Joe—Terrific piece. I want Joe to step aside because I believe he has little to no chance of beating Trump—-which is the only thing that matters in this election. Any alternate scenario has risks, but not as great as a Biden v. Trump rematch. Our democracy, and all it entails, are the stake. Period. I also reacted emotionally to the ‘taking the keys away” from mentally failing parents. I had to do it with my dad, and versions of it happened with Shari’s folks. It is a heart-rendering passage—for them and for those voicing—and enforcing—the request (as my kids will learn someday, damn it!). Interestingly, I have had this conversation with virtually every friend I have talked to in the past two weeks. It is the dominant topic in any discussion about Joe Biden’s situation and future.
As I’ve said,before, I hate it but I agree. There was a way to do this with Biden leaving with all the honor he deserves. If he waits very much that chance will go by. If he waits even longer he will get to,see Trump take over, humiliate him, and undo everything he and we ever worked for. That’s the cross roads we are at.
I couldn't agree more with your piece and the below comments. I am a physically fit, healthy 76 year old who still does long-distance trekking, including at high altitude, and I can say unequivocally that I have experienced all of the issues you mention, including having a mother and mother-in-law (both educated, incredibly interesting women who did much in their lives) decline into dementia starting in their late 70s. I remember the stage with my mother when she was in total denial, angry and fighting all the way (not unlike what we are seeing with Biden frankly). He will lose, and there is a high probability that we will lose both the House and Senate. Can you imagine that with this Supreme Court? I can't imagine anything worse than these Republicans in control at this point. Instead of leaving a hero, he will be an old, foolish, narcissistic fool when he loses and destroys the country. David Frum has an excellent piece in the Atlantic today, if anyone can read it.
Joe….I, too, feel sad. And, I have been referring to the car key example. What I remind people of is that in every case I know the person losing the car keys is angry and certain they can still drive just fine. So, the Biden family, friends and staff should not really expect President Biden to sort this out on his own. To say “the President must decide” is unkind and unfair. Some group really does need to come forward and “take away the keys.”
After watching the NATO speech and then viewing the presser, on Youtube, I felt like Biden had not lost himself entirely, had somewhat come back from the dreadful debate debacle. He articulated complexities around foreign policy, especially regarding the Asian situation, also with clarity around Israel and his limitations there as well as a convincing argument for his Ukraine stance. But having to listen to him with expectations of disaster at every word, and feeling inordinate relief when it went better than expected, is confounding and not what I want to feel for the next four months , let alone four years after. Your essay makes me feel great sadness too, though I never really cared much for Joe Biden. We are living through a classical tragedy and the catharsis will be painful.
I've respectfully held my tongue since I joined here, and I will continue to do so, except for three salient points
(1) All this inside baseball weeping and gnashing of teeth is vulgar. I've had my eye on Biden since the 1980's, and my intuition told me then he'd be president one day. Well, he got there, just as another lifelong hack, George HW Bush. I recall similar crocodile tears over poor George and his legacy after Clinton beat him in '92. Screw 'em. They both rose to power as remoras clinging to sharks, or in Biden's case now, a barnacle his own people want to scrape off the boat. Their legacies mean nothing to me or anyone else being sincere.
(2) As all intellectually honest people know, Trump is no more and no less a threat to democracy than any Democrat you can mention. The threat to our democracy, such as it is, is a function of our electronic technology, going back to radio and television. (The only mass media compatible with even a minimal democracy is a newspaper, such as the London Times used to be.)
(3) Of course, the electronic mass media is full of excrement. Again, the best we had was the old Cronkite-ABC-NBC triad, with newspaper people in charge. I knew rock-ribbed Republicans who watched the (even then) obviously left of center Cronkite like a religious ritual. They trusted him. Get away from the fake ad hominem approach and the sickly sentimentality that adheres to it. It's the technology, stupid. Technology enhances capitalisms' faults, such as discarding reputable news people because they were bad for the consumption profit model that runs all entertainment, including the "news."
Hey, I'm a registered Republican and I feel sad too. Shouldn't have had to happen. I'm two years older than Biden, still very much mentis compos, still driving (and getting excellent ratings from the new carrier monitoring my performance on my iPhone) and still keeping a close eye on domestic and world affairs. But does this long-retired lawyer think I could handle Biden's job now (assuming arguendo that I ever could have)? Of course not. And how will I be doing a few years from now at 86? Hopefully OK, but likely on a downward course, physically and mentally, from today. Can't help but wonder whether this story might have played out differently if Joe's son Beau was still with us.
I have, with deep regret, been responding to the five or six texts I get per day from the Biden campaign with a variation on in the theme of “Joe, I love you, but it’s time to step down” . Then it occurred to me:
If one person responds with pleas like these, they’ll think you’re crazy and they won’t listen to ya.
And if two people start texting like this, they’ll think you’re a couple of faggots and they won’t listen to ya either.
But if three -three!- people start texting like this they’ll think it’s a movement. And, friends, it is a movement - the Joe Biden Sanity Movement- and it’s not going away.
I mean -can you imagine- if fifty thousand people an hour, - fifty thousand people an hour!- texted the Biden campaign for him to step down, they would have no choice but to do the right thing.
If you want to stop the campaign you are going to have to text louder than that . . . We can do this.
Agree on all counts, including my own creeping incapacities -- and the inane press corps. The latter is embarrassing, with the NYT leading the pack, paying almost no attention to Trump's infirmities. But you hint at what might be the best outcome: Biden fights on until he can't anymore and Kamala has to step in. The party then gets behind her and she rolls over Trump in November. --p meyer
As someone who lost my beloved grandmother to dementia, this brought tears to my eyes. As a Democrat I want so much to be angry with Biden and his family for encouraging him to run in the first place and now to stay in the race, but then I remember from my own experience how much denial on the part of the person affected and also the family is a part of cognitive decline. It’s just an unspeakable tragedy that the future of our country hangs in the balance because of the denial of so many people.
The Democratic Party is no less cognitively impaired than President Biden. Speaking from prepared scripts, the majority of Dems who want Biden to step aside mumble and fumfer when asked who the Democratic candidate should be. The confidence they imagine they've mustered to call out the head of their party drains dry when challenged to map a path forward. I am reminded of Wavy Gravy's 1976 "Nobody for President" campaign. To paraphrase: "Who is best suited for a Democratic victory in November? 2024" "Nobody!" "Who should replace the president you now oppose?" "Nobody!" "Who has the war chest to bankroll a new campaign?" "Nobody!" It is frustrating to watch the political sheep herd themselves. Time to put up or shut up.
You can’t beat somebody with nobody -and, as loathsome as Trump is, he is a somebody. And while we all have different ideas about who would give us the the best chance of keeping Trump from the reigns of power (for me, a woman from the Midwest) we are the point now where I will take anyone - with the important caveat that they be somehow chosen by the people and not “anointed.” Our only chance is if all Democrats feel they have the opportunity to be in the “room where it happens” which is to say a national primary or even a beauty contest caucus. And, frankly, the idea of a “smoke filled room” with millions of voters in it might be kind of transformative.
Losing a parent at any age is difficult. Your parents use of their bodies ended, in the best of senses, they have never left you.
Biden's case is that he is the best choice, and unfortunately, that may be the case. It is possible that a replacement, other than Harris, might pull this out, but would not bet on it. He needs to get a new Vice=President, continue the race, and then, he might have a decent chance. Harris, like it or not, is a dead weight, as a successor. Someone in their mid-50's should suffice, somewhat seasoned, some track record, but still effective and energetic. Biden needs to do something, and something big, a new Vice-President is about the biggest thing he can do at this point.
Cabinet meetings usually don't mean all that much--they're just for show. Of greater concern is that several cabinet members say they haven''t talked to Biden in months.
Joe—Terrific piece. I want Joe to step aside because I believe he has little to no chance of beating Trump—-which is the only thing that matters in this election. Any alternate scenario has risks, but not as great as a Biden v. Trump rematch. Our democracy, and all it entails, are the stake. Period. I also reacted emotionally to the ‘taking the keys away” from mentally failing parents. I had to do it with my dad, and versions of it happened with Shari’s folks. It is a heart-rendering passage—for them and for those voicing—and enforcing—the request (as my kids will learn someday, damn it!). Interestingly, I have had this conversation with virtually every friend I have talked to in the past two weeks. It is the dominant topic in any discussion about Joe Biden’s situation and future.
As I’ve said,before, I hate it but I agree. There was a way to do this with Biden leaving with all the honor he deserves. If he waits very much that chance will go by. If he waits even longer he will get to,see Trump take over, humiliate him, and undo everything he and we ever worked for. That’s the cross roads we are at.
Bo, You are so very correct——as (almost) always!!!
I couldn't agree more with your piece and the below comments. I am a physically fit, healthy 76 year old who still does long-distance trekking, including at high altitude, and I can say unequivocally that I have experienced all of the issues you mention, including having a mother and mother-in-law (both educated, incredibly interesting women who did much in their lives) decline into dementia starting in their late 70s. I remember the stage with my mother when she was in total denial, angry and fighting all the way (not unlike what we are seeing with Biden frankly). He will lose, and there is a high probability that we will lose both the House and Senate. Can you imagine that with this Supreme Court? I can't imagine anything worse than these Republicans in control at this point. Instead of leaving a hero, he will be an old, foolish, narcissistic fool when he loses and destroys the country. David Frum has an excellent piece in the Atlantic today, if anyone can read it.
Joe….I, too, feel sad. And, I have been referring to the car key example. What I remind people of is that in every case I know the person losing the car keys is angry and certain they can still drive just fine. So, the Biden family, friends and staff should not really expect President Biden to sort this out on his own. To say “the President must decide” is unkind and unfair. Some group really does need to come forward and “take away the keys.”
After watching the NATO speech and then viewing the presser, on Youtube, I felt like Biden had not lost himself entirely, had somewhat come back from the dreadful debate debacle. He articulated complexities around foreign policy, especially regarding the Asian situation, also with clarity around Israel and his limitations there as well as a convincing argument for his Ukraine stance. But having to listen to him with expectations of disaster at every word, and feeling inordinate relief when it went better than expected, is confounding and not what I want to feel for the next four months , let alone four years after. Your essay makes me feel great sadness too, though I never really cared much for Joe Biden. We are living through a classical tragedy and the catharsis will be painful.
jay
I've respectfully held my tongue since I joined here, and I will continue to do so, except for three salient points
(1) All this inside baseball weeping and gnashing of teeth is vulgar. I've had my eye on Biden since the 1980's, and my intuition told me then he'd be president one day. Well, he got there, just as another lifelong hack, George HW Bush. I recall similar crocodile tears over poor George and his legacy after Clinton beat him in '92. Screw 'em. They both rose to power as remoras clinging to sharks, or in Biden's case now, a barnacle his own people want to scrape off the boat. Their legacies mean nothing to me or anyone else being sincere.
(2) As all intellectually honest people know, Trump is no more and no less a threat to democracy than any Democrat you can mention. The threat to our democracy, such as it is, is a function of our electronic technology, going back to radio and television. (The only mass media compatible with even a minimal democracy is a newspaper, such as the London Times used to be.)
(3) Of course, the electronic mass media is full of excrement. Again, the best we had was the old Cronkite-ABC-NBC triad, with newspaper people in charge. I knew rock-ribbed Republicans who watched the (even then) obviously left of center Cronkite like a religious ritual. They trusted him. Get away from the fake ad hominem approach and the sickly sentimentality that adheres to it. It's the technology, stupid. Technology enhances capitalisms' faults, such as discarding reputable news people because they were bad for the consumption profit model that runs all entertainment, including the "news."
Hey, I'm a registered Republican and I feel sad too. Shouldn't have had to happen. I'm two years older than Biden, still very much mentis compos, still driving (and getting excellent ratings from the new carrier monitoring my performance on my iPhone) and still keeping a close eye on domestic and world affairs. But does this long-retired lawyer think I could handle Biden's job now (assuming arguendo that I ever could have)? Of course not. And how will I be doing a few years from now at 86? Hopefully OK, but likely on a downward course, physically and mentally, from today. Can't help but wonder whether this story might have played out differently if Joe's son Beau was still with us.
I have, with deep regret, been responding to the five or six texts I get per day from the Biden campaign with a variation on in the theme of “Joe, I love you, but it’s time to step down” . Then it occurred to me:
If one person responds with pleas like these, they’ll think you’re crazy and they won’t listen to ya.
And if two people start texting like this, they’ll think you’re a couple of faggots and they won’t listen to ya either.
But if three -three!- people start texting like this they’ll think it’s a movement. And, friends, it is a movement - the Joe Biden Sanity Movement- and it’s not going away.
I mean -can you imagine- if fifty thousand people an hour, - fifty thousand people an hour!- texted the Biden campaign for him to step down, they would have no choice but to do the right thing.
If you want to stop the campaign you are going to have to text louder than that . . . We can do this.
Agree on all counts, including my own creeping incapacities -- and the inane press corps. The latter is embarrassing, with the NYT leading the pack, paying almost no attention to Trump's infirmities. But you hint at what might be the best outcome: Biden fights on until he can't anymore and Kamala has to step in. The party then gets behind her and she rolls over Trump in November. --p meyer
So well written and so fair ... I'm not a Biden fan, but at 87 I surely can relate to old age and its unforgiving consequences.
Amen.
Excellent and well said, as always!
As someone who lost my beloved grandmother to dementia, this brought tears to my eyes. As a Democrat I want so much to be angry with Biden and his family for encouraging him to run in the first place and now to stay in the race, but then I remember from my own experience how much denial on the part of the person affected and also the family is a part of cognitive decline. It’s just an unspeakable tragedy that the future of our country hangs in the balance because of the denial of so many people.
The Democratic Party is no less cognitively impaired than President Biden. Speaking from prepared scripts, the majority of Dems who want Biden to step aside mumble and fumfer when asked who the Democratic candidate should be. The confidence they imagine they've mustered to call out the head of their party drains dry when challenged to map a path forward. I am reminded of Wavy Gravy's 1976 "Nobody for President" campaign. To paraphrase: "Who is best suited for a Democratic victory in November? 2024" "Nobody!" "Who should replace the president you now oppose?" "Nobody!" "Who has the war chest to bankroll a new campaign?" "Nobody!" It is frustrating to watch the political sheep herd themselves. Time to put up or shut up.
You can’t beat somebody with nobody -and, as loathsome as Trump is, he is a somebody. And while we all have different ideas about who would give us the the best chance of keeping Trump from the reigns of power (for me, a woman from the Midwest) we are the point now where I will take anyone - with the important caveat that they be somehow chosen by the people and not “anointed.” Our only chance is if all Democrats feel they have the opportunity to be in the “room where it happens” which is to say a national primary or even a beauty contest caucus. And, frankly, the idea of a “smoke filled room” with millions of voters in it might be kind of transformative.
Losing a parent at any age is difficult. Your parents use of their bodies ended, in the best of senses, they have never left you.
Biden's case is that he is the best choice, and unfortunately, that may be the case. It is possible that a replacement, other than Harris, might pull this out, but would not bet on it. He needs to get a new Vice=President, continue the race, and then, he might have a decent chance. Harris, like it or not, is a dead weight, as a successor. Someone in their mid-50's should suffice, somewhat seasoned, some track record, but still effective and energetic. Biden needs to do something, and something big, a new Vice-President is about the biggest thing he can do at this point.
I feel bad for Joe, etc. etc. but I'm positively alarmed that there hasn't been a cabinet meeting since October. Who's minding the store?
Cabinet meetings usually don't mean all that much--they're just for show. Of greater concern is that several cabinet members say they haven''t talked to Biden in months.