Highlights from Biden's appearance on Face the Nation

[jillan]

Chertoff for AG?

There have been only a few hints about a replacement for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who announced his resignation last week, including White House counsel Fred Fielding and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. But Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a presidential contender, made it emphatically clear that he could not support Chertoff.

“Absolutely not. No. I would oppose him,” Biden said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

------------------------------------------------

About Iraq:

Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., dismissed the argument that a military push on the part of the United States could by itself ensure the political success of the Iraqi government. "Look, the idea there's going to be a strong, central government in Iraq is not going to happen in your lifetime, it's not going to happen in mine," Biden told CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer on Face the Nation. "It's the central fallacy of this administration's policy."

"The purpose of this surge was to give breathing room to acquire some political reconciliation. There is no political reconciliation. And the total number of Iraqi civilian deaths are up around Iraq, not down. The number of people fleeing their homes has gone from 50,000 a month to 100,000 a month since the surge."

Biden referred to the Biden-Levin Amendment to immediately draw down combat troops and have them out of the country by March 2008, leaving only those necessary to train the Iraqi army to protect U.S. civilians in Iraq and to deny al Qaeda the ability to occupy Anbar province. "That requires about one-fifth of the number of troops we have there."

"It is true things are better where our military is physically sitting. But it's like putting your fist in the water - the minute you take the fist out of the water, you can't even tell it was ever there. That's why there's a need for a political settlement.

"It doesn't matter how many troops we put there. Unless you have a political settlement, when we leave we're going to leave chaos behind. And you'll find you have a regional war.

"We should begin to draw down these combat troops and get them out of the civil war."

[TwilightGardener]

1. I am not a Biden supporter, but when it comes to foreign policy and the war, he

knows of which he speaks--if he says it, you can take it to the bank.

[jillan]

2. And that is the main reason why I support him above all others.

[demommom]

3. same here.

[Skarbrowe]

4. I'm a closeted Biden supporter. Oops. At least I was until just now.

Don't know if I will get a response for saying I was closeted or for the fact that many people don't care for him. If nothing else, I would love to see him as VP. The man has tons of experience and, as far as I know, good judgement to go with it. Being able to speak, even if too much at times, is a major plus too. I love it when I can actually see someone's brain clicking along as they speak.

The constant coverage of every little burp from Hillary/Obama has turned me off. I'll vote any Democratic candidate, but for some reason, Biden is the only one that I wouldn't have any reservations about doing so.

[jillan]

5. Yes!

Come join us at the Biden supporters group.
Just getting things going over there:hi:

[Inuca]

7. Lovely picture

in your sig. Cute (too cute for a pirhana) fish too :-).

[jillan]

9. That's what you get from me on a boring Sunday afternoon :)

[Skarbrowe]

14. I'll be there! Thanks!

[IndianaGreen]

8. The MSM prefers to cover the Hillary/Obama race, the first woman vs. first Black.

That's why that horrible George Stephanolopous spend so much more time with Hillary and Obama. Next Fall the same George and his media pals will relish destroying Hillary or Obama if they were to become the nominee.

The people should take control over the process and stop the media from dictating to us who the frontrunner(s) ought to be.

[jillan]

10. Any suggestions about the media?

I emailed Matthews many times with Biden stories hoping
to hear him just once talk about Biden...but I gave up.

I don't know what else we can do.

[IndianaGreen]

11. Nothing can be done until the current system is replaced by rotating regional primaries,

A regional primary has a good chance of having multiple winners, which would make it hard for the media to anoint anyone as the front runner.

[Inuca]

12. IMHO

the MSM is hopeless for the lower tier candidates unless & until something happens. A strong showing in IA and/or NH if/when it happens will get the media talking (notice how there is so much more coverage of Huckabee due to his 400 something or whatever it was "votes" in IA?). As far as I can tell, even something quite major and unexpected like Dodd's endorsment by the fire fighters (yes, I know... sorry..., though I must confess that I am even between the two, please do not chase me away :-)) barely registered. So I guess, all one can do in the meantime is send some $ when possible and those who can should try to help on the ground in these states.

On the other hand, with the crazy primary schedule, which I find appaling.... let's not get there yet...

[PatSeg]

20. I wouldn't want to be the TV journalist(?) who was dismissive

of a person who eventually became President. Talk about closing future doors of access! They would be wise to give unbiased coverage to all the candidates in the early days. Besides being good for their careers, it is their job!

[PatSeg]

19. Yes and we do that when we stop

watching these shows. I've cut back on a lot of my political TV viewing. It is often like watching reruns - same people, same commentary, same lack of balance.

I'm not letting the media pick MY candidate!

[The Count]

26. True, but you're not suggesting Biden is denied face time - check the title

of this thread for one. I have yet to see Gravel or DK on that show.

[demommom]

17. You don't have to be a closeted Biden supporter..

There just may be more of us than we or others realize. Now that you are out(you can't go back, it's dark in there)lol, come and join the Biden Group. Let's see how many more will come out and join us.
Oh, welcome!! We are a pretty good group,actually.
:hi:

[PatSeg]

21. We keep finding more and more all the time

We were quite surprised with the favorable response we received when we posted a thread regarding the formation of a Biden Group.

So many closets to open and so little time, but we'll draw them out!

[Skarbrowe]

32. Hi ya!! All I know is that I've been a bit queasy about every President

that we've had since JFK and I was just a kid when he was President. When I imagine Joe Biden as President, I feel that for the first time I could look at the leader of this country and not cringe just a bit. Couldn't stand to see Johnson on TV. Nixon, well, we won't even go there. Ford is a blank (too much partying at that time) and Carter, well, I was stationed overseas when the Iran hostages were taken and as we all know it wasn't America's finest moment. Whether Carter was weak as a President or not didn't matter. I had Europeans showing real concern for perceived weakness and confusion our country was going through at that time. This, unfortunately pushed me a little toward Reagan. Thank god I didn't vote. I'm still trying to live that one down. Hey, I was still young and didn't know a thing about politics. :)

Now, Bush the first. That was when I first started getting interested in politics. I could not stand that man. Funny, now he seems quite reasonable in comparison to his offspring. I am now going to admit something else that I don't usually say anywhere on these or other boards. I was totally against Clinton. No, I wasn't for the Republican candidate, I just didn't want Clinton to win the nomination in '92. Something about him just didn't sit right with me. Needless to say, I wasn't surprised when he got into some female problems. Personally, I don't care about any candidates personal life all that much as long as it's not too bizarre. (Republican's anyone??) I know Bill Clinton is brilliant and now I love to hear him give speeches, but I wasn't real crazy to catch him on TV when he was President. Then we got the world's idiot in charge and I started thinking that we would never get a President I would be proud just to see on the dang television set.

After all that ridiculous history, I was just trying to say that I realized if Joe Biden became President Joe Biden, there wouldn't be a cringe in me when he spoke in public. I would actually be proud. I might be able to feel that way about Hillary or Obama or Edwards. But, each one of them gives me that little moment of hesitation for whatever reason.

I know it will be hard, if not impossible for Mr. Biden to get the nomination. I would love to at least see him as VP. He might be considered to be too old for VP if the party is trying to win in 2008 and keep it going with the VP as President in 2016. Could be that now is his only chance.

I'm going to send money to Joe Biden and one other candidate. Let's see what shakes out of Iowa and New Hampshire.

[demommom]

34. Welcome! Don't forget come over to the DU Biden group.

[PatSeg]

18. I think you've summed up feelings many of us have had

You are not the only one to be a bit apprehensive about coming out for Biden. I've encountered many people here and elsewhere who were a little slow in publicly supporting Joe Biden, but I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing. Too many of us have been burned too many times, and we were pacing ourselves in our decisions.

My initial impressions of Joe Biden several years ago were very positive, but I still wanted to be certain that he was the right candidate before I spoke out in his behalf. I am secure in my choice now. The more I hear, the more I think he will not only make an extraordinary president, but also would be the most electable.

I tired of the constant coverage of Hillary/Obama as well. There definitely are disadvantages to being an early frontrunner - the brightest flame often burns out the fastest!

[plusfiftyfive]

13. Agreed

He's not stupid, neither are we!

[The Count]

16. No kidding! How much would the bank give you for this one:

Rice Takes Center Stage at Confirmation Hearing
Democrats Press Nominee on Iraq
By ANNE GEARAN,
http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20050116...
.......Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar opened
Tuesday's hearing with warm words about Rice, who has served a mostly
behind-the-scenes role at the White House for the past four years. He
called her "highly qualified'' for the post.
Biden also praised Rice, but noted that "relations with many of our
oldest friends are quite frankly scraping the bottom right now.''
However, Biden also had blunt advice for European critics: "I have one
simple message: Get over it. Get over it. President Bush is our
president for the next four years. So get over it and start to act in
your interest, Europe.''..........

[PatSeg]

22. You'll never forget that quote, will you?

How many times have you posted it?

Haven't seen you around in a while - almost missed you! You DO keep things lively.

[The Count]

24. It's relevant. And I NEVER get an answer to it. Not even yours is an answer

as it deals only with me not with Biden.
Yeah, I remember enough of this guy's history to be completely dumbstruck to see he has supporters (unless they are all operatives). I'd like one of them to justify/splain that one to me. Until then, I'll keep posting - in all appropriate venues.
Did I mention he also voted for IWR? That also counts as "being right on foreign policy?"

[PatSeg]

28. Okay

I don't agree with what he said. I'm sure there are many things he has said or done that I do not agree with, but I am aware that that was a different time and the mood of the country and congress was on defense. Sadly, he WAS speaking the truth at that time. George Bush WAS our president for the next four years and there are few who could have comprehended how bad things would get in the coming years.

As I look at all the candidates, there are issues where I did not agree with them, but overall I prefer Joe Biden. The reason I don't always answer your questions, is they come across as only confrontational and negative. I don't sense a desire to discuss and debate issues, just a need to incite those you disagree with.

Your observations and questions do serve to keep my mind alert and inquisitive. I just wish you'd address them without appearing to trash those who might disagree with you. I welcome disagreement as long as it doesn't come across as personal.

[PatSeg]

35. One more point

I would prefer to fight against republicans and the current administration. I have no need or desire to fight fellow Democrats. We can and should disagree on various issues, but we should always be mindful of a unified goal and carry on our debates with respect for our differences.

I am truly tired of being angry, but I refuse to direct that justifiable anger at other Democrats and their candidates.

[TwilightGardener]

33. He wasn't wrong. I'm not sure what's so wrong with that quote.

Rice was deemed qualified to be SoS, and Europe had no choice but to deal with Chimpy's policies. I just don't see what he said that's damning in any way.

[jillan]

36. Obama and Clinton voted for her too - so I have to ask

Do you go after them as well?

Kerry was the star of those hearings. He saw right through her.

[jillan]

6. More about replacing Gonzo from this morning

“I know what the next attorney general should be,” said Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware, a Democratic presidential candidate. “He should be able to tell the truth. He should be somebody who knows the difference that — between torture and what’s not torture.”

Mr. Biden suggested “somebody in the mold of Levi.” (Edward Levi, then the distinguished dean of the University of Chicago law school, was called on by President Gerald Ford in 1975 to repair the damage done to the Justice Department in the Watergate years. He won nearly universal praise for his eminently even-handed work at Justice.

[Doctor_J]

15. Biden's been stellar this entire year.

which is good, since he's one of the few Dems allowed on TV "News"

[PatSeg]

23. Good point

The Dems have been sidelined for so long, it is hard for newscasters to adjust to the fact they are the dominant party now. I have noticed a lot of republican regulars are getting less and less air time these days, which is good because my "fast-forward finger" was getting calloused!

[The Count]

25. Which brings up the question: why is this the case? Why him?

Who wants to give him free air time and why? (I wouldn't ask if all candidates would get it)

[PatSeg]

29. Joe Biden has gotten free air time

long before he was running for president. He is usually sought out as a prominent Senator, not necessarily as a presidential candidate. John Murtha and Jim Webb are often showcased on the left for their views on the military and Lindsay Graham and John Warner on the right. The media still does not view Biden as a viable presidential candidate and if he didn't have extensive foreign relations expertise, he probably wouldn't get any air time.

The media tends to follow the frontrunners, like moths to a flame. Then when a lower-tiered candidate moves up, they act surprised like they've never seen that before! Boggles the mind.

[jillan]

31. He is the head of the Foreign Relations Committee

People care what he thinks - just like they care what Levin thinks (Chairman of Armed Services)
and Leahy (Chair of Judiciary).

He is not asked to be on these shows to discuss politics.

[The Count]

38. Riiiight! More like: MSM tells us whom we're supposed to care about.

Most people don't trust this guy with grocery money - after the plagiarism, Anita Hill and all his Bush ass-kissing.
I can still see Dana Carvey's impersonation of him on those stupid hearings!

[JNelson6563]

27. I like Biden ok

And he speaks very intelligently on issue of foriegn policy.

Julie

[PatSeg]

30. Yes he does

He speaks from experience without sounding political and evasive.

[demommom]

37. kick