In the political arena, the situation is constantly changing, and sometimes a debate can change the script of history. There is an old saying, "If you hear the Tao, you can die at night", and this sentence seems to have a new interpretation in the political arena - "When you see your opponent, you will retreat from the rivers and lakes at night". In 2024, the first debate of the U.S. election ended, but President Biden's performance made the Democrats sweat, and even his close friends couldn't sit still, publicly shouting "For the sake of America, Biden, withdraw from the election". What's going on here? Let's kick off this political storm together.
In this debate about the future of the country, Biden and Trump once again faced off, however, Biden's performance did not seem to have met expectations, and even his die-hard supporter, his close friend, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, was heartbroken. In his article, Friedman bluntly said that the debate had him "crying" and described it as the most heartbreaking political moment he had ever seen in his life.
Friedman's relationship with Biden is extraordinary, not only are the two friends, but Friedman is a frequent visitor to Biden's office, often delivering messages that Biden is reluctant to make public. However, this time, he chose to stand in front of the public and "dissuade" Biden. He believes that although Biden is a good person and a good president, the years are not forgiving, and his advanced age has made him lose the ability to be re-elected. To deter the possible threat posed by Trump, Friedman called on the Biden family and Democrats to unite and put the national interest first in their search for another candidate who could unite the party and the country.
Friedman was equally unrelenting in his criticism of the Republican Party, accusing its leaders of lacking integrity and not making the same demands. In contrast, he is confident that the Democrats will put the country first and open an open nomination process, even if the process may be chaotic, but under Trump's threats, the Democrats will quickly build consensus and put forward a suitable candidate.
In particular, Friedman pointed out that the world is facing unprecedented technological disruption and climate change, and that the AI revolution is quietly changing everything, and these topics are rarely mentioned in the debate. He stressed that now is the time when the United States needs strong leadership to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The young Biden may be competent, but time waits for no one, and advanced age has become an obstacle that cannot be ignored.
At the end of the article, Friedman expressed his deep friendship with Biden, recalling the time the two spent together, especially the post-911 trips to Afghanistan and Pakistan. He believes that if Biden chooses to withdraw from the election now, his first term will be remembered in history and may even be regarded as one of the greatest presidents of all time. However, Friedman also sees the cruelty of reality, believing that Biden is no longer the person he once was, and his family and team know it. Therefore, he called on Biden to maintain his dignity, leave the stage at the right time, and leave a better future for the country and the world.
In this political chess game, every step is full of wisdom and courage. Friedman's open letter is not only an exhortation to an old friend, but also a profound reflection on the future direction of the United States. It shows us that the responsibility of a political leader is not only to pursue personal honor, but also to work for the well-being of the country and its people. Biden's choice, whether retreating or advancing, will write a new chapter in history. We hope that, regardless of the outcome, the United States will be able to chart a bright path and bring more hope and peace to the world. After all, the ultimate goal of politics is to make a better life for everyone, isn't it?