Debating what to do after the Trump-Biden presidential debate

The presidential debate highlighted both former President Donald Trump’s propensity to lie as well as President Joe Biden’s intellectually feeble showing [“Biden family members fault prep, sources say,” News, July 1].

While Trump has not so subtly advocated the dissolution of American democracy, Biden remains a selfless public servant. But that is not enough.

With America’s future at peril, Biden needs to challenge Trump to a second debate well before the Democratic convention. If his showing mirrors his performance in the first debate, he needs to withdraw.

— Clifford D. Glass, East Rockaway

Joe Biden has nothing to gain by staying in the race. But if it’s handled properly, his stepping down could cement his legacy as an outstanding president, a good man and a patriot. It also can bring him some much-deserved peace. It’s not guaranteed, but behind a new Democratic candidate. it could reinvigorate those Americans who see the danger of a second Donald Trump term.

— Tedd Levy, Woodbury

That stump speech that Joe Biden vigorously delivered the day after his pathetic debate performance was written by his handlers and read off a teleprompter.

I give him a silver star in reading. It was a good visual but nothing more.

— Robert D’Addario, Commack

It is true that Joe Biden had a difficult debate. I know his heart and actions are for the people, whereas Donald Trump is for himself. Biden would surround himself with a solid administration, whereas Trump would surround himself with sycophants who would likely take us all down with them. We have a binary choice.

— Brenda Ferrante, Lindenhurst

Listening to people trying to defend Joe Biden’s performance at the debate is driving me crazy. This man spent about a week with several advisers to prepare for the debate, and this was the best he could muster.

Wake up, America: Biden is not fit to run our country.

— Raymond P. Moran, Massapequa Park

The debate was a cringeworthy debacle for Joe Biden, and, with a heavy heart, I must encourage him to do the most heroic action of his long, outstanding political career ["Hazards of a two-party duopoly," Editorial, June 30]. It is time for him to acknowledge that he does not have the fortitude, strength and resilience to be our commander in chief for four more years.

He needs to have the courage to acknowledge that we need a leader in the Democratic Party to topple Donald Trump and his enormous lies and blatant animosity toward following our Constitution and the laws of the land. I will be sorry to see Biden go. But, go he must, to save the soul of our nation from Trump.

Sandy Cohen, Hauppauge

Some think democracy will be lost in the next presidential election, but there’re wrong. Democracy has already disappeared along with much more.

We have two candidates who most voters do not want as president. We have an Electoral College that ignores the majority vote by having a few swing states determine the outcome.

We have a two-party system that supports their candidates no matter what. Joe Biden demonstrated in the debate he is not mentally capable of the job. Republicans support Donald Trump, a felon who can’t tell the truth.

We have a Supreme Court that can’t make commonsense rulings of basics, like gun control.

We have a dysfunctional, partisan do-nothing Congress.

We have part of a population that is self-centered and doesn’t believe in the rule of law. They think rules apply to everyone else but not to them unless it's convenient.

Most of us complain about the state of our nation, but too many just complain, and even fewer do anything to change circumstances. We are a nation that has lost its vision and purpose.

Michael McBride, Moriches

We heard Donald Trump's "alternative facts" at the debate, some 30 of them, where he denied many things he has said. Notably, he claimed he could get Russian President Vladimir Putin to let Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich out of Russia when he became president. If Trump is concerned about the reporter, why wouldn't he do that now?

Clare Worthing, Wantagh

I was embarrassed listening to the debate between a former president and the current president of the United States. Instead of addressing crucial national issues, among other comments, they labeled each other the worst president ever. Their focus on trivial matters like golf handicaps also was disappointing. They should be ashamed of how they conducted themselves, considering the pressing challenges our country is facing.

Martin Blumberg, Melville

Reporting on the debate was disingenuous regarding the statements made by Joe Biden and Donald Trump as a serious discussion by two contestants for president of the United States ["Clash focuses on economy, other issues," News, June 28]. It failed to admit that only one man was fit to govern this country.

Anthony Bruno, Smithtown

I will take that weak performance by a decent man over that of the person who refused to answer a number of questions (despite the moderators asking them multiple times) and freely misrepresented, exaggerated and outright lied for 90 minutes.

Maryellen Viola, Massapequa Park

Many people know someone who behaves like Joe Biden did at the debate. We have hearts and understand. However, we take control. We take over the finances making sure money is spent properly, bills are paid and future health care is in place and good decisions are made. We take away the car keys.

Michael Kosinski, East Hills

Despite Joe Biden's record of accomplishment, he did terribly in that debate, solidifying the impression of him as "doddering." But if we throw open the Democratic convention, we could get a ticket of Sen. Bernie Sanders and a “squad” member. How successful would that be? Biden has to withdraw.

The governors of Illinois, Pennsylvania and Michigan -- two Jews and a woman -- are probably less likely to win at this point. Vice President Kamala Harris has not shown herself to be able to handle the job. California Gov. Gavin Newsom is handsome, glib and knowledgeable, and he may be the Democrats' “white knight."

Choosing one of the aforementioned governors as his running mate might solidify backing from the party's conservative wing.

Joseph Slater, Woodbury

Who is running this country? Is it Joe Biden? Most likely it is a small group of unelected, unaccountable and anonymous bureaucrats. This should be of paramount concern to every citizen. Biden has served this country for over a half-century, but it is time for him to go.

Doug Heimowitz, Jericho

Yes, Joe Biden was unable to articulate his accomplishments or goals for the future. But is anyone going to make Donald Trump answer questions surrounding his character and values? Where is his proof of fraud in the 2020 election? Biden was unable to state facts, but Trump didn't have any.

Chris Marzuk, Greenlawn