I don’t think the Tribune Editorial Board can accurately say that the vast majority of Democrats pushed for President Joe Biden to step down from the presidential race (“Biden finally bows to the inevitable and leaves race,” July 22). He is a decent, intelligent man who has dedicated his life to this country, unlike the self-aggrandizing, self-serving and morally bankrupt man the Republicans have chosen. Most of us respect Biden and would have gladly supported him again.
It is sad that the Democrats did not have the fortitude to deal with Biden’s limitations long before this, if they thought he was not able to handle the job moving forward. Instead, they forced him to endure a death from a thousand cuts of humiliation.
Now I suggest that everyone who pushed this action on Biden’s part get their act together and back Kamala Harris. To do otherwise would tear the party apart.
I have been appalled by the cowardice shown by the Republicans to line up and humiliate themselves by kissing the feet of the most unworthy candidate this country has seen in at least my lifetime. It is a shame that I also had to witness the cruelty of the Democrats toward a man who has done nothing but serve competently, humanely and wisely.
If all of them are so smart, they had better win this election, or they will look foolish indeed.
— Karen Evans, Glen Ellyn
Ready to kiss presidency goodbye?
I hope the smug Democrats who called Joe Biden to drop out of the race are happy that they bullied him to do so — and less than four months to go to the election and a month to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The person they nominate will have less than three months to try to get a game plan together and find a running mate. Are they ready to kiss goodbye the White House come January?
— Stephen Verhaeren, Palos Park
Who is in charge of the US?
The media in general have failed to address a critical issue created by President Joe Biden’s dropping out of the race. Who is in charge of our country today? The new terrain the nation finds itself in has not been sufficiently addressed in the news.
The United States, its allies and the entire world know that Biden dropped out of the presidential race due to our nation’s concern over evidence of the president’s cognitive decline. Presumably, his condition has not improved since his withdrawal from the race.
Biden remains president and by law is still in charge of this country. He already demonstrated a strong reluctance to withdraw from the race. Will Biden be willing to give up the power of the presidency before the inauguration of his successor next year?
What role will the U.S. have on the global stage until next year? Allies may question U.S. leadership for the next several months. Even more concerning, can one think of a better time for America’s adversaries to make bold moves against our country’s interests?
If at least for purposes of national security, the country’s leaders must recognize the limitations of Biden’s decision-making and make united moves to prove to Americans and the world that America’s leadership remains competent and strong. Do our nation’s leaders have the wherewithal and legal right to undertake compulsory actions to remove Biden from power now?
It is the job of the media to address these unknowns.
— Terry Takash, Western Springs
Editorial is unfair to Joe Biden
As a longtime subscriber to the Tribune and someone foolish enough to keep paying steep prices for a hard copy of the paper delivered to my driveway each morning, I have to say I am very disappointed in Monday’s editorial responding to Joe Biden’s well-tempered, responsible and patriotic decision to step out of the race for president. Instead of saluting him for his many years of public service and commending him for making this difficult decision to address the needs of the people instead of those of his own ego, the Tribune Editorial Board takes the opportunity to mock him and rattle off a list of his failures over the last 50 years.
Also, as a high school English teacher of many, many years, I have to say the board’s understanding of William Shakespeare and “tragedy” is sorely lacking.
This was the board’s opportunity to recognize the great service Biden has done for us all in the U.S., not only over the past five decades but especially as president during our nation’s darkest moments, pulling us out of the economic collapse and horrific health crisis caused by Donald Trump’s gross mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quite simply, the board blew it.
I am awaiting the editorial that addresses Trump’s total lack of character and gross incompetence, which make him entirely unfit for the presidency, one that the editorial board should have run weeks ago like The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer.
I am also looking forward to the board’s early endorsement of Kamala Harris.
Here’s hoping the board takes some responsible steps to make amends for Monday’s irresponsible editorial.
— Peter Giaquinta, Warrenville
US ready for female executive
I think our country is ready for a female president.
— Janice M. Schmid, Chicago
Kamala Harris ready to shine
OK, America, quit picking on Kamala Harris. Throughout history, the vice president has never been allowed to outshine the boss. Harris was chosen to be vice president because she is intelligent, understands politics and can be trusted to put our country first. Her time has come to take over, and she is going to shine.
Being second is a tough job; ask any second child.
— Tom Witte, Batavia
Harris prepared to take over
As a long-retired person who is still holding major aspirations in life, I would like to see a message of the following sort conveyed to President Joe Biden at this stage.
He has well prepared Vice President Kamala Harris to take on the major task of the U.S. presidency. Now his role in January can become that of unofficial top adviser to Harris. He has earned that 2025 retirement role. She has earned its availability, and our country needs it.
If all of us come together now, as we must with this change in the real game of life, we will not be trumped.
— Earl Valentine Fischer, Joliet
Harris will be vulnerable, too
So the Democratic Party oligarchs have kicked Joe Biden to the curb and anointed Kamala Harris. She must know that, if elected, she will be totally subservient to the bureaucracy.
Harris must also know that, if they can depose Biden, the precedent is in place to depose her as soon as she is no longer useful.
— Michael F. Becker, Montgomery, Illinois
Investment in Black communities
I know there are many people of color who have achieved significant financial success and live the same upscale lives as their white counterparts. I suspect many support civic and cultural causes and mingle well with others in their economic strata. It seems that being a wealthy Black person provides an escape route from those who remain behind.
Black civic and religious leaders urge federal, state and local government assistance and invent programs that they argue will lift the economics of those left behind. Government clearly has a responsibility to provide the framework for people to have a better and healthy life. However, I don’t hear of Black capitalists investing in businesses in neighborhoods where they previously lived. Wouldn’t it be a total victory if those living in underserved neighborhoods worked and bought cars, refrigerators, clothing and food and sought financial and other services in their neighborhoods?
It’s pretty clear to me that if we want to improve the lives of those who have been neglected, government programs are not the answer. Private investment to employ and serve the needs of the people seems a successful formula for all people of all races, cultures and nationalities.
— Sheldon I. Saitlin, Boca Raton, Florida
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