So Rep. Jared Golden has decided to be “non-committal,” refusing to endorse his party’s candidate for president. He should expect a tough primary battle in 2026. Cowards have no place in politics, especially someone as important as a United States congressman representing a large swath of his state.

And there is no other word for Golden’s weak knees. Donald Trump is a clear existential threat to political norms and the levers of power. With the Supreme Court ruling that all presidential acts should be considered official — and thus off limits from any legal challenge — unless proved otherwise, the threat that Trump would use this free pass to his own advantage, not to the advantage of the American people, is an all-too-real possibility.

Not to mention, the Trump we see on the campaign trail is a shell of his former self, clearly becoming more addled by the day. He belongs nowhere near the nuclear codes.

Golden’s refusal to call this out makes clear the question: What does he stand for?

If it’s simply to save his political skin, well, surely there are more people than just myself who see that for what it is, and consider it disqualifying.

Kamala Harris may or may not be a successful president but what she will not be is a threat to democracy. No matter how her administration turns out, she will restore our faith in government, in the executive branch and in the presidency itself.

Now Jared, how hard is that to say?

Walt Bennett

South China