Pakistan Crisis Makes The Case For Biden, Not Bush or Hillary

Let's give credit where it is due. Joe Biden has been light years ahead of all presidential candidates in both parties, warning about Pakistan for years, being the only candidate to seriously raise the issue in the debates.

My hope for Iowa is that Obama and Edwards make a caucus alliance for change, joining together during the Iowa caucus at the local level to maximize the change movement.

There is no doubt, however, that if any national candidate was right about Pakistan, and earns major presidential credibility, it is Joe Biden.

The fact is, the Bush obsession with Iraq has endangered both the Afghanistan war, and Pakistan, as Afghanistan deteriorates because of lack of attention and allied support, and the problems spill over the border to destabilize Pakistan.

While Hillaryland will no doubt try to exploit the Pakistan crisis against Obama and Edwards, Hillary was guilty as charged from 2002 through 2006 for supporting the Iraq obsession, and guilt as charged in 2007 for joining the Iran hysteria and supporting the Lieberman-Kyle resolution.

It was Joe Biden and Joe Biden alone among the presidential candidates in both parties who warned, and warned again about the dangers of Pakistan, who offered constructive proposals to get out of Iraq, and opposed the Iran hysteria of Lieberman-Kyle.

If serious, deep, credible, long term national security experience is elevated by this sad and tragic event, it is not those who succombed to Iraq and Iran hysteria who should be touting their "experience".

It is Joe Biden who was far ahead of the curve, and far ahead of all other candidates, about the gravest danger in the region, which is the nuclear and unstable dictatorship of Pakistan.

Comments

[caywen]

My hope is that the media's absolute failure to cover probably the best hope the Democrats have of defeating anyone the Republicans nominate, will actually have a positive effect on Biden's caucus turnout. My hope is that Biden supporters will rightfully feel offended every time Hillary steals Biden's ideas and lines. Biden deserves better, and the rest of the country is counting on you to give us a chance to support Joe.

[missmarple]

It's too bad that something of this magnitude may finally wake Americans up to the fact that we deperately need an experience foreign policy mind sitting beyond the desk in the oval office. It is critical we do not fail again when electing our next President. It's very clear, especially after the events in Pakistan today...America needs Joe Biden.
The sad thing is that it won't wake them up. Biden, Dodd and Richardson have all but been ignored by the MSM, yet each one of them have more foreign policy experience than all of the top three from either party combined. We Americans greedily lap up what is fed to us and don't look at any of the candidates whose names aren't in the headlines every day.
I have never missed a Presidential Election vote and doubt if I'll miss this one, but if any of the top three get the nomination, I can practically guarantee that within the first year - most will be asking themselves "Why didn't I vote for Joe Biden.

[Karen4Joe]

I had the great honor to meet Senator Biden yesterday at a campaign event in a small town in Iowa. I am from Wisconsin, but I traveled to Iowa to volunteer for this great candidate while I still had the chance. This event was expected to bring in all of about 15 people as this is a very republican area. The last time he spoke there, that was all he got. Yesterday, we had to make room for the 40 people that packed this back room of a restaurant.

It was an audience that was completely hanging on each of his words. I do think the ever-evolving situation in Pakistan makes him the obvious leader. I was watching other candidates speak about it this morning, and no one (except maybe Chris Dodd) could say anything other than ideas of what they would like to see done. Joe is the "Action Man"! Not only that, he also has actual experience working in this area, with these people and they trust him. How others are beating him in the polls I will never understand.

I hope he at least finishes top 4 in Iowa. If the size of the crowd yesterday is any indication, his support is growing.

The problem is, and this is the thing that really shocked me, is how few Iowans actually caucus! They seem completely bothered and annoyed by this whole process and can't wait for everyone to leave town. Hopefully the Biden supports there, are more motivated to show up Thursday. But, it's a real shame that many of us who are way down on the primary schedule, may not even get the opportunity to vote for strong candidates like Joe...because of the apathy in Iowa.

[GuiltyByStander]

And the NYT is beginning to get it too. Sometimes, even David Brooks is right:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRJ2us-0ZaU&feature=user

[cblcar]

Joe Biden will be on CNN's Late Edition Sunday (tomorrow) 11:00 am ET. Interesting how suddenly all the talk shows want him. Bhutto's tragic death may finally be what wakes people up to the necessity of electing a Commander-In-Chief with the foreign relations experience these dangerous times call for. Biden '08.

[cookperson]

it makes me so sad too see how much joe biden is struggling in the polls just to get to double digits in iowa, while people much much less qualified then him are so far ahead. One time will people get it right, and vote for the right reasons and elect the right person? Joe biden would make a great president, he is everything this country needs right now.

[US55588144]

THREE IOWA COUNTY PARTY CHAIRS ENDORSE JOE BIDEN
Published: 12/29/2007


Des Moines, IA (December 29, 2007) – Sen. Joe Biden today received the endorsement of three County Democratic Party Chairs in Iowa, Pat Sass, Black Hawk County Party Chair; Jean Hall, Clayton County Chair; and Linda Carrillo, Cedar County Party Chair. All three will serve on the Biden for President Campaign statewide steering committee.

Last night Black Hawk County Party Chair Pat Sass announced her support at a caucus countdown event with Sen. Biden in Waterloo. She served in the Black Hawk Recorders office for 30 years including 16 as the elected Recorder.

"I'm supporting Joe Biden because he's the only candidate in this race who has an exit strategy to get us out of Iraq. But it's about more than the war. We need a president who isn't afraid to act and knows how to solve our biggest problems at home today as well. Joe knows the ticket to the middle class is a union job, and he's ready to fight for workers' rights."

This week, Mo-Joe ’08 is sweeping across Iowa, with Sen. Biden picking up two newspaper endorsements in Jefferson and Sheldon, earning two new legislative endorsements, and packing venues across the Hawkeye State.

These county party leaders have joined an impressive group of local elected officials and state legislators who have endorsed Senator Biden in Iowa. To date, 16 state legislators—and a majority of the House Democratic leadership—have endorsed Senator Biden, including State Sen. Joe Seng (Davenport), House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Des Moines), Speaker Pro Tempore Rep. Polly Butka (Clinton), Rep. John Whitaker (Hillsboro), Rep. Doris Kelley (Waterloo), Rep. Lisa Heddens (Ames), Rep. Jim Lykam (Davenport), Rep. Mike Reasoner (Creston), Rep. Dick Taylor (Cedar Rapids), Rep. Roger Thomas (Elkader), Rep. McKinley Bailey (Webster City), State Senator Herman C. Quirmbach (Ames), Rep. Mary Gaskill (Ottumwa), Rep. Bruce Hunter (Des Moines), Rep. Eric Palmer (Oskaloosa), and Rep. Dennis Cohoon (Burlington)

[enuffejits]

Well said, friend. I am deffinately on your spoke of the thinking wheel. Most important, in Joe Biden's corner; a supporter of his because in the midst of this confusion of candidates - their babble of incompetency, he is the only one who makes sense of anything. His fecundity of information about himself, his views, goals for this country and hopes for better relations on the planet we all share. YEAH ! - Go Biden ! Even if he hasn't a chance for the presidency, my hope is he will have a place in a democratically run government that WILL make a difference.

[Tellmethetruth]

For those who want to read more of what Joe Biden has written on Huffington Post in the past few months.

Joe Biden on Pakistan

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-biden/a-new-approach-to-pakista_b_71733.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-biden/we-need-a-pakistan-policy_b_71399.html

Joe Biden on CIA tapes

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-biden/special-counsel-needed-to_b_77692.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/12/10/biden-calls-for-special-c_n_76044.html

Joe Biden on Iran and Impeachment of Bush

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-biden/meeting-the-iranian-chall_b_75628.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/30/biden-to-bush-bomb-iran-_n_74778.html

[SteveCamp]

When President Biden takes the podium to deliver his first "State of the Nation" address to members of Congress, the standing ovation he will receive will shake the halls of capital cities around the world. "America is back!"

[scac1]

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE DNC ???? WHY IS IT THAT DEAN AND COMPANY COME OUT FOR JOE BIDEN. SO FAR WACKO BILLO, SCAM HANITTY, BUSH LIMBAUGH AND THE OTHER WACKOS HAVE NOT GONE AFTER HIM.

[PuddyKatz]

i'm an independent, former Republican, and I would say that i prefer Biden on the Democratic side and McCain on the Republican side.
they are the only people running who seem reasonable, seasoned and mature.

[go4thegold]

Thank you, thank you, thank you... Finally, someone speaks with a brain that listens... Joe Biden knows the foreign relations area inside and out... Dodd has a working knowledge of it. The rest of them? Not a clue... And thanks for pointing out Hillary has no experience... Other than stamps in her passport she's got no experience but shopping with the wives of important people. David G.

[Saggitarius]

Joe Biden would be a fine President.
He has the knowledge and respect of leaders from all over the world.
However, it was Hillary Clinton, the only one when interviewed by Katie Couric that said that Pakistan was the most troublesome spot for her. All the others said the most troubling for them was Iran. give Hillary some credit.
I think a Clinton/Biden ticket would be great.

[CSE]

As LizM conveys, it is very important that those able to post on behalf of Joe Biden in the "Featured Blog Posts" section of HuffPo do so - and do so often.

Consider watching this older video conversation between Biden and Charlie Rose:

http://www.charlierose.com/shows/2007/08/09/1/a-conversation-with-senator-joseph-biden

To get Biden's plans on relevant issues of the day:

http://www.joebiden.com/issues/

Then, write Biden's campaign and tell them to make him play hardball - once he is challenged he can then mention his experience that otherwise bores people silly. Use facts - not the reason you think people should listen to your presentation of them.