Biden To Georgia At Saakshvili's Request

President Bush warned Russia on Saturday against trying to pry loose two separatist regions in Georgia and said Moscow must end military operations in the West-leaning democracy that once was part of the Soviet empire.

Bush told reporters at his Texas ranch that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's signing of a cease-fire plan with Georgia was "a hopeful step." But Russia's vision of Georgia without the provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia was a nonstarter, the president said.

...

At the request of Saakshvili, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden, D-Del., scheduled a trip to Georgia this weekend for meetings with government officials as well as citizens forced to flee their homes.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[bosshogg]

have y'all notice biden been real quite lately and for biden you have to think why is that......­....

[jennbeez]

That's what I love about Biden. He's intelligent enough not to need the scripting. On the other hand, his mouth can be a loose cannon. Biting sense of humor, too.

[LizM]

On the other hand...the­re is no other hand...thi­s garbage about "loose cannons" is nothing more than a part of the media/blog­osphere-dr­iven national myth that has been created - out of whole cloth - about Biden and it is pure, unadulterated BUNK!

[TrumanHugh]

I think this whole situation has made the case for a Biden vice presidency. If Obama was looking for a reason to pick Biden over Bayh, this was it. I've often thought Biden would make a better Sec'y of State or Defense, but I think he is needed here and now on the ticket.

[Forest]

Will Mikheil Saakashvilli become the new Ahmed Chalabi?

This from Wikipedia:

"Saakashvili's inauguration as President of Georgia
On January 4, 2004 Mikheil Saakashvili won the presidential elections in Georgia with more than 96% of the votes cast, making him the youngest national president in Europe. Saakashvili ran on a platform of opposing corruption and improving pay and pensions. He has promised to improve relations with the outside world. Although he is strongly pro-Western and intends to seek Georgian membership of NATO and the European Union, he has also spoken of the importance of better relations with Russia. He faces major problems, however, particularly Georgia's difficult economic situation and the still unresolved question of separatism in the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Abkhazia regards itself as independent of Georgia and did not take part in the elections, while South Ossetia favours union with its northern counterpart in Russia."

[Ides]

Heh, it didn't take long for Georgia's wiki page to get scrubbed. Particularly the pre-war front and center mention of his violent oppression of popular dissent.

Anti-Saakashvili Riots:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40iLJKqYKm8

Georgia shuts down opposition television:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v17XLl1VVPE&NR=1

Translation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHxQZmMRysU

[bosshogg]

if it's between bayh and biden well not close because biden bring more positives than a bayh would.... i figure if obama considering bayh, obama should go ahead and pick hrc because they are very similar...­..

[DinSea]

"Read the whole story here". -- link refers the page right back here -- what's up with that?

[Whinger]

Yeah Joe! He can blame you if it all goes pear shaped!

[wilburr0g]

Biden is a silly old fool with his hair plugs and plagiarizing "my ancestors worked in the coal mines" from Neil Kinnock. Jack Reed, Daschle or Kerry would be better choices. And Stalin arbitrarily drew the borders of Georgia - they have no "territorial integrity" to respect.

[bosshogg]

i like reed but he's no attack dog.......­..........­......

[dana94591]

Hey now! Calm down. I think he is a rather good guy: a tad talkative but a good guy with some experience in foreign relations, which is what we need!!!

[TrumanHugh]

No worse a plagiarist than McCain and his internets-based Wikipedia speech on Georgia. Fact is, the GOPers really don't want Biden on the Dems ticket and for good reason.

[derekc06]

if only kerry could be the VP... but after his failed campaign last go-round that's next to impossible­...

[Harrygton]

What a farce! The USA is constantly throwing their weight around in Latin America! They have no moral standing to point the finger at Russia for doing the same in their neck of the woods! What a joke America has become... a paper lion... what are we going to do, invade Russia!?

Biden should refuse... but if he did, the Repugnants would use this to attack Obama and discredit Biden as a very likely secretary of state in an Obama administration!

[omop]

Messages to George of dead or alive fame and the Garcia-type guy in Tbilsi,

"Dear George: You set this whole thing up not only by cakewalking into Iraq but in proposing to break it up into 3 states.. You not only made Vladmiir mad but goosed Georgia's Mikhels the spook into a Russian czardas"

"Dear Mike of Georgia: Some days are better than others. Will be sending a few more bucks with Joe for you and the gang. And hey keep the faith"

[Nyland8]

Biden would make a great Secretary of State - probably the best since George Marshall. And none too soon. It would come at a time when we most need a great Secretary of State. Biden could distinguish himself in that position in a way that very few could. It would be a crowning achievement to a lifetime of public service - and I'd be surprised if he could deny such a request from Obama.

8

[Patrick McCabe]

Joe Biden was made for the role of either V.P. or Secretary of State. Right person for the right time. America would be for the better.

[souris]

..........­....methin­ks LIEberman will cry foul at being upstaged, and Miss Lindsay Graham is going to have her panties in a twist.....­........

JOE BIDEN FOR VEEP!!!!

[SShaw490]

Saakashvili wants to talk to the new VP.

By the way, the idea that Georgia's "losing" South Ossetia and Abkhazia being a "non-starter" seems to be ignoring a couple of fundamental facts. One, Georgia got their butts kicked in 1992 by South Ossetia and had to sign the Sochi agreement to end that war. That established the Joint Control Commission of Georgia, South Ossetia and Russia, which Georgia viloated on August 7 and got their butts kicked again. Normally, when a country loses TWO wars to dominate a neighbor, that country doesn't get to decide what is, and what is not, a "non-starter".

[harriscrl3]

I think Biden is Obama's VP. I think Saaskavilli in light of Lieberman and Lesley ask Obama to recommend someone on his behalf and Obama recommended Biden. He had Condi there and McCain folks all that was missing was a democrat.

Carol

[missjulz]

Of course in your incredibly astute and oh so completely thought out analysis you did overlook just one teensy little detail: Joe Biden is the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations committee.

Duh.

[harriscrl3]

I didnt overlook anything I know that but Condi Rice went there. McCain was mentioned by name by Saaskavilli McCain sent two guys there. HE was looking for a democrat of course it going ot be someone with Foriegn relations expereince. Why didnt he ask for him sooner. He didnt just became the Chairman of the foreign relations committee.

DUH

Carol

[BabooKyra]

Won't this interfere with McCain's envoys, (Leiberman and whatisname)? And won't this lend huge creds to Obama if he chooses Biden for, well, anything? This is the best reality tv ever.

[harriscrl3]

Saaskavilli is hedging his bet. He has Condi Rice. McCain sent in his folks and thats not enough he purposely requested a democrat one that will likely have a high level Position in an Obama administration. Saaskavilli is smart he is not putting all his eggs in a rethuglican or McCain administration. The fact that he requested Biden while the others were sort of shoved on him speaks volume.

Carol

[ECB]

I like Joe - but Evan Bayh, really looked today on Face the Nation. He is cool and very intelligent.

[OverIt]

Way too much Iraq/Chickenhawk baggage. And a strong weasel factor.

[PAposter]

I agree, OverIt.

[bosshogg]

yup you called it........­.........