Saturday letters: Aftermath from the Biden-Trump debate

Biden should step aside, Newsom step in

To save our nation from the wrecking ball that is Donald Trump, Joe Biden must step down and the Democrats should replace him with, my choice, Gavin Newsom, the current governor of California.

Yes, Newsom has protested against being recruited and is totally supportive of Biden, saying, “I’m very proud of the president’s record and his vision of the future.” He defiantly pushes back against calls for Biden to step down, saying, “You don’t turn your back because of one performance.”

But even the editorial board of The New York Times says Biden should go. And the number of pundits and political observers who say the same is growing.

Newsom is a youthful 56, intelligent, handsome, articulate and personable − all things Donald Trump is not. His smile alone would garner votes. A comparison with President John F. Kennedy is unavoidable. He has lots of political experience, having been a member of San Francisco's board of supervisors, the city’s mayor, lieutenant governor and governor of California, a state the size and economy of which is greater than some countries.

He has also been a successful businessman and a TV talk show host.

Can you imagine a debate between the youthful, charismatic Newsom and the bloated, orange, 78-year-old Trump with his ridiculous six-foot red tie?

Imagine their side-by-side head shots on your TV.

Gordon Rowley, Wakefield

Biden must step aside

As a Biden supporter, I was crushed by his inept performance last Thursday. There were no positives − he didn't contest the Trump lies, he couldn't articulate his own accomplishments, and he appeared zombie-like when not speaking. Without a teleprompter he's lost.

He has to go. It's not about accomplishments and freedom of democracy, it's about electability.  Trump lost no supporters, Biden lost many undecideds. And I fear if he stays there may be other incidents. I'm in my 80s and it doesn't get better. What if his next "incident" is after he's nominated?

The party needs to act quickly with an articulate and strong candidate and there are several possibilities. Unwillingness to act on the part of Democratic leadership will result in a Biden epitaph of "Failed to get out of the way, and democracy died."

Gary Smith, Wakefield

Biden should think about his legacy

In light of his debate performance with Donald Trump, much is being written and much is being discussed about whether Joe Biden should bow out of the race for president. I believe one factor is not getting the attention it deserves − the consequence for Biden's legacy should Trump win the election.

Over the past three and a half years as president, Biden has accumulated an impressive record of accomplishments − rebuilding America's infrastructure, taking on climate change and environmental issues, repairing our relations with NATO and other allies, and attempting to restore civility and bipartisanship to our politics, to name a few.

Much of this admirable Biden legacy would be dismantled should Trump return to the Oval Office.

Trump has made it clear on the campaign trail that his would be one of his top priorities, from Day 1.

Sadly for Joe Biden, that which would be most remembered about his legacy will not be his achievements but that he lost his re-election bid to Donald Trump, with all that will entail for the country he loves.

Putting the nation's interests first has always been Joe Biden's North Star. He should continue to follow it, putting what is best for the country before himself, withdraw from the race and throw his full support behind a new Democratic nominee.

Karl F. Inderfurth, Charlestown

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Saturday letters: Aftermath from the Biden-Trump debate