Give me the stuttering old man over the racist, sexist, lying fascist

This is a bottom up election.

No, our choice at the top — President Joe Biden — does not inspire.

But the threat of MAGA fascism, dressed up as populism, gives a level of urgency to check every Democratic box we can check in 2024: congressional races, statehouse races, county commissioner races, deputy dog catcher.

Let's face it: Our presidential choice is between a racist, sexist, lying, would-be dictator or a stuttering old man who nevertheless supports policies to protect women's health, the environment and public education; a warrior against corporate collusion to raise prices, drive down wages and slash regulations that protect the safety of everything from the drugs we depend on to the food we eat.

Is that really a choice?

But for many Americans, it’s so much easier to support the liar who feeds the myth that he alone can fix the nation’s problems — of course, what Trump claims he is going to fix, he never fixes, and ironically, the reason so much is broke, is because he broke it.

It’s more difficult for those same Americans to back a guy who asks "us" to make our economy work for all Americans — and not the corporate cronies that Trump the amoeba snuggles up to, promising them access to unlimited wealth and power at the expense of the rest of us.

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I urged the old guy not to run back in March 2023 because the urgency of the moment demanded a more inspiring leader.

But it is too late. Democrats must ride with Biden, faults and all, or watch democracy die in darkness.

The inspiration and motivation to do so must come from us in the face of the all out MAGA assault on our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

I have found the leader, and that leader is me, that leader is you, that leader is the millions of Americans who believe in a just, inclusive, sustainable future.

Arnie Arnesen is the host of syndicated radio program "The Attitude with Arnie Arnesen." A former fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics, she was the 1992 Democratic nominee for governor of New Hampshire and served as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 1984 to 1992.