Thank You, Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr., still POTUS 46
Joe is one of the most transformative presidents in American history.
Issue #678 The Choice, Tuesday, July 23, 2024
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Joe Passes the Torch to Kamala
As we all know by now, on Sunday, July 21, 2024, incumbent President Joe Biden did the almost unthinkable, he decided to end his re-election campaign. Why did he do this?
We may never know, but he will speak to the nation on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 8 pm ET.
Whatever the reason, the way he did it, and immediately "passing the torch” to his vice president, Kamala Harris, was masterful.
He posted his letter digitally, and more importantly, it was posted on Sunday mid-afternoon, after the end of the Republican National Convention, after the Sunday morning shows, and before any journalists could get ahead of his announcement. His announcements caught just about everyone by surprise.
His supporters were shocked, devastated, and angry.
But then, just about 30 minutes later, he threw his support behind Madam Vice President Harris to become the nominee for the 2024 presidential election, and all of a sudden, people were happy on top of their grief.
Within hours, support for Harris for President exploded, and as of Monday evening, the campaign had raised over $100M from small donors to add to the $96M of Biden Campaign funds for which only she is eligible since she was part of that campaign.
Another $150M came in from big donors, many of whom had been holding back because of questions about Biden’s 2024 electability.
As of Tuesday morning, the Harris campaign had secured much more than the 1,976 pledged delegates necessary to secure the nomination without a contested convention.
Trump and the MAGAs are livid and scared because they’ve spent the past 3.5 years doing everything to denigrate and otherwise bring Joe down. Now they’re stuck with nothing to run on except their very unpopular policies.
But, wait, there’s more!
Joe has been one of the most transformational presidents in American history
President Franklin D. Roosevelt was one of the most progressive and successful presidents, but he had a huge majority in Congress to help him pass the laws and initiatives he wanted over three terms in office.
President Lyndon B. Johnson was also one of the most progressive and successful presidents, and he also had a huge majority in Congress to help him pass the laws and initiatives he wanted over one and one-quarter terms in office.
President Joseph R. Biden will be remembered as one of the most progressive and successful presidents, but he did not have anywhere near the congressional support of Roosevelt or Johnson:
For the first two years of his term, 2021 and 2022, Biden had a Democratic majority house, but the Republicans just barely regained the House Majority for 2023 and 2024.
Because of the first Black and first Jewish senators from Georgia, President Biden has had a 50-50 Senate his entire term, with only the Vice President to cast the majority vote when necessary. What made things even harder for the president was that the Senate had the “filibuster rule” where most bills needed 60 votes to pass. It was because of his skill and five decades of experience that he was able to pass the transformative initiatives that he did.
After the November 2020 election, Trump refused to give the new administration the proper transition, instituted an insurrection against Congress to stop the counting of the Electoral College votes, and even locked the White Doors so that Joe and Jill had to find the Marine who was supposed to mind the door to gain entrance.
President Biden’s achievements include:
Building the strongest economy in the world after COVID and Trump caused the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression
Preserving democracy and revitalizing alliances around the world
The needed rebuilding of infrastructure that no Republicans voted for but are now trying to take credit for,
Expanding affordable healthcare
Lowering prescription drug prices for seniors
Passing the first gun safety law in 30 years
Appointing the first African American woman to the Supreme Court
Relieving tens of thousands of former students from budget-crushing predatory interest payments on their student loans at no cost to taxpayers
Passing the most significant climate legislation “in the history of the world.”
He also overcame “a once-in-a-century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression,” as well as preserving democracy and revitalizing alliances around the world.
Joe has been the bridge from one administration to the next and now he is also the bridge from one generation to the next.
We already know that Joe was exactly what the country needed to bring “normalcy” and integrity back to the White House.
We now also know that Joe is exactly what the country needs to keep Trump from getting anywhere near the White House again.
The last time an incumbent president made the decision not to run for re-election was over half a century ago when Lyndon Johnson announced in 1968 that he would not seek re-election.
Joe Biden’s historic decision to withdraw is an act of extraordinary patriotism, honor, and selflessness. Joe has been through so much pain and heartbreak in his life, yet he is still a man of remarkable character—and his decision represents his profound dedication to his country, to public service, and to the need to secure democracy.
He said: "While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
President Joe Biden will only become more beloved and appreciated for his accomplishments in the next days, weeks, and months.
Responding to Biden’s announcement, former President Barack Obama described Joe Biden, his former vice president, as “one of America’s most consequential presidents” and “a patriot of the highest order.”
Today would be a good day to thank Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. by flooding the White House with hand-written thank you cards.
Hand-written cards and letters were a hallmark of people Joe’s age, and I am sure he would so very much appreciate receiving hundreds of thousands of them.
President Joe Biden
c/o The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
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1968 Johnson was waging an unpopular war. Johnson had primary opponents. Biden just had The NY Times.