John,

Thanks to the musical Hamilton, and its great song “One Last Time,” our kids know that George Washington stepped down from the Presidency when he could have run again.

In Lin-Manuel’s words, Hamilton sings: “Mr. President, they will say you’re weak.”

And Washington answers: “No, they will see we’re strong. If I say goodbye, the nation learns to move on. It outlives me when I’m gone.”

Joe Biden will go down in history as a hero and a patriot who loved his country so much that — like George Washington — he was willing to pass the torch when its future was on the line.

Over the past few weeks, it has become clear that our effort to defeat Donald Trump — and prevent the authoritarian nightmare being proposed in Project 2025 — would be better served by a new candidate.

But still, I have enormous admiration for Biden’s decision, for giving up the most powerful position in the world, for accepting the achingly hard reality of aging, indeed of mortality itself. It is an extraordinary act of humility, something Donald Trump totally lacks, and that our future urgently demands.

So now, we owe him an enormous debt of gratitude — and to do every last thing we can together to fight for that future.

I believe that means supporting Kamala Harris, which is why I endorsed her today, and made my first contribution to help her win in November. Will you join me? You can contribute here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/em-bfp-july-kamala-2024?refcode=blan_nyc

There will be much more to say in the coming days about why Vice President Harris is the right choice to be our nominee and why she’ll be a great President. And of course, there will be much more to do to help her defeat Trump (and to help Democrats hold the Senate and take back the House).

For today, let’s honor Joe Biden’s tremendous act of generosity for our democracy, for our country, and for our shared future.

With deep appreciation,

Brad