(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . If Biden Stays In, He'll Own It -- One Way Or the Other [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2024-07-20 If life was always fair, the disastrous events for Democrats of the last three weeks wouldn’t have happened. If life was always fair, a good man like President Joe Biden wouldn’t be subject to the public judgement and disparagement of his abilities, his days upended by a seemingly endless series of leaks to the press and an ever-growing line of politicians looking, in part, for their own soft landings. If life was always fair, we’d understand and reward Biden for what he’s done, how he saved our country. How he stood in the breech as our democracy teetered, our economy struggled, and hundreds of thousands of us were dying. How he pulled us from the abyss and gave up success at home and dignity abroad. How he pieced together an historically successful presidency despite the constant din of lies, attacks, and political calculations from a corrupt Republican Party and its Right-wing media machine. If life was always fair, Biden would be re-elected president in November by a landslide because he’s by far the best candidate on the ballot. But life isn’t always fair. In fact, it’s unfair a lot of the time. Just like now. That’s why Biden is facing louder and louder calls to remove himself as the Democratic nominee. Whatever Biden has done in his lifetime – and he’s done a hell of a lot – doesn’t matter anymore. There’s only one thing that does – can he win in November. There’s only one line in his biography that will matter – did he win in November. That’s because of the unmitigated disaster that faces our country and the world if we elect four-time indicted, twice-impeached, sexual assaulter, tax fraudster, insurrection inspiring, convicted felon Donald Trump. The stakes are that high. And it’s because of that risk that the call here is for Biden to get out of the race as soon as possible. Do I think Biden still has a chance to win? Yes. Do I think he can still do the job? Absolutely. Do I think if it was just a matter of making speeches the rest of the way that he can turn the tide? Yes again. But I’ve seen nothing that tells me he can carry the fight to Trump. I base that on his debate performance and his two subsequent national interviews. When he doesn’t have a script, when he has to listen to a question and respond extemporaneously (as much as politicians are extemporaneous nowadays), he just can’t do the job. He can’t bring enough focus and force to his message in those circumstances. He can’t eviscerate Trump and the Republicans as any skilled politician would be able to easily do. Sadly, you can be the far better candidate, as Biden is, but that’s not enough. Society and the media won’t let that be enough. They’ve both fallen for the fallacy of this being a strong, viral Trump vs. a weak, diminished Biden. If only they understood what a real man is, what really counts in a person and leader, then this would be so much easier. Here’s maybe the unfairest part: If Biden stays in and loses, he’ll own the outcome. Trump and everything that happens after that will be seen as his fault. It’ll all be on him. Here are three possible scenarios: *He steps aside, in which case his legacy will be as a great and dedicated public servant and outstanding president who unselfishly put the welfare of his country over his own ambitions. *He stays in the race and wins, in which case he’ll go down in history as the determined underdog who heroically beat the odds by the force of his will. A man who rose to the occasion when his country desperately needed him. *He stays in the race and loses, in which case he’ll be remembered as a selfish, stubborn, arrogant politician who put his own interests ahead of his country and caused incalculable damage to it in the process. Fair? Not even close. But like we said, life isn’t always fair. No man’s welfare is more important than the nation’s. No man is bigger than his country. Joe Biden – who’s been an outstanding president who deserves our undying gratitude – is no exception. *** Thank you for reading my post. You can see my other writings on my blog: Musings of a Nobody. Please share and subscribe for free via email on its home page. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/7/20/2256023/-If-Biden-Stays-In-He-ll-Own-It-One-Way-Or-the-Other?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/