THE JIG IS UP, JOE

The jig is up, Joe.

I don’t mean to be disrespectful, Mr. President, for the most part you’ve done a great job but time catches up with all of us and you’re no exception.

Your natural instinct is to pick yourself up and battle on – that’s served you well in the past – but deep down you know the truth. And if by some small chance you don’t, then take a look at your recent debate with Mr. Trump.

It was a painful night for many, as it summoned up memories of beloved parents and grandparents who had suffered time’s relentless assault. They, at least, did not have their pride and dignity shredded in the glare of a televised stage.

With time, you will take your place in the top echelon of presidents, for in one term you saved the republic twice: by defeating your authoritarian predecessor, and then rescuing and reinvigorating the economy from the ravages of Covid-19.

In the worst of times you led the country with your pugnacious optimism and Irish- American fortitude. Many of us now fear these same qualities will prevent you from stepping aside and allowing a younger member of your party to contest November’s presidential ballot.

This will be one of the most important elections in the country’s history. Essentially, it’s a battle for democracy. Mr. Trump refuses to admit that he was beaten fairly in 2020; indeed, he will not promise to accept the result of the upcoming 2024 election – unless he wins.

It’s hard to fathom, but in barely eight years this venal fabulist has utterly changed the American political landscape. 

During the recent debate he seemed even more outlandish, lie-prone, and lacking in logic than during his presidency. His one strength was that he could string together a number of sentences in a loud and forceful manner – something you seemed incapable of doing.

There was one consolation - the realization that any number of your younger Democratic peers could have exposed his ranting and raving for what it was - typical Trumpian make-believe.

Of those who spring to mind, I mention Gretchen Witmer, Sherrod Brown, Wes Moore, JB Pritzker, Chris Murphy, Gavin Newsom and, of course, your Vice-President Kamala Harris.

How odd, Mr. President, that for four years you have neglected to counsel and help Ms. Harris, especially since you too served as vice-president. Nonetheless, she seems to have found her feet in the last months, and in an open Democratic convention she could well prove herself up to the task of leading her party.

Whatever, we need a new candidate to lead the democratic forces of this country in the coming election. Not just to beat Mr. Trump, but to face up to the challenges of the coming four years – and you are no longer that man.

You will leave the country in much better shape than you found it, low unemployment, lower crime figures, surging financial markets, but there are many problems: the lack of coherent bipartisan immigration and climate policies, a national debt that must finally be faced up to, and a need for new Social Security funding. 

That’s not even taking into account the coming reckoning with Artificial Intelligence, not only from the unemployment it will cause but the existential threats it may pose for humanity.

This will take energy, vision, and a willingness to compromise. As a younger person you would have been an ideal candidate to lead us through such times. 

In the wake of the debate, senior members of your party, Obama, the Clintons, Schumer, Jeffries, et al circled the wagons and supported your ongoing candidature. Hopefully, they are now privately reaching out to you to suggest ways for your dignified withdrawal from the November election.

As a political strategist, you cannot be unaware of the dangers to the country of a Trump administration supported by majorities in both houses of congress and a compliant Supreme Court.

You now have a chance to reinvigorate the political process by stepping aside and allowing the Democratic convention to choose a new candidate in August.

It’s time to put aside ego, family, staff, and well-meaning allies and do what’s best for the country, Mr. President. The clock is ticking and the jig, unfortunately, is up.