The Geezer Card

 

President Biden’s decision not to seek re-election has left Donald Trump to pick up the mantle of “geezer” in the presidential race, a 78-year-old with “declining mental acuity.” Curiously, I almost want to defend him, saying, “Hey, I’m about the same age, and my mental acuity is just fine, thank you!

Now I do recognize that some of you consumers of this page might take issue with the latter. Well, you are entitled to your opinion, and you may be relieved to learn that I’m not into revenge. It’s OK.

It's my feeling that Mr. Trump knows exactly what he’s saying, even if the purpose is to evade a question, and his answers, even if they don’t make total sense, are delivered with utmost confidence. I come from radio, and that is a genuine talent.

But what does he say when he’s actually lucid? Is it hinged or unhinged? That is an entirely different matter, and we do have to take what he says seriously. He means it.

So now I’m trying to figure out what the hesitation is that many voters have about Kamala Harris. Yes, she’s liberal. That’s not quite it. Yes, she’s of mixed race, but that’s not quite it either. So, we are left with her gender. That’s closer to it. Why might anyone be uncomfortable with  that?

Well, I think it’s a power thing. Can she be a boss? Can she be a commander-in-chief? Can she be our leader in wartime? Women don’t do that, do they?

Except for Cleopatra. Or Elizabeth the First. Or Catherine the Great. Or Golda Meir. Or Margaret Thatcher. I have a strong feeling I have left someone out here. Yes, I think she can lead us in war. If she keeps us out of it, nothing wrong with that either. We’re just not used to having a woman lead us. But I think that this is as good a place to start as any.

The time, of course, is running short. If you’re a Harris supporter, don’t waste yours trying to get your grumpy old uncle not to vote for Trump. That ship sailed long ago and is likely already tied up to the dock. But don’t despair, you still may be able to persuade your slacker nephew to get off the couch, make the long trip to the kitchen table and mark his mail-in ballot for Harris. OK, sorry, maybe he’s not a slacker, just undecided, but his vote is just as good as anyone’s, so give it a shot.