Biden: "I love the idea of having McCain explain why [the surge] is working so well."

[Muttocracy]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0408/9387.html

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden (D-Del.) said Friday that presidential politics will play no role in his committee’s handling of next week’s highly anticipated visit from Army Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker.

At the same time, however, Biden said he’d “love” to hear Sen. John McCain — the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee who just so happens to be the presumptive Republican presidential nominee — explain why he thinks the surge is working.

...

Both Biden and Levin brushed aside reporters’ questions about whether they would consider changing the usual committee speaking order to give Obama or Clinton a more prominent role. As the top Republican on Armed Services, McCain will speak second at that committee’s hearing and is expected to tout the gains of the surge and argue that the recent reduction in violence is proof that it is working.

“Sen. McCain is the ranking member, so he goes first,” said Biden. “I love the idea of having McCain explain why is working so well. That is fine with me.”

...

[Eurobabe]

1. God Love ya Joe! There is a place for you

in this next Democratic administration, I feel it. :patriot:

[Muttocracy]

2. ya know, Joe was SO ready to debate McCain

This may be as close as he gets. Armed Services meets P & C in the morning, SFRC in the afternoon, so Joe gets the last word :evilgrin:

[MidwestTransplant]

3. I would love to see Biden as a VP candidate. Him or Webb.

[Muttocracy]

4. I'm thinking he's not endorsing or saying much about the pres. race

so that his hand is stronger on Iraq. He's been working very hard since he got back to the Senate - the one consolation of him (and Dodd) being out of the race.

[PatSeg]

5. Oh this is going to be interesting

Can't wait!

[lyonn]

9. This hearing will be "must see tv"

Biden is wise and snarky and seems to take no bs banter. This could be McCains beginning of his end!!

[gateley]

6. There would be NOBODY better to take on McCain than Biden! nt

[goclark]

7. I like him too

I'm African American and I was really upset with several comments that he made.

However, I respect him and he was OK with his response.

[Eurobabe]

8. Joe does have occasional bouts of foot in mouth disease

He's basically a kind man though with a good heart. I firmly believe that. Do you mind if I ask what he said that offended you?

I am sorry that you felt offended goclark. :hug:

[goclark]

13. Remember when he was talking about Obama

being clean and articulate?

I was offended at first because I was surprised that someone that has been kind to our community should have chosen different words, IMO.

Then he said something about the 7/11 owners.

If someone could just give him a brush up class on multi-cultural relations he would be great!

I've always respected his abilities as a Sen. and think he would be a good running mate if Obama gets the nomination.

He knows his way around the Senate and he is an excellent debater.

Let me know what you think.
Thanks

[Muttocracy]

14. "articulate" could be an honest mistake - I did not realize it was considered a code insult

The irony was someone stumbling over their words while trying to say someone else is articulate as a compliment... and the compliment was lost. I would take it as a compliment if someone called me articulate because to me it means able to speak well and precisely, especially on one's feet. And as someone who can write much better than I speak, I admire that.

It was when I was listening to News and Notes on NPR and heard their panel talking about the use of the word that I "got it".

As for "clean" I thought he meant new or politically clean. The worst thing I thought was "first", which was what Obama criticized. Biden has little filter on what he says, and sometimes it comes out awkward. I actually like that about him because he's not filtered and packaged, but it was a problem with those remarks.

The whole thing bugs me because the media's first instinct at Biden announcing was to ask him about the other candidates. They were quite happy to pounce and help get him out of the way of their desired Obama/Clinton/Edwards horse race.

Anyway, not that I can speak for him, but I'm sorry for the disrespect anyone felt from that. I think Biden's suggestion at the debate that his record and the opinions of his constituents matter most, and Obama's response, are the most important thing. I wonder what his voting "scores" are from civil rights organizations?

[Think82]

12. Biden has done more good for African Americans than anyone else in congress

That's a fact.

[pacalo]

10. I'd love to hear that verbal tap dance, too. Go get 'im, Joe!

[jillan]

11. This is one major reason that I wish Biden was our nominee.

McCain wouldn't have a chance against Biden.