In the recent televised debate of Democratic Presidential candidates for South Carolina, Joe Biden stood out as the most confident and well prepared. While I recognize that Biden remains very much a "long shot" in his bid for the Democratic Presidential nomination, his strong performance gives rank and file Democrats a reason to take a second look at this long-time Senator from Delaware.
One of Biden's advantages is historical perspective, he has served in the U.S. Senate during seven presidencies and can recall an era of less intense partianship and idelogical polarization. Biden worked with great leaders of both parties like Sam Ervin, Barry Goldwater, Hubert Humphrey, Jacob Javits, Scoop Jackson and Daniel Patrick Moniyhan.
Biden has firm grasp of defense and national security issues. "The American people are looking for us as Democrats,” said Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee “They’re looking for someone literally, not figuratively, to restore America’s place in the world.” During the South Carolina debate, Biden was the only candidate to clearly outline what a plan to resolve the Iraq War.
Joe Biden gave more details on his five point plan for Iraq in a speech to the Brookings Institute:
First, maintain a unified Iraq by decentralizing it and giving Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis breathing room in regions – as the Iraqi constitution provides. The central government would be responsible for common concerns, like guarding Iraq’s borders and distributing its oil revenues.
Second, secure support from the Sunnis – who have no oil – by guaranteeing them a fair share of oil revenues. Allow former Baath party members to go back to work and reintegrate Sunnis with no blood on their hands.
Third, increase economic assistance to Iraq and its regions. Insist that the oil-rich Gulf states put up most of the money, tie it to the protection of minority rights, and create a major jobs program to deny the militia new recruits.
Fourth, initiate a major diplomatic offensive to enlist the support of Iraq’s neighbors. Create an oversight group of the U.N. and the major powers to enforce their commitments. These countries have a profound stake in preventing chaos in Iraq and the credibility we lack to press for compromise by all Iraqis. If a political settlement fails to take hold, these same countries are vital to any strategy to contain the fall out within Iraq.
Fifth, instruct the military to draw up plans for withdrawing U.S. combat forces from Iraq by 2008. Leave behind a small force to take on terrorists and train Iraqis. The best way to focus Iraq’s leaders on the political compromises they must make is to make it clear to them that we are leaving. http://tinyurl.com/2eeyjq
Another good thing about Joe Biden is that he is serious about global warming and has supported nuclear power. To reduce CO2 emissions which contribute to global warming, for our energy independence and national security, we need to have nuclear power. Here is what the African American Environmentalist Association had to say about Biden:
"We really like Senator Joe Biden. Joe Biden is probably the best foreign policy expert in the United States. As the new chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he will have significant input and a very visible platform for expressing his views. And as we all know, Senator Biden has no problem expressing his views. Senator Biden is also approachable and willing to chat on the elevator with the average citizen. Moreover, Joe Biden is serious about climate change and we believe he is willing to promote nuclear power as a primary solution to the problem. Joe Biden would be a very good president."
"Senator Biden seems to be okay with nuclear power because he voted for the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Biden was a cosponsor of the McCain/Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act and he voted for the very nuclear-friendly Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act." http://tinyurl.com/2lnpbq
Biden appears to be in touch with mainstream American values. He has favored school choice which would give low-income parents the option of receiving vouchers to remove their children from failing public schools. This is a bold stand for a Democratic candidate but it is a position of fairness and true populism. Poor children should have the same opportunity to a decent education as rich kids.
While clearly being pro-choice on abortion rights, Biden has voted to ban the barbaric "partial birth" abortion procedure. Again, Biden is taking a brave stand in a party where many activists make absolute abortion rights a top priority. By opposing partial birth abortion, Biden is well within the mainstream of public opinion. Polls show the vast majority of Americans favor a ban on partial birth abortion.
On the issue of gun control, Radio Iowa reports that Biden recognizes that gun control has been a political liability for Democrats. Biden opposes registration of firearms and affirms the Second Amendment. Biden does favor a ban on assualt weapons (which I oppose) but seems to be open to pro-gun rights arguments.
During the 90's, Biden did unfortunately support the "free trade" agenda of Bill Clinton and the Republican Congress. Biden voted for NAFTA and to ratify the 1994 GAAT agreement although he has since moved toward a fair trade stance. In recent years, Biden has voted against free trade agreements. And Biden has a most impressive rating of one hundred percent from the AFL-CIO.
Right Democrat has not endorsed any Presidential candidate. My first choice for President would be Senator and former Navy Secretary Jim Webb who is not running this time around although I suspect that he is gearing up for 2012. I really like John Edwards' economic populism but fear that he is moving too far to the left on some issues to win in 2008. Edwards had my support the last time around in 2004 after Dick Gephardt dropped out of the Presidential race.
Edwards is still probably the most electable of the top three contenders but I am very disappointed in his vigorous defense of partial birth abortion, opposition to nuclear power expansion and $400 haircuts from campaign funds. Biden is clearly sensibile on the issues and effective in debate although still facing probably 100 to 1 odds against winning the Presidency. It appears likely that Al Gore will enter the race which is not good news for a Democratic victory in 2008. Gore was once seen back in his Senate and House days as a socially moderate, Southern populist but is now stereotyped as a "gun grabber" and "tree hugger." Democrats need a candidate who can win some red states and connect with Middle American voters.
One of Biden's advantages is historical perspective, he has served in the U.S. Senate during seven presidencies and can recall an era of less intense partianship and idelogical polarization. Biden worked with great leaders of both parties like Sam Ervin, Barry Goldwater, Hubert Humphrey, Jacob Javits, Scoop Jackson and Daniel Patrick Moniyhan.
Biden has firm grasp of defense and national security issues. "The American people are looking for us as Democrats,” said Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee “They’re looking for someone literally, not figuratively, to restore America’s place in the world.” During the South Carolina debate, Biden was the only candidate to clearly outline what a plan to resolve the Iraq War.
Joe Biden gave more details on his five point plan for Iraq in a speech to the Brookings Institute:
First, maintain a unified Iraq by decentralizing it and giving Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis breathing room in regions – as the Iraqi constitution provides. The central government would be responsible for common concerns, like guarding Iraq’s borders and distributing its oil revenues.
Second, secure support from the Sunnis – who have no oil – by guaranteeing them a fair share of oil revenues. Allow former Baath party members to go back to work and reintegrate Sunnis with no blood on their hands.
Third, increase economic assistance to Iraq and its regions. Insist that the oil-rich Gulf states put up most of the money, tie it to the protection of minority rights, and create a major jobs program to deny the militia new recruits.
Fourth, initiate a major diplomatic offensive to enlist the support of Iraq’s neighbors. Create an oversight group of the U.N. and the major powers to enforce their commitments. These countries have a profound stake in preventing chaos in Iraq and the credibility we lack to press for compromise by all Iraqis. If a political settlement fails to take hold, these same countries are vital to any strategy to contain the fall out within Iraq.
Fifth, instruct the military to draw up plans for withdrawing U.S. combat forces from Iraq by 2008. Leave behind a small force to take on terrorists and train Iraqis. The best way to focus Iraq’s leaders on the political compromises they must make is to make it clear to them that we are leaving. http://tinyurl.com/2eeyjq
Another good thing about Joe Biden is that he is serious about global warming and has supported nuclear power. To reduce CO2 emissions which contribute to global warming, for our energy independence and national security, we need to have nuclear power. Here is what the African American Environmentalist Association had to say about Biden:
"We really like Senator Joe Biden. Joe Biden is probably the best foreign policy expert in the United States. As the new chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he will have significant input and a very visible platform for expressing his views. And as we all know, Senator Biden has no problem expressing his views. Senator Biden is also approachable and willing to chat on the elevator with the average citizen. Moreover, Joe Biden is serious about climate change and we believe he is willing to promote nuclear power as a primary solution to the problem. Joe Biden would be a very good president."
"Senator Biden seems to be okay with nuclear power because he voted for the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Biden was a cosponsor of the McCain/Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act and he voted for the very nuclear-friendly Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act." http://tinyurl.com/2lnpbq
Biden appears to be in touch with mainstream American values. He has favored school choice which would give low-income parents the option of receiving vouchers to remove their children from failing public schools. This is a bold stand for a Democratic candidate but it is a position of fairness and true populism. Poor children should have the same opportunity to a decent education as rich kids.
While clearly being pro-choice on abortion rights, Biden has voted to ban the barbaric "partial birth" abortion procedure. Again, Biden is taking a brave stand in a party where many activists make absolute abortion rights a top priority. By opposing partial birth abortion, Biden is well within the mainstream of public opinion. Polls show the vast majority of Americans favor a ban on partial birth abortion.
On the issue of gun control, Radio Iowa reports that Biden recognizes that gun control has been a political liability for Democrats. Biden opposes registration of firearms and affirms the Second Amendment. Biden does favor a ban on assualt weapons (which I oppose) but seems to be open to pro-gun rights arguments.
During the 90's, Biden did unfortunately support the "free trade" agenda of Bill Clinton and the Republican Congress. Biden voted for NAFTA and to ratify the 1994 GAAT agreement although he has since moved toward a fair trade stance. In recent years, Biden has voted against free trade agreements. And Biden has a most impressive rating of one hundred percent from the AFL-CIO.
Right Democrat has not endorsed any Presidential candidate. My first choice for President would be Senator and former Navy Secretary Jim Webb who is not running this time around although I suspect that he is gearing up for 2012. I really like John Edwards' economic populism but fear that he is moving too far to the left on some issues to win in 2008. Edwards had my support the last time around in 2004 after Dick Gephardt dropped out of the Presidential race.
Edwards is still probably the most electable of the top three contenders but I am very disappointed in his vigorous defense of partial birth abortion, opposition to nuclear power expansion and $400 haircuts from campaign funds. Biden is clearly sensibile on the issues and effective in debate although still facing probably 100 to 1 odds against winning the Presidency. It appears likely that Al Gore will enter the race which is not good news for a Democratic victory in 2008. Gore was once seen back in his Senate and House days as a socially moderate, Southern populist but is now stereotyped as a "gun grabber" and "tree hugger." Democrats need a candidate who can win some red states and connect with Middle American voters.
3 comments:
"Right Democrat has not endorsed any Presidential candidate. My first choice for President would be Senator and former Navy Secretary Jim Webb"
I wholeheartedly agree with you on Jim Webb. He'd be my 1st choice as well.
I did have a question about your comment that Edwards may be moving too far to the left. Did you mean on economic issues? I don't think any candidate is "far enough left" yet when it comes to opposing unrestricted free trade.
Economic Populist Forum
You are incorrect about Biden voting to Ban Partial Birth. He did not vote. Go to link.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00051
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