Letter writers offer strong opinions on Biden-Trump debate, future of nation

Better a frail elder statesman than a would-be dictator

June 29 − To the Editor:

The debate came down to style over substance, especially in post-event analyses. Trump performed, as he always does −spouting lies, superlatives, and personal attacks; repeatedly refusing to answer the questions. And am I the only one who suspects there was extra padding in the shoulders of his jacket?

Biden appeared old, almost fragile. Those looking for the power he showed during his State of the Union address were disappointed. He clearly was not feeling well. But his biggest problem, besides appearance and style, was that he had too much information. He got into the weeds of all his administration has done and it was hard to follow. At least he tried to offer facts, something his pants-on-fire opponent is incapable of grasping (or respecting).

So we are facing an election with, more than likely, a choice of a lying, narcissistic, sex abusing would-be dictator versus an older man of accomplishment and experience who, yes, at times may stumble over his thoughts and words.

People thinking they will vote instead for Robert Kennedy Jr. need to be reminded they would actually be voting for Trump, which is why big-buck Trump backers are also putting money into the Kennedy campaign.

I too am concerned about President Biden’s ability to complete a second term. But I don't think the Democratic Party could come up with a viable alternative candidate at this point. At least our democracy has a process of succession. However, it does not have a clear, efficient way of dealing with a President who wants to make our government into a reality show, with him defining “reality.”

Cathy Wolff

Kittery, Maine

Many words describe Trump. None of them are good.

June 28 − To the Editor:

Now that we have witnessed the tsunami of untruths and exaggerations spewing from Donald Trump in the first debate, it’s time to “study” this man.

Sit in a quiet place with a dictionary or laptop. Set pictures of your children/grandchildren in front of you, to remind you of who will be affected by your vote this November.

Over the years, many words have been used to describe Donald Trump—words offered-up by politicians (both Democrats and Republicans), theologians, authors, scientists, business leaders, college professors, psychologists, psychiatrists. I ask that you explore the definitions of the following words and carefully consider that they apply to the person who could be our next President of the United States.

Insurrectionist Sycophant

Nihilist Hypocrite

Misogynist Felon

Racist Bully

Egoist Morally Bankrupt

These words don’t skim along the surface of Donald Trump but dig deeply into his character and behavior. Is this the man you want representing you, your children and your grandchildren? Is this the man you want representing our country to the rest of the world?

J. Schroeder

Hampton Falls

Biden supporters need to grow a backbone

June 30 − To the Editor:

June 27 was a bad debate for everyone. Biden spoke poorly but told the truth. Trump spoke forcefully but lied throughout. What should we take away from this one event that lasted less than 90 minutes?

Certainly not that Biden should drop out. uch sky-is-falling advice would have stopped Obama. By all accounts he also had a bad debate when we had expected him to wipe the floor with Romney. Didn’t go to plan. But he came back, stronger, better, and won, and not just the debate.

Joe Biden had a bad debate, now we need to give him a chance to move beyond it. We need to have faith that we support a man who has already put into motion programs that will transform the entire country for the better. Biden does not just talk the talk; Biden makes things happen. If we step back from supporting him now, we submit the country to a criminal, insurrectionist, rapist who promises to become a dictator and use his office to pour down revenge on his opponents.

We Biden supporters need to grow a backbone so we can stand by our candidate. Now is not the time to soul-search, admit defeat before the nomination, and gift the White House to a serial liar. Biden got knocked down, but he is already getting back up. Are we getting up with him? The true test is not avoiding a knock-down; it’s getting knocked down 7 times and getting up 8.

We Democrats have sensitivities coming out our every pore. Perhaps we need a little less acceptance and bit more pushing back. Who says Trump can claim victory? Who says Biden doesn’t have the grit to carry on a vigorous campaign and an effective presidency? Maybe the GOP might jump on anything anti-Biden, but they have to because they lack judgment, integrity, and courage, as evinced by their choice of Trump. Wailing and teeth gnashing never got a good person elected. Getting out the vote does.

J. Michael Atherton

Dover

Welcome to the Dictatorship of the United States of America

July 1 − To the Editor:

​Ben Franklin said after the Constitutional Convention, "A Republic, if you can keep it.” The Constitutional Republic of the United States of America, explicitly formulated on the idea of balance of powers and the fundamental concept no one is above the law, has just been negated by the Supreme Court.

A President can now order the CIA and FBI to fabricate evidence on a US citizen and then order the Justice Department to prosecute based on that evidence. A President can order the assassination of a political opponent, with a Finding "constitutes a clear and present danger to the national security." (Actually, the President doesn't even need the façade of a Finding document, but that's how you get through the concerns about the action within the Executive Branch/military.) A President can direct a United States Ambassador, "Tell the President/Prime Minister/King of your country their exports will be subject to a 200% tariff unless the country wires $1 billion dollars in Bitcoin to my private account." Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, a service member may not execute an illegal order. But since military actions occur within the authority of the executive branch, a Presidential Directive would now be a legal order, no matter what it requires. And a President may institute a loyalty test/oath for both Service Members and Civil or Service political appointments (including future Supreme Court Justices.)

And the WORST that could happen is that President could be impeached and removed from office. (We’ve seen how difficult that is in today’s divided Congress.) NOTHING FURTHER CAN HAPPEN according to this Supreme Court, because all of the above actions were 'within the outer perimeter of the office" because they deal with law enforcement, national security and foreign affairs. Lest you think I am making this up, here's a quote from the ruling: "The Court thus concludes that the President is absolutely immune from criminal prosecution for conduct within his exclusive sphere of constitutional authority.” And: “Nor may courts deem an action unofficial merely because it allegedly violates a generally applicable law. Otherwise, Presidents would be subject to trial on 'every allegation that an action was unlawful' depriving immunity of its intended effect.”

The Constitution went into effect on March 4, 1789. The intent of the Constitution was made ineffective by a ruling of the Supreme Court on July 1, 2024. Welcome to the Dictatorship of the United States of America.

David Emery

Dover

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This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Letter writers offer strong opinions on Biden-Trump debate, US future