A Time to Change Horses?

 

Many of us know the advice of Abraham Lincoln, who, in his bid for re-election as President during the Civil War, said it was not a good time to change horses in the middle of a stream. My title here, however, has a question mark at the end.

Almost every prominent columnist, the morning after this week’s debate between Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, called for Biden to hang it up. They can hardly be blamed; his performance was shockingly awful.

What could have contributed to this? The President’s voice was weak and he seemed to have trouble completing some thoughts. Then there is the concept of over-preparedness. He had just spent a week filling his head with facts. As we all know when preparing for an examination, we want to be ready to spew out these facts at exam time, and of course, hope that the test will require it. Donald Trump doesn’t seem to have the same reverence for facts, but he did perform well, and whatever else he is, he is a natural and experienced  performer.

I wonder, if in preparing Biden, his team spent as much time on performance techniques. Mr. Biden sounded as if he were in a hurry to get everything out. Until later in the debate, he didn’t appear to be looking at Trump or listening to him, by keeping his head up and his eyes open. Most of us in the modern age have grown up with movies, TV,  and now, YouTube. Superficials are important. And where was the Joe of the State of the Union? Inconsistency is a function of aging.

I’ve said before that an age limit for president is a good idea. But right now, it’s a moot point  – unless Biden himself drops out. Then what?

He could throw such a Hail Mary pass, but that needs a Hail Mary catcher. Who’s that going to be? A number of names have been suggested. Good people all, under normal circumstances. But a genuine hero is what’s needed. And even then, the Democratic convention is in August. Is that too late?

I started with a question, and am ending with one. But I heard one commentator this past week offer an answer: the rescue mission will be in the hands of the voters, who must be the heroes of this story in November.