Staff Reports
In the latest round of political theater, President Joe Biden is facing a barrage of criticisms as he winds down his presidency. Over the past two months, it seems like the president has taken an extended vacation, leaving many to wonder if he’s still fit for the job. While world events grow more precarious, with escalating tensions in Ukraine, Biden has been avoiding the media like a skilled bowler attempting to avoid a gutter ball. His absence from critical discussions has even led some to speculate whether Vice President Kamala Harris should step in to finish the last few months of his term.
The backdrop is dramatic. With potential conflicts growing and North Korean troops reportedly teaming up with Russian forces, the stakes have never been higher. Observers have pointed out that the president’s lack of engagement at events like the G20 summit raises serious questions about his competence. At that summit, Biden was conspicuously avoiding reporters, despite their enthusiastic pleas for a word or two. It’s easy to picture the press as a crowd of kids at a birthday party, eagerly attempting to get the attention of a disinterested adult.
Critics argue that in a world filled with high-stakes decisions, allowing a president to check out could be akin to putting a toddler behind the wheel of a car. The media’s attention has humorously shifted to concerns about personalities like Tulsi Gabbard being labeled a “Russian asset,” rather than concentrating on whether Biden is fully engaged in his role. Some believe that if the media had been more forthright about the president’s cognitive decline earlier in his term, it could have painted a vastly different landscape for the Democratic Party. They contend that a candidate with the ability to lead might have emerged, thereby avoiding the current chaos.
The call for Biden to resign is not just a fleeting idea; it reflects genuine anxiety over current events. If Biden is indeed unable to handle the pressure, many argue that now is the time for him to step aside. There is a notion that the current situation feels like a ticking time bomb, and people are concerned that the country is operating without solid leadership. Various voices from both sides of the aisle have expressed desires for more capable leadership, especially with global tensions flaring up. Undoubtedly, this conversation could have – and perhaps should have – happened earlier in his presidency.
While some pundits assert that transitioning power to Harris would be disastrous, they grapple with what could happen if she were thrust into the presidency. Harris has been viewed by many conservatives as an underwhelming alternative, a metaphorical “participation trophy” for a party lacking a robust plan for the future. The thought of her taking the reins has been met with scoffs and eye rolls, as many feel she hasn’t demonstrated the gravitas needed for such a critical position.
As Thanksgiving approaches, Biden may find himself on yet another vacation, seemingly oblivious to rising tensions across the globe. While the media continues to press for answers, he is likely to enjoy a cozy family holiday in Nantucket, possibly pondering which of his controversial decisions deserves a presidential pardon next – perhaps his son Hunter is top of mind. With stakes higher than ever, one can’t help but wonder how history will remember Biden – as a president who lost his way amidst a world teetering on edge.
