Friday, February 13, 2009

One-Term Vice-President?

February 13, 2009 from the New York Post Editorial Board.
Remember back when Iraq was a fractured, strife-torn country - and Vice President Joe Biden was still just a flap-jawed senator from Delaware?
Times change.
Someone should tell Biden.
"I think our administration is going to have to be very deeply involved" in some of the more contentious issues in Iraqi politics, the stumble-tongued veep said this week.
"We are going to have to get in there and be much more aggressive in forcing them to deal with these issues."
Huh?
Maybe Biden missed it, but Iraqis just voted peacefully in provincial elections throughout the country, largely rejecting sectarian parties and voicing strong support for the central government run by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
And while serious issues remain, Iraq is strong enough now that it doesn't take kindly to being "forced" to do anything.
Maliki made that clear enough, slapping Biden's comments as "out of date" during a state visit from French President Nicholas Sarkozy.
Americans are used to Biden saying stupid things, but this flare-up demonstrates that his words now carry the full weight of the United States government - and can thus do great damage when chosen carelessly.
President Obama, one expects, may be trying to forget that he ever put Joe Biden a heartbeat away from the White House.
But Biden, at least, should remember his position - and keep his mouth shut.

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