Biden Unbound - NY Observer 2/5/07

[Adelante]

New York Observer 2/5/07 edition


Biden Unbound: Lays Into Clinton, Obama, Edwards
Loquacious Senator, Democratic Candidate on Hillary: ‘Four of 10 Is the Max You Can Get?’ Edwards ‘Doesn’t Know What He’s Talking About’

By Jason Horowitz

Senator Joseph Biden doesn’t think highly of the Iraq policies of some of the other Democrats who are running for President.

To hear him tell it, Hillary Clinton’s position is calibrated, confusing and “a very bad idea.” John Edwards doesn’t know what he’s talking about and is pushing a recipe for Armageddon in the Middle East. Barack Obama is offering charming but insubstantial fluff. And all of them are playing politics.

“Let me put it this way,” Mr. Biden said. “You didn’t hear any one of them get in this debate at all until they announced for President.”

Mr. Biden, who ran an ill-fated campaign for President in 1988, is a man who believes his time has finally come, announcing this week that he was filing papers to make his 2008 Presidential bid official. Although he admits to a tendency to “bloviate,” he thinks that an aggressive advocate with rough edges might be just what the party needs right now. “Democrats nominated the perfect blow-dried candidates in 2000 and 2004,” he said, “and they couldn’t connect.”

-much more

http://observer.com/20070205/20070205_Jason_Horowitz_politics_newsstory1.asp

[yourout]

1. I agree with SOME of what he says but....

He comes across as WAY to full of himself.

[wyldwolf]

2. Biden - the anti-Clinton/Edwards/Obama candidate

[Adelante]

5. He knows his strengths

Which is more than can be said for a lot of pols.

[wyldwolf]

6. I like Biden very much

I would be much more comfortable if he were the nominee than if Clinton, Obama, or Edwards were.

[Adelante]

7. He has an appeal, I think

That sort of "straight-talking everyman" thing that works with moderate and working class Dems especially well. You know, the American guy. This probably would not bring him through to the nom; however, in the GE he would do better than the other three with that vote, which is no small thing.

[blm]

3. Biden wouldn't attack Bush this hard when he was SUPPOSED to in 2003 and 2004.

Bush didn't know what the fuck he was talking about EVER, but Biden promised him he wouldn't 'politicize' the Iraq war during the 2004 campaign. Thanks for being there in 2004 election for ....... Bush, Joe. Thanks for being there for YOURSELF, now.

Prick.

[tabasco]

13. Another self-serving political weasel like Hillary.

Where were all these big heores when we needed them to stand up AGAINST THIS GODDAMN WAR !!

[blm]

14. They are all big talkers now about their opposition, but wouldn't show their faces

and say the same about Bush BEFORE the election when it was EVERY Democrats' job to stand with the nominee and fight like hell against Bush.

When Kerry called for Rumsfeld's firing (Abu Ghraib) Biden and Clinton wouldn't back him up in 03 and 04 - THREE times he called for it and they stayed silent. Then right AFTER the election, bot of them called for Rumsfeld to go and each of them acted like they were leading the charge - total assholes, imo.

[mtnsnake]

15. In your fantasy world, John Kerry is the only one who ever does anything

and in your imagination, you make it sound like he's always the FIRST person to come out with anything important.

In this case, you make it sound as though John Kerry was the first and only person to call for Rumsfeld's firing. FYI, Hillary Clinton called for Rumsfeld's firing FACE TO FACE right in the same room, not in some press statement or email.

[Captain Hilts]

4. But what about your support for the Bankruptcy Bill, that makes CC cos. even wealthier!? nt

[paulk]

10. well, most of those wealthier CC companies

are based in the state he represents....

[FrenchieCat]

8. Biden's got a point, but unfortunately coming from him, the point is lost....

Even a broken clock is right now and then.....and I do believe Biden when he says that Edwards, in effect, is simply posturing for the sake of voters by throwing out the 40,000-50,000 troops out of Iraq slogan...without really articulating a plan of any sorts beyond vague generalities.....

But coming from Biden makes it a nearly a message lost, cause as politically calculating as I believe Edwards to be, Biden being the blowhard that he is doesn't help make the case, IMO.

[Joe Bacon]

9. Bye Bye Bidet!

Millions of folks forced into bankruptcy are going to remember how you screwed them.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

11. perfect "blow-dried" candidates?

The man's got hair envy.

[Leilani]

12. Some pearls of wisdom from Biden

which will be lost, amidst the other faux pas.

Biden does know foreign policy & I respect his opinion on that subject.

[mtnsnake]

16. Much of what Biden says here in your post is true. nt

[Adelante]

17. Yes, I agree nt