Character matters, and Joe Biden showed us what character looks like.

“Nowhere else on earth could a kid with a stutter from the modest beginnings of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Claymont, Delaware, one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as president of the United States. But here I am.”

Those were the words of Joseph R. Biden — president of the United States on July 24, 2024.

Biden by his record of accomplishment was justified in seeking a second term as our president, yet he showed no bitterness, resentment or self-pity in his decision to stand down.

Four years ago America had 8% unemployment, an economy and supply chain that had shut down, hundreds of thousands in intensive care with covid, fractured alliances, our friends had come to believe America couldn’t be counted on, and we had a ballooning budget deficit. And yet despite Biden’s life long struggle with stuttering, and the hateful shaming, ridicule and name calling by the Republicans, Biden righted the ship of state and turned America around.

America today, under the Biden-Harris administration has the highest GDP in the world, the lowest unemployment in 40 years, is making more critical goods right here at home, and is standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies against tyrants. And yes, the deficit has been reduced.

Biden by his record knew he deserved a second term, but he also knew America’s 248-year experiment with democratic self-government would be on the line come November, and for the sake of our country’s future he unselfishly passed the torch of leadership to the next generation of Democrats and Kamala Harris.

Joe Biden made the decision to withdraw from the 2024 election to unite Democrats and preserve our democracy. And now it’s up to us to vote for democracy by voting for Kamala Harris this November.

Character, integrity, honesty and patriotism: Joseph R. Biden — forty-sixth president of the United States.

FREDERICK LEHR

Grays River