Peanuts In My Pocket

I watched the presidential debate and saw two old men doing their best to project confidence and competency. Former President Donald Trump looked slightly better than President Joe Biden, but Biden’s performance left me with a feeling of dread. I am a generation behind both candidates and help take care of the seniors in my family who are their age and older. I know the look. What I saw was a man in decline. It filled me with dread.

I have a voice, but my sphere of influence is small. Talking about the debate performance confirmed my deepest fears. My fellow Democrats had lost faith in Biden’s abilities. Publicly, I would not break rank. Biden was our candidate and therefore, I will vote for him. Unity is important.When the calls to step aside started rolling in, I was troubled by a thought. If we think he cannot do the job tomorrow, does that mean he can’t do the job today? I’ve learned a different perspective. The calls for him to step aside were not based on competency, but instead based on optics. Powerful people and the pundit class thought he could not beat Trump. I see that, and honestly, I was beginning to doubt he could myself.I was not surprised when Biden stepped aside. I’d call it relief. He can walk away after doing all that his country has asked of him and in doing the honorable thing at a decisive moment, hold his head high as he slides into retirement. The Democrat filling his shoes must be up for the task. I believe Vice President Kamala Harris is that candidate.I also think Harris is Trump’s kryptonite. She is his opposite in so many ways that it’s almost comical. Trump will struggle dealing with her, and because of her sharp wit and background, her counterpunching will be both artful and painful. I think we will see Trump’s worst tendencies surface. It’s going to be an interesting ride to the election.