Somewhere within the Democratic Party, beyond the partisan factions, there exists a serious brain trust whose overriding concern is the well-being of America. Or so we can only hope.
Such a coterie would have a myriad of tasks before it. First, it would have to determine the viability of a Joe Biden campaign in the wake of his disastrous debate performance. It would be nice if there were a way to salvage it, to allow a decent man to complete his task of bringing the country ever closer to its ideal. At this point, I can’t imagine what sort of news conference, town hall or special address to the nation would achieve that.
So, the covert task force would have to present an exit plan to the president. Imagine the ego in the DNA of anybody thinking, “Yes, I’m the best choice for most powerful leader on the planet.” It would be an especially uncomfortable conversation in that Biden wouldn’t be challenged for corruption or incompetence. There is, however, a difference between capacity to govern and ability to convince the nation that you can.
President Lyndon Johnson provides an applicable precedent. In March 1968, he famously stated, “I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president.” He did so to convince the North Vietnamese that his peace initiatives were sincere and untainted by politics.
Biden’s biggest strengths would shine as he spoke directly to the camera. His patriotism. His empathy. He would pledge his continued dedication to national and international policy. He would also commit to doing anything in his power to ensure the success of his would-be successor. His legacy could skyrocket.
The whole Democratic Party would have to convey an all-hands-on-deck solidarity. The message would be that Donald Trump is an existential threat to our existing way of life. Policy is arguable; Trump’s corruption is not.
Johnson’s sacrifice failed to secure victory for his party. We can only pray that our contemporary scenario would turn out differently.
— Art Collins, Aurora
Biden is not up to the task
Thursday’s presidential debate was a gift to Democrats. It presented the harsh reality, in no uncertain terms, that Joe Biden is not up to the task of carrying on as president for a second term. The Democratic National Committee has an obligation to accept this reality, proceed accordingly and nominate a candidate who can completely fulfill the responsibilities of that role.
This obligation is owed to Democrats and Republicans who find a narcissistic, self-serving, pathological liar, and who also happens to be a convicted felon and the initiator of an insurrection against our country, as unfit for the role of president.
— Maureen McCarthy, Deerfield
Don’t let Trump off the hook
So now will the Tribune Editorial Board publish an editorial on just why “Donald Trump being Trump” is bad for our country?
Let’s not gloss over Trump’s characteristics and behavior with a ho-hum attitude.
— Janice A. Hiley, Rolling Prairie, Indiana
US needs tough decisions
During the presidential debate, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump criticized each other over their stewardship of the economy, but neither offered any solutions to address the International Monetary Fund’s claim that American budget deficits are out of line with fiscal stability.
What the IMF asserts is pretty obvious, given that we have a debt that is more than $30 trillion and a deficit that some estimate will be more than 6% of gross domestic product in 2025, possibly leading to more inflation.
Both candidates need to level with the American people since this cannot go on indefinitely. You either have to increase taxes or reduce entitlements, something candidates shy away from since Americans are reluctant to favor proposals that will adversely affect their lives.
Businesses and farmers enjoy their subsidies; aid is continuing to Ukraine, Taiwan and Israel; and student debt forgiveness will only add to the deficit. And with an aging population, Social Security and Medicare costs will continue to increase.
Tough decisions need to be made, and continuing to kick the economic can down the road will only exacerbate the problem.
— Larry Vigon, Chicago
Avoid mistake RBG made
President Joe Biden will tarnish his legacy, like the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg did, by not stepping down while knowing he is no longer at the top of his game.
While I would never vote for a lying shyster and convicted felon, Biden’s debate performance gave undecided voters a reason to do just that. It is very late to change the Democratic candidate for president, but better to try than to give Donald Trump any more of an edge in November.
— Joy Orlowsky, Northbrook
We need a younger candidate
Octogenarians understand how aging carefully follows the second law of thermodynamics: Everything worsens with time. In humans, it’s hearing, vision, cognition, ambulation and more.
Joe Biden has been an excellent president under trying times. Thank you from my heart to Biden for his successes, but now is the time for him to leave on a high note.
I believe we need a younger candidate to excite younger voters. Our country will not easily survive four more years of chaos if Biden’s opponent is elected.
— Michael Ellman, age 85, Wilmette
Griffin’s donation will help
I was so heartened to learn about Ken Griffin’s generous donation to Northwestern Medicine to advance research and treatment for esophageal disorders.
In 2004, my husband, Patrick J. Keleher Jr., was diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer. When we could find no help at any of Chicago’s major medical centers, we went to the Cleveland Clinic for treatment, excruciating surgeries and all the rest — resulting in our having four more blessed years.
Griffin’s generosity comes too late for us but undoubtedly will result in effective and less invasive treatments for all esophageal diseases.
— Joan F. Keleher, Wilmette
My heroes on Supreme Court
Having just read the op-ed “It’s hard to find heroes on today’s Supreme Court” (June 26), I feel compelled to respond to Christine Ledbetter’s very myopic opinion.
On the contrary, many of us who support the “right to life” movement have several heroes on today’s Supreme Court. Ledbetter is looking at abortion through her lens of personal experience. She sides with those who support her cause. That being the case, I look at abortion through my personal experience as a registered nurse. Many years ago I saw a late-term abortion, and it was a horrific experience.
Further, Ledbetter questions a number of justices appointed by Donald Trump when he was president because of his history, and yet she seems to worship the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg while ignoring the fact that Ginsburg was appointed by President Bill Clinton of the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
I guess it comes down to who is doing the looking for a hero on the current Supreme Court. There are many of us who have absolutely no issue finding several heroes!
— Lin Schuessler, Lombard
Summation is on the mark
What a moving, outstanding and frightening op-ed composed by Christine Ledbetter. Such an on-the-mark summation of the antics and state of our Supreme Court. We all have been made aware of the incidents she noted, and yet, here we are.
It’s absolutely frightening to see some justices on the highest court in the land be so unethical and part of political shenanigans. Right next to our legislative branch, which lost its way many years ago and operates without ethics, common sense, desire or interest in doing what’s best for our country. Self-serving greed, end of story.
Another level of frightening, if there can be one, is: How do we stop this? The laws, policies, procedures and actions that could do so would be in the hands of those responsible for us being in this mess.
Thank you to Ledbetter for this opinion piece. It should be enlarged and posted on every refrigerator in our country.
— Edward Zak, Indian Head Park
Ginsburg should have retired
In regards to Christine Ledbetter’s op-ed, the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is indeed worthy of admiration. But she would have been a much bigger hero had she chosen to retire when then-President Barack Obama was in office. We’d have fewer Federalist Society picks on the court and less GOP (MAGA?) influence.
That’s a heroic action.
— Frank J. Chambers Jr., Chicago
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