Dear President Biden...

I wasn't going to share this, but I decided to & here's why.

For the past 25 years, I’ve occasionally written to “famous” people—members of Congress, CEOs, people I admire, and now, the former President. About half the time, they’ve written back or reached out somehow.

The most rewarding of these exchanges came from a man who became a mentor of sorts, a legend in the advertising field. I wrote to him on a whim, leading to a phone call and then an interview for a podcast I was hosting. From there, we built a relationship, periodically exchanging calls and emails until his passing.

Here’s what I’ve learned: famous people are just people.

Lately, I’ve noticed many of you feel lost, disconnected, and unsure whether your voice matters. I’ve seen comments on Substack, in chats, and on social media where people wonder how to contact their member of Congress, what to say, or whether it’s even worth trying. Some worry they’ll “end up on a list.” Others assume it won’t make a difference.

I encourage you to write, call, or visit—whether it’s your representative, senator, governor, or someone you admire (or don’t, as the case may be).

They may not listen. They may not care. They may not write back.

But that’s not the only reason you should reach out. Sometimes, the letter is as much for you as it is for them.

That drove me to write my second letter to a U.S. President. The first was resigning my Department of Defense appointment during the Bush administration. The second, written just a few days ago, was addressed to President Biden:

Dear President Biden,

This must be a challenging week. The transition of power and the inauguration, while part of our democracy, carry with them a weight that few can truly comprehend. Yet, you faced this moment with humor and grace—a source of great comfort and inspiration for me and, I suspect, for many others. It’s that same grace that compels me to write, to express my profound gratitude for your service to our nation.

Mr. President, we’ve crossed paths before, though I doubt you’d remember me. I served as an appointee under President Bush, working for Secretary Rumsfeld on GWOT detention issues. I appeared before you in the Senate multiple times. While those encounters weren’t always pleasant, I must say that compared to some of the Democrats I worked with, I didn’t mind working with you. My wife, however, has been your admirer for far longer—chair of the Joe Biden fan club since her youth. How a lifelong Republican like me and a Democrat like her have stayed married for over 30 years is a story for another day.

In 2020, I voted for you. It was a vote for decency, for patriotism, and for a leader I trusted to prioritize America’s national interests. I don’t agree with you on every policy (and likely never will), but by 2008, I found myself increasingly estranged from my party. The Republican Party I had once championed—one I embraced as a Reagan Revolutionary—was changing in ways I could no longer reconcile. Your leadership, in contrast, reminded me of what public service was meant to be.

The Joe Biden of 2020 was different from the Biden I remembered from the 1980s. Gone was the cocky senator quick with a quip. In his place stood a unifying, steady, and relatable leader—exactly what the moment demanded. I knew you would win, and I had no hesitation in casting my vote for you. I even told skeptical friends and colleagues not to worry: the military wouldn’t be gutted, the borders wouldn’t “fly open,” and the world wouldn’t descend into chaos. You proved me right—and then some.

Your accomplishments over the past four years speak for themselves, though I know they were often met with criticism rather than praise. It reminded me of LBJ’s old joke: “If I walked on water, the headline would read, ‘Johnson Can’t Swim.’”

I believed then, as I do now, that the Party made a mistake in 2024. Your debate performance wasn’t your strongest, but I never judged leaders solely by their ability to perform under studio lights. I worked for President Bush—if he didn’t trip on his way to the podium, we called it a win. You stepped aside not for political convenience but because you believed it was in the best interest of the nation. That act of selflessness—rare in any era—stands as a testament to your character.

As I reflect on your presidency, I can’t help but think about the alternative. Another four years of President Trump would have meant unchecked chaos: worsening COVID, emboldened adversaries, and a domestic fabric further torn apart. You stabilized the nation when it was most needed, and the significance of that will be judged more kindly by history than by today’s headlines.

It’s ironic, perhaps poetic, that I spent much of my life opposing what you stood for, only to find myself aligned with you when it mattered most. Your evolution as a leader mirrored my own as a citizen—a realization that decency, integrity, and a steady hand are what this country truly needs.

Thank you, Mr. President, for rising to meet the moment and for serving this nation with honor. I hope this next chapter of life brings peace and joy to you and your family.

Yours in gratitude and admiration,

Will the President write back? Maybe. Does it matter if he doesn’t? Not really.

The letter was more for me than for him. I know the process: my letter will be scanned, x-rayed, and reviewed by aides. If I’m lucky, it might make it into the small stack of letters selected for the former President to read. If I’m really lucky, I might get a polite form letter in return.

My wife chastised me when she noticed I forgot to include my phone number. “What if he wants to call you?” she teased.

I laughed, “trust me,” I replied, “if the President wants to contact me, they’ll know how to find me.”

To be clear, I don’t expect a call. A reply of any kind would surprise me. But that’s not the point. The act of writing itself—the thought, the words, the intent—was enough.

You shouldn’t be afraid to reach out. Famous people are just people. Yes, they receive their fair share of strange correspondence, but they also crave genuine recognition, just like anyone else.

And in this case, that’s what I felt compelled to say to President Biden. In my own words, I wanted him to know that his service mattered.

The reply I received from President Bush when I resigned from my position was both formal and gracious. It read:

Laura and I thank you for serving in my Administration. We appreciate the long hours you put in to do your job, and we are grateful to you and your family for the many sacrifices you made on behalf of the American People.

We have made history together. We have worked to solve problems, instead of passing them on to future generations. We have made our country safer, stronger, and more secure. We have shown the world the compassion and generosity of our people. And we have supported freedom’s march around the Globe.

May God bless you.

Sincerely,

George W. Bush

So far, I’m undefeated in my “Presidential letters” response streak. We’ll see if President Biden keeps it alive.

The real lesson here? Write the letter. Make the call. Famous people are just people, and your voice matters—even if the letter is as much for you as it is for them.

The worst that can happen is nothing - which is already the case.

Author’s Note: If you like what I write - tell a friend. I’m an attention whore and love it when other people join my substack (I’m not kidding about that.)