2024 06 28
Grounds of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library. Atlanta, Georgia. May, 2024. © Clayton Hauck
Tonight we witnessed The Death of a Living American President. Quite a sight, really.
It’s hard to comprehend how the Democratic party could get so far down the road to re-election while firmly believing the idea that Biden is fit for office today, let alone for another four years. But really, what choice did they have? It’s his call.
The debate was a reckoning. Now we all know it’s over. The only thing left to find out is if the people in control of the government agree with the rest of us.
This is by no means an endorsement of the man attempting to become president again, after throwing the country under the bus in favor of himself. Neither dudes should even be up on the debate stage. The entire CNN telecast felt like a subtle hit job orchestrated by shadowy figures on the sidelines without the power — currently — to make the changes themselves. I’d be shocked if both Biden and Trump are the final two candidates come election day. Something is cooking. My money is on a Harris-Newsom stew.
When I was down in Atlanta recently, I noticed that I was near the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library. The man was a bit before my time but I’ve always appreciated his level of authenticity, esp for someone who ended up in charge of the nation. Figuring I owed him an hour of my time, I ventured over to the museum only to realize they were scheduled to close thirty minutes after my arrival. Upon entering the well-manicured facilities, the room was empty and I set on a path towards the museum entrance, thinking I’d walk in and do a quick lap. Just as I neared, a uniformed-employee appeared out of nowhere and asked if I was looking to purchase a ticket.
“Is it worth it, for thirty minutes?” I asked, not wanting to spend the money.
“Not in my opinion!” she snapped back.
Well, alright then! Off I went. Laughing with myself about how all the history, time, money, and effort that went into all of this could be so easily disregarded by someone actively being paid money to support it.
That response felt like the debate tonight. What’s the point of any of this? What are we doing here?
The measure of a person is not made by what they can accomplish alone, it’s the effect they have on everyone. Eventually, even the best of us become dead and gone. Clinging to power because we think we deserve it or think we can provide investors the best return are neither valid reasons when the stakes are as high as they are — for duty of country. It’s not crazy to think Biden believes he’s still the best person for the fight, but had he made the choice to step aside, his affect would’ve been far more positive than what is unraveling now. Clearly, Joe is someone who cares about lists made by experts as he brought it up multiple times last time. His place on these lists will be lower the longer he remains in this race.
Unfortunately, the system we have puts us in the predicament we are in, with two candidates who should not be running at the top of each of their parties’ ticket. The next three months will not be fun but the result, whatever it is, will have massive consequences for the entire world.
Buckle up, Chicago.
-Clayton
