Biden has been a good, arguably a great president. But the clock ticks, the dusk deepens. There is no retreat.
The president says that all he needs is a little more sleep, an 8PM lights out, maybe some warm milk and a kiss on the forehead from Jill. That might work fine for a workday filled with photo ops and principals meetings. But is that the voice you want answering the phone at 2AM when the shit has hit the fan in some odd corner of the world or when terrorists hit Ottumwa, IA?
Mr. Biden missed the opportunity to exit the stage with maximum grace six months ago. He should take the opportunity to exit the stage with some grace and dignity before the Democratic Party, or worse, the voters, give him the hook.
"I would love to lead America to new heights in a second administration - and I am damned well ready and able to do it. But as much as I am today as I have always been a fighter, I recognize that the American people worry that I am old, perhaps too old to battle Trump for the presidency, perhaps too old to lead well for another four years.
"The single most import task in front of me is to save America from a second Trump administration, an eventuality that would mark the end of the beginning of the destruction of American democracy. The Democratic Party has an abundance of bright, articulate, strong leaders including my outstanding vice president, Kamala Harris. While I relish the opportunity to again vanquish Mr. Trump at the polls, I must accept the reality that I may best serve this great nation by passing the torch to a new generation.
"I withdraw from the running for the nomination of the Democratic Party and release those delegates pledged to me. I will campaign tirelessly for the candidate my party chooses and together, together in the largest sense of the word, we will march into a new dawn of peace and prosperity for all Americans."
Bob, you write, "Locate a replacement candidate who has name-recognition, political experience, and the ability to walk without looking like Tim Conway’s 'little old man.'"
That candidate is obviously Kamala Harris, whom anyone who doesn't want to see another President Trump will be happy to vote for. If Biden resigns the Presidency before the Democratic Convention there can be an orderly and democratic process to select a vice-presidential candidate.
What's complicated is the ideal timing of announcement and the replacement if it's not Harris. Buttigieg is not popular with black voters so replacing her with him would be seen as a snub.
Biden has been a good, arguably a great president. But the clock ticks, the dusk deepens. There is no retreat.
The president says that all he needs is a little more sleep, an 8PM lights out, maybe some warm milk and a kiss on the forehead from Jill. That might work fine for a workday filled with photo ops and principals meetings. But is that the voice you want answering the phone at 2AM when the shit has hit the fan in some odd corner of the world or when terrorists hit Ottumwa, IA?
Mr. Biden missed the opportunity to exit the stage with maximum grace six months ago. He should take the opportunity to exit the stage with some grace and dignity before the Democratic Party, or worse, the voters, give him the hook.
"I would love to lead America to new heights in a second administration - and I am damned well ready and able to do it. But as much as I am today as I have always been a fighter, I recognize that the American people worry that I am old, perhaps too old to battle Trump for the presidency, perhaps too old to lead well for another four years.
"The single most import task in front of me is to save America from a second Trump administration, an eventuality that would mark the end of the beginning of the destruction of American democracy. The Democratic Party has an abundance of bright, articulate, strong leaders including my outstanding vice president, Kamala Harris. While I relish the opportunity to again vanquish Mr. Trump at the polls, I must accept the reality that I may best serve this great nation by passing the torch to a new generation.
"I withdraw from the running for the nomination of the Democratic Party and release those delegates pledged to me. I will campaign tirelessly for the candidate my party chooses and together, together in the largest sense of the word, we will march into a new dawn of peace and prosperity for all Americans."
Bob, you write, "Locate a replacement candidate who has name-recognition, political experience, and the ability to walk without looking like Tim Conway’s 'little old man.'"
That candidate is obviously Kamala Harris, whom anyone who doesn't want to see another President Trump will be happy to vote for. If Biden resigns the Presidency before the Democratic Convention there can be an orderly and democratic process to select a vice-presidential candidate.
Chaos averted.
What's complicated is the ideal timing of announcement and the replacement if it's not Harris. Buttigieg is not popular with black voters so replacing her with him would be seen as a snub.