Dear President Biden and Former President Trump,

I am writing to appeal to your integrities, to your finest qualities. I am writing as a concerned citizen who deeply values the democratic process and our nation’s future. I am writing to kindly request that both of you withdraw from the upcoming presidential race.

In short, please drop out. Both of you! When I told others that I was planning this plea, every single person, regardless of political persuasion, urged me on, and with enthusiasm! Several even added sentences with Biden and Trump in the predicate.

I realize that this request may seem unconventional, but I believe it is a vital step for the well-being and unity of our country. Allow me to respectfully outline my reasons for this appeal.

President Biden

President Biden, I address this request to you first. It is apparent to many observers that your mental acuity has been diminishing over the course of your presidency. While it is natural for individuals to experience cognitive changes as they age, the demands of the presidency require sharpness, clarity, and the ability to make complex decisions. Anyone who has seen your misstatements and mental gaffes on TV, or has watched your aged movements, surely is aware of your mental and physical decline, as you yourself must be.

Dealing with the growing unrest between our country and China, to give one example, will require a leader who is mentally sharp and fully capable of navigating the nuances of international negotiations. By gracefully stepping aside from the upcoming election, you would prioritize the interests of the American people and ideally allow an individual with optimal mental capacity to lead our country.

Former President Trump

Former President Trump, I turn to you now. Throughout your presidency, your behavior at times deviated from the decorum and dignity traditionally associated with the office. Your often-vindictive rhetoric and inflammatory remarks have contributed to the divisiveness and polarization of our nation. If you were to return to office, one might fear that you would spend your time settling grudges rather than piloting our nation. I have lost count of how many former associates you have turned against.

By withdrawing from the upcoming election, you would not only demonstrate a commitment to fostering national unity but also allow for new voices and perspectives to emerge within your party. This would be an opportunity for the Republican Party to evolve and engage in a constructive dialogue that would move our nation forward. Certain programs you started might well come to fruition with new blood in the Oval Office.

Legal challenges for each of you

There is another important reason for both of you to withdraw from public life. Please consider the potential legal challenges that both of you might face. President Biden, it is no secret that investigations and legal inquiries surrounding your son, Hunter Biden, have generated significant public scrutiny. While it is not within my purview to determine guilt or innocence, the existence of these investigations creates distractions and questions that can hinder your ability to effectively govern and lead. By stepping aside from the election, you would allow for a fair and impartial resolution to these legal matters without the cloud of political implications.

Former President Trump, you too have faced legal challenges during and following your presidency. These include ongoing investigations into your financial dealings and potential conflicts of interest. Engaging in a presidential campaign while grappling with legal proceedings could further divide the nation and undermine the democratic process. By withdrawing from the upcoming election, you would provide the opportunity for these legal matters to be resolved impartially and independently, allowing the American people to have confidence in the integrity of our democratic institutions.

Unconventional  but sincere request

I understand that these requests may appear unconventional, but I hope both of you recognize the sincerity and concern with which they are made. Our nation is at a critical juncture, and we need leaders who can rise above personal ambitions and prioritize the well-being of our democracy. By stepping aside, both of you would create space for new candidates who can inspire unity, restore trust, and lead our nation with the clarity and dignity it deserves.

Because you both are experts at reading polls, you probably already know that a historic number of Americans dread a presidential race between you two (See the recent evidence here). Should my personal political leanings interest you, I consider myself to be a member of a vanishing species, a Jack Kennedy Democrat, as I described in my very first post on this blog (See that post here). This of course puts me somewhat to the right of the leftward shifted political mid-line, but I continue to judge candidates closely and make my ultimate decision on what each candidate supports, not on party affiliation.

Finally, as I think you already know, this letter is not intended as an attack on either of your characters, or an invalidation of your achievements. It is an appeal for selfless leadership, which I urge each of you to exhibit by withdrawing from the presidential race. Please take my recommended action so headlines across the nation will read:

Biden and Trump Drop Out!