Hey, Democrats, what’s the plan?
Re “Don’t count Biden out just because he’s 80,” column, Sept. 28
The anxiety over whether President Biden should run for reelection because of his age focuses on the wrong issue. Simply put, Biden is being selfish and shortsighted.
The continuity of any business depends on succession planning. Smart CEOs have at least one person in the wings, ready to step into the role. If a baseball team starts to fade, the fans do not decry the lack of a single relief pitcher; they look at the strategy and strength of the bench. If only the Democrats would learn.
Hillary Clinton was the anointed candidate for the eight years of former President Obama’s administration. The Democrats never bothered to build an array of credible candidates, should the party have needed an alternative.
Vice President Kamala Harris is the obvious contender, but she does not poll well. It is a sorry situation when the question is, “Well, who else is there?” There should be five, and Biden can look in the mirror to find the root of the problem.
Douglas Hileman
Valley Glen
Trump’s energy and relative “youthfulness” (compared to Biden) do not stem from anything natural or typical in human physiology. He isn’t a “young buck itching for a good fight”
Trump’s vigor stems from a malignant narcissism that will feed, fire and fuel him to the end. It will be the last aspect of Trump to die.
Julie Atherton
Tustin
I am heartened to read Steve Lopez’s column about age and the presidential election. Finally, someone is wise enough to change the conversation about aging and see it through a new pair of glasses.
Our culture and the media equate age with decrepitude and senility instead of wisdom, integrity and diplomacy.
Biden is a grown-up, not an old man, and he deserves our respect.
Harriet Rossetto
Palm Desert
As Lopez addresses the issue of Biden’s age, I’m reminded of Mae West’s observation, “It’s not the men in my life that count, it’s the life in my men.”
There’s lots of life in Biden, whatever his age.
Spencer Grant
Laguna Niguel