Last night was the moment Joe Biden lost the presidential election, mostly because he committed the cardinal sin of American politics: he simply came across as very old and tired and confused.
Not that he often spoke gibberish. That appears to have little to do with what people want in a president (people may have somewhat highers standards for public servants in their own communities... though that might also be debated).
Not that he couldn't instantly refute every outrageous lie that Trump uttered... and there were so many, delivered with not a shred of shame or self-reflection. No one really expects someone to have so many counterarguments ready to roll out at a moment's notice.
Not that he appeared to lack awareness that he was on TV, mouth agape and glassy eyed, often in a split-screen beside a fat old man who appeared to be enjoying the moment (particularly once he realized that the debate moderators really were not going to challenge him on basic facts).
In a nation that values style over substance and pictures/video over logic and facts, the CNN spectacle was devastating.
My rational self says, "The man is effectively leading the nation right now in an increasingly chaotic world. He doesn't really need to prove that he can do the job. It is right there in front of us all."
But is that enough to get a majority of votes in the eight states that matter this November?
To do the job you have to win the job.
I have read and heard some analogies like, "Time to take the keys from grandpa," and that seems apt. I remember my own grandfather refusing to stop driving his giant boat of a Plymouth all over Iowa City. He carried wads of cash with him to pay off anyone -- on the spot -- who he sideswiped or bumped. Outside mirrors were particularly vulnerable.
What I don't remember was when, or even if, the keys were confiscated by my dad. Perhaps only the final stroke did the job.
Another analogy is that Democrats just need to "stay the course" and count on the innate wisdom of the American people to bring the election home. "Fight through the pain" might be the bumper sticker.
But sometimes we need to listen to the pain, so to speak, and avoid injuring ourselves further. And is anyone really confident in the "innate wisdom of the American people" at this point in history?
Next week we will celebrate Independence Day, and that would be the perfect occasion for Mr. Biden to stand at a press conference and announce that he is withdrawing from the race and releasing his delegates so the August DNC can choose a candidate to take on Trump and his shameless lies and bigotry.
There would be confusion and shouting, but there would also be energy and focus... and the Democrats could immediately seize the narrative, contrasting a younger and smarter and more charismatic candidate (and that would be almost anyone on the current "farm team") with the old news of Trump and his cult of grievance.
Yes, Trump might still win in the end, even with a different candidate, but it's a sucker's bet to continue with Joe Biden as his punching bag.
It's time for action. Time to shake things up. Time to forcefully shed the weight of the past.
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