Joe Biden: Dem Rivals "Not Making Sense" On Bhutto Murder

Council Bluffs, Iowa - Presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden took the occasion of the assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto to chide his Democratic rivals as too inexperienced to be president and to tout his own foreign policy credentials.

"Observe what's been going on in Pakistan and you'll see not many candidates have spoken out," Biden said. "And those few who have spoken don't make a lot of sense."

Biden made his remarks Thursday night to an audience of about 150 supporters gathered at the Elks Lodge in this small city abutting Nebraska.

Biden didn't single out any of his rivals by name in deriding their statements on Pakistan. But calling "nuclear-riddled" Pakistan an "emerging, urgent crisis," the veteran Delaware senator suggested that among the Democratic contenders he alone was best suited to deal with dangerous global affairs.

In a post-event interview with The Huffington Post, Biden at first refused to specify which candidate he was referring to when he said they weren't making sense on Pakistan. He noted that front-runners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, both of whom issued brief statements earlier in the day lamenting Bhutto's murder, were "both good people" but didn't have his breadth of foreign policy experience.

When further pressed on the issue, Biden singled out second-tier candidate Bill Richardson as an example of a candidate putting forth simplistic responses to the Pakistani crisis. "Richardson said that [Pakistani President] Musharraf should step down and make way for a coalition government," Biden said. "But what coalition? There isn't any. What's he talking about?"

The assassination of Bhutto, Biden told HuffPost, was one more symptom of what he called a "dyslexic" U.S. foreign policy. "We've got things backwards," he said. "Our policy in Afghanistan where we haven't devoted enough resources to fight Al Qaeda has only encouraged the same extremists in Pakistan."

Biden devoted most of his two-hour appearance to lengthy presentations of various "Biden plans" to solve thorny international issues.

"You know a lot of people make jokes about me running really running for Secretary of State," he told the crowd who peppered him with questions on foreign policy issues ranging from Russia to the Middle East to Afghanistan. "I'm not. I'm running for President. But I would ask you: 'How many of you are willing to vote for a candidate not able to be Secretary of State?'"

"I know many of the world leaders for the last 30 years. Not because I'm and important guy. But because I came up with them," he said referring to his long-time leadership position on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "It's not hyperbole to suggest the rest of the world is waiting for an American president to be elected who can connect the dots. And I can."

Check out the rest of HuffPost's Iowa coverage.

Comments

[plummaddie]

Not for nothing do all of the other Democratic debaters always say, "I agree with Joe." It's too bad that he never got press time. A worthy candidate.

[THISTLE]

Senator Biden has been talking about Pakistan
for months, warning about what could happen
there. When all hell broke out in October,
Mrs. Bhutto called Senator Biden - not Hillary
and never OBAMA. Senator Biden is the only
candidate with a real plan for Iraq. He is
the most respected by world leaders, he is the
most candid, the most honest, the most intelligent, the most tested in his personal
life. Senator Biden would make an outstanding
President. How Obama can even be on the same
stage with Senator Biden is astonishing.
Senator Biden is the most Presidential, he has
a long record of accomplishment. He should
be the frontrunner, but the media decided they
wanted a contest between a former First Lady
and an empty suit with ZERO experience.
Wake up people!

[ANewVoice]

Folks you are watching a great American tragedy unfold - one that will damage our nation for generations.

We the people have let the main stream media decide who the nominees will be. You have surrendered your voting rights.

The cursed MSM is all a titter with the idea of a white woman, a black man running for office. It doesn't matter who bought and paid for these candidates, it doesn't matter if these candidates know their asses from a hole in the ground. It doesn't matter if they're corrupt or honest. It doesn't matter what you think.

What does matter is that the most viable candidate - the person that our country desperately needs - is being ignored by the MSM. Look at the free press that Huckelberry got on the news shows with his Christmas ad with the floating cross and you'll understand what I'm saying.

For some reason Joe Biden does not excite the talking heads and as a result we rarely get a glimpse of his views and positions. Now I know about the plagiarism 20 years ago - but I say BFD. We need this mans insight and real world experience and we need him as our President and not working as some lackey for Clinto or Obama.

I challenge you to take back your rights, take back your election, take back your vote.

Let Russert, Mattews, Tucker and the lot vote for whomever they like - BUT DON'T LET THEM CONTOL YOUR VOTE.

I don't happen to agree with everything that Biden says; but taken as a whole he far exceeds the capabilities of the others.

Take some time and research this. Isn't selecting the right president as important as choosing your next cell phone or tv set? Do you let George Stephanopolis tell you what car to buy?

This is the season when we must choose a real leader. Joe is this season's leader. Don't blow it.


Sorry for the long post.

[rfstevens]

I am happy to see that the media is FINALLY starting to ease its news blackout on Joe Biden. If he had fair, and by that I mean just about any exposure in the media, he would be a front runner. It could still happen.

[nomobull]

does he realy believe that the rest of the world is waiting is waiting on us to connect the dots? and has not Iraq taught him nothing about making plans for another country.

[OhgReaTone]

Joe Biden makes some good points - and the fear struck in the hearts of America - a country still suffering horrific terrorist attacks - will dramatically affect the upcoming election.
Ohg.
http://thefiresidepost.com/2007/12/28/fear-must-not-choose-a-president/

[AnnaKnish]

Here is the most reasoned and sensible candidate who is clearly able to demonstrate his background, experience and character, yet, I ask, why is he not among the pack visiting the news shows and being asked their opinions on the events of the day?
Is it because he has declined the offers or because he wasn't asked?
Mainstream establishment media favors the quick and the easy, thinking that the audience can't grasp a real (non-politically defensible) discussion about real issues.
This guy gets it!

[Nutcase]

Stop talking about Biden for SecState. Biden should be President.

Richardson is excellent as a diplomat. He is just not in the same class as Biden on making poilicy. Richardson would be a good call for SecState.

The mess we face internationally requires someone with the gravitas of Biden at the helm.

[CindyKay]

TEN REASONS TO VOTE FOR BIDEN
End the Iraq War and bring our troops home. Responsibly.
Introduce affordable, universal health care for all Americans.
Build a comprehensive Homeland Security program.
Support equal opportunities for women.
Develop plentiful, affordable, clean energy for America's future.
Protect America's workers.
Improve education. Accessible to all.
Provide the best care and counsel possible for veterans.
Live responsibly. End irresponsible wars and tax breaks.
Restore America's Standing.

[Praedor]

While I tend to agree with Biden in his broad chiding of his rivals on the matter, I must also say I take issue with any claim that we can have "plans" for another sovereign nation. We can have hopes for another nation, we can even offer aid, suggestions, or support in various ways, but we can have no "plans" for them.

We own ONE country. Our own. We don't get to have plans for any other nation as if they are a living room or dining room that we "have plans for" regarding decorating or furnishing. That is empire talk and we need to dispense with that first thing, before ANYTHING else is done.

[joja]

So, Joe, what's YOUR plan for Pakistan?

From what I've heard, Pakistan is as fucked up as Iraq, in that it is a "country" of cobbled together tribal provinces which were proclaimed to be a nation following India's independence from Britain after WWII. The differing tribes in these provinces supposedly hate each other. That seems to explain the persistent dysfunctionality of the national government, and why its leaders are routinely assassinated or replaced in coups.

Add to this the fact that all the billions in US aid to Pakistan have mainly gone to the military, who in turn protects the minority wealthy ruling class which helps itself to much of those US funds so its privileged few can buy land and businesses with it.

No wonder Musharraf wants to stay in power -- what a sweeeeeet deal! Forget about democracy and letting people determine their own national destinies. This is about rich people doing what they always have: fucking over the poor.

And their biggest cheerleaders -- Dick Cheney & George Bush. Big fuckin' surprise.

So, let's not change anything. Let's just go on pretending Pakistan is a country, and one worth pouring billions of hard-earned taxpayer dollars into, just like Iraq, and one day, maybe, history will say we were right. Isn't that straight from the Cheney/Bush talking points?

Like Winston Churchill once said, "Americans will always do what is right, after they have tried everything else."

[lastdays]

The choice remains simple. If we continue to involve ourselves in the Middle East, to be the cops of the world, we will be there until we chose to withdraw "Nam style". For the hawks and the money-boys, that's eternal war and it's all good. Pick a place- Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, etc. There has been war there for 2500 years (and longer) and arrogance, greed and hypocrisy will never stop it but will always fuel it. I remember a time in this country where, if there was an assassination in the 3rd world, we could all give a collective "so what?" Now, if Upper Volta has a hiccup that US coughs blood (most of which is not ours for the time being). Will we ever be heroes again? Will we ever be truly brave and give peace a chance?

[go4thegold]

As I've been saying for months without many taking notice... If you want experience, go for Joe Biden. If you want lies and deceit, got with Hillary. If you want hope, go with Barak... But for God's sake, don't go with a Republican because it's war, war, war... D.

[SEQUOIABISON]

I have been observing Biden for the last 25 years as a dedicated student of political science.

Of course I think he would definitely make a better president than Bush, but then again so would Koko the Gorilla who has mastered the use of sign language.

If I had to sum up my impression of Big Joe in just one word it would be Arrogant.

Basically, I think he is very much Republican Light and in no way represents the ideals of progressives like Ted Kennedy or Bernie Sanders or the late Paul Wellstone.

Need I remind my friends that Experience does not necessarily translate into intelligent decision making.

If we were to use experience as our criteria for selecting a president than perhaps we should give the job to someone like Senator Byrd or even Dick Cheney?

Who in government has more experience then Cheney, but as we can clearly see experience has not helped his Judgment one iota.

Once a warmonger always a warmonger, no amount of experience is going to change ones political philosophy, are you listening Hillary?

Kucinich is my choice in the Primaries but I do like Obama very much and he would be my choice among the top contenders.

[Nic]

Joe the plagiarist giving advice?That's rich. Who did he steal it from?