Biden speech to Council on Foreign Relations (today)

[Muttocracy]

Checking Joe's senate site and saw this:

http://biden.senate.gov/newsroom/details.cfm?id=293550&



BIDEN: 'Back to What Really Matters: Afghanistan, Pakistan and America's Security'

Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) delivered the following remarks today at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York upon his return from Pakistan and Afghanistan:


‘Back to What Really Matters: Afghanistan, Pakistan and America’s Security’
Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Speech to the Council on Foreign Relations, New York City
February 25, 2008

**Remarks Prepared for Delivery**

...

[gateley]

1. His patriotism brings tears to my eyes. I'm series. nt

[Tashca]

2. Very good read

Joe takes this complex situation and puts it into words that I can understand. We know he has the ability to face head-on these problems and lay out a plan that makes complete sense.

“The original sin was starting a war of choice before we finished a war of necessity.”

I think this sentence addresses the problem from the very beginning. He amazes me how he can make a point with so few words.

“This should not be America’s fight alone. Our allies have as much at stake as we do. Since 9/11, Europe has been repeatedly targeted for terror and virtually every attack can be traced back to this region.”

He makes an excellent argument for this belief.


“One ally can fight here – but not there. Another can do this – but not that. You’re either in the fight – or you’re not. It is time for NATO to be fully in the fight. I believe that the future of NATO is at stake – in Afghanistan.”

He lays out very fundamental problems and of course a plan to fix them.

“First – we should make good on President Bush’s unfulfilled pledge for a Marshall Plan for Afghanistan.”

He again lays out a very viable plan.

This article is a must read. I wish there was a cabinet position called something like: Secretary of Fixing Fucked up Wars. Maybe he is best to stay where he is at……I just hope he gets the support and people listen to him.

[jillan]

3. lol - Sec'y of fixing fucked up wars.

That is the perfect position for Joe :)

[Inuca]

4. You may also want to have a look here

Senators Weigh U.S. Policy in South Asia after Visit http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/asia/jan-june08/biden_02-25.html NPR interview with Biden and Hagel yesterday, transcript and audio.

[Muttocracy]

5. thanks! will definitely have a listen nt

[gateley]

6. Thanks! I've only heard Biden and would like to hear Hagel, too. nt

[Muttocracy]

7. longer transcript of SFRC speech with Q&A at end (Couric moderating)

http://www.cfr.org/publication/15600/conversation_with_senator_joseph_r_biden_jr_rush_transcript_federal_news_service.html

Really interesting Q&A about Taliban expansion, foreign policy credentials of other candidates (might post that out in GDP), his feelings about Sec of State and VP possibility!!!

Starts out with:

COURIC: I'm going to have to ask the audience -- the audience for questions in a minute, but before I do, I have to ask you about the election briefly. If I might --

BIDEN: I am very sorry I'm not the nominee. (Laughter.) What can I say?

COURIC: I think there are other people who feel that way as well, Senator.

BIDEN: Not many. (Laughter.)

:)

[Muttocracy]

8. posted out in GDP:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4802971

[gateley]

9. Go out and K&R it, guy -- lots of really positive comments about Joe.

Thanks, JIOOU! :hi:

[Muttocracy]

11. it's been fun to watch the comments -

I probably missed a lot of folks in their former lives as Biden supporters.

Boy, doesn't he look good compared to the kids throwing mud pies at each other? Sigh.

[gateley]

12. Sigh. Is right. nt

[gateley]

10. GASP - did you guys catch this?

I really would not like to be vice president. Again, though, I don't want to -- I had this bad habit of being, if not straightforward, at least blunt. Were I asked to do that, how could you turn -- if the nominee gave you indication, and showed you numbers that you on the ticket would help


To me, (all-knowing, all-seeing) that says to me that IF they came to him and essentially said "Joe, you gotta be on the ticket for our party to win" = he might feel obligated to acquiesce. But I truly believe he's not interested.