Opinion Today: Biden and the true meaning of patriotism

His choice is a sign of health for the nation, but what comes next is crucial.

View in browser|nytimes.com July 22, 2024 By Kathleen Kingsbury Opinion Editor JD Vance, while introducing himself to the nation Wednesday evening as Donald Trump's vice-presidential pick, said of the relatives he has from Appalachia, "That is our homeland. People will not fight for abstractions, but they will fight for their home." Vance, of course, is on shaky ground factually — consider the American Revolution as only the first of many conflicts the United States has fought on behalf of the abstract ideal of freedom over tyranny. But since his speech, I keep returning to Vance's subtext here: The G.O.P. owns the mantle of American patriotism. President Biden on Sunday proved otherwise. In deciding to drop out of the race, he ensured that history will remember him for putting country over his own aspirations in the fight to prevent the lasting damage of a second Trump presidency. Biden listened to voters' and his party leaders' concerns about his age and infirmity and acted. As the editorial board wrote, "Biden has now done what Trump never will: He has placed the national interest above his own pride and ambition." Political courage and love of country also came in the form of those Democratic leaders who saw the pitfalls of Biden's candidacy and spoke up, even if only behind closed doors. Contrast the choices of Americans like Senator Peter Welch of Vermont; Senator Chuck Schumer, the majority leader; and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi with those made by Senator Mitch McConnell and so many others in the Republican leadership who have repeatedly excoriated Trump but never acted to stop him. One of the miracles of the American experiment is that it has, with little exception, seen the peaceful transfer of power. It's a lasting testament to George Washington's leadership. Today, we see the same. Our political system was built to handle this eventuality — among fellow citizens and his party, Biden's decision has not sparked violence but instead contemplation about the future. His exit from the race is a demonstration of patriotism, and it is also a sign of health for our nation. The Democratic Party is declaring its commitment to governance rather than to being a cult of personality. And Biden offered Democrats the chance to move on to their next generation of leaders. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, and as of Sunday, there have been no challenges to her for the nomination. Tressie McMillian Cottom, a Times Opinion columnist, made a compelling case yesterday that it should stay that way. "This election is not a competition between two equally matched candidates with merely competing visions for America," she wrote. "It is a race between a man who intends to be king and the party that stands in his way." "Anyone else would leave lasting intraparty animosities," wrote Michelle Goldberg, in her own case for Harris in today's assessment of potential candidates by a group of Opinion contributors. Our colleague Bret Stephens disagrees, arguing that Harris is even weaker than Biden as a candidate. "She's a blue-state Democrat who's hardly ever run a truly competitive campaign," he told Gail Collins. "She comes with all of the Biden policy baggage, particularly the rise in prices and the immigration crisis." This will not be the end of the conversation, either in Times Opinion's report or among voters. And of course, it's the Democratic Party that will make the call at its convention next month. One must hope it proves to be another opportunity for Americans to see the party demonstrate its patriotism in action. The next month will undoubtedly be a tense, serious time in the nation's history. Everyone who loves this country should be sure to stay engaged. Read the editorial: Damon Winter/The New York Times The Editorial Board Biden Made a Courageous Choice. Democrats Must Seize the Opportunity. He did what Trump would never do: place the national interest above his own pride and ambition. By The Editorial Board Here's what we're focusing on today: Editors' Picks The 10 Best Candidates to Replace Biden, Rated by Our Columnists and Writers Many party leaders are coalescing behind Kamala Harris, but some veteran Democrats — and many voters — are still grappling with who would fare best against Trump. By New York Times Opinion More From Opinion Guest Essay Joe Biden, My Friend and an American Hero He never surrendered the hope that a frail and fallible world could be made stronger if people could summon enough goodness and courage to build, rather than tear down. By Jon Meacham Guest Essay Al Sharpton: Joe Biden Has a Legacy in Black America. Kamala Harris Can Keep It Going. History will remember what this former lion of the Senate accomplished from the West Wing to improve Black communities across the nation. By Al Sharpton Kamala Harris or Bust The only conversation the Democrats need to be having now is about how to line up behind their vice president. By Tressie McMillan Cottom Frank Bruni What Joe Biden Just Did Is Utterly Extraordinary It's hard to grasp the historical rarity, emotional agony and fundamental humility of what the president just did. By Frank Bruni The Conversation Can Kamala Harris Step Up? Asking for a Friend. What are the alternatives? And about those Republicans ... By Gail Collins and Bret Stephens Katherine Miller Biden Is Out. Is This What Moving Toward Stability Feels Like? The past month in American politics has been exhausting. By Katherine Miller It's Time for 'Anything Is Possible' Democratic Boldness Harris may be the best candidate, but she needs to prove it before being nominated. By Patrick Healy Guest Essay Why Are There Neo-Nazis on the Streets of Nashville? The shameless presence of white supremacists here tells us something about the similarity between the politics of the past and our political moment. By Margaret Renkl What Biden's Decision Not to Run Means for America His decision marks a generational transition in American politics By Nicholas Kristof Democrats, Stop Saying It's Too Late The conventional wisdom about Biden ricochets between denialism and fatalism. By Pamela Paul Three Questions About What the Democrats Might Do Next Many of our columnists, writers and contributors have spent the weeks since Biden's debate debacle examining the possibilities. By Anna Marks Lydia Polgreen If Kamala Harris Is a D.E.I. Candidate, So Is JD Vance He benefited from one of the most powerful forms of affirmative action that elite universities practice. By Lydia Polgreen David French One of the Republican Convention's Weirdest Lies It was one long exercise in creating memories of a Trump term that never existed. By David French Ross Douthat How Trump Sabotaged His Own Apotheosis Having Trump as a dominant figure keeps American politics in a state of unsettlement. By Ross Douthat Eric Lee/The New York Times letters As Biden Withdraws, Words of Praise and Caution An early sampling of reactions to the president's announcement. We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. Games Here are today's Mini Crossword, Wordle and Spelling Bee. If you're in the mood to play more, find all our games here. Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com. 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