Sen. Biden: Troop buildup is failure (radio address)

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

A leading Democrat on Saturday declared last year's troop buildup in Iraq a failure.

Sen. Joe Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the military push didn't succeed because U.S. troops remain committed there in large numbers and political reconciliation has not been achieved.

"The purpose of the surge was to bring violence in Iraq down so that its leaders could come together politically," said Biden, D-Del., in this week's Democratic radio address. "Violence has come down, but the Iraqis have not come together."

(snip)
"I believe the president has no strategy for success in Iraq," Biden said. "His plan is to muddle through, and hand the problem off to his successor."


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/692/story/484420.html

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Senator Joe Biden Delivers the Democratic Radio Address
http://www.dnc.org/a/2008/04/senator_joe_bid.php

[Amonester]

1. Poor "do nothing's" until becoming "it's too late's"

as in "We should have impeached these un-American war criminals before they..." http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3256381&mesg_id=3256381

[gateley]

11. If Iran is brought up in next week's SFRC hearings,

I don't see the Committee giving him an inch.

Last week it seemed apparent to me that they were through with this crap -- both Dems and Reps. They had no qualms about expressing their disgust.

Although it's a crime and heartbreaking that it's come this far, I have hope that they will NOT allow an incursion into Iran. Regardless of what Patraeus might put forth. References to Iran during last week's hearings indicate they know it's all BS.

[Amonester]

18. I think the same, but...

I also remember how much "power to do anything they want and when they want" this Congress gave the un-American war criminals, and why would they "sit" quietly until Jan/2009 and not "use it" now?

Once the un-American war criminals occupying the WH since 2001 "would" have "used it" without "asking" Congress for "permission" (or "because" of another "false flag" op of their own "planning") it "would" be too late.

Why "would" it not be so evident? :hangover:

[gateley]

19. Yes.

That's always in my mind. I think that there might be an uproar if steps were taken to invade Iran, but what good would that do? I really don't know how they can be stopped.

[dkf]

2. How's about Biden as SecDef?

[Muttocracy]

4. I vote for SecState or VP for fixing up international mess

Bush/Cheney have done so much damage we need at least two presidents' effort

Obama (or Clinton though less likely) can lead domestic policy

Biden can lead foreign policy

[dkf]

5. Wouldn't Biden have to semi-muzzle himself as SecState?

I'd rather have him cracking heads and truthtelling.

[Muttocracy]

6. well, I wanted him for pres, so I want him to have as much leeway as possible :)

[dkf]

7. Yeah, he definitely impressed me.

I guess I won't find him as enjoyable as SecState vs SecDef where he can let it rip. Selfish I know.

[Muttocracy]

8. don't know enough about how military views him

Biden's not a veteran, though he does fight for troops to have protective equipment, knows military leaders, has been on the ground in Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc. If we could spare Webb he'd be a great Sec. of Defense.

[dkf]

14. I don't think William Perry was a veteran either for what its worth.

Rumsfeld was, but we know what a disaster that was.

I think Webb is VP for Obama.

Wins VA and I bet he would appeal to the mountain west.

[gateley]

10. That's always been my concern if he

took a cabinet position. He'd have to speak FOR The Administration, and I don't see that sitting too well with him.

I love how you put it "I'd rather have him cracking heads and truthtelling." :headbang:

[pdefalla]

9. Secretary of Defense

No, Sec of Defense needs to be Wesley Clark, AG needs to be John Edwards.

[dkf]

15. I'm sure he'd get SecDef under Hillary.

I'm not so sure if Obama would though.

How often are supporters of the other candidate picked for cabinet positions?

[elleng]

22. Wes can't be Sec Def

until he's been out of Army 10 years.

[Muttocracy]

3. thanks for posting this! nt

[Ichingcarpenter]

12. Thanks Joe

Does anyone know if any stations ever play these Democratic Radio Addresses?

I never hear them or the Presidential ones either.

[gateley]

13. I've never heard one either,

although the only non-music station I listen to is NPR.

I'm touched by your new avatar. :hug:

[Hawaii Hiker]

16. Tell this to john McCain, whose practically ready to throw a block party,

as he keeps saying were winning in Iraq......Violence may be down, but they are no closer to a political solution now than they were in May 2003....

[Muttocracy]

17. oh, be ready to watch the two hearings then - check out this article:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3109545

[Orsino]

20. So's your goddamned bankruptcy reform, Joe.

What are you going to do about either of these things?

[jillan]

24. I hate that Biden voted for the bankruptcy bill BUT incomparison to our

two remaining candidates and some of their votes - - - Biden voting for that bill pales in comparison.

[SammyWinstonJack]

21. Bad Voodoo's War. I watched part of this on pbs the other day. It's worth a look.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/badvoodoo

A real eye opener for sure.

[Eurobabe]

23. Joe was right n/t