To the editor: As I am approximately one year older than former President Trump and two years younger than President Biden, I feel qualified to informally assess their respective degrees of cognitive impairment. (“Biden's polls are not very good. How much is the media to blame?” Opinion, February 14)
Like both of them, I occasionally mispronounce a notable person's name or forget an exact date. But I try to maintain my mental acuity, which leads me to read quality periodicals (such as The Times) and to converse with erudite and sensible friends.
I strongly suspect that Biden is much more inclined than Trump to work on maintaining his mental faculties. Given that Trump is notoriously reluctant to read and given to befriending unhinged demagogues, I have to doubt his presence of mind.
On the contrary, I consider Biden's studious and measured adherence to democratic norms to be preferable qualities in a president. As they say, age is just a number.
Frank Hochfeld, Albany, California.
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To the editor: Fifty years ago, then-Republican Senator Barry Goldwater led a delegation to the Oval Office, which resulted in President Nixon's resignation, thereby accelerating the nation's recovery from the Watergate scandal.
Similarly, a delegation composed of Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D.Y.), former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-N.Y.) D-San Francisco) and former President Obama, should hold a white meeting. House intervention.
The message: “Not only for the good of the party but for the survival of our democracy, you must step aside.”
Biden has been a transitional leader who will likely be viewed favorably by historians in the future. However, nominating a vibrant candidate who will maximize the odds of defeating Trump in November is the most important task right now.
Dave Sanderson, La Cañada Flintridge
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To the editor: Thanks to columnist Jackie Calmes for focusing on what's important in the election and not treating it like a sporting event, which is what we get from hyperventilated news from cable networks, social media and dodgy pollsters.
The only poll that matters is the polls, and voters not only look at the ages of candidates, but also seriously consider the people they appoint to serve in cabinet positions.
Maybe the media should stop insulting our intelligence for once with polls and realize that we take a lot more into consideration when we exercise our freedom to vote.
Michael J. Harley, Laguna Niguel
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To the editor: I have never agreed with anyone more than I did with Calmes in his column about Biden's poll numbers.
Of course, the media is responsible for the president's low approval ratings. Considering the former president's reprehensible actions and words, Biden is a man of integrity and strength.
Shame on The Times too for continuing with this prejudice. He and we deserve better.
Shelley Keith, Sherman Oaks
