Amid V.P. buzz, Biden opines on Georgia, Pakistan
Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, whose vice presidential buzz has grown louder in recent days, returned today from a fact-finding trip to war-torn Georgia.
And that visit underlined what he could bring to the Democratic ticket with Barack Obama -- long and deep experience in foreign policy, an area where Obama is relatively lacking. Biden, who contested the nomination this year, could however contradict the outside-Washington ethos that Obama is cultivating.
As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden issued this statement about his Georgia trip.
"During my time in Georgia, I surveyed the human and geopolitical consequences of the conflict there firsthand. I visited a facility where some of the tens of thousands of Georgians who have fled the fighting are seeking refuge, unsure about whether they will ever return to their homes. On the tarmac of Tbilisi's airport, I consulted with the dedicated US Air Force personnel who are bringing urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the region. I spent many hours in talks with Georgia's President, Prime Minister, Parliamentary Speaker, and other national leaders discussing how Georgia and the West should respond to this crisis. And I conferred extensively with U.S. Ambassador to Georgia John Tefft and, via phone, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice about how the United States should meet this challenge."
"I left the country convinced that Russia’s invasion of Georgia may be the one of the most significant event to occur in Europe since the end of communism. The claims of Georgian atrocities that provided the pretext for Russia’s invasion are rapidly being disproved by international observers, and the continuing presence of Russian forces in the country has severe implications for the broader region. The war that began in Georgia is no longer about that country alone. It has become a question of whether and how the West will stand up for the rights of free people throughout the region. The outcome there will determine whether we realize the grand ambition of a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace."
“Russia must make good on President Medvedev’s commitment to immediately withdraw Russian troops to their positions before the current fighting began. We also need a truly independent and international peacekeeping force in Georgia’s conflict regions. And we must help the people of Georgia to rebuild their country and preserve its democratic institutions."
“When Congress reconvenes, I intend to work with the Administration to seek Congressional approval for $1 billion in emergency assistance for Georgia, with a substantial down payment on that aid to be included in the Congress’ next supplemental spending bill. This money will help the people of Georgia recover from the damage that has been inflicted on their economy and send a clear message that the United States will not abandon this young democracy. I hope this $1 billion commitment will be matched by others in the international community.
“I have long sought to help Russia realize its extraordinary potential as a force for progress in the international community, and have supported legislative efforts intended to forge a more constructive relationship with the Kremlin. But Russia’s actions in Georgia will have consequences.
“Russia’s actions have already erased the possibility of advancing legislative efforts to promote U.S.-Russian partnership in the current Congress, including an agreement to allow for increased collaboration with Russia on nuclear energy production and the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, which currently blocks the country’s integration into the World Trade Organization. Russia’s failure to keep its word and withdraw troops from Georgia risks the country’s standing as part of the international community. That is not the future the United States or Europe want – but it is the future Russia may get if it does not stand down its forces and live up to its commitments.”
Biden's office also issued a statement today about the resignation of Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf.
“I congratulate the people of Pakistan on the peaceful resolution of their political crisis, and I applaud the decision of President Musharraf to give up his office for the good of his nation.
"The two major parties in the governing coalition – the PPP and the PML-N – worked together to bring about a change in government through constitutional and nonviolent means. This transition represents the first time in Pakistani history in which a president installed by the military has been removed by constitutional political action.
“I urge Pakistan's leaders to focus now on the pressing challenges of the future and resist the temptation to settle scores of the past. President Musharraf made the right choice in stepping down. I hope his resignation marks the end of the political turmoil that has immobilized the Pakistani government in recent months.”
Dear sir,
With all the confusion going on in the capital why are we sitting around watching? We should cross the border from afganistan with heavy forces and capture #1 fugitive Bin Ladin.
GET UR DONE
Now how would Obama "Hope this situation into Submission"? I honestly can't see Obama handling a dispute between two secretaries in an office let alone one Nation claiming genocide and invading a neighbor. This is the guy that votes "Present", voted to fund billions to a War he was supposedly against, and to confirm Condi Rice as Secretary of State.
In today's age, an information age, it is absolutely shocking that an "informed" population would advance the most inexperienced candidate from both the Democratic and Republican Presidential Candidates.
Obama is a fairy tale, he is liberals fairy tale. So many people are projecting their hopes in Obama because it makes them feel good and hopeful. He is like a drug pusher because he sells an uplifting experience that is not grounded in any basis of experience in reality. The "Audacity of Hope" book title came from Reverend Jerimiah Wright's sermon titled "The Audacity of Hope". Obama bought Reverend Wright's Audacity of Hope garbage and now Obama wants us to buy his. Obama got his title and his speaking style from Reverend Wright. He threw out Wright like a used dish rag when it was politically expedient.
If liberals can wake up from their Happy Trip altered state and ask themselves how they can believe someone who trashes experience. He is selling change and claiming that if you've been a long time in Washington you're part of the problem and not the solution. So, does that mean Ted Kennedy is no good? How about Joe Biden, John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, Bill Richardson, how about all the talking heads who have been around Washington for decades, should we clean them all out too?
Biden's ego is pretty big, but nothing to the self absorbed grandiloquent Obama who writes books about himself.
Look at the towns in Massachusetts that went for Obama, they were the ultra rich towns and the inner city neighborhoods. The family from Woburn isn't swayed by Maria Shriver, but the trophy wife from Lincoln is. Deval Patrick ran with the same template written by Axelrod, he appealed to our Hopes and Dreams and then opened the door for Predatory Mortgage Lenders, and the Casino Industry. I beg you to get your heads out of the clouds, as pleasant as it may feel, use your rational, critical thinking, never abandon it no matter how good someone's words make you feel. Look for a track record.
Lastly, look how Obama shifts from lofty rhetoric when he speaks in "themes" and how he shifts to lawyer-speak when he discusses specific policy. You see those weasel words that give him wiggle room to worm out of positions. Is this guy for the Surge, what is his position on drilling, releasing the Strategic Oil Reserves, etc. He uses weasel words for political expediency.
Now how would Obama "Hope this situation into Submission"? I honestly can't see Obama handling a dispute between two secretaries in an office let alone one Nation claiming genocide and invading a neighbor. This is the guy that votes "Present", voted to fund billions to a War he was supposedly against, and to confirm Condi Rice as Secretary of State.
In today's age, an information age, it is absolutely shocking that an "informed" population would advance the most inexperienced candidate from both the Democratic and Republican Presidential Candidates.
Obama is a fairy tale, he is liberals fairy tale. So many people are projecting their hopes in Obama because it makes them feel good and hopeful. He is like a drug pusher because he sells an uplifting experience that is not grounded in any basis of experience in reality. The "Audacity of Hope" book title came from Reverend Jerimiah Wright's sermon titled "The Audacity of Hope". Obama bought Reverend Wright's Audacity of Hope garbage and now Obama wants us to buy his. Obama got his title and his speaking style from Reverend Wright. He threw out Wright like a used dish rag when it was politically expedient.
If liberals can wake up from their Happy Trip altered state and ask themselves how they can believe someone who trashes experience. He is selling change and claiming that if you've been a long time in Washington you're part of the problem and not the solution. So, does that mean Ted Kennedy is no good? How about Joe Biden, John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, Bill Richardson, how about all the talking heads who have been around Washington for decades, should we clean them all out too?
Biden's ego is pretty big, but nothing to the self absorbed grandiloquent Obama who writes books about himself.
Look at the towns in Massachusetts that went for Obama, they were the ultra rich towns and the inner city neighborhoods. The family from Woburn isn't swayed by Maria Shriver, but the trophy wife from Lincoln is. Deval Patrick ran with the same template written by Axelrod, he appealed to our Hopes and Dreams and then opened the door for Predatory Mortgage Lenders, and the Casino Industry. I beg you to get your heads out of the clouds, as pleasant as it may feel, use your rational, critical thinking, never abandon it no matter how good someone's words make you feel. Look for a track record.
biden's the one,
Biden's experience should have indicate the knowledge that any conflict has 2 sides. Unfortunately, looking at the information, Biden listened only to one side of the story (the Georgian one) and jumped into his final conclusions. This is a fundamental mistake. Why he did not visit Russia after or before his trip to Georgia to get their side of the story, or point of view, or reasons? Why US administration (including Biden) has to make Russia-Georgia conflict into US-Russia conflict in Georgia? Oil, Georgian soldiers for Iraq, potential for US military missiles in Georgia to threat Russia and the rest of the region, more contracts for gun makers - that is why Bush and McCain are there, and it seems Biden and Barack are on board as well, there is no difference so far. At least Bush and McCain are straight forward about it, while Barack and Biden claim that they know how to do things differently when in fact they are not (this case shows it). Sad.
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