Biden best qualified candidate for president

[ZombieHorde]

Everyone has heard the reasons to caucus for Senator Joe Biden on Jan. 3. Senator Biden is, without a doubt, the most qualified candidate running for president. Most people agree with me on this matter — including those who have thrown their support behind someone else. Even the other candidates applaud Biden’s knowledge and experience! So, why isn’t Biden the current front-runner? Well, I’ve heard a lot of excuses for not supporting him — and, frankly, none of them are convincing.

The first reason I’ve heard is that Biden isn’t high enough in the polls to be viable on caucus night. Perhaps this would be true — if the polls were in any way a true picture of how people will actually vote in January. Recall that four years ago at this time, John Kerry was barely polling in the double digits while Gephardt and Dean were up around 40 percent. Clearly, the polls did not provide an accurate prediction of the caucus results. Also — if enough people who like Joe Biden have the courage to stand in his corner, we can make him viable! Too many Iowans forget that we get to determine what is and is not inevitable on caucus night.

The second reason I have heard is that Biden does not have enough money to do well in the general election, so there is no point in giving him the nomination. This can not be further from the truth! While Biden currently lags behind in fundraising, this is mostly because his fundraising base is in Delaware — a very small state. When Biden gets the party’s nomination, the coffers will open up nationwide. Furthermore, I think it is to Biden’s credit that he has not taken large amounts of money from Washington lobbyists the way some off the other candidates have. Senator Biden has been in office for 35 years and he’s not a millionaire. That’s how you know he’s honest.

The final argument I’d like to address is that Biden would make a good Secretary of State. Would he? Undoubtedly! But — and I’ll second Biden’s own words here — isn’t it time we had a president who was capable of being the Secretary of State? On caucus night, we should ask ourselves whether the candidate we’re supporting is someone who can take charge of our country’s foreign policy — the way the American president used to.

Sincerely,

Norma Beecher

West Branch

No more at link-
http://www.westbranchtimes.com/article.php?id=2508

[katty]

1. he's great, however, I would prefer him as Secretary of State

[1corona4u]

2. That ain't happening.

GO JOE!!!

[katty]

4. well, it could.....never say never

[1corona4u]

6. You're free to think that....

me, I'll take Joe's word on it. he said he wouldn't, and I believe he was telling the truth.

[youthere]

3. I would like to see Richardson as SOS...in a Biden administration.

[1corona4u]

5. Uh, I think he may have blown that chance....

with his opinon on the Pakistan deal....

[youthere]

9. I don't think so...

even if Biden were already president and Richardson were SOS, it's likely they would come to a concensus. For the most part, Richardson is pretty solid on foreign matters. Could you imagine two experts in the same administration? We might actually restore our world image!

[gateley]

7. I'd like to see Joe Wilson. nt

[monmouth]

8. What a great post...K&R to the Greatest with you...

[louis-t]

10. I have heard people who have NEVER voted Dem say that, too.

They probably still wouldn't vote Dem if he gets the nom. By the way, I agree he's the most qualified, and probably the smartest (not to be confused with the most shrewd, or best liar).

[jillan]

11. I am hearing great things from Iowans about Biden's chances.

Things are looking up for Joe!

[philly_bob]

12. I like Joe, but I have questions about Bankruptcy Act of 2005.

I laid those questions out here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3926298&mesg_id=3927130

[jillan]

13. I'm not going to lie -

His vote on the bankruptcy bill pisses me off too.
I have been a fan of Biden's since 2004 when I saw him yelling at the press about the swiftboat liars. I have been following him ever since. When that vote came down - I was screaming at my tv, at Biden for voting for that.

I know why he did it. Just for the same reasons that Dodd votes for the insurance industries, why Richardson is in oil...
It sucks.

You did hit on one of the main issues, about the divorced parents. That is a good point.
When Biden talks about it now, he says his healthcare plan will eliminate the need for people to claim bankruptcy for medical reasons. He has a point there.

You do need to know that they bones of this bill was written in 2001, and that Edwards and Clinton voted for it as well.
Dodd put out a good piece on that.http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=102959

but going back to your original question - I am not going to make excuses for Biden.

I think he is the most qualified candidate and has the best chance of winning the GE.
I am willing to take the bad with the good.

[medicswife]

14. That's very well put.

I don't know a lot about the bankruptcy bill, but I know that it was going to pass whether or not Biden voted for it or not, so I guess I'm looking for the silver lining in that at least he took a stand once again for women and children by making child support be the first thing that had to be paid.

[philly_bob]

16. So Biden and Edwards and Clinton all voted for Bankruptcy Act. Okay.

We can only hope they've learned from their mutual mistake. I'd like to hear each of them address the subject.

Watching the misery of subprime mortgage foreclosures and medically-related bankruptcies as we head into a recession, Biden & Edwards & Clinton should feel a special responsibility to the middle class, whom they casually betrayed.

Anyway, thanks for your honest and reasoned reply, pirhana.

Incidentally, MY first memory of Biden was when I stayed up late to watch the 1991 Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearings. Biden was very courteous to all the witnesses, except for one pro-Thomas witness who argued, more or less, that Thomas could have lots of women, there was no reason for him to proposition Anita Hill. Biden was withering in his cross-examination of this obnoxious fool; he had a cold, wolfish smile as he did it.

I've seen him display the same aggressive-smile at a hearing about torture when he told a witness that the United States doesn't torture other people's soldiers because we don't want other people torturing our soldiers -- "like my son," Biden closed, smiling.

My impression from both events was that behind his elaborate, senatorial courtesies, Biden could be tough when necessary.

[skipos]

15. Biden 4 Prez! nt

[Infinite Hope]

17. I support Edwards, but I agree about Biden's experience. n/t