BIDEN to fellow Dems - we need to be united on Iran

snips --

LEON -- It is important for Democratic presidential candidates to agree on a basic set of principles on Iran, candidate Sen. Joe Biden said Monday morning at the Leon Public Library.

Biden, emphasized the importance of his colleagues seeking the Democratic nomination to have a common agreement on Iran because of its future impact on the country.

"We are going to say things in the spirit of trying to get ahead in the nominating fight that are going to give (President) Bush excuses, excuses that we should not take a chance on," Biden said.

The senator touched upon Vice President Dick Cheney's recent comments that the United States would keep Iran from gaining nuclear weapons. Biden said Democrats should be wary of giving the president an opening to attack Iran.

<love this:>
"I have spent a lot of my time in the last five years trying to figure out how to deal this fella in the White House," Biden said. " really, in truth, I believe dangerous ideas about international relations, war and peace. You have the president of the United States saying if the war in Iraq continues there might be World War III. It is not particularly responsible. The president's words matter."

Biden said the Senate labeling part of the Iranian army as a terrorist organization, but then saying it doesn't want the United States to take any action sends a mixed message to the president.

"The big deal here is I am afraid that some of my Democratic colleagues in voting for this resolution gave this (president) an excuse to do the last thing we should be doing now -- attacking Iran," Biden said.

Biden called on the president not to use military force because of the problems in Iraq. He also insisted the president garner the support of the international community

"We are working with them now to continue sanctions to continue to squeeze the Iranians," Biden said.

http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=108271

I am so happy Biden is speaking out on the importance of this.

And I am warming up to Obama - my dream ticket is "Joebama"!

I think they could be a good team.

our country at this time. It's my hope more and more people will begin feeling the same way. If not, Biden always is knowledgeable about the issues, and we can learn from his statements.

I really like your guy, too - I just think he needs a few more years under his belt -- this is a critical time in our history, and Obama just hasn't been around long enough to forge relationships and dialogue with the number of people those with more experience have,.

:hi:

Joe, its not going to work, the only one making disunity is you. Iowans aren't stupid.

It's truly unfortunate that Hillary doesn't feel the same way.

I predict they smell the rotten odor coming from Joe over this left spin on a non-binding resolution that pushed for increased sanctions and diplomacy only.

Ask yourself why the only people talking about it are Hillary's primary candidates.

He has violated our trust over and over again, with the IRaq resolution, with the justice department, with anything, and and Biden realizes we cannot be fooled again. Biden is attacking Hillary's and the other 26 Dems who voted for the resolution, not Hillary. Did you HEAR Dick Cheney this weekend?!

I didn't hear him, did he talk about this non-binding resolution no military instrument, pro-diplomacy resolution?

"Iran must disarm its nuclear program or face serious consequences from the international community."

Biden is showing a maturity of judgment that is severely lacking in the media-anointed front runner.

gave this (president) an excuse to do the last thing we should be doing now -- attacking Iran," Biden said.


That's what I am afraid of too.

Scares the crap out of me.

he's the best to lead us into the next 4 to 8 years.
Joe's experience, knowledge, diplomacy, and candor casts a massive shadow over all of the candidates. Democrats and Republicans.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OtGCaqOdIJ4

HR 1400 already passed the House.

Washington, Sep 25

Kucinich: Iran Counter-Proliferation Act Unintentionally Undermines Diplomatic Efforts
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=75276

snip>>

“HR 1400 seeks to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) of Iran as a foreign terrorist organization and place the IRGC on the list of specially designated global terrorists and weapons of mass destruction proliferators. This is an exceptional decree by this Congress. The U.S. has never before asserted the military of another nation to be a terrorist organization. Because the IRGC’s main role is to protect the national security of Iran, it would appear that the United States would be better served by high-level diplomatic talks between nations to address concerns related to the IRGC than by broad condemnation and malign designation.

“HR 1400 singles out the Russia Federation as a country that is ‘assisting the nuclear program of Iran or transferring advanced conventional weapons or missiles to Iran.’ The Bush Administration has unfortunately advanced counter productive policies with respect to arms control. These policies have undermined international treaties meant to limit the spread of nuclear weapons and has permitted arms transfers to undemocratic nations. The United States has recently undermined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) by agreeing to collaborate and share nuclear technologies with India, a nation that has refused to sign the NPT. Additionally, in a 2003 report released by the World Policy Institute, 13 nations received more than $2.7 billion in U.S. conventional arms transfers. The top beneficiaries of these transfers were the less than democratic governments of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan. Why then does this legislation specifically target the Russia Federation for similar actions?

“I am also concerned that the scope of this bill with regard to a prohibition on all imports, that would include even culturally relevant items such as art or rugs, is too broad. I do not believe that barring all imports from Iran is necessary or will produce the end that this bill purports to desire.

“I urge this body to cease with the consistent usage of misdirected statements and misguided legislation, all of which fuel aggression. Instead the United States should engage Iran in high-level diplomatic negotiations immediately. We need to create a new opening to Iran, not proceed with another war based on falsehoods,” Kucinich concluded.



Kucinich: Congress Must Stand Up To The President’s Dangerous Rhetoric On Iran
http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=76609

snip>>


"Washington, Oct 18 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) released a statement today in response to President Bush’s belligerent statement toward Iran. The President said, “So I’ve told people that if you’re interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from have the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon.”

There must be something there, because this Biden supporter really likes Dennis.

before it's too late.

:shrug:

they GET IT.

are contenders for that position.

Not with the current Democratic leadership. They'll fold like a cheap tent.

They're cowards. Every last damned one of them.

Why do people vote Democratic, anyway? Can Democrats be trusted to stand up to terrorists when they're too chickenshit to stand up to John Boehner? Or Mitch McConnell?

I won't make excuses for the Dems, but I'm not going to give up either.

Unless your name is Kucinich, you should have an opponent in the Democratic Primary -- and hopefully an oppponent who is more progressive than the incumbent.

most important issue of our time (perhaps any time), i.e., avoiding catalyzing the onset of WWIII.

Joe Biden is right on the mark. I hope the other Senators listen to him. HOPE! :hi:

Kyl-Lieberman wasn't about giving * open authorization...but Kyl-Lieberman will be used as corroboration when * decides to attack Iran...."See? Even Congress agrees!" Kyl-Lieberman is fuel for Bush's war machine, and Biden saw it from a mile away.
If other candidates don't or can't see it, it makes me wonder if they've been paying attention the last seven years.

attacking Iran.

Now I would love to see Biden help build support for the Webb Amendment which is sitting in his Senate Committee.

And of course I look forward to his continuing statements on Iran such as this. We really need them.

:patriot: :kick:

Despite some of the MBNA stuff, I really like Biden.