Biden picks up on Pakistan misstep

[gateley]

Joe Biden picked up on Hillary's suggestion that President Pervez Musharraf would be on the ballot in Pakistan's elections, the Globe reports:

"We have a number of candidates who are well-intended, but don't even understand Pakistan," Biden said.

Biden did not name his rivals, but made clear that his main focus was Senator Hillary Clinton of New York.

"One of the leading candidates said -- God love her," Biden began....

"But to say Musharraf is up for election! Musharraf was elected --fairly or unfairly -- president six months ago. It's a parliamentary election" that is coming up in Pakistan, Biden said.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0108/Biden_picks_up_on_Pakistan_misstep.html

Joe TRULY knows what the situation is -- in Pakistan and around the world. We need someone with that understanding at this time in our history.

[TwilightGardener]

1. Would have left off the condescending "God love her" part--

bad move, and patronizing to a woman, Joe.

[1corona4u]

2. Why is it patronizing to a woman, specifically...

he says it all the time....even to men, everyone.

[TwilightGardener]

7. Whenever I hear "God love her" or "Bless her heart", I cringe. Sorry.

[1corona4u]

9. Well, that's weird....

sorry. And, I'm not even religious and find it acceptable.

[TwilightGardener]

15. It's not a religious thing--it's the subtext, the implication.

When somebody says, "My Aunt Myrna, God love her..." the "God love her" part means that you're about to explain how ditzy, stupid, silly, wacky, or crazy Aunt Myrna is. It's a sweet little patronizing put-down. Not a big deal, just don't think Joe should use it on his colleagues and peers--especially females.

[jillan]

13. That's how Biden talks - he says stuff like that all of the time.

If it makes you cringe - you are going to have a tough time when he is elected President ;)

[gateley]

22. Joe really does say that referring to a man or a woman. He's even said it

when referring to Rudy G! :7

[Joe the Revelator]

3. Not a bad move at all. It was a folksy way to let people know who he was talking about

There is no problem with that at all.

[Steely_Dan]

6. Oh please...

It has noting to do with Clinton being a woman. He has used that phrase many, many times with a variety of people. Why bring sexism into this...a little defensive, are we? It's a cheap shot.

-P

[jefferson_dem]

17. Funny that you mention...I must say.

I saw a Biden interview with Julianne Malveaux on CNN today and the wrap-up really gave me the creeps. He shook her hand and commented on how it was cold and something to the effect that she needed to be warmed up. Malveaux did not look thrilled and the body language was rich. She literally wiped her hand against her pants after shaking Joe's and tried stumbled back onto script. It was a terribly odd live moment.

[TwilightGardener]

21. Ew! Stop it, Joe! Creepy! Joe's my second choice, I don't want to have to demote him.

[1corona4u]

26. Funny, I was just starting to lean towards Obama...

might have to reconsider as well....

[TwilightGardener]

35. My COMMENT would dissuade you? Wow, I wield more power than I thought...

[jefferson_dem]

42. The poster is full of shit and we know it. She has routinely railed against Obama in a big way...

with some smears so seamy I would not like to repeat them.

[1corona4u]

43. Yeah, but like a lot of people...

I have been looking at the lesser of 2 evils. I'd rather have Obama, that the OTHER one...;-)

[1corona4u]

24. Got a link...

that's not the way I remembered it, and I'd love to see it again.

[jefferson_dem]

36. I found a link to a story on the interview

but the video doesn't seem to be working.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/01/getting-to-know-joe-biden/

[1corona4u]

45. It works...

you just have to go to the video page to see it...they forgot to link it...at any rate, she did not wipe her hand, she put it right back on her clipboard;

http://www.cnn.com/video/

[jefferson_dem]

49. Thanks.

I hate to tell you but the interview wrap-up happened as I said, only it was that the bus needed to be warmed up. They cut the video off just as she was about to do the hand-wipe routine.

Obviously...not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

[1corona4u]

55. I watched it too, and I didn't see it...

sorry, I just didn't.

[medicswife]

59. I watched it live and she didn't wipe her hand. He came across as a nice guy. n/t

[Pirate Smile]

27. Well, I've seen her standing outside a dozen times today on CNN and the

windchill today in Iowa is -10 or even colder.

Anyone who has spent much time outside probably does have very cold hands.

Earlier today she showed her pop can which had frozen and exploded after twenty minutes of being outside.

[CTyankee]

69. Ah, Puccini's "La Boheme"

Che gelida manina! se la lasci riscaldar.
Cercar che giova? al buio non si trova.
Ma per fortuna e una notte di luna,
E qui la luna labbiiamo vicina.
Aspetti, signorina, le diro con due parole chi son.

[medicswife]

33. He said her hand was cold & said they needed to warm up the BUS!

[monmouth]

34. Poor Julianne, prolly been a long time since a handsome man actually

held her hand and he gave her the vapors. She needs to get around more.

[1corona4u]

46. Yeah, and she doesn't seem to shy away from him, and they

are sitting pretty close....she reaches out her hand to him several times...not to touch him, but it's positive body language.

[monmouth]

57. A girls gotta be a girl ya know. Can't blame her one iota...lol.

[IADEMO2004]

48. He said they (CNN) needed to warm the bus up.

[jillan]

52. She deserved that. Did you see that half-ass interview she gave Biden?

She trivialized him, and he paid her back....
I took it as a zing to her, as if he was saying to her 'why are they making you sit in the cold bus'?

[1corona4u]

60. I can remember a long time ago, he was talking to her....

and it was about the lack of media coverage, and he said to her; "Yeah, but if I win in Iowa, you'll have to cover me". And they both had a laugh about it, and her saying; you're right, or something to that effect.

Keep em' crossed people!!

[medicswife]

63. I saw that too! And send money to Joe if you can! Even $5 man! n/t

[IADEMO2004]

54. dupe

[NI4NI]

58. not something to the effect of, but

"they need to turn the heat up in here"
were his actual words.

[Debi]

62. Wow, I saw the same thing

and what he said was that they needed to turn the heat up on the bus. As for Biden holding her hand, Malveax put her second hand on top of Biden's while they both laughed. Maybe when we get the clip of it we can compare notes?

[medicswife]

67. No kidding! During that exchange, my two year old who was

sitting with me said in her cute little two year old voice "He NICE, Mama! He happy! He my friend!" lol

[1corona4u]

70. Here's a direct link Debi..

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2008/01/01/intv.joe.biden.cnn?iref=videosearch

[gateley]

72. Boy - that was NOTHING! I can't see how that could be construed as being

an "uncomfortable moment"

I thought the Ron Paul signs outside the window were hysterical! Those people are EVERYWHERE!!

[1corona4u]

73. LOL...like parasites.

:-)

[Pirate Smile]

19. That is a phrase I've heard Joe use over and over again. I think it is

just a standard part of his vocab.

[Honeycombe8]

28. I love Biden, but that is patronizing. God love him.

:-)

[youthere]

77. It's a phrase Biden uses frequently..almost as much as "Look...".

Not patronizing at all IMO.

[ThomWV]

4. Just a tiny example of experience meaning something.

I'm tired of seeing American politicians abroad who do not know their ass from a hole in the ground.

[Windy]

12. We can't afford another president with no concept of world politics and the dynamics

of foreign governments, cultures and their overall effect on the world and public policy.
Good for Joe. An issue driven statement that highlights the differences between the candidates based upon what is important to the country...

Unlike kindergarten essays, teenage missteps, etc.

[Jennifer C]

75. Yes, well said. nt

[JackORoses]

5. what a Maroon that Hillary is

Joe, go ahead and tell her she won't be on the Ballot here, either

[gmudem]

8. Great job by Biden

It is obvious that Clinton is a fraud and her "experience" is nonexistent. It's really a shame Biden isn't getting more traction in the polls because he would a be a terrific candidate. Not quite as good as Edwards, but still very good.

Clinton's constant pandering and lack of conviction is extremely irritating.

[medicswife]

10. God Love HIM! For his willingness to always speak

truthfully and honestly. I'm tired of everyone thinking nobody should ever call anyone out when they are wrong. It's totally ok to call someone out when they are incorrect.

[jillan]

11. It's all over the msm now. But the real question is - how could she not have known this?

[monmouth]

14. Close your eyes and imagine what HRC knows about Pakistan,

and would she be ready to make the correct judgments on this volatile area. Uhhhh, if she doesn't realize its a "parliamentary election" and doesn't realize Musharraf was already elected..well then, sorry. Time to open my eyes and imagine Joe Biden sitting behind that desk..

[jillan]

16. I loved that part of Biden's speech.

[monmouth]

30. It really resonated with me too. I mean, just imagine that responsibility

and you don't know s**it about the area. What if Bill is out of town for god's sake???

[skipos]

18. People who want experience should choose Biden, not Clinton. nt

[jillan]

20. Biden today - If people want experience - I win :)

[Onlooker]

23. Why is Biden embracing Musharaff's fraudulent election? Shame on him!

This is terrible that Biden is going against the opposition and even Pakistani Supreme Court that has not ruled on the issue and, before it could, Musharaff fired the Chief Justice? Musharaff did not win a real election and if he wants to be president, his name has to be put on the ballot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pervez_Musharraf#2007_elections

[jillan]

25. What are you talking about? Did you not read what Biden said? do you enjoy making stuff up?

[Onlooker]

31. He's apparently resigned to the results of the illegitimate election

He's embracing an illegitimate election that is still open to dispute, that the opposition and the courts are trying to fight. If they succeed, Musharaff name will have to appear on the ballot. Liberals don't usually accept the results of illegitimate elections, especially when the opposition and courts haven't. Next he'll be recognizing the elections in Kenya.

[jillan]

38. "But to say Musharraf is up for election! Musharraf was elected --fairly or unfairly --

six months ago. It's a parliamentary election" that is coming up in Pakistan


Biden-and Hillary - were referring to the election that is suppose to be occurring next week.

[JerseygirlCT]

53. I beleive this is akin to saying in 2006 that Bush's name would appear on

the ballot.

Biden is pointing out that Musharaff has already been elected -- these are parlimentary elections. Certainly, he has a big interest in seeing his party stay in power, but it's not the same thing exactly as him being re-elected.

[1corona4u]

37. If people don't understand what happened in Pakistan....

be afraid. Be very afraid.

[jillan]

39. Especially when they are the supposed front-runner of our party.

[TwilightGardener]

29. I'm confused--I thought Musharraf was going up for re-election too (what Hilary thought).

[jillan]

47. Well weinerdoggie - it's a good thing you are not running for POTUS.

I bet most people didn't know that. But I bet Obama did.

[1corona4u]

32. Eh, because Pakistan is suppose to be a democracy?

Just a guess...you're way off base about your insinuation, and the fact that you posted from Wiki, leads me to believe you might have been in a cave for the last 2 months.

[Onlooker]

40. The Wikipedia article is well sourced

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pervez_Musharraf#2007_elections

I didn't realize that a lot Democrats buy into the bullshit from the right-wing about Wikipedia. Within reason, it's a very useful. At any rate, here are some links from the Wikipedia entry:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7031070.stm

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/09/28/pakistan.politics.ap/index.html

If you want more links, go to the Wiki entry and click on the little numbers in brackets.

[1corona4u]

41. Wiki might be, but you're not.

Maybe you should actually read them, before you post them. Just a thought.

[monmouth]

44. Ooooh, bet that one hurt....lol.

[JerseygirlCT]

51. I don't understand where you're getting this idea? nt

[Onlooker]

56. It seems to me ...

It seems to me that that no one is recognizing Musharaff's election, but the right wing. Even the Pakistani Supreme Court didn't recognize it (the Chief Justice was dismissed before he could rule). If we are to take sides with the democratic forces in Pakistan, then we should support their belief that Musharaff needs to be part of a legitimate election. Musharaff was not elected; that's the issue I have with Biden. It was a rigged election. I think our politicians need to come down far harder on Musharaff. He's done nothing for us, except discredited us, overseen the growth of Al Qaeda, and allowed Bhutto to be assassinated.

[WheelWalker]

64. You're spinning. Nice ju jitsu move, but sham. and ineffective. The gaffe is HRC's, not JB's.

[gateley]

71. I understand the point you're making. I think they (us, I guess) are

"tolerating" him because he's who we have to work with. We can't go in and mow 'em down.

As I understand this, Musharraf was in power. Bush wanted to pull our troops off of the Afghanistan/Paki boarder and put them into Iraq. So a deal was made with Musharraf -- we'd fund him, he'd continue our "war on terror".

I've also heard that it was at our admin's behest and encouragement that Bhutto return to Pakistan. It was believed that Bhutto could bring a more even--keeled presence, and Musharraf would have to go along since the U.S. in essence would be supporting both parties, and controlled the purse strings.

Recently I heard Biden railing about Musharraf taking the money we were giving him to fight Al Q and giving it TO them.

So he (and I assume others) are fully aware of what's going on over there.

As usual, the U.S. supports whomever it feels is doing their bidding, but I sincerely feel that if Biden were the President, he'd do what he could to help support their country in their return to democracy.

[frogcycle]

74. why don't you just dash over to Pakistan and tell them that?

sheesh

[JerseygirlCT]

50. Yes. While his party being in the majority would certainly help

keep him in power (so I know what she was trying to say, I guess), it doesn't help to have US candidates talking about other country's political situation if they can't speak in an informed way.

[medicswife]

61. k&r The truly experienced candidate who should lead our

country out of the mess that Bush and Co. has made is Joe Biden.

[WheelWalker]

65. Kick & Recommend

[calteacherguy]

66. The expertise Hillary claims on foreign policy so transparently fake. K&R.

[Sulawesi]

68. How many of you think that if Obama said this there would be 100

"Obama attacks" threads? I have no problem with what Biden said, btw, and think HRCs comments were an irrelevant slip.

[youthere]

78. Well..I'd have to agree with you on that...

If Obama said he didn't like Girl Scout cookies there would be threads all over the place about how Obama harasses children.

[Flabbergasted]

76. kick