Senator Biden Calls for International Summit on Iraq

[leftchick]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&ncid=578&e=3&u=/nm/20031109/ts_nm/iraq_usa_democrats_dc

<snip>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A top U.S. Senate Democrat urged President Bush (news - web sites) on Sunday to call a summit on Iraq (news - web sites) seeking international troops and assistance in exchange for more of a say in operations.


Speaking after a week in which 33 American soldiers were killed, Sen. Joseph Biden (news, bio, voting record) took issue with administration claims that the United States was getting the security situation under control in Iraq.


"The U.S. is a country right now basically in search of a strategy. And I think its time to make a fundamental shift in the way in which we are going about trying to win the peace here," Biden, a Delaware Democrat, told ABC's "This Week" program.


Biden, the ranking Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also said if he were president he would fire Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, or at least ignore his advice, which has proven to be faulty.


"If I were president, I would ask my secretary to leave," he said.

[La_Serpiente]

1. Oh no Mr. Biden

The White House would never cede any power to any international organization simply because American pride is at stake.

[Scott Lee]

8. Which is exactly why most Americans can't stomach....

an unconditional immediate withdrawal of troops without some kind of "honor" (having any Vietnam flashbacks yet, some of you?).

I tried to explain this to a Kucinich supporter but got huff and puff in response.

[truthisfreedom]

9. pride? cripes, i wouldn't hesitate to do the most logical thing to save

as many lives and limbs as possible. this situation is ludicrous as it stands, and we haven't been involved in this madness for such a long time that the kinds of "pride" issues associated with the Vietnam war have become that big a deal.

i think many, many Americans see this rush to unjust war as being a failed administrative action and would see all the shame as being heaped on bushco, not our country. we can certainly recover from a bruised eye over something that's been going on for a matter of months, but not once we've let it go on for years. the time to act is now!

[0007]

14. If we had any sense we would have listened to what....

French General Charles DeGaulle and his advice to President Eisenhower. And that was not to send troops into Vietnam. Because it was a war that could not be won. Eisenhower took that advice, Kennedy did send a few hundred men to guard American mining interest and that was all.

Now what flashbacks are you talking about kid? Cuz I don't know what your 10-20 is.

And I'll give you a huff and puff for your response into keeping Americans in Iraq.

The oil is not worth it. Same as the tungsten wasn't worth the effort in Korea or in VIETNAM.

[RDANGELO]

22. I'm starting to believe

that **** hasn't got the guts to fire anybody. He has gotten so much bad advise , yet all these people are still there.

[TruthIsAll]

2. He just saw the latest Newsweek Poll: Dem beats Bush 50-44..

That's all it takes to get the Tutu dems like Biden to speak out..

They look at polls, they have no desire to speak their conscience otherwise..

[LittleApple81]

3. I PROFOUNDLY DISLIKE BIDEN. He wears one of the biggest tutus

of all the tutu dancing democrats.

[Khephra]

4. I agree

But he actually didn't get on my nerves this morning, which, I think, is a first. I think the above comment about polls is probably right on target as to why that was.

[tedzbear]

19. Me too! He is a scumbag of the worst type...

He is a republican wolf in democratic sheep's clothing. He was the leading backer of Bush when we went to war. Now that the polls show Bush is out of favor, he is suddenly jumping on the anti war bandwagon. He is such a jerk.

These politicians really are scumbags, aren't they?

:kick: Biden

[lumpy]

20. I would say Biden is more of a Barry Goldwater type

of politician. Wishy washy. It's hard for politicians to play politics without losing some of their ideals, old time politics, trade offs. Time to modernize.

[IndianaGreen]

5. Forget about it!

In blunt terms, as long as our military is in the quagmire in Iraq, they have no ability to invade or attack another happless country. Bush went alone into this mess, and he should face the consequences of his actions.

The only solution to Iraq is the complete withdrawal of all US forces and civilian personnel from Iraq.

[burythehatchet]

13. and besides

their strategic think tank - the Defense Policy Board - has been completely discredited. Even on mainstream media, on George Steph. show, Richard Holbrook truned Perle into a blithering idiot. Accused him of some very serious charges. The story of the last minute peace offer is not going to go away. But of course it wont touch the emperor

[0007]

16. ABSOLUTELY!! Complete withdrawal, bar none.....

But ya got to admitt that Biden is making everyone dance, and I love it. Rummy will come out smoking and junior will be jumping up and down.

I run hot & cold on the senator depends on which day he's having a hot flash. At least the fucker can talk. Have ya ever heard Zell Miller speak on the senate floor? I haven't.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Wasn't Madrid something like that?

The Bushies fell on their tushies in Madrid.

The international community was snubbed by Bush as he went to war to rid Iraq of WMDs she didn't have and provide Halliburton with new business opportunities she didn't really need. In Madrid, the international community told Bush that since he broke it, he would have to pay to fix it.

Meanwhile, security in Iraq sucks. International humanitarian agencies leave as their buildings are bombed and Iraqi women hesitate to walk the streets for fear of being kidnapped and raped by common criminals. It's no place to be.

I'm sorry, Senator Biden, this has already been tried.

Let me suggest something a little bolder: Let's have an international conference on Iraq with which Bush has nothing to do, aimed at wresting control of his ill-gotten colony from his thieving hands and doing something to benefit the Iraqi people instead of US transnationals.

Maybe that will get some support.

[Scott Lee]

7. Did Joe write this himself?

His history makes that questionable.

[Donna Zen]

11. See Wesley Clark's speech

from this past Thursday. Did Joey B. attribute the lines. Oh and BTW, Clark gives the reasoning as well.

But it is simply unrealistic to have the United Nations take over this daunting task - it's not able and it's not willing. Instead we must create a new international structure - the Iraqi Reconstruction and Democracy Council -- similar to the one we created in Bosnia with representatives from Europe, the United States, Iraq's neighbors, and other countries that will support our effort.

A high representative would be named to direct this mission, who would then bring in more resources and personnel from the rest of the world. It would have been easier to do this six months ago or four months ago, or two months ago. But even today, it is the only hope for gaining broader international support. Nations are more likely to share burdens if they are also sharing decisions. We would still have a leading role - but you can't be a leader if no one comes along - you're not a leader if you're all alone.

It would seem Clark has already sounded out the UN. They are no longer willing or able to put together the council. Also, if you read Clark's plan and have listened to the Sunday line up, you will find many unattributed ideas.

http://clark04.com/speeches/009/

[DUreader]

15. Doesn't Joe 'Rave Act' Biden have some history of Plagiarism?

I seem to recall something, maybe a 'youthful indescretion'?

[Khephra]

21. Yep

It was during his run for President in 19errrr...some year ;-)

[realFedUp]

10. Isn't this called The United Nations?

or does he want to run end around them also...

[Donna Zen]

23. Please read:

The UN doesn't want to do it...they are unwilling and unable.

[0007]

12. In my mind's eye I see junior strutting around like Mussolini..

and dictating that, "your either with us or against us."

....by not sending troops as cannon fodder and bucks to line Halliburton's pockets. 'Tis clear that your against us, and we will now label your country as a country of terror.

[Jacobin]

17. How 'bout an International War Crimes Tribunal

And Biden, guess what?

YOU are one of the indicted for voting for the invasion!!!

:evilgrin:

[leesa]

18. Well, we've already HAD that summit a few times at the UN

and you and the rest of the Crime Family ignored them. What would be different this time?

[sal]

24. Biden did not call for Bush to fire Rumsfeld.

He merely suggested it. "I can't tell the president what to do." is what he said. Biden is weak and getting weaker. I am tired of seeing his sappy mush on TV every Sunday as if he represents anything close to the concensus views of the Democratic rank an file. If he is just a parochrial pol and republican lap-dancer, why is he hoisted in front of us all the time as if he matters? A hearty Bronx cheer to this pathetic fraud.

[markus]

25. But Biden's been whoring for the WH for months

I think his about face is either further complicity with the WH, or its a stunning loss of support in a key Democratic ally for the Bushies.

Either way, I take it as a good sign.