Retired UNF director: It's been a good run, President Biden, but please pass the baton now

Dear President Biden: I’m afraid for our country and I believe my fears reflect those of millions of Americans.

First, I believe you have been a very good president. In less than four years you have accomplished more than most presidents accomplish in eight years. You managed to get a major infrastructure bill through Congress, which this country desperately needed. You are lowering prescription drug prices by getting authorization for Medicare to negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies.

Manufacturing — such as chip production — is coming back to our shores because of incentives you established. Our economy is healthy with low unemployment, robust job growth and even declining inflation in recent months. You would even have made a start in fixing our broken immigration system had the bipartisan legislation not been torpedoed by your opponent.

Despite all these accomplishments, I’m asking you to forego another term in office. Please consider passing the baton to the next generation of leaders who can continue to build on your legacy.

Why do I ask this?

I’m a senior citizen and I can tell you from first-hand experience my physical stamina and mental acuity are not as good as even five years ago. My gait is slower, my memory is sometimes foggy and a nap is a regular part of my routine on most days.

Knowing this, I find it impossible to understand how someone of your age can shoulder the massive burdens of presidency for another four years.

I don’t fear that most American voters will elect Donald Trump if he is indeed the Republican nominee. What I fear is that millions of voters will simply decide to stay home and not participate in the election. According to some polls, nearly three-quarters of voters want a different choice other than you and Donald Trump.

The former president could well win the election for another chaotic presidential term by capturing the electoral vote in just a few swing states. He could once again win the presidency, despite losing the popular vote.

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This is why I’m asking you to consider a courageous move. Before the Democratic National Convention, release your delegates to vote for another candidate. Yes, an open convention could be messy and upsetting to many of those faithful to the party.

But in the end, we just might just find a candidate who captures the imagination of the American public again and is young enough to endure the pressures of the job. You will be perceived as a true leader who recognized the time was right to put the needs of the country above political considerations.

Thanks for listening.

Dan Dundon, a retired UNF development director, is the author of “Lassiter Hill,” a true crime novel. He lives in Jacksonville.

This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville author makes plea for President Biden to stand down