How Do We Know Joe Biden Would Make a Good President? [View all]

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According to former State Sen. Jim Rosapepe and former U.S. ambassador to Romania from 1998-2001, the answer is simple:

Because He's Already Proven It.

This writeup was in the Baltimore Sun, adapted from an article published in Wall St. Journal in 2008. It underscores Joe Biden's hands-on experience in foreign policy and international affairs, something none of our other candidates bring to the table. And it speaks to Biden's in-depth knowledge regarding geopolitics. The op-ed is a behind the scenes peek from someone who was there and was able to observe Biden in action. Particularly fascinating (for me at least) was this scene:

In most of our meetings, Romanian leaders reiterated their strong interest in joining NATO. At lunch in my house with opposition party leaders, one of them said that NATO membership was important to their country for a reason I’d never heard before.

"If we’re in NATO, we won’t have to worry about NATO attacking Romania over our relations with our Hungarian minority the way you attacked Serbia," he said. "Since Turkey has been in NATO for decades, you let them do what they want with the Kurdish minority."

Mr. Biden, visibly angry, rose from his chair, leaned across the table and said: "If that’s why you want to get into NATO, I’ll make sure you never do!"

As it turned--despite what the opposition party member had blurted out--the Romanians were honest brokers committed to good relations with their Hungarian minority. They were admitted to NATO in 2004. Having proven themselves, Joe Biden supported their membership.

Rosapepe goes on to say:

What struck me was the frankness and passion Mr. Biden brought to U.S. foreign policy. He knew when to say the right thing in the right way. And the Romanians respected him for it.


Wouldn't it be grand to have an American President respected on the world stage? Rather than hated and ridiculed. Our standing in the world, the relationship with allies and adversaries, our ability to offer carrot or stick, has a lot to do with our own national security. This is an arena in which Donald Trump has proven himself completely incompetent.

Joe Biden's been there. He can turn it around for everyone because he understands that domestic and foreign policy is linked. We lead by example or we do not lead at all. Which is the position we're in right now, flailing in all directions.

More at the link:

https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/op-ed/bs-ed-op-biden-rosapepe-20190829-7dbmwz4u3bbghl77mdemowr2re-story.html