I was in such doldrums after the June 27 debate that I quit watching the news. For me, that’s pretty amazing. I kept Good Morning American and PBS NewsHour. But that was about it.

Angry and afraid

I was angry that someone or a cadre of someones had kept President Biden’s severe cognitive decline a secret from the American people. I was afraid because I feared what would happen to American under another Trump term.

Volunteer locally

I have little say or influence in anything outside my home. I volunteer where needed with the local Democrats. I vote and encourage others to do so. I write on Facebook a bit, often reposting pieces from The Washington Post or New York Times.  Otherwise, I just try to keep the laundry caught up and the cabinets filled.

After the debate

I doubt I’m not alone. After the debate it felt like the world was turning sideways. It felt like the country we loved was going to disappear in the hands of goons hand-picked by Mr. Trump. I saw no way President Biden could win again. His successive appearances really didn’t help either. And people I was around didn’t feel much better. We couldn’t even talk about it, really.

Then I felt pity

I felt bad about the way party leaders ganged up on Biden. I felt, from what I know about dementia, that he didn’t really understand the dire circumstances both he and the country were dealing with. Picking on a guy who doesn’t see how much he has declined was cruel. I guess it may have been necessaary.

Then the dam broke

Finally, things rested when the president opted to leave the race. He tossed his support to Vice President Kamala Harris. I didn’t have a great opinion about her. I felt that perhaps Biden would have stood a better chance of winning re-elexction with another VP. I didn’t think she had handled the border well, and she seemed early-on to have a poorly managed office.

But wow!

But once unleashed into her own, she was a star! She was the 2020 presidential candidate I remembered! The crowds loved her. She received lots of media attention. And I grew immediately hopeful. She’s managed to allay my misgivings and seems to be on a trajectory with a chance of winning.

Watching the news again

I’m back to my MSNBC, ABC, CNN and PBS viewing habits, with an occasional drop-in to Fox. I also have CNN and MSNBC on in the car. I truly rejoiced at the mess the former president made yesterday before the National Association of Black Journalists. Cognitive decline? Possibly. Narcissist out of control? Surely. Racist? Hands down!

I know about the “base”

I know die-hard fans still will vote for the former president. I know Vice President Harris may not win. But I feel utter joy and confidence in what I have seen. I truly believe America is listening. Thank you, Kamala.