Biden Defends Obama On Committee Attack

South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint sent Obama a letter asking why, as chairman of a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee, the candidate hasn't held any hearings on Afghanistan. It was an attack used by Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary.

However, there's an easy response: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joe Biden has said he wants all hearings on Afghanistan to be held at the full committee level. In case he's forgotten that, Biden reminds DeMint in a letter of his own:

As you are aware, under my chairmanship the Foreign Relations Committee has addressed most Afghanistan issues at the full committee level. I believe that this is the best way of ensuring the most comprehensive examination of the complex issues involved, and of ensuring the highest-level Administration participation. ...

Sen. Obama has displayed great leadership on this issue: he called nearly a year ago for the deployment of at least two additional combat brigades to Afghanistan -- it has since become the accepted position of a wide range of U.S. military officials, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I look forward to working closely with him, and with you, on any future Afghanistan hearings that might be held in our committee."

In a speech Wednesday, Biden praised Obama's spine and criticized McCain's knowledge of history.

Comments

[AbbieXHoffman]

I love this man. But he is a fighter and we need him in fighter mode. I don't think that means VP. Besides, he has made it crystal clear that he doesn't want the VP spot.

He can do more good by fighting the repubs right where he is.....in the senate heading up the foreign relations commitee. Maybe Sec of State, but that's more of a diplomat position. I say use the figher where he's most effective -- in the great debates on the senate floor.

[LizM]

What you say might make some sense if the Senate was a place of real influence and even if the chairmanship of a critical senate committee exuded power. But, neither is true. Or, are you just being facetious?

[AbbieXHoffman]

I was being serious. I do think the senate is very important and even more effective when your party holds the whitehouse as well. Maybe you have become very cynical (understandably) about government.

Regardless, I love this man so the more we get to see of him the better.

[Ifeomamn]

Biden for VP.

[nonconformist2]

YES! If not, then definitely Secretary of State.

[6louis9]

Having Biden as VP would be a waste of his talents. Show me a VP who has been positively effective in any administration in the last 50 years other than Cheney. And his leadership was destructive.

[crossoverwriter]

Biden or Hagel for veep.

[Harrygton]

Biden is a good man with a lot of experience and he's a straight shooter! But that doesn't necessarily makes him a wise leader... remember that he authorized the Iraq Invasion... he has not used his vast experience and gravitas to show leadership in deauthorizing the war by rescinding its funding! Obama has the panoramic vision and the inborn charisma and wisdom to steer the Country in the right direction! Biden is a perfect bad cop for Obama's good cop!

[curocat]

Don't forget that many were given doctored intel report on the Iraqi weapons ( WMD )... You might check out the DVD " Why we Fight " ( 2006 ) in particular the now Retired Colonel that stated that the papers were creatively altered to suggest that the WDM were current.... Even Colin Powell was fooled...

[LizM]

I feel compelled to respond to your comment about Senator Biden's vote for the AUMF in Iraq...

First off, a vote for this resolution was most emphatically NOT a "vote for war". Granted, some senators may have voted for it because they wanted the President to go to war. Of course, these Senators did not understand what the resolution was all about nor do they understand the context within which that vote took place.

I don't believe there was another senator, at the national or state level, more prescient or insightful with respect to what this resolution was all about than Joe Biden.

He has shown the greatest leadership possible when it comes to deauthorizing the war - Senators Obama and Clinton both took their direction on this particular issue from none other than Senator Biden. He has also shown real leadership on Iraq by developing and honing a comprehensive strategy to promote a sustainable political solution which, by the way, has already received the support of an overwhelming and quite unprecedented majority of Republicans and Democrats in Congress (this Biden amendment passed the Senate with an incredible vote margin of 75-23!)

Senator Obama has a very critical choice to make in the next few weeks and it has nothing to do with finding a 'bad cop' to play off his 'good cop'!

[northcan]

Nice to see a repub smacked...their pres. candidate was the worst student in class and the military, crashed five plane's and has always been a smartass in the dumbest sense of the word. His apparent military expertise is not shared by all. In fact, he refused to release much of his record. After 25 yrs in the senate as a lazy, 'maverick', stubborn as ever, even running a lazy campaign (every weekend off), he thinks he can bluff his way to the top, with his 'hero' status. Pooey, he's not a hero in my eyes, he's a flounderer, foul mouthed idiot with a rich, glazed eyed barbie doll wife.

[Harrygton]

I like your passion!

[captnEarl]

you are speaking for me also brother

[crossoverwriter]

McCain knows nothing about governments or leaders of other countries!!! He will fail dismally when he gets pitted against Obama in the debates. Can't wait.

[kellygrrrl]

Go Get 'em Joe!

[JKZANG]

I originally wanted a Biden/Edwards ticket but will settle for Obama/Biden - Biden being the brightest of the two.

[curocat]

At least, the more experienced...

[Alethea]

Yay Biden!

It's always fun to watch a Dem smack the Repubs around with the truth.

I just wish more of them did it more often. I mean, what other Dems like Pelosi and Reid afraid of? The Neo-Cons had 7 1/2 years to do whatever they pleased and they have screwed up so royally that it's plainly obvious to everyone now what a Neo-Con vision of America looks like. The Republicans got nothing now. They proved themselves to be a combination of greedy liars and complete idiots. We know it, they know it, but apparently some of the Democrats don't.

But some of the more conservative voters are looking for excuses to still vote for these morons. If the Dems are smart - like Biden- then they won't let the Republicans "reinvent" themselves by playing a game of slight of hand with the truth.

[CashMurda407]

In all honesty, Biden is one of the best options for VP, Bayh side-by-side with Obama makes you want to ask, "Why isn't it the other way around?" coupled with the fact that he served as co-chairman of a neoconservative committee...NOT A GOOD LOOK!

Joe Biden is one of the realest men serving in Washington D.C., he will tell you how he sees it, no bull. This is the type of person Barack Obama needs for vice-president. And did I mention that he's well-versed in foreign policy?

[Harrygton]

Agree 100%

[curocat]

DITTO....

[druidlady42]

Don't be fooled by Bayh's polished personna! He's "republican-lite", one of those who have consistently compromised the Democratic position in the Senate, crossing the line to vote with the Republicans on crucial issues. I would be greatly disappointed if Obama selects him, especially since his true loyalties are much more in keeping with HRC's positions than Obama's!

[LizM]

I can't let that one go without a strong rebuttal...there would be NO reason to wonder why an Obama/Bayh combo isn't the other way around...they're in the same league, more or less.

Senator Biden, on the other hand, was the most qualified and best equipped candidate - of either party - in this election cycle with impeccable and unimpeachable foreign policy, national security and consitutional credentials which, coupled with a breadth and depth of knowledge and superior leadership capability, were wholly unmatched by any of his presidential rivals.

We agree on who Obama needs to have at his side, but I just wanted to set the record straight on one of your reasons why! :)

[marinemomof3]

GO GET 'EM VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN!!!!!

Chew Romney up and spit 'em out too!!!

[kellygrrrl]

I'd like to see him give LiarMan a good smacking

[dumboldfarmer]

I can't help but like Senator Biden. He says it like he sees it.

[michaelgp72]

He would be an excellent VP!!! pick GOOOOOOOOOOOO JOE!!!!

[nick1936]

As a citizen of Delaware I like Joe and hope he is on the ticket he is one Dem who has the balls to fight back he would be the Repuks worst nightmare if slected for VP

[MyAudacity]

Damn, I like Joe Biden, he is truly a man after my own heart.....

[barackobama4prez]

Biden accused him of the same thing in the debates....but no matter. Obviously he agrees with the future president where it's most important.

OBAMA/BIDEN 2008-2016

[GuiltyByStander]

No.

Biden did critize Obama, in Obama's capacity as head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on European Affairs, which, Biden correctly pointed out, had not convened under Obama.

He agrees with the future president when he's right.

[AbbieXHoffman]

Yes Biden did criticize BO during the primay but that's okay. That's politics and while everyone is all about this "new politics" without even being able to define what "new politics" means except to make up ever-changing definitions of it as it suits their argument. Some things about politics, like attacking your opponent during a primary, don't change and THAT IS OKAY!

This isn't direct toward you, but to others .... please stop the irrational hate for HRC and all the other candidates that were trying to beat BO in primary. They can support him fully and even stand by his side as VP eventhough they went after him during the primary.

I am so dying to know who BO will pick. It could be any day now. I bet he announces before his trip abroad so the VP can get some press and fight McCain here in the states while he's abroad.

[Lex10]

A Dem with some nuts! That's what I'm talkin' about!

[michaelgp72]

U know what I'm sayin...!!!