07/07/2024
VOX POPULI, VOX DEI
Besides gruesome career-ending injuries, the most tragic part of sports is seeing your long-time hero become unable to do what your hero had done so effortlessly before. Willie Mays, dropping balls in the 1973 World Series. Klay Thompson, held scoreless in his final game for the Warriors this spring. Age is the only foe with a perfect record.
Age attacks other things besides the physical. I was always awed by how my father could do math in his head. A lifetime of diagnosing opportunities and risks as a stockbroker (and as a weekend handicapper at the races) conditioned me to think of his math skills as nearly infallible. But as he entered his 80s, his ability to do the math declined; he died when he was 84.
Joe Biden has led a long and honorable life. Elected to the Senate just before his 30th birthday (the Constitutional minimum age; he was 44 days past his birthday when he took the oath of office in his sons’ hospital room after a car accident that killed his wife and daughter). A senator for 34 years, he was elected to both the Vice-Presidency and Presidency.
But Joe Biden is 81. The world saw him at the debate in June with his guard down, vulnerable and lacking focus. He puts it off, saying that he had a “bad night” and promising not to do events after 8 p.m., but the Presidency is a guaranteed 24 hour a day, 365 days a year job, known for turning men (only men, so far) grey before their time. His staff claims that it is only the “Beltway class” of Washington pundit counting him out. The President told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos he’ll only drop out of the race if “the Lord Almighty” tells him to.
Vox populi, vox dei–the voice of the people is the voice of God. Mr. President, God has spoken because Americans are largely united in concluding that the job will be too much for you for the next four years. Americans don’t need spin from either party to understand age’s relentless assault; we’ve all had loved ones who lost the edge as they grow older. Your staff provides radio hosts with pre-approved questions for you, and you’ve minimized both press conferences and one-to-one interviews throughout the last 3½ years. 72% of American registered voters do not think that you have the mental and cognitive health to continue serving as President.
Mr. President, you have honored our nation for more than 50 years now, You saved our democracy in 2020, Joe, but now, it’s time to let someone else lead. Vox populi, vox dei.
