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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsJoe Biden, quintessential patriot
How many people would willingly relinquish the authority and prestige of being leader of the most powerful nation in the world?
How many would set aside a lifelong career of public service culminating in the highest office in our land, for the sake of preserving our imperiled democracy?
Consider the grace and humility with which President Joe Biden told America tonight that he chose to end his reelection campaign and pass the torch to his vice-president, Kamala Harris.
Contrast the way his predecessor left office: screaming, throwing tantrums, claiming he was cheated, insisting against all evidence that victory was stolen from him. Consider that he and his legal advisors tried everything they could think of, first to try and win the election by behind-the-scenes skulduggery, then brazenly to declare himself the winner, and finally to attempt to overturn certification of the results.
In doing so, he urged his supporters to unheard-of violence, storming the U.S. Capitol, threatening the lives of not only his own vice-president, but members of Congress. Before it was finally stopped, the insurrection damaged the Capitol building and its offices, sowing terror into those who watched it unfold in the media.
A key to the democracy which our Founders established is the peaceful transfer of power from the nation's elected leader to their elected successor. This means no battles, no executions, no setting up of alternative governments. Our presidents are not monarchs.
Would Donald Trump willingly have stepped down from office prior to the end of his term if told the future of America was at stake? Unthinkable! This utterly selfish man-child would cling to office screeching all the way and hiring dozens of lawyers to employ every loophole imaginable. He cares nothing for democracy, nothing for the ideals for which America was created.
By contrast, President Joe Biden's unprecedented decision to cancel his campaign for a second term stands as the epitome of America's ideals.
By giving up for a higher cause, he rises to the title of exemplary patriot and quintessential hero.
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onecaliberal
(34,932 posts)scipan
(2,548 posts)Hope Kamala can perpetuate that but Biden is unique.