Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden (D-Del.), one of the most attractive potential running mate picks for Barack Obama, announced Saturday that he is headed to the scene of this week's clashes between Russia and Georgia.
Biden is a popular television guest and speaks frankly, so his remarks after his visit will provide the opportunity for a counterweight to comments by President Bush and John McCain.
McCain initially was tougher on Georgia than Obama was. But Obama interrupted his Hawaii vacation to condemn Moscow's incursion.
Here's the text of Biden's release:
BIDEN to Visit Georgia
Washington, DC — Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) is scheduled to visit the Republic of Georgia this weekend at the request of President Saakashvili. While in country, Chairman Biden will meet with President Saakashvili, the Georgian Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze, the U.S. Ambassador to Georgia John Tefft and Georgians who have been forced to flee their homes.
“I am going to Georgia this weekend to get the facts first-hand and to show my support for Georgia’s people and its democratically elected government,” said Chairman Biden. “I look forward to reporting to my colleagues in the Senate and on the Foreign Relations Committee, as well as the Administration, about what I learn.”
Bush, McCain and Biden all support Georgia, so why is the author talking about a counterweight?
The key to punishing Russia is to take away their source of income. Today, Russia gets most of its income from oil, so stripping oil of its value is the best approach to controlling Russia.
For more information on how to strip oil of its strategic value and burst the oil speculation bubble read the following article on Anne Korin and click on the links at the bottom of the page to see her speech on the subject.
I understand why Biden is going to Georgia, but the political theater is infuriating.
Taxpayers do not need Biden, Lieberman, and Graham wasting our money by trying make Presidential candidates look like Presidents.
Obama received criticism for weeks about acting like he was already President even though McCain took almost the same trip in March 2008. Taxpayers paid for Lieberman, and Graham in March 2008.
We have a President and other people like Rice that can speak for the US.
McCain overstepped his bounds yet most of the media are talking about how Presidential he looked.
At this moment on CNN a group of people are talking about whether Obama should have taken a vacation to Hawaii. The media have talked about it all week.
I'm much more relieved that Joe is going to Georgia. His Foreign Policy cred is impeccable and he will be very fair in his assessment of the situation. I'm also hoping that because Joe is going to Georgia, that the "McCainettes" (Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham) will stay home. While I don't agree with how the current President has handled this whole situation, (kind of like Nero fiddling while Rome burned) we still have only one President, and John McCain had no business saber-rattling, nor should he have decided to send his "envoys" to interfere there. The fact that his Campaign advisor Randy Scheunemann is/was a lobbyist for Georgia, should be even more reason for him to butt out since many view that arrangement as a significant conflict of interest! "We are all Georgians" - John McCain. How dare you speak for me when you are not my President, and you'd best NEVER accuse Barack Obama of being presumptuous again. YOU are the presumptuous one, my friend!
hmmm... Biden goes to Georgia, not because the "too presumptuous" Obama sends him, but because the President of Georgia ASKS him to come! In contrast, McCain sends frick and frack to Georgia, acting like he already is the President. But even more interesting ... Biden goes to Georgia this weekend, returns early next week with a statement from the President of Georgia. Shows his creds. Obama selects him as his VP by the end of the week and they completely crush McCain's media domination for the week. Could happen....JaneDeere
McCain was out of control on Georgia. It was as though there was a coup and Bush had been deposed. Then McCain dispatches his pretend Sec of State Lieberman and his pretend Sec of Defense Graham to do what exactly. I thought the real president sent the real Secretary of State to broker a cease fire. I don't get why it wasn't all over the news that McCain was presumptuous and that there hadn't been an election yet. Have you ever seen such interference by a candidate in a crisis. It wasn't that he just made a statement before the real president but he made demands of both Russia and the U.S. And the stated we wouldn't use military force. Who is he to do this? You know if Obama did this the republicans would be beating their chest and running ads and the media would be bellowing for his head. But McCain does it and it's pretty quiet. Nary a word. Remember when the republicans accused Nancy Pelosi of violating the Logan Act when she went to Syria? I wonder about McCain and is BFF's Lieberman and McCain. I believe McCain's behavior this past week shows how right Pat Buchanan was when he said McCain would make Cheney look like Gandhi and that McCain would be a war president. McCain certainly seemed excited about the events between Georgia and Russia.
What a joke. Biden is going for political appearances only. He doesn't have any kind of relationship with Georgia like John McCain has. This is all show and gimmick, as usual for the Obama team. I am not fooled for one minute. It's fake as can be. John McCain has had a relationship with Georgia for years. Nothing that Biden does will look real. Don't be fooled, people. This hot head will make a mess of it.
BIDEN to Visit Georgia Washington, DC — Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) is scheduled to visit the Republic of Georgia this weekend at the request of President Saakashvili.
You gotta be kidden! Biden is about as attractive as a lump in the dog's exercise yard. His ego is bigger than most cameras. He would toss Barry off the stage to get his picture taken. He is one of the few Senators that can lick his eyebrows. He can speak impromptu very well and will outshine Obama. Obama next to Biden will look and act like the kid in diapers. Barry Soetoro does not need Biden to outshine him.
Biden is one of those old, rich, white senators who did their best to squeeze out the Clintons. As he failed to have a single primary win himself, they eventually saw that the guy on the podium who could do it was the African-American junior. They'd already given Obama experienced insiders to run the campaign and enough money to make the initial registration. The insurance lobbyist were in the bag from get-go, supporting the only candidate on that first Dems podium without a plan for universal health-care. Obama had it made. Dems leadership realized winning requires them taking the Clinton base, those African-American voters who previously voted 80% for the Clintons at
Reply
Quote
Report Abuse
