I am so tired of how extreme egos are fundamentally changing this Nation. Emphasis on extreme. A majority of Americans can see it. The rest of the world can absolutely see it.
We all know Trump for what he is: a massively egotistical, clinical narcissist. A sizable minority of Americans love him for it, primarily because they believe it takes that kind of person to alleviate their fears. But how much better is Joe Biden?
As an individual Biden is a lot better than Trump…a lot. Yet, as a government servant he is, perhaps, not so much. I’ve heard it suggested several times by pundits that Biden is the only Democrat that Trump could beat. It’s the truth in that frivolous statement that makes it frightening.
Biden
has been a good President; history may consider him excellent, just as it has
with Jimmy Carter and George HW Bush. He was handed a Nation in crisis and,
under his watch, we out performed every other country on the planet coming out
of the Pandemic, with no recession and lower inflation. Unfortunately, his ego
will not let him see beyond his successes.
In the recent South Carolina Primary I watch South Carolina congressman James E. Clyburn, who turns 84 in July with our 81 year old President and shook my head. Many might think Clyburn looks 10 years younger than Biden. I think Biden looks 10 older than Clyburn.
Biden isn’t just 81 years old, he’s an old 81. I have plenty of octogenarian friends, several I play pickleball with. Unless they have clinical physical issues, none display the aged demeanor of the man who wants to be President until 2029. The doddering nature of Biden’s delivery, not necessarily his capacity, is as obvious as Trump’s buffoonery. Yet Biden’s ego and the cowardliness of the Democratic Party around him may lead us to another Trump Presidency (I chill at writing those words).
The Trump game plan is obvious to me. They will continually show clips of every faltering and floundering word and movement by Joe Biden followed by an unflattering picture of Kamala Harris, with the caption: “President Kamala Harris. Is this what you want?” It WILL work to their benefit, and with our archaic electoral system they don’t need a lot of benefit.
Given that Joe Biden’s ego is unlikely to change; I am suggesting an incredibly obvious solution. In April or May, Biden makes the announcement that effective December 1, 2024; he will nominate Kamala Harris to be his next Attorney General, which will be made immediately effective by a Democrat controlled Senate, and he is naming Barack Obama to be his running mate in the 2024 election.
The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution is very clear. A two term President cannot be “elected to the office of President” for a third term at any time, but there is nothing that says he or she cannot run for Vice President or have any job which is in the line of succession (e.g. Speaker of the House). As such there is nothing to restrict that individual from becoming President again for a third time due to succession. There have already been published opinions on this scenario, even though the clarity of the 22nd Amendment makes such opinions unnecessary.
For the good of the Country, all we need are three individuals (four if you add Merrick Garland) to put aside their egos, or at least deflate them enough so they can see the Nation beyond. Such an extraordinary move would not only excite all but the MAGA crowd, but much of the rest of the world…except Putin…and wouldn’t that be nice.