My thoughts on Biden & the idea of an "elder statesman."

[CaptainTruth]

I confess, even though I like Biden a lot, I've been hoping he would stay out of this race because we have so many other great candidates running. I felt it was time for this new generation of Democrats to move up in the party & take the reins.

However. I've recently started thinking differently.

I asked myself, "what does Biden offer that the other 'new generation' candidates don't offer?"

The biggest thing Biden offers that they don't is that he can fill the role of "elder statesman."

We all know our country has gone to hell in a flaming dumpster under Trump. Our Constitution is being ignored, our laws are being openly violated, & time-tested norms that made our country great are being flushed down Trump's gold-plated toilet. Our status on the international stage has been diminished, we've abandoned essential American values like human rights, & relationships with our allies have been damaged to the point where many of them are wondering if America has truly lost its way.

Due to all of this, the next POTUS faces a unique & daunting challenge. They will have to deal with much, much more than the usual agenda of tax policy, healthcare, infrastructure etc. They will have to be the steady hand that guides America back from the brink of Trump insanity, restores our norms & values, & reassures the world that NO, America has NOT lost its way. They will have to heal the wounds caused by Donald Trump, & that is not a minor task.

I can see how Biden could easily be that steady, trusted, reassuring hand, the "elder statesman" who guides our country on the path back to sanity & rebuilds relationships with our allies.

I'm starting to think that right now, at this unique point in our history, this is what our country needs more than anything. Job One is to make America America again.

But what of all those great "new generation" Dems?

Well, they're not going away. No matter what happens in the primary they will still be here to fight with us. And, I'll bet that if Biden wins the nomination he would pick one of them as a running mate. (Personally I think Harris would be an awesome choice.)

I'll be watching & listening to all the candidates & if Biden looks like he's the best choice to send Trump packing, I'll be changing my candidate preference.

[Cha]

1. Thank you for this, CT..

And, Biden has a brilliant launch!

He leaves zero doubt what he intends to do to Trump during the next ~ 18 months. Outstanding!

[TreasonousBastard]

2. I'm torn-- we do need a person of unity and stability to bring us back from,,,

the divisions of the past few years. And lets not kid ourselves, as much as he tried to bring us together, and often succeeded, Obama opened old racial divisions that Trump is now exploiting. I'm not blaming Obama for that-- our racial problems are enormous and I can't think of any superhero who could solve the problems overnight.

Biden fits the role as as elder statesman, Grandpa, counselor, healer... better than anyone else we have so far. Maybe he won't solve all the problems, perhaps no one can, but he can ease the pain.

But, and this is a big but, this is also a perfect time to pass the torch. We have an extraordinary new generation ready to take the reins and lead us into the future. Biden is from the past, while Harris, Pete, and others are the future.

Perhaps the dream team is Biden with Harris as VP. We have an uncorrupted man of experience with a black woman getting a few more years of executive experience and getting the nation used to the thought of a woman in the White House.

And, it would be irresponsible to ignore his age. He's in pretty good shape now, but things can happen fast when pushing 80. We need a VP who can take over and who he trusts to take over if needed.

[loyalsister]

3. I thought VP was a great position for an elder statesman

One where he could be like a father in the background. POTUS is much more physically and mentally demanding. And it's relevant when someone is in their late 60s and now late 70s.
We have a several candidates who are poised to serve 2 terms and spend some years after living with what they did in office.