Biden decision to leave race to another may save democracy

With his announcement that he was dropping out of the presidential campaign President Biden did something that Donald Trump would never do. He put the interest of the country and his political party ahead of his personal interest.

He has a history of this. In 2015 he postponed a well-deserved retirement. His election spared this nation a descent into authoritarianism that is still posed by another Trump presidency. We are immensely indebted to him. But those years in the presidency, which typically age the occupant 10 years for every four served, took a toll on him. He paid a huge price for our continued freedom. It is time for him to rest on his laurels.

While he is still capable of sound reasoning and expert diplomacy, Biden is not up to the pace and banter of an election campaign. His performance in public made this clear. In a race that his opponent has turned into a circus, Biden struggled to fend off his opponent’s litany of lies. But any reasonable and younger Democratic candidate will have a field day with Trump’s history of easily verifiable lies and outright terrifyingly undemocratic plans.

Coupled with the very real accomplishments of the Biden administration and the need to continue the projects begun by Biden, Democrats should be able to paint a clear picture of the threat posed by Trump and the promise presented by their candidate.

For the first time in months, I am hopeful for the continued existence of our democracy. Thank you, Joe.

Ken Dammand

Tulalip

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