Why didn't Obama send Biden to the Paris rally?

[CTyankee]

That was the subject of much conversation on Morning Joe today...commentators saying it was a "mistake" not to.

I am just wondering if the WH had some intel saying there was some kind of plot to assassinate whoever was representing our government (except for our ambassador who did represent us who perhaps wasn't "important" enough to risk the attempt). Perhaps Obama knew something we didn't know.

Something is a bit off about the idea that this was a glaring mistake by Obama.

We may never know the real reason, for national security purposes...

[oberliner]

1. I think Biden would have been a good choice

Obviously, I think it is ridiculous how the RW talking heads are going crazy over this, but, I will say, respectfully, that the VP ought to have gone.

[doc03]

2. If either one would have gone the Republicans would

complain about the cost or something else.

[RKP5637]

3. One can't enlighten those wanting to smear for any reason whatsoever. You can't

discuss/have rational logic with them. They would have said Obama or whomever is using it as an excuse for a vacation or something like that.

[CTyankee]

4. do you think my supposition is correct?

[doc03]

24. The Whitehouse said security concerns. There would always be

security concerns no matter what.

[MANative]

5. ^^^This^^^ n/t

[deutsey]

91. I can just hear FOX crowing about how he went there for a self-aggrandizing photo op

and showing this photo over and over:

[randome]

6. Really? What is Biden, 74? You think he should be in a rally holding a sign maybe?

Jostling elbows with thousands of other people, some of whom would like nothing more than to elbow him in the face?


[hr][font color="blue"][center]TECT in the name of the Representative approves of this post.[/center][/font][hr]

[CTyankee]

10. Oh, I don't think that prospect alone would stop Biden...I saw the other world

leaders in the photos and they didn't appear fazed by any threats.

I think they had hard intelligence telling them that our presence at a higher level would have set off a plot that was in the works. Not even Eric Holder, who was in Paris at the time on official business, didn't go. That's interesting and tells me something...

I think these "journalists" on msnbc should do a little more digging and see what turns up...there is more here than meets the eye...and I think it was OK with the French government...

[LordGlenconner]

29. It's so amusing that this is such a major issue to his critics

Meanwhile, most people who don't have an ax to grind with the POTUS couldn't give a fuck.

"a glaring mistake"

Get over yourselves, folks.

[Pirate Smile]

61. It's bizarre. The media and the haters act like this was all about POTUS & the USA which is just

obnoxious. I actually thought it was nice that the U.S. press & politicians weren't trying to make it all about us. I guess we should have realized the US press and RW could only take that for a very small amount of time.

[Renew Deal]

72. Of all the reasons to not go, being 74 isn't one of them

The pope is 78 and he doesn't mind rubbing elbows with the locals. Biden would do just fine.

[RKP5637]

7. Yep, there's a lot we will never know about some of these decisions. In no way do I think

it was just a glaring mistake by Obama. And I would say the same if it were a republican president.

[ChazII]

9. That was my thought as well.

No matter who is in the WH the opposing party would be criticizing the decision.

[okaawhatever]

59. Remember Obama went to the French Embassy the day after the attacks to show support. It is clear

he supports the French and wants it known. The fact that the French government is okay with the decision tells me they probably didn't want to have to deal with the security with everything else on their plate. I've read they didn't want Netanyahu or Abbas there either, for the same reason.

Maybe the French wanted to keep the

[RKP5637]

64. That's also what I think, that the security would have been a huge effort. Also,

someplace I heard it would have prevented many French citizens access to areas because of heighten security.

[okaawhatever]

70. Your post made me think...I'll bet the French didn't want to admit that the security logistics would

have been too much of an issue for them. It would have made them look weak. Plus, if anything did happen with all of those world leaders present it would have been near impossible to live down.

[RKP5637]

77. That, is an excellent point! n/t

[Vinca]

8. Maybe because senior members of the US government would be

the crown jewels for any terrorist organization. There is no way the police and military can totally secure the streets of Paris and since the crazies are eager to die for their cause, it would be a huge coup to take out an Obama or a Biden, even Kerry. I think sending the virtually unknown Ambassador was the right move.

[CTyankee]

12. You put it better than I could...thanks...now I don't feel schizofrenic...

[JustAnotherGen]

20. +10000

And the Ambassador was fine with me.


By the time it gets to Ed or Rev the story will change from Faux Outrage Meme to good old fashioned Common Sense.

[oberliner]

51. The Prime Minister of Israel was in attendance

You'd think he'd be a pretty big coup for them as well.

Not to mention the PM of the UK and other European countries.

[Vinca]

73. And what would you be saying if they were no longer alive today?

It easily could have happened. According to reports there are 6 individuals from this terrorist cell still being sought. I doubt the Paris police can keep a sniper trained on every window in the area where world leaders were assembled.

[oberliner]

74. Same thing I would say if they were killed by terrorists on any other day

I don't think world leaders should stay home so as to make sure no one kills them.

[Vinca]

78. I hate to say it, but this entire brouhaha is another right wing "poutrage" that migrated left.

[oberliner]

80. I disagree in part

Yes, it is ridiculous that the right wingers are turning this into some kind of huge outrage

But, I think it is possible to separate that out from the fact that it would've been a good idea to send Biden or some other more senior level representative. The WH has stated as much.

1. It is definitely not a big deal and the RW-ers are turning this into some huge outrage (which they would have done if he did go)

2. It's ok to say that the WH made a mistake and ought to have sent a higher level official

[Vinca]

82. I guess the Ambassador to France is a nobody.

[NM_Birder]

88. How...american......" The USA is too important to be put at risk with the rest of you "

....even Kerry.

Send the unknown, so if something happens it won't matter and nobody will care. What a beautiful example of the american solidarity we show to the world,....... Bravo !

[Vinca]

89. And if Obama had gone and was assassinated you would suddenly adopt the new right wing meme:

"How reckless! The President was stupid to put himself and the country in such a position! He should have known better. Bet he considered it another vacation." This entire "poutrage" is just another right wing talking point that migrated left. Your statement could also be construed to mean "The USA is too important and must always be the center of attention" when a high level official shows up to lock hands with the French President. Would the French be the center of the universe? No. It would be shades of 9/11 and how the incident in France was horrible, but nothing like 9/11, yada, yada, yada. The talking heads - both left and right - are too predictable. I'm quite happy having the Ambassador represent the United States. That's her job.

[NM_Birder]

93. I disagree.

there is no "poutrage" lol I think PO should have gone or at the very least sent Biden, that's HIS job at this level of involvement when world leaders are engaging, not the unknown ambassador.

if you read more than Democratic Underground, you'll find the White House response agree with me. Not everything is a right wing talking point, not everything is 911 open your shades and come out into the light. You reach out to the world when you need thier help, then you show up when they are united in the same cause that's common sense.

[Vinca]

94. Yes . . . the White House response (and I do read many outlets).

Do you suppose there is a chance the POTUS thought this was much ado about nothing and instructed the Press Secretary to bow and scrape and tell 'em what they want to hear to make it go away so the real work of solving the problem can get done? This is yet another nuisance brouhaha which will last until the next one comes along. LOL - did you see Ed Henry at the presser? He was trying his hardest to get the Press Secretary to say Obama was on the golf course. They don't give a rat's patootie about that demonstration. All they care about is embarrassing the POTUS. It's a shame so many have bought into this meme. In any case, it's been a couple of days so it's "old news" now and off the radar.

[NM_Birder]

95. It was never THAT big a deal to begin with, to americans anyway....however

That "no big deal moment" is going to be remembered by all the leaders who DID go, and the next time Kerry is sent to "get em on board with us" I'll bet they remind him of it.

This was a pretty benign faux pa in the moment sort of thing, ...but it will make Kerry's job that much more difficult.-or- do you think Germany, France, Israel etc etc etc will all not use his absence to squeeze future negotiation with Kerry ? I would, and I'd bet you would too if we were them.

Ah yes, the 11th dimensional chess player. just about as honest as the unemployment number. I don't care where he was or what he was doing. Biden couldn't go because god only knows what he would have said, Kerry should have gone if not Obama himself.

But you're right in one respect, who gives a shit. Obama released 5 more Gitmo prisoners so nobody will remember the protest is a day or so ................. but the people Kerry has to negotiate with will remember, if only to use it as leverage.

[giftedgirl77]

11. Anything Obama does is a glaring mistake on MJ...

Why should we send someone to this attack particularly? We don't send someone to all the other attacks that occur does this one stand out for some special reason?

[CTyankee]

13. Oh, I think there were good reasons to go...to show solidarity with the European

leaders. I think we are in for a long haul with the fanatics who clearly want to die in their attacks. This does not bode well...

[giftedgirl77]

16. or to just look like a fool in another dog & pony show...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026074999

The Joe Scum would be accusing him of taking advantage of a situation for a photo op not to mention the $$$, blah, blah,blah. It would have been a waste of time & effort just for a cute photo with no actual french citizens.

[CTyankee]

18. while I wouldn't put it past Scum to do this, I still think there is more to it than

just a boo boo.

[oberliner]

54. The WH has stated that they erred in this decision

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/paris-magazine-attack/white-house-admits-fault-not-attending-paris-unity-rally-n284596

[RobinA]

90. Ehhhh....

This is the old "don't ask permission beforehand, beg forgiveness afterward." They didn't make a mistake, it would have been a security nightmare and the world does not need terrorists to kill a major head of state. Well, any head of state. But particularly an American leader for symbolic reasons. The world leader with what is probably the highest price on his head in modern times does not need to be attending a photo op on the streets of Paris one week after a terrorist attack there.

[oberliner]

92. VP Biden would have been a good choice

The PM of Israel and the PM of the UK would be pretty high profile targets for terrorists and would need serious security, but they were both there along with heads of state of several other European countries. I think we could have at least sent the VP - and I think the White House agrees.

[B Calm]

14. Probably the same reason he didn't send Biden to protest in Ferguson.

Damn if you do and damn if you don't.

[HappyMe]

15. A security nightmare.

Whether the President, VP or the AG went it would have been a horrifying security situation. I think that it would have also further endangered the lives of those who were standing around them. Any of our leaders would have been a feather in the cap of ISIS or Al Queda.

I don't think that this was a mistake, and we will probably never know the reasons.

[CTyankee]

17. Maybe after the Obama administration's term is up and a whole slew of

memoirs by former staffers start coming out of the woodwork...we might get the truth about this then.

[HappyMe]

19. Maybe.

That would depend on the staff member's clearance and if revealing what's what would hurt security measures and sources.

[dawg]

21. Maybe he didn't want to try and make this all about the U.S.

We can be such a self-centered country.

[JaneyVee]

22. 2 Words: SECRET SERVICE

Have you seen their incompetence?

[CTyankee]

23. ...and there's that...!

[former9thward]

25. No national security about it.

They made a mistake.

Obama Spokesman Says U.S. Should Have Sent High Profile Representative to March

WASHINGTON — The White House, facing a barrage of criticism for President Obama’s decision not to attend Sunday’s peace march in Paris, said on Monday that an American official with a higher profile should have been on hand for the show of solidarity.

“It’s fair to say that we should have sent someone with a higher profile to be there,” Josh Earnest, the White House spokesman, said at his daily briefing with reporters at the White House.

Asked his response to critics who say a person with more prominence than the United States ambassador to France should have attended, he said: “We agree.”


http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/13/us/politics/obama-is-faulted-for-not-attending-rally-in-paris.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&smid=tw-nytimes&_r=1

[CTyankee]

26. Yep saw that after I posted this thread.

I'll take them at their word.

[fadedrose]

30. The French who marched did so because they believe in free speech

And Obama already proved that he did when he said that the movie "Interview" should have been shown and then, it was.

The demonstrations morphed into something else other than free speech and the President chose not to go. Free speech was the primary complaint of people who were outraged by the shooters, and that's what solidarity was all about (not a photo op to see who was most popular).

Terrorist attacks occur every day in every place, and the President doesn't go to all of the ceremonies. About 10,000 in Africa have been killed by terrorists in many towns. He didn't go to Canada, did he, when they had shootings a couple of weeks ago? (and Norway, as someone eloquently OP'd about). Not sure of who went to Canada, but don't think that he did....

He has enough trouble staying clear of the screwballs who climb the White House fence (so send Biden so he could be killed?). The U.S is a favorite target of Isis and Al Qaida and our President the MOST favorite.

[former9thward]

34. If he doesn't want to go for some reason, fine.

But it is not national security. Are you telling me ISIS would have tried to kill him but since he was not here they ignored everyone else? Another poster said they "knew" about some plot. So the US knew about a plot but did not tell anyone else in the world? Just sit there and let them get blown up? The things people post ....

[fadedrose]

35. No, those were not the reasons

But whatever reasons he had, I respect.

He stands for our country as much as the other leaders stand for theirs.
Insasmuch as he always lands on his feet, maybe someday it'll be cleared up. Till then I reserve judgment.

What you repeated from my post was the least important thing in the post...it was a reason given by some because of the security needed by France to protect him.

I don't think Obama is "chicken," never did, and like I said, I respect his decision, as should anyone who does not know his real reason. Now the White House says it was a wrong decision, but before it was made, there must have been something else on his radar...

[Thinkingabout]

27. How many world leaders gathered around the Twin Towers?

[uppityperson]

28. Because it was about the Parisians and the French, not about a photo-op 20 step "march" on

a blockaded and guarded side street.

This


vs

?w=940

[countryjake]

31. Again, +100

Those two photos should answer any and all questions.

Thank you!

[uppityperson]

33. Thanks, I did them as an op also.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026077206

[840high]

32. White House made a statement

today - they made a mistake.

[YvonneCa]

36. Not what they said...

... http://www.c-span.org/video/?323727-2/white-house-briefing

[840high]

37. here you go

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a rare public admission of error, the White House said Monday the U.S. should have sent a high-level official to an anti-terror march in Paris that was attended by more than 40 world leaders.

[countryjake]

38. Those World leaders did not attend the demonstration with the French people...

And that bunch of hypocrites posing for such a picture should never have been allowed to steal away from the importance and impact of almost four million people actually marching in solidarity with courage throughout the streets of Paris.

[840high]

39. It doesn't matter. They showed up.

[countryjake]

43. This is the story...

NOT the petty kerap that the MSM is delighting in focusing on throughout this entire day (ie. a picture of posing leaders, many who have their own problems dealing with Freedom of Speech and the Liberty of both the Press and the citizens in their own countries).

That practically FOUR million people marched thru Paris and many many others across this planet also came out in the streets of their own nations, just to say "JE SUIS CHARLIE!"...that is the story that is undercut by our own MSM focusing on "Where's Obama?".

The running dogs for Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz and all of the other right-wingers have been very busy getting the message out that THEY want delivered today. And that message is NOT "Je suis Charlie".

[YvonneCa]

48. Yes. This is the story. n/t

[YvonneCa]

50. You are reading second hand reporting..

...by the AP and CNN and not getting to the original source. There is a lot of spin going on...especially by Fox and CNN.

[Cha]

60. Mahalo Yvonne.. Josh Earnest gave a compelling answer and the reporters just kept nitpicking

Security issues were a problem that might take away from the spirit of what this March was about..Josh was stressing the Unity of the French People is what is the most Important.

I liked it when he asked who was complaining about this.. ? "Ted Cruz, Jake Tapper.. repubs.."

As usual the ******* media is distracting from the heart of the story.. the French People.

Rita A @ritaag
Follow
former US Secret Service agent jst said on MSNBC that
Secret Service wld nvr allow POTUS to attend an unplanned march in a foreign country
8:46 AM - 11 Jan 2015 105 Retweets 41 favorites


François Picard ✔ @FrancoisF24
Follow
"I'm marching but I'm conscious of the confusion and hypocrisy of the situation."
6:11 AM - 11 Jan 2015 3,899 Retweets 2,111 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/01/11/chat-on-68/

[YvonneCa]

68. Hi, Cha!

You are exactly right. I just wish more Dems would read beyond the sound bites so that they don't fall for GOP/FOX spin. That's one way they brought Kerry down in 2004.
They'll do it again in 2016 if we let them..

[Cha]

69. Instead of talking about this.. the story of the French people that Josh was pointing out..

The US "media" is talking about the President missing this..



Yvonne~

[840high]

40. It was about a show of unity.

[uppityperson]

42. yup, a photo op not to be missed.

[Cha]

62. Pres. Obama didn't fly to Paris for a staged photo op. Cue faux rage from @JakeTapper & @Lrozen

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/01/12/a-tweet-or-two-207/#comments

[Tarheel_Dem]

44. Thank you!

[Yo_Mama]

41. Didn't the press secretary say it was a mistake on their part today? n/t

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/12/politics/obama-kerry-paris/

[CTyankee]

46. He sure did. that was illuminating...

[840high]

47. Yes. Don't tell some on DU. They

must have their outrage for the day.

[YvonneCa]

49. If you watched the press conference...

...you would know Josh never said it was a mistake, BUT the Fox guys in the front row repeatedly pressed him to use that terminology. He never did.
Hope you'll watch it...

[Cha]

63. I watched it.. Josh Earnest handled all the vultures quite well.. it was most compelling.. thank you

again for the link, Yvonne.

[YvonneCa]

67. He did. I wish that words and phrasing...

...didn't matter but they DO. Fox wanted a sound bite saying 'mistake' so they could use it. They are now exploiting what Josh Earnest carefully avoided saying.
We DUers need to not give them help.

[Tarheel_Dem]

45. This only matters to his usual critics, here & elsewhere. When you note who has a problem with it..

it's easy to Pffft.

[oberliner]

53. The White House Admits Fault in Not Attending Paris Unity Rally

"It is fair to say we should have sent someone with a higher profile," spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters Monday. The only noted American official in attendance was the U.S ambassador to France.

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/paris-magazine-attack/white-house-admits-fault-not-attending-paris-unity-rally-n284596

[Tarheel_Dem]

84. Of course they did. Josh knew how to turn this into a non-story. That mea culpa chopped it off....

at its knees. I know you & the 24 hr media beast have a major sad, but them's the breaks.

[melman]

79. If we were talking about Bush

everyone here would be saying it was a disgrace. You know it's true.

[Tarheel_Dem]

81. As stated above, this is just the latest rightwing poutrage that has migrated left. Haters gonna h8.

Pffft.

[whathehell]

52. I found that strange as well..

Then someone told me that there is a law somewhere, that if the President is

out of the country, the Vice President must remain inside the country.

I don't know.

[Chemisse]

55. This WAS a mistake, although just a diplomatic one.

It was odd that nobody of note was present from the US.

Oh well. A nicety was omitted, a gesture missed. The White House apologized to France and life will go on.

Only the Republicans will think this was a major and enduring issue.

[CTyankee]

76. That shit-head from Fox, Ed Henry, was obnoxious...

I can't stand looking at his ugly face...

[oberliner]

56. The White House can admit when they made a mistake - even if DU-ers can't

Jeez, just because people think the WH should have sent Biden doesn't mean they are attacking Obama or in league with Republicans or crazy RW talking heads.

The White House issued a statement agreeing:

"It is fair to say we should have sent someone with a higher profile," spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters Monday.

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/paris-magazine-attack/white-house-admits-fault-not-attending-paris-unity-rally-n284596

Not a huge deal (like the RW-ers want to make it) obviously, but is it so hard for DU-ers to admit that they made a mistake?

[840high]

66. Thank you for sanity.

[DrDan]

86. isn't that the truth

[Art_from_Ark]

57. Tempest in a teapot

The US was officially represented by both the Ambassador and Attorney-General Holder. That was apparently good enough for the French.

[Turbineguy]

58. The "World Leaders" did not march

They got their picture taken and left the scene.

[Egnever]

65. good lord

Turn off the damn boob toob. Aren't you sick of them telling you what to be outraged about yet?

[bluedigger]

71. I think Biden was already booked for the Dakar rally.

[Ace Rothstein]

75. Obama should have sent Vermin Supreme.

He would have been a good representative.

[JonLP24]

83. Why don't we talk about something else?

Or stop talking about what the corporate media is talking about. Yesterday was surprising so that they were still talking about it so it was big news, now this beating the dead horse.

I don't mean to come across as rude which I'm afraid looks like when it really isn't that way. We have to stop feeding the media which created a controversy out of a non-story.

[CTyankee]

85. OK.

[Jim Beard]

87. CNN is not going to air the cover of the new edition of Charlie

Cowards, what about FOX and the other corporate media?