[biden]
When I see Joe Biden, I’m reminded of my own father — moments of lucidity mixed with confusion he experienced in his later years.
And it makes me sad.
I moved to Los Angeles in 1991 while my father stayed on the East Coast. During our calls, he’d always ask where I was and then tell a story about visiting my cousin in LA, who was “Spielberg” of the silent film era.
He repeated it every week, forgetting he’d told it the week before. At first, it was annoyed, I wanted to talk about other things. But I soon realized I was surfacing annoyance, rather than the true feelings of emptiness. Those were harder to express, as you think of your dad in that situation.
Over time, I patiently let him tell the story, laughed at the right parts, and gave him space for the punchline. I realized it was his truth, what he knew, and any negative feelings were from my own inability to deal with that feeling of an aging parent.
Those forgetful moments are a human condition that many of us face as we age. Sometimes he was more lucid, like Biden, between the daylight hours. But he still wasn’t himself. Ever again. I’m not trying to demean Biden or diminish his past contributions; rather, it’s about facing reality with honesty.
That personal reflection was a hard pill to swallow, considering the man I was looking at on stage saved us from a second term for Trump. When he won in 2020, I got choked up. It felt like the nightmare was over. My friends, family who were being denied their basic human rights had a lifeline. We could rebuild the damage.
Watching the debate, it was clear that the demands of the presidency might exceed his current capabilities. I say this not out of malice but from a place of concern — both for him and for the country. Being the President doesn’t just happen between the hours of 10–4, it is a job unlike any other, when you need to be sharp as a tack at a moment’s notice. If not, we are all in danger.
Now many are asking whether Biden is fit to run. But, to me, that buries the lede. The real question is whether he is fit to run the country now. Like, this moment. Because honestly, I don’t think he is. I wouldn’t even let Joe Biden drive my kids on a school bus, let alone carry the codes to the nuclear football.
And I’m a Democrat.
There’s a quote, “Who you are speaks so loudly, I cannot hear what you’re saying.” I didn’t hear much of what Joe Biden was saying that night, but like many in the country, I heard what I feared. There were long walks to the front door, meandering asides, and pit stops. In that moment, it became apparent that despite assurances for the past year, the leader of the Free World was simply a forgetful old man who would be better off in a Pendleton sweater on the beach in Rehoboth than in the White House.
Facing the Cognitive Battle
When it comes to cognitive sharpness, Biden is losing ground to Trump. For many independent voters, this is a critical issue. They see two older men and compare their mental acuity. Right now, Trump appears more coherent, and that’s troubling. The choice between the two becomes less about policies and more about who seems more with it. This is not a comfortable rubric for the most powerful nation to judge their leader.
The Bigger Lie
Biden’s team might be trying to calm people down, but no one’s buying it. Even with a huge $50 ad campaign, and the interview circuit. There is a big difference between standing on stage answering questions and reading a teleprompter at events. Or, unethically delivering fluff questions that got one radio show personality to resign from the pressure above.
With all of the deliberate spin to misinform voters, one thing is apparent. If Joe Biden ran today, he would lose, and it’s not just him who would face defeat. Women would lose, immigrants would lose, the middle class would lose, the working poor, LGBTQ+, education, and our public lands would lose. Possibly our whole form of government and what we have built would lose. It’s frightening to think that this decision hinges on one man with questionable cognitive abilities and a political lust for power.
The real question that will be answered in the coming week or so: What kind of man is Joe Biden? Not just what kind of politician or president, but what kind of person. Will he prioritize the country’s needs over his own desire for power? We will soon see.
The Lust for Power
Politics, at its core, is about staying in power. From the moment politicians are elected, their primary goal seems to be re-election, often overshadowing their duty to serve. I remember listening to a podcast once where they talked to David Lee Roth back in the 80s when Van Halen was the biggest rock band in the world. A young reporter asked him what it was like to be on top. Roth took off his metaphorical mask and said, “Honestly, it’s really difficult because when you’re at the top, everyone else is climbing to that same place, and it feels lonely. There’s no higher to go.”
That sentiment resonates with the presidency and those who are power-hungry. Almost every politician craves power, and it’s evident with Donald Trump, who could have easily ridden off into the sunset. Now, it’s clear that Joe Biden, too, struggles to place the country above his own need for power.
The Bigger Picture: Power and Preservation
Stepping down isn’t just a personal choice; it involves his entire staff and the West Wing. Their primary concern seems to be self-preservation. By shielding his condition from public view, they are not just protecting Biden’s image but their own roles and livelihoods within the corridors of power. This isn’t just about one man’s struggle with age; it’s about advisors who choose their careers over the clear-eyed assessment of leadership capabilities.
Challenging Party Loyalty
This scenario challenges us to reassess our loyalties. Blind allegiance to a party is not freedom; it is a comfortable cage. We must be willing to critique and question with an open mind, even if it means standing alone at times. Supporting Biden — or any leader — should not be about party lines but about the genuine belief that they are the best person for the job.
What’s at Stake?
If Biden runs again, the implications for American democracy are profound. A loss could lead to significant political and social upheaval, impacting everything from women’s rights to public lands. The upcoming election is less about the individual candidates and more about the systems and values we uphold as a nation.
A Necessary Transition
As we navigate these complex times, our leaders must exemplify courage — not the courage to persist in power, but the courage to prioritize the greater good of our nation over personal ambition. The true test of Biden’s legacy will be his ability to recognize when stepping back is in the best interest of the nation.
I hope for all our sakes, he steps down quickly. We cannot allow Trump to win again, especially with Project 2025 looming over us. This initiative threatens to dismantle the very fabric of our nation, undoing every stride we’ve made. Every sacrifice, every inch we’ve fought for to ensure people can live a life of freedom, will be erased. The progress on women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant protections, and environmental safeguards could be lost.
This decision, difficult yet dignified, could redefine the essence of leadership in American politics.
Biden did what America asked of him in 2020 — he defeated Trump. Now, it’s time for him to do the same by stepping aside and letting a new generation take over.
