Maybe Joe Biden is a little distracted today

http://delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/NEWS/80819072&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

AG Biden going to Iraq with Gaurd

By ESTEBAN PARRA • The News Journal • August 19, 2008

Attorney General Beau Biden’s National Guard unit received word it is being deployed overseas next month, leaving the Delaware Department of Justice without its top law enforcement officer for up to a year.

Biden will be deployed to Iraq on Oct. 3 and gone about a year, said Delaware National Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Len Gratteri.

Biden nor his staff returned repeated calls Tuesday night. His office said it has been preparing for the deployment since he received an “alert order” Feb. 1.

..

Biden is a member of the 261st Signal Brigade, which oversees battalions that set up communications systems. Biden serves as a captain and a Judge Advocate General’s Corps officer – a military lawyer. As such, he would offer legal advice on disciplining soldiers and advise commanders and soldiers on issues such as wills and powers of attorney.

Guard members can seek to avoid deployment by demonstrating hardship, but being the state attorney general doesn’t qualify. Biden has said he would not have sought any exemption anyway.

The unit was notified by the Army last year that it could be deployed this year.
It was a year ago this week that Biden’s father, U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, announced his oldest son was preparing to head to Iraq.

“I don’t want him going,” the elder Biden said during a campaign stop in Iowa while running for president. “But I tell you what, I don’t want my grandson or my granddaughters going back in 15 years, and so how we leave makes a big difference.”

I think the attention and speculation takes its toll on those who are on the shortlist.

I dont see the need to drag this one out for media coverage.

Would be kinda crass for it to come out the next day or 2 with her close to death. I have a feeling we'll hear about this over the weekend or early Monday afternoon.

:(

I'm sure I'd say a lot nuttier things than he did. And maybe he was even referring to the reporters looking for his son.

This has got to be really hard on Joe.

Hekate

Send the kid of one of your opponents to Iraq. Interrupt his son in Delaware Politics and possibly prevent him from taking his Father's seat if his father became President or Vice President.

If his son resigns his commission its a campaign issue in the next election.

These people are evil.

but I wear one of these a lot more than I used to...
:tinfoilhat:

And he's right -- it's just classic.

Biden is not one to bring up the *heartache* stories so to speak. He rarely mentions about his first wife's death nor did he use his son's deployment status as part of his campaign.

And btw, his son is JAG-Corp which means Beau is probably NOT that close to harms way although personally I can't find anywhere safe over in Iraq.

They are close and impressive. It is a great family and I'm sorry to hear that Beau has to go, but he knew a long time ago it would probably happen.

Too bad he won't be here to see his father take the oath.

Keep the faith! Go, Joe! Go, Obama!

He felt an obligation to serve.

This must be extra hard on Joe - having lost his infant daughter, and having both Beau and Hunter critically injured -- he didn't know if he'd lose them, too. And now, this.

Hugs to the Biden family. :hug:

And much respect to Beau for his integrity and service.

so to say that Biden is probably a bit distracted and under mental stress right now is definitely true. The months and weeks leading up to a deployment are excruciating. It's surreal in a lot of ways, and no matter how you try to resign yourself to facts, you have this little sliver of hope that the orders will be changed or rescinded. It's not until you actually watch your loved one walk away after that final hug that the reality crashes down on you. It sucks massively to say the least. My heart goes out to Beau's wife and his kids especially. We have four little ones and it's awfully hard on them. We've got about 4 months of the deployment left, and it doesn't get any easier, I can tell you that much.

God bless the Biden family and all families who are going through this heart wrenching experience.

MJ

for your sacrifice :hug:

of days left are starting to really, really look manageable and not so daunting, and I'm pretty darned sure my husband is getting promoted September 1. :)

You're in my prayers.

up for the front lines. If you are willing to vote to take this country to war, then you should be willing to encourage your own family members to serve, otherwise, why in the heck are you voting for war?

This is as bad as McCain using his POW status for political gain.

I admire Webb for refusing to use the Marine song for political gain.

:eyes:

if Biden is the vp, there is NO WAY in hell that the McCain camp will be able to say one word about Obama not supporting the troops.

There, I said it.
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This must be killing Joe. I know his wife is very upset about it.