Sadly, I have come to agree with you on this. Nothing—not even respect and gratitude for a job well and civilly done—is more important than keeping that convicted felon out of the White House.
I like to think that you, like Biden, hold the flame. You can run, think, drive, go, cook, argue, etc. rings around the rest of us who are younger. You are in the youth of your old age and in the heart of your wisdom. Don't quit running.
Nancy, thank you for this eloquent, important posting, including the movingly relevant inclusion of Father William. The times really require that we speak up, and i cannot think of many issues right now that require more fully our attention.
I think of the French — those several hundred left-wing and centrist candidates who stepped aside and put their personal ambitions on hold -- to save their democracy from the far right. Biden, who could be an American hero : why is he not listening to the electorate and why on earth is he holding back ? Why do you think ?
I think he's not listening because he is utterly ashamed of his performance in that excruciating debate and he still thinks he might gain back his credibility.
As for Father William, that came to me, like most good ideas, unbidden, in the middle of the night!
I fear, though, that he's no longer able to make a rational decision about his own health and capabilities. Meanwhile his family is 100% behind him and his continuing the race, but it's the rare family that will turn against one of its beloved members in the face of what he (or she) desperately wants — even in this case, where the future not just of America but, considering climate change, that of the whole world is at stake. The opinion of both Joe and his family should be taken with a huge grain of salt; indeed, should be ignored in favor of those with a less personal, and more global interest. With all the respect in the world, Grandpa Joe — please step away.
I completely agree with you. The risks are just too great for our country and the demands of the job too stressful for an 81 year old. My husband is 82 and I know the task would be too much for him too. Thank you for speaking out-this is the time we all have to take action, speak truth to power and hold up reality to those who refuse to face the dangers of a Trump presidency.
Well, you "took the words right out of my mouth." Thank you for saying what I am feeling. I am struggling with the state of world politics and in particular, the upcoming U.S. election. To be clear, I am a 67 year old Canadian and half American (through my Father) and live in Canada. What happens in the U.S. affects the rest of the world and we saw the chaos and recklessness of the previous President who is now a convicted felon. I can't even utter his name and use the title of "The Former President" in the same sentence because he discredits the office with such disrespect.
I follow world politics intently and have been so distraught that I was moved to attempt to write a letter to the Office of The President yesterday to express my concerns. There is so much I wanted to say but was limited to 2000 characters (not words) which doesn't go far. As I wrote and rewrote to pare down my thoughts to be as succinct as possible within these constraints, I started to second guess myself and felt my words were inconsequential and like you Nancy, will probably never be seen or read. So I saved a copy for my own files and decided not to send it.
I watched President Biden's press conference last night and was holding my breath as he made a couple of glaring errors...referring to Vice President Harris as Vice President Trump. At the onset, I was "rooting for him" in the hopes that he would "rally" and allay any concerns over his age and cognitive acuity. But he is determined to "finish the job that he started" and is not prepared to see anyone else as capable even though, when asked by a member of the press whether Kamala Harris would be able to take over as President if necessary and his response was, "I wouldn't have selected her as Vice President if she wasn't ready to be President and she is ready." President Biden is not doing what is in the best interest of the country by stepping down and the media is focusing on his age and mental acuity instead of focusing on serious policy issues and fact checking in this campaign which dramatically differentiates both candidates/parties. As long as President Biden continues his campaign, these issues will continue to follow him and derail the real issues of this election....democracy or a self-serving malignant narcissist who is out for vengeance and will change the face of the U.S. and the world.
I fear that President Biden is making a critical error in judgment and wonder how he will feel if he loses the election to "The Former President." THAT will become his legacy instead of his years of public service, policies, integrity, respect, honour and foresight that he has garnered. What will be especially tragic, is that in hindsight he will think, "What if I had listened to the Senators, members of the House of Representatives, advisories and polls that encouraged me to drop out of my campaign for re-election? Would the outcome have been any different?"
I pray that someone in his "inner circle" is able to convince him that it is time to drop his re-election campaign. There is still time to make a change and hope.
Thank you for commenting and being brave enough to raise this issue Nancy and I apologize for its length. Let's hope that better judgment prevails. The stakes are just too high for the alternative.
Bravo! We all need to speak up because there's fear that people who could really make Biden accept what's happening, and orchestrate a stellar way to have him come to the right decision and bow out with grace and dignity, aren't doing it. He deserves nothing less and the realities of this failure's consequences are frightening. I can't help but think that a discussion around a dinner table with his friends and family would help this to come about. And isn't that what all food writers believe in--and you especially--that the power of the table is paramount to how we care for one another, especially when life demandes it of us?
Thank for you this post, though I am less optimistic than you: I do not believe his mind is sharp most of the time.
I am puzzled by those who say there is not enough time to make a change now. We only know the Super Bowl teams two weeks in advance. I have never heard anyone say they need an extra few months to learn about the teams and the players and to decide whether they'll even watch it.
Disclaimers: I never mastered standing on my head. And I think my and my husband's octogenarian heads still have brains somewhere rattling within their bony interiors, which we can still find and use most of the time.
Our likely shrinking brains, like yours, Nancy, have us fearful for near- and long-term consequences. Biden's 'presser' happens in ninety minutes, so we will soon know a bit more about the near-term. But would a five-star glowing result this afternoon give us predictability of long-term consequences? Nope. Thus, we painfully but wholeheartedly agree with you. Please, dear Mr. President, step aside, assured by all of us that we promise and pledge to step up to the plate to aggressively "get out the votes" for (y)our next democracy-preserving leader.
It’s a hard decision for him and his supportive family— let’s give them the necessary time they need. I believe Joe Biden will make the choice not to run, but let’s let him do it with dignity
I am in agreement with you Nancy. To be honest, I am scared witless at this time because we have very little time left to switch to Plan B whatever it is. And Plan B is going to eat away at the precious little time we have to go forward again full steam. A choice that I think would have support is Hakeem Jeffries but the reality is that the only logical choice is Kamala Harris. It is not reasonable to just by-pass the Vice President. Trump regaining power would in fact mean the end of Democracy. What a terrible dilemma we have on our hands.
I agree about Kamala Harris and I think she would do us all proud, especially if she had a strong supportive male as a Vice-President. I'm not sure who that might be, possibly the California governor, but I don't know enough about the lot to even speculate. Just certain sure that if she is passed over, the Dems lose the Black vote and hence the election. And the country.
Sadly, I have come to agree with you on this. Nothing—not even respect and gratitude for a job well and civilly done—is more important than keeping that convicted felon out of the White House.
Totally agree, except for all the what a good guy Biden has been/is. Anita Hill knows the real Joe, and I believe Anita.
But Nancy, gurrrrrl, you are on it!!! Big ups...
I like to think that you, like Biden, hold the flame. You can run, think, drive, go, cook, argue, etc. rings around the rest of us who are younger. You are in the youth of your old age and in the heart of your wisdom. Don't quit running.
Nancy, thank you for this eloquent, important posting, including the movingly relevant inclusion of Father William. The times really require that we speak up, and i cannot think of many issues right now that require more fully our attention.
I think of the French — those several hundred left-wing and centrist candidates who stepped aside and put their personal ambitions on hold -- to save their democracy from the far right. Biden, who could be an American hero : why is he not listening to the electorate and why on earth is he holding back ? Why do you think ?
I think he's not listening because he is utterly ashamed of his performance in that excruciating debate and he still thinks he might gain back his credibility.
As for Father William, that came to me, like most good ideas, unbidden, in the middle of the night!
Here's to brilliant middle-of-the-night inspirations and revelations -)
They are why I don't want to take sleeping pills!
I fear, though, that he's no longer able to make a rational decision about his own health and capabilities. Meanwhile his family is 100% behind him and his continuing the race, but it's the rare family that will turn against one of its beloved members in the face of what he (or she) desperately wants — even in this case, where the future not just of America but, considering climate change, that of the whole world is at stake. The opinion of both Joe and his family should be taken with a huge grain of salt; indeed, should be ignored in favor of those with a less personal, and more global interest. With all the respect in the world, Grandpa Joe — please step away.
Thank you, Nancy, for saying what so many of what we elders and many others far younger are thinking and increasingly saying out loud.
I completely agree with you. The risks are just too great for our country and the demands of the job too stressful for an 81 year old. My husband is 82 and I know the task would be too much for him too. Thank you for speaking out-this is the time we all have to take action, speak truth to power and hold up reality to those who refuse to face the dangers of a Trump presidency.
Hello Nancy,
Well, you "took the words right out of my mouth." Thank you for saying what I am feeling. I am struggling with the state of world politics and in particular, the upcoming U.S. election. To be clear, I am a 67 year old Canadian and half American (through my Father) and live in Canada. What happens in the U.S. affects the rest of the world and we saw the chaos and recklessness of the previous President who is now a convicted felon. I can't even utter his name and use the title of "The Former President" in the same sentence because he discredits the office with such disrespect.
I follow world politics intently and have been so distraught that I was moved to attempt to write a letter to the Office of The President yesterday to express my concerns. There is so much I wanted to say but was limited to 2000 characters (not words) which doesn't go far. As I wrote and rewrote to pare down my thoughts to be as succinct as possible within these constraints, I started to second guess myself and felt my words were inconsequential and like you Nancy, will probably never be seen or read. So I saved a copy for my own files and decided not to send it.
I watched President Biden's press conference last night and was holding my breath as he made a couple of glaring errors...referring to Vice President Harris as Vice President Trump. At the onset, I was "rooting for him" in the hopes that he would "rally" and allay any concerns over his age and cognitive acuity. But he is determined to "finish the job that he started" and is not prepared to see anyone else as capable even though, when asked by a member of the press whether Kamala Harris would be able to take over as President if necessary and his response was, "I wouldn't have selected her as Vice President if she wasn't ready to be President and she is ready." President Biden is not doing what is in the best interest of the country by stepping down and the media is focusing on his age and mental acuity instead of focusing on serious policy issues and fact checking in this campaign which dramatically differentiates both candidates/parties. As long as President Biden continues his campaign, these issues will continue to follow him and derail the real issues of this election....democracy or a self-serving malignant narcissist who is out for vengeance and will change the face of the U.S. and the world.
I fear that President Biden is making a critical error in judgment and wonder how he will feel if he loses the election to "The Former President." THAT will become his legacy instead of his years of public service, policies, integrity, respect, honour and foresight that he has garnered. What will be especially tragic, is that in hindsight he will think, "What if I had listened to the Senators, members of the House of Representatives, advisories and polls that encouraged me to drop out of my campaign for re-election? Would the outcome have been any different?"
I pray that someone in his "inner circle" is able to convince him that it is time to drop his re-election campaign. There is still time to make a change and hope.
Thank you, Jo-Anne. I share your concerns.
Thank you for commenting and being brave enough to raise this issue Nancy and I apologize for its length. Let's hope that better judgment prevails. The stakes are just too high for the alternative.
Bravo! We all need to speak up because there's fear that people who could really make Biden accept what's happening, and orchestrate a stellar way to have him come to the right decision and bow out with grace and dignity, aren't doing it. He deserves nothing less and the realities of this failure's consequences are frightening. I can't help but think that a discussion around a dinner table with his friends and family would help this to come about. And isn't that what all food writers believe in--and you especially--that the power of the table is paramount to how we care for one another, especially when life demandes it of us?
So true, Pat!
Thank for you this post, though I am less optimistic than you: I do not believe his mind is sharp most of the time.
I am puzzled by those who say there is not enough time to make a change now. We only know the Super Bowl teams two weeks in advance. I have never heard anyone say they need an extra few months to learn about the teams and the players and to decide whether they'll even watch it.
You are right on, Nancy! I couldn’t agree more.
Nancy, it needs to be said. So thank you for saying it. xo
Disclaimers: I never mastered standing on my head. And I think my and my husband's octogenarian heads still have brains somewhere rattling within their bony interiors, which we can still find and use most of the time.
Our likely shrinking brains, like yours, Nancy, have us fearful for near- and long-term consequences. Biden's 'presser' happens in ninety minutes, so we will soon know a bit more about the near-term. But would a five-star glowing result this afternoon give us predictability of long-term consequences? Nope. Thus, we painfully but wholeheartedly agree with you. Please, dear Mr. President, step aside, assured by all of us that we promise and pledge to step up to the plate to aggressively "get out the votes" for (y)our next democracy-preserving leader.
Totally with you on this, Marcie, and on what my ex called tinder hooks about what's coming up in the press conference.
It’s a hard decision for him and his supportive family— let’s give them the necessary time they need. I believe Joe Biden will make the choice not to run, but let’s let him do it with dignity
I am in agreement with you Nancy. To be honest, I am scared witless at this time because we have very little time left to switch to Plan B whatever it is. And Plan B is going to eat away at the precious little time we have to go forward again full steam. A choice that I think would have support is Hakeem Jeffries but the reality is that the only logical choice is Kamala Harris. It is not reasonable to just by-pass the Vice President. Trump regaining power would in fact mean the end of Democracy. What a terrible dilemma we have on our hands.
I agree about Kamala Harris and I think she would do us all proud, especially if she had a strong supportive male as a Vice-President. I'm not sure who that might be, possibly the California governor, but I don't know enough about the lot to even speculate. Just certain sure that if she is passed over, the Dems lose the Black vote and hence the election. And the country.
Well, we now learn that President Biden has mistakenly called Pres. Zelensky President Putin and also called VP Harris VP Trump. It is over.
Can't say I "like" this comment. I just got in from a dinner that took up the whole fiasco so I'm now catching up.
I can't say I like it either Nancy but it appears to be what happened.
Absolutely. I agree with you, Nancy. I am younger than Biden by about seven years, and I already know that I must conserve my energy and my focus.