Readers sound off on Biden’s delayed abdication, split terms and New York’s football teams

Biden’s complacency cost Harris precious time

Stamford, Conn.: As political scientists postmortem the 2024 presidential election, President Biden’s belated decision to step aside will emerge as the largest factor contributing to Kamala Harris’ decisive defeat. When Biden challenged Donald Trump in 2020, he campaigned as a transitional candidate. He was to pave the way for a new generation of leadership. Campaigning at 77-years-old, he could still break through the Trump machine in 2020 and the Democrats would then have four years to identify the party’s future standard-bearer.

But the allure of political power resulted in a destructive bait-and-switch. Biden, on a precipitous decline, ignored his reality. He pursued power until it was too late to establish a winning successor. With 107 days to go, Harris bravely took the mantle but was led to the slaughter. She was no match for 10 years of Trump’s propaganda campaign. Democrats were deprived of the opportunity to select their candidate through a timely and orderly vetting process.

Biden is a good man and he’s done many good things through his lifetime in politics. Unfortunately, his last decision was selfish, wrongheaded and catastrophic for the Democrats.

His swan song will always be remembered as a stubborn refusal to admit the truth. His political career had played itself out and he should have shown the courage and statesmanship to keep his word and, once elected, announce that he was ready to turn his party over to the next generation. Had he done so, we would be in a different place today. Peter Janoff

Nice guy

Syosset, L.I.: There might be few people happier than me about the Trump reascension. But I think it’s worth taking a moment to comment on Joe’s incredible speech at the White House. He was (in contrast to the post-coup Democratic candidate in her speech) gracious, classy and light on his feet, with a glint in his eye and (literally) a skip or two in his step. His message was one of hope and unification. It was nice to see him go out that way. Frankly, even for those who didn’t like his policies or performance, it’s a moment from a nice man that should be appreciated. Drew Oringer

Party pooper

Forest Hills: I am so sick of Bernie Sanders and his self-righteous indignation as to why the Dems lost. If it weren’t for his arrogance in splitting the party and not rallying the petulant Bernie Babies against Hillary Clinton, there would have been no Trump in the first place. The blame for this debacle is as much on him as anyone. Just go away. Stew Frimer

Precedent case study

Manhattan: Hey, social studies/history teachers! Why don’t you talk to your classes about Trump not being the first president to serve two terms that were not consecutive? Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president. His terms were separated by Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president. You could study Cleveland and compare the circumstances that led him to having two separated terms to those that led Trump to return to the White House four years later. Charles Adrian O’Connor

Team pride

Brooklyn: I am so proud to have been a part of the Harris-Walz team, if only in a small capacity. Just knowing that this beautiful, strong, intelligent African/Indian-American woman and Tim Walz, an equally impressive choice for vice president, were willing to and did give their all to bring attention to the deceptive rhetoric of their political foes will remain with me for the rest of my life. This was a momentous time in history and hopefully, I will be here in 2028 ready to support and be a part of their fight for us again, assuming there is anything left of this country to fight for. Mary Whitaker

On the chopping block

Bronx: As Bette Davis said in one of her famous movies, “Put on your seatbelts, ’cause it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.” Get ready for the coming of the horror show Trump will bring to the American public. His 900-page fascist manifesto will be on full display. Women who are denied an abortion will be his first victims. Hard-working migrants who do the kind of work nobody wants will be next. His chosen cabinet members who dare to be loyal to the Constitution instead of him will be dismissed. Gays will lose a lot of the benefits they have attained through many years of hard work. A convicted felon and sex offender is being given the privilege of returning to the White House. What a disgrace! Edwin Jimenez

Waiting in the wings

Bloomfield, N.J.: My fear is that we are one extra cheeseburger away from having President JD Vance. Eli Kelley

No whining

Brooklyn: To Voicer Susanne Hayes Kelly: I would ask what you’re smoking up there in Woodstock, but I’ve decided it’s not that. Instead, my sore loser non-friend, it is indeed you who have the emotional maturity of a 5-year-old. Don’t like the president-elect? Don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya. Charlie Wyatt

When’s your flight?

College Point: I just read an article that there’s a bunch of Hollywood stars threatening to leave the U.S. now that Trump is president again (kind of remember this happening last time, yet no one left). People like Cher, Sharon Stone, Sophie Turner (who I believe is British — what gall!) and someone named America Ferrera want to live in Europe and other places north or overseas. It is quite clear that these vapid possessors of exaggerated self-importance don’t know just how hollow their threats are. Yes, you can leave because you have the means to do so! You live in gated communities, have security teams, don’t ride the subways, are protected against illegals who kill (see Laken Riley, RIP). Step away from your protected fantasy-life bubbles. You are nothing like us. Run, you gutless entertainment illuminati. You certainly won’t be missed. Guy Breen

No limits

Brooklyn: Now we can tell our children and grandchildren that you really can become whatever you want to be if you work hard at it — even if you are a convicted felon or a jury found you guilty of sexual abuse. Damo Baliga

Economy cons

Charlotte, N.C.: One thing you can bet the house on is with the Republicans running the show, we won’t hear the word “deficit” for the next four years. And since the Supreme Court will never find Trump guilty of anything, he might just declare bankruptcy, his most successful way of doing business. Ron Turek

Party records

Schenectady, N.Y.: Dear America, a history lesson: Ronald Reagan — recession; George H.W. Bush — recession; Bill Clinton — balanced budget, surplus; George W. Bush — the Great Recession; Barack Obama — rescued our economy, growth; Trump — added $7 trillion to the deficit, unemployment at 14%; Biden — rescued our economy, finest growth in history. You’re welcome. Diane Sanders Hombach

Prophetic prose

Plainview, L.I.: No offense to the 74 million people who just voted for Trump, but I can’t help but wonder if famed writer H.L. Mencken somehow had this year’s election in mind when he penned the following six opinions: 1. “Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public.” 2. “There’s no underestimating the intelligence of the American people.” 3. “Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.” 4. “Sometimes the idiots outvote the sensible people.” 5. “The men the American people admire most extravagantly are the most daring liars.” 6. “On some great and glorious day, the plain folks in the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.” Richard Siegelman

Get positive

Point Pleasant, N.J.: My father worked for the Daily News for 35 years. It’s time for the paper to get back to its roots and provide unbiased coverage. Embrace the change and realize the better candidate won. Please tell Mike Lupica that it’s time to get back to writing about sports and not politics. Mike Agar

Pick a side

Brooklyn: The Jets and Giants are cursed because they are not actually in New York. Move back to N.Y. or rename as New Jersey. Be honest, break the curse. Just don’t make the taxpayers pay! Steve Turbek