With all

due respect,

Sir,

I suspect 

it’s impossible

to accept

the possibility

of losing

our democracy

because of 

a bad night.

You would

be right,

Sir,

if what did

occur

was merely

an hour,

but our

attempts

to rectify

can not

justify

what seems

like a weakened

state.

The spate

of outcry

grows by

the day,

Sir,

as your stiffened

spine

looks less

fine

than arthritic.

Those who

play critic

with your 

performance

were surprised

not by

the other guy’s

lies 

or word 

salad,

but by your

eyes

looking lost,

and muffled

speech

with its

cost

too great

to proceed.

Mistakes happen.

That’s not

the problem.

Your presidency

has been

legislatively

powerful.

Your passion

and compassion

are the aspiration

for this nation,

and you saved

us from Trump

and Covid.

You are a super

hero

but not super

human,

Sir,

and we respect

you 

and your

legacy.

As you have

fought

and taught

us,

reliance

on defiance

has brought

us

to a dangerous

precipice,

now on

this side.

Your pride

won’t win

and we can’t

spin

this 

any more.

The American

people

deserve

respect,

and I suspect

you detect

what they

reflect:

We need

amazing

grace;

for you 

to

step aside

in this race

and decide

someone

else 

should take 

your place

or release

your delegates

and open

the convention,

however

unconventional

this may be.

It’s where

we are,

Sir,

at this moment.

It would be

most constructive

and instructive, 

and certainly 

most brave.

You could

save

your legacy

with our 

democracy

in this emergency,

with All

due respect.