Biden has a patriotic duty to resign

 When Resignation Becomes a Patriotic Duty 

By James Terminiello 

George Washington refused a third term as president because he had fought a war to end monarchy in the United States and wanted to establish limits on holding power in the young republic. A noble deed. 

Lyndon Johnson announced that he would not seek re-election. He saw that the controversial Vietnam War had ruined his presidency and his chances to return to office. A difficult but practical decision for a man with a Texas-sized ego. 

Richard Nixon resigned the presidency. He saw that dragging out the Watergate investigation would paralyze his administration and embarrass the nation. And he knew how it would end. 

These men, all with tremendous egos and for very different reasons, recognized what they owed to their country and to their political parties. They chose to give up almost unimaginable power. Such power few have tasted, but it must truly be a sweet thing. Addictively sweet.  

Now Joseph Biden is looking out over a similar valley of decision. His creeping infirmities were laid naked before millions of Americans in his debate with Donald Trump. Loyalists have tried to fluff it off as a “bad day” or “jet lag” but anyone who has seen the artful drilling evil of mental decline – be it dementia, Alzheimer's, or what have you - recognize the signs. And since Star Trek’s Dr. McCoy is not yet with us with his trusty hypo, we know that the decline cannot be retarded or stopped and will continue down its dark inevitable path.  

In dire situations like this, you might be able to shield a family member, a minor office holder, or the president of a large company with professional support at all sides. But this is different. This is the presidency of the United States. This is a job that even someone at the top of his game can find overwhelming and oppressive at times. This is a job for a sharp someone with the ability to choose the right people, take in all opinions, and then reach and make a well-reasoned decision. This is a job that deals in life and death far too often. It is a nearly impossible job for the best of minds. For someone whose thinking and ability to communicate are clearly compromised it is out of their ever-shrinking scope. 

For the good of the nation, Joseph Biden should set aside his ego and at the very least decline to run for a second term. Even further, he should resign.  

It is his patriotic duty.  

Happy July 4th 

James Terminiello, author of the award-winning satire The Conscience of the C.O.D., writes from Mount Laurel, NJ.