Reply #103: Partisanship is needed in critical areas of policy. [View All]

If we'd been "partisan" during the Patriot Act (I or II) or the IWR, we might not be suffering the consequences of those pieces of legislation. Bipartisanship left us with NCLB, a totally warped version of what Ted Kennedy had in mind. Yes, I understand that bipartisanship is necessary, but our current group of leaders don't seem to have the savvy of a Tip O'Neil to achieve OUR policy goals. Instead we always seem to cave in to the right and I'm quite tired of it.

Here's just a small example of why Joe Biden (who I really want to and could like) frustrates me:

Title: PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer Transcript
Date: 2003-01-29


JIM LEHRER: Sen. Biden on Sec. Powell's appearance before the Security Council next week, he said today he was going to say some things that were already in the public record. Expand on them a little bit. Some things had been given to the inspectors that the world don't know but also new things. Have you and other members of the United States Senate been told things that the rest of us don't know?

SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN: I think so. I hope so. Let me explain. I'm not being facetious. I think there is credible circumstantial evidence coupled with the material breach that exists now as Sen. Lugar pointed out. We know what he had before; the whole world acknowledged it. We know he says he doesn't have it know. He says he doesn't have it now and he hasn't explained it—couple that with I think the circumstantial evidence that if I were a lawyer before a jury, I believe I could convict you before the jury with this evidence. That says, look, we have intercepted these various communications where Charlie says I am making this up—hide the stuff. They are on the way—that kind of circumstantial evidence is opposed to being able to produce a photograph like what occurred with Adelaide Stevenson of showing the missile sites in Cuba. But I think there is evidence.

JIM LEHRER: Let me be specific. Based on what you know now, and assuming that that information is what Sec. Powell is going to present on Wednesday, a week from today, is that enough to bring France and Germany and the Security Council on board for military action?

SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN: I'm not being facetious when I say nothing is enough to bring Germany on board. I think Germany will not in any circumstances be involved. The best we can hope from Germany, in my view, is they abstain, they abstain from voting. They don't have a veto so they can't stop it. France I think, it d, there are not many strong European leaders right now—by that I mean leaders with the overwhelming support of their publics. Their publics are overwhelmingly opposed to war. Even though they know as Dick implied earlier, I think he said earlier, that these leaders know Saddam is in material breach, they need more to have the nerve to go to their publics and take them on. My hope is that this will give France enough to be able to have Chirac stand up and say, look, it's undeniable; we have to go with the United States. I think that is a reasonable prospect. I never have underestimated the diplomatic prowess of Mr. Powell nor the unwillingness of France to be left behind.

JIM LEHRER: Do you agree with that, Sen. Lugar?

SEN. RICHARD LUGAR: Yes, I do. <Me: Of course he does...>

So here, we have Biden exhibiting a very good understanding of international political dynamics. But he's very derisive of the will of the European people. They were overwhelmingly against this war. And Joe's POV seems to be, hey European leaders, you're wimps. Go stand up to them and tell them how it is. Oh, and hopefully Powell can convince France to come along with us, because you know silly little France won't want to be left behind.

His arrogance is just... disappointing. I mean, that's how the Republicans think. I expect more of our Democrats.