This is a fraught time for the republic. We have two presidential candidates who are clearly unfit to serve. Biden has declined. Trump leads a cult of personality that cows all other Republicans and proved on Jan. 6 that it’s willing to ignore the courts and use violence to advance political ends.

Yet, this morning we get news from the Biden campaign that he’s not stepping aside. Here’s a screenshot from a fundraising email this morning:

Trump is the vastly more dangerous long-term threat to the United States. He should quit the race, too. That said, Biden is no longer capable of making that case to the American people. And he’s highly likely to be less capable of doing the actual job of the presidency as every additional year ticks by.

Biden should still leave the race. That’s no guarantee that the Democrats could then run a successful campaign against Trump. But it does acknowledge reality. And it is a proactive step toward defeating Trump.

Sadly, I predict – as I have privately to many people – that Trump has a 99.9% chance of winning the race. The polls in the battleground states are especially telling. That remains shocking. How can we have gotten to this point?

But hey, anything could still happen. Maybe this will work out for the best, regardless of who is the candidate. But that’s a thin branch to walk toward the future on.

Do the right thing, Joe. Step back. Accept your role in history. Convene, as best you can and with every political ability you have, everyone in the anti-Trump coalition. Prevent the potential chaos. Lead. You’re the only one who can do these things in this moment. We’re counting on you.