20 Comments

Interesting storytelling aspect of tying this moment in American political history to personal history. I think it grounds the piece nicely and is done pretty well. Much love Ian.

Expand full comment

All we had to do was hold the damn line, but we're a bunch of fucking babies. At this point, we deserve to lose. I hope we don't, but we have it coming.

Expand full comment

Disgusting that they pushed him out. I hope they rot.

Expand full comment

Just imagine Joe Biden’s place in history! Vice President to America’s first black president, president to America’s first female vice president and possibly the man who first endorsed the woman who may become our first female president. To quote Joe Biden “it’s a big f*cking deal!’. Thank you Joe!

Expand full comment

That is probably the best analysis of the night that anyone in media has produced. I wish some of the political pundits and raconteurs would emulate this mode of thinking - we might find ourselves conversing instead of sniping.

Expand full comment

So sorry you lost your mom and your dad so young. Also, I hate Scott Jennings and always change the channel when I see him on CNN. The applause Biden got when he walked on stage was glorious. And I love, love, love that he let it go on for so long. He cherished it, as did I. As for legacies, he will always be one of my favorite presidents. The calm he brought this country after four years of crazy was something we so desperately needed. And his decision to step aside so it can continue is the true mark of a man who loves his country, the fact that he put the nation’s wellbeing above all else. Love ya, Joe.

Expand full comment

Beautiful encapsulation of what we saw last night. And wasn’t it lovely that Kamala surprised us all by taking the podium to thank Joe! I’ve never seen a convention that was so joyous and unifying. Looking forward to the rest of it!

Expand full comment

I worked for At&T through divestiture. May have worked with your dad on the phone. I stopped reading you after the so-called debate. Happily I decided to give this article a read. Thanks

Expand full comment

Loved this. Joe is the best version of the opposite of the bloated, orange diaper-baby that one could possibly imagine.

Expand full comment

And we should never have pushed him out.

Expand full comment

I don't really understand why not. The polling has reversed, with Dems -3 or 4 to up 3 or 4. That's a massive change, the energy is a massive change, the enthusiasm, the financial support. All in all, it seems as if it was the right thing to do.

Expand full comment

How ya feel now, sport?

Expand full comment

This is beautiful, Michael.

Expand full comment

Really sweet essay, thanks.

Expand full comment

Biden stepping down will be in the histiry books even if Kamala loses. Such a consequential act of putting the country over his ambition deserves to be celebrated snd remembered for a long time to come.

Expand full comment

Now the tears come. I thank the universe each day that America had Joe Biden. He did us proud.

Great post, Ian. Thank you, also.

Expand full comment

While a genuine tribute to Biden and family, it touched on such universal themes that any reader, myself included, would meaningfully reflect on their own lives. It wasn’t about Biden, it was about us all.

Expand full comment

Heart this.

Expand full comment

This was beautiful. Thank you 🥹

Expand full comment