Convincing a retired, aging parent with diminishing site and reaction speed, hearing, etc., to give up their car keys is tough. They’re sure they can still handle the road despite the tricycle they nearly flattened last week. Now, picture having that same heart-to-heart with President Joe Biden, the most powerful man in the world, about giving up the keys to the White House. Here goes.
Safety First: It’s More Than Just Doing Your Best
When we ask Mom or Dad to consider retiring from the road, we’ve seen them miss too many stop signs, take turns that make us cringe, and find several dents on the car. Driving and running for President isn’t just about “trying your best” – the risks are too high. For Joe Biden, if we don’t address this now, we might find ourselves handing over the keys to a sociopath who does not respect any laws. No car insurance will protect us from what is coming, and good intentions won’t keep the country from veering off into an ugly ditch that will take decades to escape. And whatever you do, Joe, please don’t take advice from Hunter. His decision-making record isn’t exactly inspiring.
The Dreaded Conversation: A Battle of Stubbornness and Denial
You sit with Dad, who you love, and delicately broach the topic. “Maybe it’s time to think about giving up the car keys,” Fearful of a loss of independence, leaving the big stage, and entering the twilight of his life, he scoffs, brings up his many driving adventures, and insists he’s got it under control and the best man for the job. Now, swap Dad out for Joe Biden in this conversation with decades of political mileage and successes. It’s hard to argue with the literal king of the road. You tell him he must see the bigger picture and show him recent polling data and his approval rating, which is difficult for any politician with a massive ego to absorb. You delicately tell the President that freezing in a debate “was more than just one bad night.” We have an opportunity to make a grand move.
It’s Not About Ageism, It’s About Safety
We’re not trying to ground Dad arbitrarily, but all things end, even driving. The same goes for President Biden. It’s not about disrespecting his legacy; it’s about ensuring the road ahead is clear and safe for all of us. Obama, Clinton, and others should ask The President to help find someone to take us forward.
The Alternative: A Dangerous Driver in Control
If Dad doesn’t give up the keys, we worry he will end up in a dangerous car accident and potentially hurt other people. In Joe’s case, we risk the country being handed over to the most dangerous driver, who said his driving theme would be revenge and retribution. We need a steady hand on the wheel, not someone who thinks crashing through guardrails, barriers, and road rage is a strategy.
A Moment to Transform the Democratic Party
Some have predicted that by leaving the race now, Mr. President, you will become a beloved statesman, reinvigorate the Democratic party, infuse young energy into the race, and cause the national news to focus on nothing else for weeks, building up to a Hollywood dramatic climax at the National Convention, when Democrats will rally around a new leader along with Independents and moderate Republican, resulting in a big November victory. At least, that is the dream – if it was only that easy.
Time to Reflect, But Not Too Long
Joe, you’ve been driving the car for decades, surviving personal tragedies and professional challenges with remarkable resilience. We understand that stepping out of the driver’s seat is a monumental decision that deserves a moment of reflection, even some pushback. But we only have a little time. The Democratic National Convention starts on August 19th, and if you decide to step away, there’s a lot to get done. So take a moment, but not too long – the clock’s ticking.
In Conclusion, For Everyone’s Sake, Let’s Find a New Driver
So, Mr. President, just like we lovingly suggest to our parents, it’s time to pump the brakes, step back, and offer your wisdom to the next person behind the wheel. So Kamala, Gavin, Gretchen (maybe even Wes), and everyone else — start your engines.
But if you or the Party cannot get there, we will still support you because, in the words of the Comedian Bill Maher, I will vote for Biden’s head in a jar of blue liquid” versus the other guy.
Why? Because of the horrible policies Trump has described enacting: In his first term, he added $3.9 trillion to the national debt, and extending the tax cut to his rich friends in his second term would add another $3.9 trillion to the Federal debt.
He has said he will reduce “legal” immigration at a time when the economy needs workers, raise tariffs across the board resulting in increased prices just as we are getting the economy and inflation under control, use regulations as a weapon, further diminish existing institutions, stack the Supreme Court with more far-right justices out of touch with the mainstream (Roe/Dobbs), end the independence of the Federal Reserve; abandon our allies; further undermine the rule of law, hire only people who swear loyalty to him rather than Country; and institute the Heritage Foundation’s, 2025 Presidential Transition Project, an authoritarian manifesto to dismantle government and vastly expand executive powers.
Hugh Panero, a tech & media entrepreneur, was the founder & former CEO of XM Satellite Radio. He has worked with leading tech venture capital firms and was an adjunct media professor at George Washington University. He writes about Tech and Media and other stuff for the Spy.
Robert Sommerlatte says
And where is your call for the former guy’s resignation? Essentially the same age and over the past six months has increasingly, publicly demonstrated what we call at this age, brain farts. Calling for his White House physician, Ronnie Johnson ,who notably could not read a weight scale, when his name is Jackson. Getting lost in front of teleprompters, freezing, and then relating a series of nonsequitors to the assembled multitude. Demented people are frequently delusional. Calling the attempt to overthrow the Government on January 6 and hang Mike Pence, his assembly of patriots, is by all objective measures out of touch with reality. Physically looking like an over stuffed sausage waiting for a cardiac arrest. We used to hospitalize this crazy behavior – under lock and key. Please give djt equal time in reviewing the problems with aging and call to step down. As a comedian put it should you prefer to have drunk driver behind the wheel or one that is sleepy?
Suzanne Todd says
Thank you, Mr. Sommerlatte.
As usual Trump gets away with everything, but sure hope it’s not the election.
christine durham says
Well said!
Richard Marks says
Hugh,
Thanks for framing the matter so vividly. Your article was published just as the Talbot County Work Session on Bike and Pedestrian Trails ended at the Talbot Free Library. The discussion opened with a presentation by Talbot Thrive, a non-profit organization focused on pedestrian and bike safety. Knowing you live in Royal Oak near one of the most unsafe roads for cyclists and pedestrians, a road I try to avoid except when visiting you, I appreciated the analogy of taking the car keys from someone whose skills have become impaired. Unlike that section of road where there is no off ramp to dodge or escape a mishap, our President does have an avenue to avoid a catastrophic situation. I hope he heeds your call to action, but if he does be sure keep your eye out for a guy with aviator glasses driving a Corvette down #329.
Mickey Terrone says
Mr. Panero, you aptly wrote: But if you or the Party cannot get there, we will still support you because, in the words of the Comedian Bill Maher, I will vote for Biden’s head in a jar of blue liquid” versus the other guy.
IMO, while I wholeheartedly agree with the sentence I cited from your article, I believe the remainder of your article simply undermines the ground Biden and the Democeratic Party stand on. All y’all who want Biden to step away at this late date never seem to deal with the real issue here. That is, which candidate can POSSIBLY unite and excite the party enough to trounce Trump? We all know Democrats always want the perfect candidate who be all things to all people; i.e., The Impossible Dream. Which candidate can run on a record which remotely compares with Biden’s achievements? Which alternative candidate doesn’t have some degree of baggage that Democrats themselves will overstate their doubts? We have many good people, but only one has already defeated Trumo once before. The process offinding the alternative candidate far more likely to ruin us (and our country).
The point made by Bill Maher should be the clarion call for ALL Democrats and whichever Republicans care about our democratic republic. That should be enough to defeat Trump and Trumpism in 2024.
We also need to remind uurselves about the people Biden will surround himself as opposed to the mindless sycophants whom Trump will appoint permanently to tear apart our institutions.
The major post-election question we need to consider is how will we deal with another Trump refusal to concede the election’s outcome. This petty dictator will have nothing to lose by fomenting a civil war or violent revolution no matter what the plurality by which he loses. If Republicans vote for a man like Trump who clearly demonstrates no regard for democracy, why in hell would they nominate him or vote for him. Herein lies the gravest danger to our country.
Shouldn’t we all be using every column inch of line space to articulate the many dangers Trump poses to all of us? I don’t think all Republicans are hopelessly deluded. Republican big business understands the value of the stock market has doubled in the past 3.5 years. Republican women must understand that if they don’t have a place at the table, they’re on the menu of ultraconservative male religious fanatics. Immigrants of any color or creed must be uncomfortable with Trump’s “vermin poisoning the blood of America” bigotry. No one needs these repititions more than the poor white “bypssed” white Republican base. They need to hear what will happen when they give away their social security, low cost health insurance, medicare etc. We all need to be reminding them of their candidate’s vile, degenerate, bigoted life-history and how he cares not for others.
Responsible Americans need to grasp the danger and vote to save our country and give Trump one final “Good riddance” along with many of his gutless, treasonous congressional lemmings. Let’s use every hour of every day before the election to gather our strength and work to reason with Trumpites before its too late and he seizes presidential power and America’s soul.