After the Trump/Biden debate in June, it became apparent that Joe Biden was in no shape to continue his Presidential campaign.

Though he understood the issues, it was clear that his ability to debate them was greatly diminished. This past Sunday, he announced that he was stepping aside.

This was good news. Not just good news for Democrats, but for Republicans and those of any political stripe. The country has never had a Presidential election where one candidate was, essentially, incapable of carrying on a political campaign. Yes, there was Calvin Coolidge, who, in 1924, campaigned from his “front porch”. But, even there, “silent Cal Coolidge” was able to articulate a message to the American people of who he was and how he would govern the country.

This year, we were faced with the possibility of one candidate–because of age-related issues–being unable to do that. It was a good thing that the first debate was in June so that this problem was made apparent to the American people.

Aging can be a cruel thing. I know, as I observe myself and my generation going through it. Yet, aging is a reality which reinforces the importance of transitioning things to a new generation. Life must go on. The country must go on.

A good Republican friend was commiserating with me after the debate of his concern for the country. It appeared that there would be no real political campaign for the Presidency–the June debate had decided it all.

Since our first two Presidential terms under George Washington, there has always been a political campaign in our country for the Presidency–a choice for the voters. This includes during times of war–like World War II and the Civil War.

There were times, during the campaign of 1864, when Lincoln believed that he would not be re-elected. People were tiring of the Civil War, thousands had been killed, and there had been no final resolution between the Confederacy and the Union. Yet, the Presidential election campaign still went on. Near its end, there were some Union victories–like Sheridan’s ride to Cedar Creek. Lincoln was reelected.

In my lifetime, there was another President who, though wanting to run for reelection, finally decided not to–Lyndon Johnson. I was standing the mid-watch on a U.S. Navy ship in the South China Sea in 1968 when the radioman brought the message that the President was not seeking re-election. Most of us were thunderstruck at the announcement.

Yet, Johnson’s announcement had been made earlier, in late March of that year, and was based upon his unpopularity in the war we were then involved in, Vietnam. At the time, Johnson’s mental capacities were not at issue.

This time things came to the brink. Here we are in mid-July, between the Republican and Democratic conventions. We all should take a big breath and be thankful for the decision made.

Now, we can have our usual vocal, divisive, yet ultimately understandable political debate over whom should be our next President. The people will again have a choice to make…and that is the American way.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.