Pass The Torch

CRITICAL MOMENT

In his 1960 Inaugural Address, President John F. Kennedy emphasized the moment had come for America to pass the torch to a new generation of leadership. The younger generation that had fought World War II would succeed the Americans who had led the war effort and establishment of the postwar Pax-Americana world order. Today, America is ready to pass the torch from the children of JFK’s “greatest generation,” who came of age during the 1970s. At this critical moment, a new generation of diverse and qualified political, corporate and media leaders must lead America in an uncertain and perilous if exciting and hopeful current century. However, both major American political parties are mired in the issues and personalities of the past century, unable to break free from a problematic 2024 presidential option: Donald Trump vs. Joseph Biden.

IOWA DEEP-FREEZE

In the wake of the frigid Iowa Caucus, Trump and his allies have quickly declared the race for the Republican presidential nomination to be concluded. Therefore, it does not matter that Trump’s self-centered vision for America is about getting even, however spurious Russiagate was. Or whether any properly qualified individual would want to serve in a second Trump administration. Nikki Hailey defeats Biden by 17% in opinion polls by appealing to Trump-weary and Biden-weary suburban voters. But Trump manages bring Biden back into play in a general election. Furthermore, only 15% of Iowa’s 720,000 registered Republicans participated in the deep-freeze caucus. Do Trump’s America First loyalists forget that he lost Republican Senate and House majorities? Do they really want to win and actually govern? Can they pass the torch? Considering critical educated suburban voters, one could argue that it was Biden who actually won the Iowa Republican caucus.

HIGH STAKES

Meanwhile, a clearly diminished Joe Biden is staggering to the Democratic nomination unless a progressive savior such as Michelle Obama intervenes. Democrats and their media confederates clearly favor Trump as Biden’s salvation. For now, they gloss over Biden’s liabilities and are not prepared to pass the torch. But there is no concealing the enfeebled commander-in-chief and the ominous stakes for America and the world. Neither the Biden family influence-peddling quagmire or the Trump prosecution turmoil inspire confidence. Meanwhile, America’s enemies and their proxies from China to Iran and Russia plot their next determined steps to dominate the planet. It is no accident that as Americans decide between the mental vs. moral fitness of octogenarian candidates, Iran’s Houthi surrogates seek to block global shipping and commerce in the Red Sea.

IRAN STRIKES

The timing of the coordinated Hamas attack on Israel and Houthi offensive is no coincidence. As Xi’s China prepares to invade Taiwan and Putin’s Russia struggles to seize Ukraine, a dithering and ostensibly over-extended America and its allies appear vulnerable. Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has now gone one step further than Xi or Putin. However, Taiwan just courageously thumbed their nose at China by electing a president committed to independence. Moreover, NATO intelligence has intercepted Russian plans to move beyond Ukraine, alarming Germany, Poland and Sweden. Biden’s renewed aid package to Ukraine is stalled. Not to mention that the undefended and vulnerable southern border of the United States is a disaster. Enemies see and will take advantage of the tsunami of Illegal migrants and drugs allowed to pour into America, creating social upheaval, vulnerability and, potentially, disintegration. Nor do they see either political party in America prepared to pass the torch.

SQUANDERED PRESIDENCY

President Biden’s election was a turning point and potential opportunity for America. However, Biden has squandered his presidency. Rather than govern (as promised) from the broad center, the basement candidate has bowed to his party’s left wing, progressive intellectuals and a compliant media on every conceivable issue and initiative. From day one, Biden’s economic decisions directly triggered inflation. Afghanistan was an unmitigated disaster. With the exception of his inconsistent support for Israel and hesitant support for Ukraine, a detached Biden has demonstrated little conviction, energy or purpose. But the vociferous and legally ensnared Donald Trump is not a constructive solution. Consequently, Americans are left with two flawed choices, who are hardly reminiscent of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower or Ronald Reagan. Neither Biden or Trump appear able to command the wherewithal to inspire and lead with competence, courage and conviction. Therefore, can America pass the torch?

LAST BEST HOPE

In conclusion, Republicans and crossover independents in New Hampshire should think long and hard about who they want to oppose Biden. However, Trump is no more a conservative martyr than Biden is a liberal saint. At the risk of being labeled a “RINO,” I contend that America and the world need and deserve better than the flawed octogenarians. Republicans need to thaw out from Iowa and start thinking very clearly. And they do not have much time. But Democrats are also taking a major gamble. Biden and Trump are clearly codependent and Americans must pass the torch. Younger and more appealing candidates on either side might still doom either or both. As President Abraham Lincoln said to Congress on December 1, 1862, “We shall nobly save, or meanly lose the last best hope of Earth.” American exceptionalism is on life support, but its demise is not inevitable.