The presidential election will take place in four months. It would be a mistake for Democrats to abandon Joe Biden and attempt to find a candidate and run a new campaign in such a short time. This strategy would guarantee the election of Donald Trump.

As an old man myself (I will be 80 before the election), I recognize many of the traits observed in Biden in my own behavior, including the old-man walk, memory lapses and occasional loss of focus.

Yet, like Biden, I am still able to function well in every area of my daily life; it just takes a little more effort.

Biden points out that the supreme cognitive test is his ability each day to discharge the duties of his office. And in foreign policy, actions to ameliorate climate change, actions to reduce drug prices and improve health care and actions to support ordinary workers in an economy eroded by the super rich (like Donald Trump), Biden continues to do an excellent job.

I will support and vote for him in order that his work may continue.

Incidentally, as a former Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who has done hundreds of mental status evaluations, I see him as a normal 81-year-old. Some of the behaviors that have caused such panic (stuttering, losing his train of thought, being soft spoken) are just typical Joe Biden and certainly not signs of deterioration.

David Doreau

Waterville