Dear President Biden: Don't run again
A Letter From Iowans John and Terri Hale
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July 10, 2024
President Joe Biden
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Mr. President:
We’re Iowans who first met you at a Tom Harkin Steak Fry many moons ago. We think we’re the average voters that you often talk about.
We are good Democrats, loyal to democratic principles of fairness, equality, a decent standard of living for all, a clean environment, security in old age, etc.
We’ve been active in local, state and national politics, and strongly supported you in your 2020 campaign. Your victory was historic — it literally saved this country and the world from the aspirations and actions of a would-be-dictator with “the morals of an alley cat.”
We’re people who care about the future of this nation and the world — for us, our children, grandchildren, friends, and those from other parts of the nation and globe we have not met.
With the greatest respect and appreciation for your leadership and accomplishments over a storied career, we urge you to do what so many of us have done as the fourth quarter of life approaches — move over and let others take the wheel.
We know that’s an easy thing to say and an awfully difficult thing to do.
In talking with our aging peers, most have had to come to grips with a couple facts:
We’re fighting Father Time. To our knowledge, he’s never lost.
Even though we don’t want to believe so, we’re all replaceable. When we leave the stage, the show goes on.
Mr. President, your time in office has been one of huge accomplishment. You have a legislative record that will go down in the history books. You rebuilt our international alliances and restored confidence in the USA as a trusted player on the world stage.
As importantly, you helped restore America’s character — reminding us (at least those prone to listen) that we are a welcoming nation; one that believes in equality and must constantly strive to create a more perfect union.
But, in your words Mr. President, “Here’s the deal.” The upcoming election is not about the past; it’s about the future. And the future will be determined by who can win.
It’s with utmost respect that we offer this conclusion — you cannot win this race. Not because you are not the better man, but because the public — rightly or wrongly — now sees your age and perceived limitations as the main issue in the campaign.
What the public has seen over the past couple weeks cannot be unseen: a candidate who, for whatever reason, appears weak; seems often unable to think and speak effectively on his feet, and one who lacks the needed innate ability to forcefully and effectively combat Mr. Trump’s outrageous statements and lies. The public will be reminded of these perceived weaknesses incessantly between now and election day.
We believe that given the choice between a candidate who is perceived to be too old to effectively serve in office, and a candidate who is a crook and a liar, far too many voters — particularly those who vote infrequently — will either:
Sit this election out
Vote for a third-party candidate
Hold their noses and vote for Trump.
As a result, Trump wins and the nation descends into chaos.
That’s a God-awful scenario. It’s a scenario not based on polling or what we want the picture to look like. It stems from observation, experience, and everything we are hearing from others (from both parties) in Iowa and around the nation.
Mr. President, in order to give the nation a better chance at ensuring Mr. Trump does not win and that America continues down the path you’ve created, we urge you to expeditiously announce your intention to not seek a second term and allow a nomination process to unfold that will bring America’s best and brightest to the fore.
We’re a decade younger than you Mr. President. We periodically think about what we’ve accomplished in our lives, what our legacy might be.
What will yours be? We believe your best legacy would be that you did what you pledged to do — you’d win in 2020, right the ship, restore the soul of America, and be a “bridge” president who would allow the nation to continue to move forward.
You’ve earned the nation’s respect and gratitude. It’s been our pleasure and privilege to have met you, voted for you, and to be led and served by you. Thank you, Mr. President, for all you’ve done and for your consideration of our thoughts.
John and Terri Hale
Ankeny, Iowa
terriandjohnhale@gmail.com
Excellent letter - Right on Target.... Excellent President however now is the time to leave the stage.... We can't tolerate another RBG mistake!!
Excellent open letter from two of the smartest, most dedicated Iowans I know.