Dear President Biden,

© Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons

Like many who watched or at least reviewed the clips of your debate the other night, I’m very sad to say that it looks like it's time to go. I write these words with a very heavy heart, but it goes to the essence of your oath of office.

You swore to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” That solemn vow should now animate your next actions in a very unhappy way. Your debate performance was just that — a performance. But it was a crucial one. It suggests that you may not defeat your opponent in the election. He has made it clear that if elected, he will, at the very least, act against the protections for democracy contained in the Constitution. Therefore, he must be defeated at the polls.

The issue is winning the election so we can defend the Constitution. We don’t have the luxury of waiting for the next debate because of how many months will elapse before you might overcome the disaster of Thursday night. In the meantime, we will watch every stumble, mumble, and verbal tumble you displayed in the debate on endless repeat. Between the news media, the social media, and your opponents' media, they will put every unforced error on a recurring reel.

You know better than everyone how crucial a small group of voters will decide this election. They are persuadable in several directions. Some will vote for you, some will vote for your opponents, and some will just stay home because they decide not to decide between options that they don’t much like.

It is hard to step down. It’s harder to do so when you feel you are able to do the job. But the presidency also includes the mandate to get reelected — particulary because the alternative will injure our democracy, or worse.

Sir, we believers in democracy thank you for the healing steps you have taken after the political chaos you stepped into. You did your job to protect democracy under the Constitution. Now, it’s time to step back and let others take the lead. They can do so because of your efforts and your example.

To win this election for democracy and in the name of our republic, please step aside.