Splaine: Biden: Sometimes a reboot is required

In the early 1980s, I advanced from the technology of electronic word processors to computers. My Tandy 1000 was fascinating to me, especially learning what I could do with it.

But a crisis moment came in 1987. I was using desktop publishing software to create a booklet for a company I was working with, designing graphics and adjusting spacing and formatting to fit the pages.  After three days of work, I was close to completion, ahead of the deadline by a few hours.

Crash.

Especially in those days with comparatively elementary computers, crashes would occur.  With so much time already invested, my heart sank as the green screen went blank, and I didn't know what to do. I went to the instruction booklet and found one directive to turn the computer off, wait 30 seconds, then restart.

I didn't want to do it. I figured I'd lose all my work up to that point. But "reboot" finished the job and the deadline was met.

Sometimes a reboot is required.  It simply is.

I'd love to be able to say, "give 'em hell, Joe."  While the times are different from President Harry Truman's days, it would be a rallying cry for someone who needs to come from behind to defeat dangers on the horizon.  But this current situation with President Joe Biden isn't a Black Swan event that was totally unexpected and came out of nowhere, whether in theory or in practice.

We knew this could happen. It was early last year that I urged that President Joe Biden not run for another term, and that we have a full-fledged presidential primary process, respecting our state law that had worked well for a century.

Those of us raising that question got blasted for saying that voters would be facing a decision on November 5th about voting for a man who will be 82 just two weeks after the election. That's a lot of candles for anyone. We see the result now.

Inside-the-beltway Washington-centered Democratic Party powers-who-are wanted to control the process and clear the walkway for President Biden by trying to ignore the New Hampshire First-in-the-Nation Presidential Primary. 

We are where we are now because of that attempted power grab. The question is how do we go forward, with a very few short weeks to the Democratic National Convention in August as the deadline?

Fortunately, this discussion is happening while there is time to respond. Imagine, however, if President Biden has other bad days, whether they are called "episodes," "incidents," "situations," "conditions," or whatever, a week after he has been formally chosen as our nominee?

That would be "checkmate," and a win for someone we cannot allow to be president again. Kamala Harris could be an excellent presidential nominee, accompanied by any of a number of running mates who would freshen and excite our party, and the country.

With just four months before Election Day, we need a reset. We can win this.

Polls indicate American voters will welcome a reboot in this election − a new powerful ticket to take on a fading presidential candidate who wants to return to the White House and use the dictatorial powers so carelessly gifted by the United States Supreme Court.  I think it's wise to use this time by taking a deep breath, thanking President Biden for a job well-done, and using this moment to look over the horizon and preserve the very essence of American democracy and the "republic for which it stands."

We must look over that horizon to January 21, 2025.  We cannot let that day be America's worst. 

Today's quote:  "You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away."  − Kenny Rogers.

Next time:   Fun Things To Do On A Summer Day.

Note:  The writer sponsored the legislation creating the mechanism of mandating New Hampshire's Presidential Primary be ahead of any other.  The 2021 State of New Hampshire "Red Book" issued by the office of secretary of state has the history of that law on its website.

Variously since 1969, Jim Splaine has been New Hampshire state senator for six years, representative for 24 years, Police Commission and School Board member, Portsmouth assistant mayor for 12 years and city councilor for 18 years.  He can be reached at jimsplaineportsmouthnh@gmail.com (Note:  This is a new email address.)

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Splaine: Biden: Sometimes a reboot is required