and I don't think Kamala is ready to be the ticket-topper. So I guess I'm back to stirring the lemonade.
Pour two tall glasses of that lemonade, but leave and inch or two of room in them. I'm on my way over with some really fine Split Rock craft-made vodka from a nearby distillery here in Maine, and we will liberally spike both the lemonade and our hopes.
Oh, would that it were true! I'd love that!