Where’s Joe? It’s Been Six Days Since President Biden Has Been Seen In Public
Everything changed on Sunday. In the most dramatic transition of government since John F Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 Campaign for President on Sunday.
At least, that’s what we’ve all presumed. The President, or at least one of his aids, apparently typed a hastily written note indicating that he would no longer be a candidate in the coming election. The note was posted on “X” (the former Twitter).
After spending most of the past year traveling the country and raising more than $100 million in campaign financial support, Biden acceded to the wishes of most in the Democratic Party to withdraw. He then proceeded to post his decision on the most popular social media site, “X,” which was the equivalent of nailing the declaration on the nearest “telephone pole” in the days before electronics.
It was all so puzzling. Why did Biden not use the official White House Stationary for this all-important declaration? Why did he not call some of his most important and financially committed supporters? Why wouldn’t he provide a written statement to his Vice President, Kamala Harris, whom he has endorsed to take his place? And why didn’t the signature match his normal signature?
Someday, we may get the answer to all of these questions but don’t hold your breath. For now, we must face a more critical issue: precisely who is steering the United States? After all, we are living through one of the most dangerous times in memory — two devastating wars rage in Ukraine and Gaza. Additionally, tensions in the South China Sea are mounting as a potential conflict over Taiwan looms.
For six days, Biden has been in self-imposed isolation, the result of a relapse of Covid. Biden’s staff has cleared his calendar for most of the coming week, canceling nine Presidential appearances. His only remaining trip is an undisclosed jaunt with Vice President Harris on a presumed campaign stop.
Biden’s absence has created a steadily increasing murmur among the country’s Press and pundits. Where is he? Is he OK? After all, an 81-year-old man who has come down with one of the deadliest viruses to hit this country is not a small development.
The American President is a critical center of power and influence for this country as well as around the globe. The World focuses on every move and nuance of America’s top leader, especially today. Biden suddenly becoming AWOL (absent without leave) is inexcusable. The American public and the international community deserve to know whether Biden will be able to continue through the remaining six months, until January 20, 2025, of his term.
Some may remember a similar crisis with President Ronald Reagan when a would-be assassin shot him. Reagan was critically injured on March 30, 1981. After enduring an operation to remove the bullet, Reagan greeted the Press and even signed a piece of Legislation the very next day.
Reagan understood the necessity of maintaining continuity in the Nation’s Government. Eleven days later, Reagan returned to his position at the White House. He was undoubtedly in pain and not feeling 100%, but he was determined to be at his post. Reagan understood the critical importance of demonstrating to the World that America’s leadership was still functioning.
Today marks the sixth day that Joe Biden has been out of sight. While we wish him the best, questions are beginning to arise: What is Biden’s current condition? Has there been a transfer of power between the President and Vice President, as there was when Reagan was under anesthesia during his operation? Vice President George H.W. Bush assumed all Presidential duties while Reagan was being operated on. As I’m writing this, there has been no announcement from the White House.
Finally, the United States is involved in two active conflicts, Ukraine and Gaza. As the principal supporter in both wars, our country bears responsibility for each. We know, for instance, that the US military closely guides the scope of the Ukraine war. Recently, much has been made on which Russian targets and Ukrainian forces may engage. So, too, for Israel, it is US-supplied bombs and missiles that make the conflict with Hamas possible.
Both military conflicts require direct US Presidential authority. A responsibility that President Biden has taken seriously. Yesterday, a new Israeli offensive was launched against forces in Khan Yunis. At the same time, President Zelenskyy of Ukraine complained that he was not receiving sufficient arms and equipment to pursue their war with Russia.
Is President Biden monitoring those two wars? Is he still making the determination of which arms are sent to Ukraine and Israel?
Our future, and the future of the World, hangs on whether America still has a fully functioning President.
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