Today's Thoughts

"The Day After"
 
My initial response was relief when President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential election. Then I wasn't sure. Then I was. Then I wasn't. Then, I was angry that he had to withdraw. He had a bad night. After all he had accomplished in the last three and a half years, it didn't make sense. 
 
Then I was angry at his staff, at his campaign, and at the Democratic National Committee, and then I was looking for people to be angry with. Why didn't we know he was struggling? I last saw the president at the State of the Union Speech in March. He seemed fine. He seemed great. He seemed presidential! Even when he went off-script, he did fine. What happened? 
 
I stayed in Joe's camp for two weeks. I convinced myself that the constant campaign talk was helpful. People were focused on the campaign. Then, the number of Democratic leaders' encouraging him to step aside grew. A poll suggested that 2/3 of voters wanted the president to withdraw. I'm not too fond of polls, so it was frustrating to see the Democratic leaders pushing and pushing for his withdrawal.
 
Things were going well. The president's accomplishments—from the strongest economy to investments in rebuilding, lowering prescription drug prices for seniors to care for veterans, and appointing the first African American woman to the Supreme Court—were truly impressive. And he was growing older. He didn't miss one day! His opponent was also growing older. 
 
With all this momentum for our country, we asked/forced him to step down because he is old – which we already knew. 
 
He was planning a one-term presidency. Then, a fascist want-to-be-dictator decided to run for president. By running again, Joe Biden believed he was protecting our democracy.
 
Now he's too old? OK, one bad night. Yes, it was bad. It would have been better if his makeup didn't make him look like a ghost. It would have been better if he was rested. It would have been better if he had decided not to debate a felon. 
 
Where was his team? Why did they accept the debate? Biden didn't need to debate to show the voters what he could do. He was the president with substantial accomplishments. 
 
My anxiety about what he's going to do is gone. It has transferred to what will happen next. The uncertainty of the upcoming Democratic Presidential nominee for President of the United States is stressful. It could be August 22nd before we know. 
 
I will continue writing weekly postcards to voters in swing states and proudly vote for the Democrat on the ticket, whoever it is!

​How are you feeling? Let me know. Thanks