A Speech for the American President

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 hasten the 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 representatives 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 are, 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. I’ve also made it possible for 21 million Americans to be insured under the Affordable Care Act, have released student debt for nearly 5 million Americans, and put the first Black woman on the Supreme Court in the United States of America?

That’s not a bad report card, right, and I haven’t even mentioned all the other 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 as 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 the 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 convention 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.