Joe Biden, for the good of America, step aside

President Joe Biden came to office at the right time. Americans had become tired of four years of Donald J. Trump, an administration marked by divisiveness and destruction. Every one of us remembers the uncertainty those times brought us. A shuttered economy. Economic angst. Bodies piling up in morgues. Families separated. Loved ones gone too soon. America does not want to return to those times, but that's the likely scenario if we continue with the status quo.

Joe Biden has been a good President. Arguably, one of the most effective Presidents this country has ever seen. He led us out of the largest economic crisis since the great depression, got shots in arms, reopened the economy, and passed one of the largest investments in infrastructure this country has ever seen. However, this great legacy has been overshadowed by the ever growing concern that voters have of Biden’s age, fueled by his lackluster performance in the June 27th U.S. Presidential Debate.

In that debate, Biden appeared weak, confused, and incapable of holding Trump to task. His performance has been so bad that Democrats on every level – donors, voters, elected officials, and his biggest supporters are all calling on him to drop out of the race. We agree with those donors. Biden’s performance and inability to carry the party’s message make him an unviable candidate. In the context of the Democratic Party's future and the nation's well-being, President Joe Biden must weigh the profound implications of continuing his campaign for re-election. While Biden's tenure has been marked by notable achievements, the challenges ahead demand fresh vigor and unencumbered leadership. In a political landscape that necessitates dynamic leadership and broad appeal, the Democratic Party's path to victory appears fraught with obstacles under Biden's continued candidacy.

Therefore, for the good of the nation, President Biden should consider stepping aside, enabling a new leader to emerge who can galvanize the electorate, unify the party, and effectively confront the challenges of our time. This selfless act would not only preserve his legacy but also ensure the Democratic Party remains competitive and capable of delivering on the promises of progress and stability that Americans so deeply yearn for.

There is no forgetting what we all saw on television on June 26th. There is no ignoring the fact that a vast majority of Americans now believe that Biden is too old to run for reelection. Even if one were to disagree with such an assertion, one must also understand that politics is about perception. And while we make no claim as to who the nominee should be, steady names have risen to the forefront: Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Gretchen Whitmer, Tammy Duckworth, and others. We’ll leave that one to voters.

With Donald Trump’s continued lies, his authoritarian flirts, and the rise of Project 2025 – which threatens to tear apart the very fabric of this country’s democracy, we believe that the stakes are too high for the status quo. If Joe Biden truly wants to stop fascism, which we do not dispute, he must step aside for the good of the country.

The County's Editorial Board consists of members Elijah Manley and Luc Saint-Genies.