Biden blogs on Huffington Post about Pakistan :)

[jillan]

We Need a Pakistan Policy

The international community is deeply concerned about the stability of Pakistan this week after General Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency on Saturday, suspending the country's constitution and cracking down on political opposition by arresting thousands of dissenters, journalists, and activists. The pictures and video coming out of the country paint a distressing portrait of a country in crisis.


I've been saying for some time that Pakistan is probably the most dangerous and complex country we deal with. If I were president today, I would be on the phone with Musharraf myself and make clear to him the risk to Pakistani-US relations if he does not restore the constitution, permit free and fair elections and take off his uniform as promised.

Unfortunately, I have heard nothing in my briefings from current administration officials to suggest that George Bush has any notion as to our next step in addressing this crisis. We have been told that this state of martial law will last only a few days, but let's not kid ourselves.

Going forward, we need to keep three things in mind:

First, we have a huge stake in making sure Pakistan's moderate majority has a voice and an outlet with elections.

Second, we should move from a Musharraf policy to a Pakistan policy.

Third, connect the dots: Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan are all linked. Far from operating in a vacuum, what we do in one place profoundly affects the others.

We are in a very tough spot, and our policy options have been limited by this administration's refusal to accept the complexity of our situation in the Middle East. While the burden is on Musharraf today to restore Pakistan's constitution, we must also act and bring this war in Iraq to a responsible conclusion. It is the only way to restore our place in the world and regain our ability to respond to the many challenges we face as a nation here at home and abroad.

read the entire blog post at
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-biden/we-need-a-pakistan-policy_b_71399.html

I heard today that Bsh has not even spoken with Musharraf or Bhutto.....yet Biden has already spoken to both.

Can we just get this man in the Whitehouse already?

[bdamomma]

1. * has not even spoken to Musharraf on this?

this non action by * can be taken for either complete ignorance or support for Martial law, just my opinion.

[jillan]

2. I heard it on Thom Hartmann today - can you believe it???

He had Condi call.

This is one time we need shrub to act like a President, and he cannot even do that!

[gateley]

3. Joe is the go-to man for foreign affairs. Not only did Musharraf himself phone

Biden, but:

snip

In the midst of answering a question Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., is handed a note.

He says he’s being told U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte is on the phone wanting to know about his talks earlier in the day with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

“He’ll have to wait a few minutes,” Biden said.

If Biden wanted an exhibit in his case that he’s the Democratic presidential candidate with the most experience, Negroponte may have given it to him — at least as far as the audience of more than 120 at The Hat restaurant in Davenport is concerned

snip

-------------------------------------------

The players are turning toBiden during this time of international tension. What does that say about who we need to have in the WH?

http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2007/11/07//news/local/doc47313c114b0d2994944198.txt?

[CrispyQ]

8. This is worthy of another contribution!

Wish I had more to send to Biden, but I'll send what I can & watch that corn cob fill in!

Thanks for the continued updates!!

[gateley]

12. It's our pleasure. As I said, we are so confident that Biden is the best

person to be in the WH, we LOVE spreading the word. :hi:

[PatSeg]

13. Oh that is priceless!

Negroponte will "have to wait a few minutes"???

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

15. LOL

[Frustratedlady]

4. George is too busy taking notes on how to successfully declare martial law.

He's getting his ducks in a row.

I hope Joe takes advantage of this situation and makes public his thoughts and criticism of what actions are NOT being taken by the WH.

If we ever get a real president in the WH, it will probably implode from the shock.

Go, Joe~

[gateley]

5. Ha! You're probably right about the 'taking notes'. Biden has commented on

the Bush admin's lack of a Pakistan policy. Joe says they have a Musharraf policy instead of a Pakistan policy. You KNOW Joe will tell us what he thinks! :7

[murbley40]

6. K&R

[bdamomma]

7. So Biden has been in contact with Musharraf

that is a comforting thought that someone contacted him, but this weasly * has not, what is that telling everyone? does he support Musharraf's action?

[Igel]

9. It's probably saying that since * has a

diplomatic service at his beck and call that he's used it.

Biden, however, has the same relation to Musharraf as he has to the CEO of Verizon. Since both want something from him--money and F-16s--he has some pull. As a legislator, he could also sponsor and vote on legislation that could determine foreign-policy priorities. But as for actual individual foreign policy authority, Biden, you, and me are equivalent under the Constitution.

[gateley]

11. But it appears Musharraf LISTENS to and DIALOGUES with Biden --

otherwise why would Musharraf call him? Does he feel he's getting better advice from Biden than he would from Condi Rice? Is it because Biden has already established a relationship with Musharraf and Condi hasn't? Is it because Musharraf respects Biden's input and knows Condi is merely relaying Bush's message?

I'm not saying Biden has individual foreign policy authority. I'm saying I feel that he's the most qualified person we have in this area. It seems I'm not the only one who acknowledges his expertise.

[gateley]

10. Biden's also spoken with Bhutto, too. I don't know who called whom in

this instance, but he spoke with both of them almost immediately after we received the news.

[ginchinchili]

14. Once again MSM is remiss in their coverage of Sen. Biden.

The only time recently that the national news media has covered Joe has been regarding his fight w/Giuliani, which, I'm sure, is a key reason he did it. He's a very smart guy. But he's been involved in quite a number of substantive things, far more so than any other candidate, and there's rarely any mention of his work in the news. It makes me so angry. Edwards gets more coverage when he gets a hair cut. There's something wrong here.