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

[SgtLucifer]

Don't go Joe, it's a trap. Don't go to Georgia. They'll lose your luggage at the Atlanta airport, and them Southerners don't care much for your arrogant Yankee attitude & big mouth.

[LeftLeanWing]

good one !

* snort *

[kellygrrrl]

lol!

[marymansour]

Scuse me, Sgt. L but I'm a southerner and admire the hell out of Biden.

[firewmn]

maybe find he has been put on a "no fly" list..

[NoBo08]

At president Saakshvili's request? I wonder why this is not reported elsewhere in the media.

Funny there is no mention of, Senators Joseph Lieberman and Lindsey Graham, strong supporters of McCain's White House bid, are also due to visit Georgia.

http://www.thesteinline.com/steinblogs/blog4.php?p=48&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

[mulegino]

Americans can no longer expect wisdom in foreign policy to emanate from the top down-they must begin to demand it from the grass roots upward.
America's decades of interventionism and colonial wars on behalf of corporatism and adventuristic pet projects, a la Sakashvili, have reaped the American people nothing but the enmity of most of the world, economic ruin and stagnation, and the corruption of the best American ideals in pursuit of world domination.
Of course, any politician who dares to question the paradigm of endless intervention and American imperial domination will be marginalized as an "isolationist" or demonized as an aider and abettor of "terrorism", or whatever perceived evil rules the day. The "isolationist" canard is old, tired and easily refuted-no sane American wants America to withdraw into her shell, but simply desires that her relationship with her neighbors and all nations of the world henceforth become one of friendly relations and peaceful commerce, not confrontation and economic domination.

[mosh]

All this strife is good for one thing - the arms trade. Those anti-missile ballistic systems don't build themselves, you know.

As many a great statesman has said - war is good for two things, making profiteers rich and kings king.

The powers that be don't want peace, that would put a damper on the US's military-industrial complex. Keep those wars coming.

[bronceye]

If they are such a civil democracy in Georgia, why not let the citizens of these two countries to vote on their representation? What a hoot? Pledge to the gov't. that bombed you indiscriminately in the dark of night or the gov't. that came to your rescue.

[gevan]

In the 1989 census there were 239,872 Georgian in Abkhazia and 93,267 Abkhaz. By 2003 the Geogian population was counted as 45,953 and those counted as Abkhaz was 94,606. Should the nearly 200,000 Georgians who fled be allowed to vote in an Abkhazian plebecite? Why or why not? ( figures from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abkhazia )

[firewmn]

I know he is head of Foreign Relations Committee but...Is Bush also getting him out of town with the up coming convention and Biden is to speak on Wed the 27th..??

[RatgurlSD]

That was the first question my hubby asked.....­. conspiracy??

[BigBagel]

If I was a Republican I would want him to speak. He's the biggest windbag in the Senate.

[nellieh]

Apparently Biden is traveling to Georgia at the request of Saakshvili, not Bush. It is also telling he DIDN'T request Lieberman and Graham.

[MadJeffersonian]

Good question. But Biden will put country first, party second.

It's also interesting that Bush is sending Biden and not some Bush/Rethug crony. Why not? Could it be Biden's experience and knowledge exceeds those from someone on the Right?

[YellowDogInRedCounty]

You apparently didn't read the article and were fooled by the misleading headline. The "PRESIDENT" in the headline is the President of Georgia, not Bush. Bush is too busy on vacation to worry about this.

[white mende man]

Hopefully John McCain's Sec. of State Joe Lieberman and Joe Biden do not get into a fist fight in Georgia.

[Okieborn]

George Bush should "RESIGN" for the good of this great nation !!
Don't put a Democrat in to solve your problems !!
RESIGN YOU JERK !!!

[MsDoc]

And that would give us Cheney... the puppetmaster brought to center stage.

Not a good idea, as much as I loath B'ush.

[ChiGuy]

If it happens and is covered by the MSM, this might be the publicity bounce that pushes him past other contenders for 0's veep choice.
I'd rather see Wesley Clark as 0's running mate, but I could live with Joe.

[Phil123]

This is a surprise. I figured Joe Wilson would be going at Dick Cheney's request.

[Smirk]

Saakshvili should only interact with members of the current administration. Neither the nominees nor their surrogates should be involved.

[naschkatze]

Joe Biden is the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and as such, he has the standing to interact with Saakashvili personally. You sound like sour grapes. I think Saakashvili knows he was screwed by your guys like Cheney and McCain with personal interests in his country. He was led down the primrose path by these jerks and his country has suffered for it. And Saakashvili himself has been politically damaged with his own people. So go ahead and smirk all you want.

[white mende man]

Didn't we give the green light to Saddam Hussein to take Kuwait by the then US Ambassador to Iraq April Glaspie?

[leduck]

that's Saakshvilis fault for being stupid
and he continues to act stupid by bad mouthing russia
who can't back down until someone shuts up Saakshvili

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

I agree, I think Pres. Saakashvili doesn't want to even talk to our current administration, and he's moving past them to someone he feels will listen... Interesting times we live in my friends.

[Agnim]

Totally agreed!

However, when the US has an INCOMPETENT and lame duck President, who is really in charge of the country and its many wars?

What we are seeing here is total confusion in American leadership. No one is really in charge!

Americans should pay attention and avoid electing/allowing another obvious incompetent as leader of 300 million. It can only lead to repeated disasters.

[antmuk]

ditto

[Smirk]

I, too, hope most of the voters pay attention and don't elect McCain.

[LizM]

You have to consider that the United States Senate plays a very important advise and consent role in US foreign policy and that Senator Biden is the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senator Biden is NOT travelling as a surogate for the Obama campaign.

[Smirk]

Good point. Thanks.

[harriscrl3]

He is setting himself up for the next president thats why I'm convinced this guy provoke the Russia to attack so he can once again continue his alliance with America and the new administration regardless of who. Why request Biden. Biden is an Obama advisor and at the top of his list to be VP.

This guy is playing games. I hope Obama doesnt fall for it. Biden should have declined.

Carol

[bullypulpit]

Exactly right. I also think it compromises Biden's chances for VP.

[LizM]

Unlike many here, Biden is not playing politics..­.that ain't his style as anyone who know anything about Joe Biden would understand.

[k1k2lee]

It was the GEORGIAN president who requested Joe Biden and NOT Bush. I think this bodes well for Biden being the VP nod for Obama. Clearly, someone the world sees as a strong foreign policy figure.

[YellowDogInRedCounty]

Joe Biden is a US Senator and head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It is perfectly acceptable and fitting for him to be involved.

[kmac23va]

This is like the kid that slaps the bully and then cries to mommy when the bully beats him up for it. Your instinct is to blame the bully. No one looks at the kid.

[RatgurlSD]

Great analogy!

[leduck]

bingo

and now the "victim" wants to bad mouth the bully and get away with it

[teron678]

Saakhasvili is a Bush/Cheney Puppet just like Tony Blair was .... so sad ...

[harriscrl3]

Exactly and this puppet knows that his time may be over soon so he is position himself for next administration to become his puppet master. Remember we are all Georgians. I bet most America think McCain was talking about Georgia the state.

Carol

[kidshare]

You think most of America is stupid? Well you fit right in on the left, don't you? Liberally low self esteem and low opinion of those around you. I pity you.

[harriscrl3]

I Do NOT trust Saakshvili he is NOT as innocent a victim as he pretends to be. He is playing games manipulating the situation and the fact that he ask specifically for Biden convinces me that he is manipulating the situation. I'm not saying Russia is innocent but Georgia Leader is very shady to me and he may turn out to be the bigger villian here. This country should NOT be given NATO membership.

America needs to STAY THE HECK OUT OF IT!!

Carol

[LizM]

We no longer live in a world - and haven't for a very long time - where the US has the option of staying "the heck out of it". You can accept that or not but you cannot deny that it is a fact.

[AllenD]

We absolutely can stay out of an old Soviet family feud. Just like we stayed out of Rwanda, Dafur, etc.

[harriscrl3]

My point is he is Manipulating the situation. McCain's top advisor is a Lobbyist for Georgia and this Saaksvilli is specifically requesting Biden who is an advisor to Obama. He is palying the situation setting himself up for the next administration. Is America going to allow herself to be palyed by this guy hence why they should stay out of it and let the French and Sarkozy handle it. Besides we have no moral standing to be preaching not that its stopped us before but it makes us look foolish.

Carol

[teron678]

co-sign .....

All We see in the corporate own Media is .. Russia are the bad guys .. they are at fault .. which is completely false ... the corporate own media is selling us into another senseless war .....

[UnknownSoldier]

The Russians are calling out the U.S. Media for being Biased. Now when you have country that pratically invented the concept of State Controlled Media calling the U.S. Media biased (aka propaganda) it is time stop listening.

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

Again we Americans continue to see black and white -- only good vs. evil... U.S. on the good side -- other countries must be bad... again, this is why Bush was elected twice. Folks it's not as black and white as the U.S. wants you to believe. You can't short talk your way into the White House as John McCain did last night, and a country is a complex group.... I don't see Georgia/Russia as good or bad -- just complicated.

[FogBelter]

Biden looks to be more in line for Secretary of State than VP.

[teron678]

that's what i have been saying ...

[ShamusNYC]

Don't forget that McSame sending his envoys - Graham and Lieberman, or as Jon Stewart put it "Howdy Dooty and Droppy Dogg"

That'll help a lot! I'm sure Putin really respects this dynamic duo.