Like so many in this country, I watched the first presidential debate of this current election cycle on June 27. I did not really want to watch it given the train wreck four years earlier, but I was assured that this time all precautions had been taken to ensure that this debate would be more orderly and informative. I also knew that there would be numerous analyses and dissections in the hours and days that followed. I wanted to make up my own mind.
And so I watched . . . and I wish I hadn’t. It was a train wreck of a different sort but a train wreck, nevertheless. President Biden was not at his best, not even close to it. His age and apparent mental acuity showed through right from the outset. He seemed confused at times, and not until late in the debate did he begin to respond to the lies and vindictive accusations hurled at him throughout. His mouth often hung slack-jawed on the spit screen whenever his opponent was speaking. It was a cringe-worthy spectacle.
I should add that CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash were, in my humble opinion, a disappointment. I expected better. They passed over subjects that are important issues on the run up to the election, and in the case of Biden’s opponent, they did not hold him to answering the question presented to him. Instead, he used his time to level increasingly rancorous allegations and personal attack at President Biden.
The media reaction to the debate was immediate and not surprising. In everyone’s eyes it was an unmitigated disaster. Surprisingly, however, almost all of the concern and criticism was leveled at President and there was an almost immediate call for him the withdraw from the race, even at this late stage of a campaign already lasting for several months. I can understand this concern; the same crossed my mind midway through the debate. Was President Biden up for the job at age 81? Despite a largely positive record during his first term while facing a mostly hostile Congress, it has taken an obvious toll and one had to question whether he was truly up for another four-year term to the age of 86.
Calls for Biden to step down came almost immediately from across the Democratic spectrum. He should do what is right for the country and defer to a younger and more favorable candidate. But who? Governors Gavin Newsom of California and Gretchen Witmer of Michigan immediately were mentioned what with their strong record name recognition although they both quickly threw their continued support behind Biden. Vice President Harris would have been an obvious choice although her popularity is currently lower than Biden’s. Governors Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and JB Pritzker of Illinois lead battleground states with strong records, but they are not as well known to the general electorate. But let’s be honest. Regardless of the choice, Biden’s replacement this late in the game would have created a logistical nightmare.
So OK, President Biden had a bad night. A very bad night. He is old and perhaps not as sharp as he used to be. He freely admits this while stating categorically that he is still up to the job. Yet all of a sudden everyone, including myself, is nervous. But let’s take a look at what he did say whether he said it well or not. He was telling the truth and defending his record despite the incessant and unfounded verbal assault inflicted on him by his opponent.
So, what about the other guy in this equation? Considering age, Biden’s opponent is 78 years old. No one seems terribly concerned with his age and health. And they certainly do not seem vexed by his obvious lack of mental acuity. Almost every word out of his mouth was a lie or an unfounded allegation about the failure of Biden’s “criminal” term in office. He took credits for things he never did and denied facts that are supported by history and witnesses to events in question. He denied any role in the January 6th insurrection he actively incited, claiming that former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi had admitted that it was entirely her fault while refusing assistance he claimed he offered. Lies. He claimed his New York trial during which he was indicted and convicted on 34 felony counts was a witch hunt although he was convicted by a jury of his peers approved by his own attorneys. He took responsibility for ending the pandemic during which he is on records numerous times playing down its seriousness. Over one million in this country died while he lied. Lies, lies, lies, but what can one expect from a pathological liar?
A convicted felon cannot serve in the US military. If elected, he would be Commander-in-Chief. How is that possible? Why was he not asked to step down? He is a sexual predator and misogynist who cheated on his wife and family. Why was he not asked to step down? He is a thief having stolen government records – some of them highly classified – instead of turning them over to the National Archives as the law requires. Why was he not asked to step down? He is a racist who refers to individuals seeking a better life in the United States rapists, murderers, lunatics, and thieves. Why was he not asked to step down? He is a nescient narcissist and a domestic and international bully who makes fun of the physically challenged and others who out of ignorance he does not understand (or even try). Why was he not asked to step down? He has called those who have fought and died for their country, and those who were held as prisoners-of-war, “losers” and “suckers” . . . the very men and women he would be called on to send into harm’s way. Why was he not asked to step down? On top of it all, he is a fascist traitor who has openly defied the Constitution he swore an oath to protect and defend while giving aid and comfort to our enemies. Why was he not asked to step down? He faces numerous additional criminal and civil indictments in several jurisdictions. Why was he not asked to step down?
Why does the Republican Party, the Grand Old Party of Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and Dwight Eisenhower, all of whom fought to keep this country free from the type of government now envisioned by this man, continue to support him without question or reservation? Over 150 presidential historians have voted him the worst president in US history, surpassing even Franklin Pierce, Millard Fillmore, John Tyler, and James Buchanan, all of whom gave rise to the eventual Southern secession and the Civil War. Or the corrupt, even criminal presidencies of Warren Harding and Richard Nixon, or Herbert Hoover and his Great Depression. He is the only president to be impeached twice and the only president to be convicted of a felony. Despite the mounting legal troubles around him – including criminal charges surrounding his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and the felony conviction tied to his 2016 campaign, the GOP continues to stand by him as he seeks a return to the White House. If elected, he has stated he would be a “dictator” from day one while targeting those he believes have wronged him in the past. What about the American people? He shows no interest in us at all. Why is he not asked to step down? It makes absolutely no sense to me and yet here we are.
It is my intention to use this space as a bully pulpit between now and the November election. This country is facing an existential threat to its very core of democracy and governance. It would be irresponsible of me not to share my thoughts and take a stand for what I believe in while the freedom of speech is still a guaranteed right in this country. We should not take it for granted. I urge everyone to get out and vote in November. The outcome is too important to stay home. Despite our concerns and reservations, the choice between the two candidate is abundantly clear. VOTE!!!
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