A Speech for the American President
By James Moore
(Understand, this is just a prospective speech I wrote hoping the president might offer something similar soon. These are points I think ought to be emphasized when the hour arrives, which I believe now is inevitable. The party and congress need to deliver an unequivocal message to the president and his family, and allow him to take the noble step of removing himself from consideration for another term. His presidency will become both historic and heroic with that final act. – JM).
My fellow Americans,
I am speaking to you tonight from the Roosevelt Room in the White House rather than the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. While my message this evening is of critical national importance, it is also political, and I want to respect the distinctions by keeping anything partisan from the historic work space of our presidents. I trust you will understand that this moment is significant for all our citizens, and not just the Democratic Party, which I lead.
I want to initially talk to you about the introspection leading to this moment. In many ways, I was guided by the first person to hold this sacred office. Without the determination of George Washington’s leadership, we might not have become a nation. As he approached the end of his tenure as President, his energy and intellectual acuity appeared to defy his years. Washington was dismissive of the questions related to his age and pointed out, “Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.” He might have been speaking of historical epochs, but I think his argument applies to the human condition, too, his and mine. We must be measured by what we have done, which informs what we might do in the future.
Under my tenure in this office over the past four years, Congress and the American people have accomplished many monumental tasks that will positively impact and guide our country in the coming decades. Strong political resistance from the conservative right did not prevent us from taking what we knew to be the best steps to help Americans deal with the pandemic, and recovery. Hundreds of millions of COVID-19 vaccinations were distributed and by mid-2021, any person interested could access the shot for free. That distribution was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, which also provided direct payments for Americans to help them financially sustain their households. The $1.9 trillion dollar relief package kept our country healthy and stable as we moved toward full recovery. GDP grew at its fastest pace since the 1980s, driven by renewed consumer spending, business investment, and our government stimulus.
We didn’t stop there, though. You and I knew what our country needed and we convinced our elected representative of both parties to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to provide $1.2 trillion dollars for the upgrading of roads, bridges, broadband, water systems, and other forms of essential infrastructure. Those investments prompted broad job growth as we rebounded from the pandemic-induced recession. As I speak to you tonight, a total of 15 million jobs have been added to our economy since I raised my hand on inauguration day. Economic analysts and journalists are calling the present American economy “the envy of the world” and insist that it is “the engine driving global economic expansion.” That didn’t happen by accident. It is the result of our common realization of what was needed and then getting to work to make success happen.
There is, of course, many challenges left before us. My efforts to improve the fairness of our tax laws and have the wealthy and corporations pay their reasonable shares have run into strong political resistance as have our legislative attempts to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour. We are making headway against inflation with price increases stopping and trending down and we are confronting supply chain issues that have driven demand upward along with prices. My administration has launched initiatives and investments to help our economy transition to clean energy with renewable resources and we rejoined the Paris Climate Accord to be a part of the global partnership working to protect our international environments from the deadly and costly impacts of climate change.
That’s not a bad report card, right, and I haven’t even mentioned all the judicial appointments that have increased diversity on the bench or our defense of LGBTQ rights and programs requiring equal treatment in education and employment. But none of that is why I am here tonight. Although I know there is much more I need to accomplish, and I am aware of what that is, I have come to accept the fact that there is a chance I might not be up to the tasks of this office over the next four years, and America cannot take that risk. I have realized, as we all must, the decline written on our lives by time, and how that story comes to its end. The outcome is the same for each of us. I may perceive myself as a vigorous and mentally sharp man of 81 years, but I know the truth is that I am not the same person I was just twelve months previous. These changes will almost certainly accelerate, and if they do, my judgment or lack of energy might bring harm to this country that I have loved every day of my long life. I will not ask you again to give me the privilege to serve you since I am no longer one hundred percent confident I can be worthy of your trust.
At the beginning of my term, I suggested to you that I would be a transitional president. My intention was to set the table for next generation of American leaders, to provide the economy and policies and institutions that would facilitate their success, and this country’s. I thought, however, I would not be passing the torch for eight years. I realize now, however, the perceptions of my capabilities, real or imagined, decrease my chances of, not only winning reelection, but possibly of performing should I get four more years. I understand how optics become reality in politics. I cannot serve you with so many people, including in my own party, doubting my faculties and my ability to go forward in the office of the president. For all these reasons, I want to share with you that I am tonight ending my campaign for another term as President of the United States.
My first responsibility is to release all my delegates to vote as they wish for a new nominee to be the party’s presidential candidate. As you might imagine, I think the best person to succeed me in this office is Vice President Kamala Harris. I did not select her to serve in my administration and as my running mate without believing deeply in her character and abilities. She is the best individual to lead the country, and the party. But because we are Democrats, we believe in open and inclusive processes, so I will also recommend the party provide a transparent nominating mechanism for a new presidential candidate. Anyone who wishes to run and be considered ought to be able to announce and make their case, however they can, to the American people. Their campaigns will be shortened to meet the convention deadline in mid-August, but those that meet certain polling standards ought to be able give nomination speeches before ballots are cast on the floor to elect a nominee.
I realize this might sound awkward, and even messy, but the electoral processes in many nations tend to be far shorter and less costly than the ones by which Americans choose their leaders. This can be done, and a new national discourse will arise that will show voters the strength of the Democratic Party and the diversity of candidates and ideas that are available for our future. This will also be one of the greatest stories democracy has ever told, and the American public’s belief in our republic will be renewed by their increased participation in choosing a new president while also realizing they can end the existential threat that exists on the other side of the political spectrum. America is already great, and this process will help to ensure it becomes even greater with more voices and inclusion.
I am not wandering off into the mists, however. A president wants to secure his place in history and I hope the work my administration has accomplished will be measured against the time and the challenges we confronted together. I will serve out my term and expect to make a parting speech at the Democratic convention next month in Chicago. I will also help the new presidential and vice presidential ticket with their campaign in any manner they might request. Always, though, my constant thoughts will be of this country and what a great privilege and honor it has been to serve its people. I hope I have earned the confidence you placed in me, and that we find the leader we need in the coming weeks and months. Together, we all have work yet to do to create our more perfect union. God bless you all, and god bless the United States of America.
This article was originally published on Texas to the world.
James Moore is the New York Times bestselling author of “Bush’s Brain: How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Presidential,” three other books on Bush and former Texas Governor Rick Perry, as well as two novels, and a biography entitled, “Give Back the Light,” on a famed eye surgeon and inventor. His newest book will be released mid- 2023. Mr. Moore has been honored with an Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for his documentary work and is a former TV news correspondent who has traveled extensively on every presidential campaign since 1976.
He has been a retained on-air political analyst for MSNBC and has appeared on Morning Edition on National Public Radio, NBC Nightly News, Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell, CBS Evening News, CNN, Real Time with Bill Maher, and Hardball with Chris Matthews, among numerous other programs. Mr. Moore’s written political and media analyses have been published at CNN, Boston Globe, L.A. Times, Guardian of London, Sunday Independent of London, Salon, Financial Times of London, Huffington Post, and numerous other outlets. He also appeared as an expert on presidential politics in the highest-grossing documentary film of all time, Fahrenheit 911, (not related to the film’s producer Michael Moore).
His other honors include the Dartmouth College National Media Award for Economic Understanding, the Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Television News Directors’ Association, the Individual Broadcast Achievement Award from the Texas Headliners Foundation, and a Gold Medal for Script Writing from the Houston International Film Festival. He was frequently named best reporter in Texas by the AP, UPI, and the Houston Press Club. The film produced from his book “Bush’s Brain” premiered at The Cannes Film Festival prior to a successful 30-city theater run in the U.S.
Mr. Moore has reported on the major stories and historical events of our time, which have ranged from Iran-Contra to the Waco standoff, the Oklahoma City bombing, the border immigration crisis, and other headlining events. His journalism has put him in Cuba, Central America, Mexico, Australia, Canada, the UK, and most of Europe, interviewing figures as diverse as Fidel Castro and Willie Nelson. He has been writing about Texas politics, culture, and history since 1975, and continues with political opinion pieces for CNN and regularly at his Substack newsletter: “Texas to the World.”
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corvusboreus
Return to home pageVery well written, but what are the chances?
The Dems still seem to be split on this despite the now considerable lapse of time since the debate.
Is there a factional struggle taking place within the party?
Mr. Starmer has just made a plain, relevant, directed speech that needs attention, for it sets out aims, limits, duties, most sensibly. This simulated one by Mr. Moore ends with a god who does nor exist (try your telescope of microscope,) and a nation that deserves nothing much good unfairly. The USA is exceptionally obtuse, vain, unbalanced, and Trump indicates it to be sub-third reich in many ways. Unknown USA people can kill you and me, and they intimidate the world illegally and constantly while preaching bowelbrained pseudo-philosophy. Hopefully they will join the Assyrians, Hittites, Huns, and soon.
America needs a President who looks and performs better at pressing people’s buttons on TV… more than one that fills his administration with capable people?
Relentless ageist criticism works… on a public well dumbed down. If Russian disinformation is in there it is because America makes itself vulnerable to it; the public is dumbed down and the “elite” think those with the gold should make the rules that deliver them more gold, and want to pick the figurehead – people for whom politics is not about how they vote but about influence as a commodity, a deal, quid quo pro that bypasses democracy. And the bizarre belief that government IS the problem, that utter incompetence will be better than governance by people who value it, seems to permeate RW politics.
We’d better keep our relations with China healthy because America is flushing it’s successes down the toilet, counterclockwise.
PP
I heard Starmer and first of all let’s acknowledge that he is intelligent and a coherent and articulate speaker – particularly impressed that he has immediately canned the Rwanda solution for boat arrivals – a policy for which the Conservatives relied on advice from Dumb and Dumber (Abbott and Downer).
A good start !
God? bless the Divided States of Anarchy?? I think not. If there was such a thing I doubt it would be very impressed by being trusted and believed in by the most untrustworthy government on the planet who in many ways has more in common with Beelzebub. If Biden steps down who has even a minute chance of beating the convicted felon conman and his cult of brainless zombies who have no interest in fixing their country’s myriad problems? A bunch of pathetic child-like quasi adults who only have revenge on their tiny meagre minds rather than joining together to make a nation worthy of respect.
China will soon overtake America as the strongest economy and their currency hopefully will take over from the over inflated ‘greenback” as the currency of choice. Let’s be truthful here. The only thing keeping America in it’s current position is the sheer amount of mindless military might it still commands. China are now not far behind in terms of technology, and in numbers of soldiers they already win hands down. The DSA has nothing else going in it’s favour any longer. It’s government and politicians are nothing but a joke and are falling out of favour across the globe.
The always prescient Laurie Anderson’s Another day in America, from her 2010 album, Homeland.
Tone the Botty made a bloody fool of himself on May 18, 2019, when he farted that he’d rather be a loser than a quitter. If he had only stood for politics once and been defeated, it was better to have tried and lost than not tried at all, but to have had 25 years, lost the leadership of the party after 726 days of incompetence as national leader, but hung around like a fart in a phone booth than bowed out in 2016, he showed the pitiful excuse for a human being that he is. The same as his political love daddy, John Howard, who thought that he deserved a lap of honour, and could go out at the time of his choosing, even though some in his party were saying, in 2007, “You should go now.”
It would be better for Joe Biden to retire as President now, than lose to a fascist.
Americans have no idea of a team and think they are a democracy. So they deserve trump.
Americans seem to have no idea of a team and think they are a democracy.
So they deserve trump.
Is the above couplet what is known as a double whammy?
Does anyone have Tuesday’s Lotto numbers, because us winning that is more likely than Ol’ Joe stepping aside in any sort of decent fashion. He might be evicted, but that and it’s repercussions will only suit the orange maniac more.
@WAM. Nobody deserves trump. Not even some tiny central americas or eastern european dictator run shithole that only runs guns and drugs.
@ Canguro et al
Excellent article, his considered opinion, thanks James Moore.
But understandably more attention getting by the commentators, was the last line,
“God bless you all, and god bless the United States of America.”
Canguro loved your relevant reminder of Laurie Anderson’s A Day in America. How very appropriate.
It also reminds me of the great Bulgakovs and their The Master and Margarita
Will the expedience of the conga-line of self-righteous convenience ever be replace by thinking about everyone and everything?
Double Whammy Burger.
Two all-wam patties
Vintage cheese, pickled onions,
And sharp red sauce
On salty-peppery buns
(NO GREENS!)
*Served with chips, not fries
CB, albeit you’re (currently) an infrequent contributor, (not that that’s a downer), your observations are capable of instigating deep feelings of pleasure, awe and respect; please know that you are deeply appreciated.
Any old (or young) cynic might shrug it off by simply saying ‘aw shucks, it ain’t nuffin, it’s just a blog, goddamn it.’ Too true, but the connection is what counts.
Canguro
Genuine thanks, I echo similar sentiments regarding your own contributions (except for the ones that I reactively disagree with).
Glad that you are here sharing the passing of precious time on this blessed rock.
Thank you Clakka, always a slight thrill to be acknowledged for my modest efforts.
Given this thread is on the topic of American presidents, here’s a link to a Guardian article which reviews a recently published book called Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed. I note that Robert Kennedy Jr, the son of Bobby Kennedy and currently an aspirant for the top job in the States, is getting a bit of unwelcome media attention per his less than best practice behaviour in the context of intimate & personal relationships, but this book review utterly blows the lid off any lingering sense of the Kennedys being genuine contenders to what was naively and falsely referred to as the Camelot era of American politics.
In a nutshell, they were awful individuals. Misogynist, predatory, careless, sexist, dangerous, rapacious, nasty. How these vile individuals managed to blindside both the media and the public at large for so long is in itself another sorry tale of how power corrupts and is shielded by the courtiers who themselves share in the spoils by due access to the inner circles of the privileged.
Humans can be so utterly disgusting at times, and it seems that the greater the degree of power granted and wielded, the more the tendency towards the former, that of being a disgusting individual. Nixon, Johnson, the Bushes, Clinton and Trump all fall into this distinction of moral failure. It’s no wonder that the USA is in the shithole it is, if one reflects on the nature of the people it elects to act as the leader of that failed society.
Yes Canguro,
Beware the toothy smiles of deception from the anthropomorphized chimpanzees that by rote inhabit disdain.
It ought be no surprise that they seek to increase their scope for deception by abdicating their responsibilities to phychopathic despots.
All pumped by the grasping mainstream media moguls and their spineless amanuenses.
Corvus,
My big sister had hiked to Pedder 3 times and was a rock solid green in Tassie from 60 years ago till her death.
On our visits, we were mixing with marvellous men and women who were concerned with the environment and member of the honest loonie greens.
My family and every child I have taught knows how ‘green’ is the top colour. Every child I taught can look out of the window and see the myriad of greens.
My support ended, 15 years ago, with the bullshit excuses offered by the greens when senile bob supported the LNP against the Howard/Rudd price on carbon.
Since then the bandit, who dabbled with Trotsky, labor and dismissed the greens as bourgeois and showed his blackmailing power over Gillard, has been nothing like the greens of my experience.
His personal ambition preferred operating methods are underhand and tricky.
Wam,
Just a jest, not a jab.
I’ve no more bilious vitriol for you, just sincere regret and apology for unduly harsh words uttered prior.
You have pedigree deserving respect as as an educator, an organiser, and a longtime advocate for those with a lesser slice of the pie.
You (formerly ‘eli nes’) are also one of the familiar faces of this site from when I first perched and dropped scat here.
I’ve actually come to appreciate the flavour of a well-prepared wammy-burger.
Regarding Greens?
I acknowledge that, more often than not, when they play politics, they waver illogically between cynical chicanery and pixieland ideology.
I’m not so jaded against brand Green
as you, but I pick over their various senatorial offerings with a nitcomb before I consider throwing a them preference prospect.
I bled straight Teal on the last HoR ballot.
Closest I have come to bring a Green is handing out HTV tickets for a local government candidate, on account of someone I professionally and personally respected running under their banner.
When she ran for state, it was as an independent, probably because the NSW Greens are something of a split-open pack of extra-flakey moron flavoured biscuits.
Corvus to wam,
out.
Canguro,
Taking a break from all the bullshit & babble,
For reduction of strain on eyes, soul and brain.
Keep well, stay strong,
Corvus out.