General
Reflecting on Biden’s Exit and His Legacy
Readers express their gratitude and frustration.
To the Editor:
As Joe Biden exits American political life, I’m filled with sadness and some regret. For my entire life, he’s been such a permanent fixture that it will be strange not to see images of him on the Senate floor or on the White House lawn. That megawatt smile and the constant messages of optimism, reassurance and decency that he conveyed — what will we do without them?
As a University of Delaware graduate, I’ve always taken pride in the fact that I went to the same college as such a resilient person and political figure — someone whose story always loomed large in my suburban Philadelphia household. Joe Biden has always been an extension of my father in a way — someone who loves people, feeds off their energy, and loves a good story and a well-played baseball game.
The images and moments of Joe Cool pulling this country back from the abyss and restoring our standing in the world these last three and a half years have flown by, and I regret not stopping in my tracks more to appreciate them as they unfolded.
I will miss Joe Biden as our president, and I’m thankful that he had the wisdom and courage to step aside for another presidential nominee.
It was the right thing to do, and a great final act in one heck of a career.
Andrew Sherman
New York
To the Editor:
Re “Biden Made a Courageous Choice. Democrats Must Seize the Opportunity” (editorial, July 22):
I won’t be joining the bandwagon of Americans, including the New York Times editorial board, who have given President Biden accolades for backing out. Yes, I’m relieved, but I’m not feeling grateful.
Mr. Biden’s fatal flaw was his belief that he was the only savior who could spare us from another four years of Donald Trump. There is an array of candidates who could have been strong contenders, but we’re left with his heir apparent, Kamala Harris. A sense of entitlement or “it’s my turn” didn’t work out for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
