Joe Biden: Barack Obama Will Invite An International Crisis

Here is something you probably did not see on the morning news or during the evening news on TV. Joe Biden made yet another gaffe, although I think it more likely that he was speaking serously. He made some comments about what an Obama presidency would mean, especially during the first six months.

From Joe Murray at The Bulletin:

"Mark my words. It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy," Mr. Biden said. "The world is looking. We're about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America." Mr. Biden was passionate in his prediction, adding, "Remember I said it standing here, if you don't remember anything else I said ... Watch, we're going to have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy." He promised a crisis would occur, explaining, "As a student of history and having served with seven presidents, I guarantee you it's going happen. I can give you at least four or five scenarios from where it might originate."

What Biden is saying here is that the election of Barack Obama will encourage some world actor to take some sort of action against the United States that will cause and international crisis. But that isn't all:

The Delaware senator further predicted the course of action a President Obama would take would be unpopular, suggesting Mr. Obama supporters would have to "gird their loins" as unfavorable polling data was all but certain a year from now. "I promise you ... We're going have to make some incredibly tough decisions in the first two years," Mr. Biden. "I'm asking you now, be prepared to stick with us. Remember the faith you had at this point because you're going to have to reinforce us." ... While fundraisers are generally closed to the press, this Seattle fundraiser was not, and it appeared such realty had slipped Mr. Biden's mind. "I probably shouldn't have said all this because it dawned on me that the press is here," Mr. Biden said before ending his remarks shortly thereafter.

No, Mr. Biden. It is a good thing that you did say these things. Now we have more information about Barack Obama's lack of ability to lead the United States. We also know that Obama will probably make the wrong decisions given that you are already predicting low poll numbers.

You can access the complete article on-line here:

Biden Says The World Will Test Obama If Elected
Joe Murray
The Bulletin
October 21, 2008

John McCain Makes First Overseas Trip As Presumptive GOP Nominee

The interesting, albeit irrelevant, argument going on between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton is all about experience and readiness to take over as Commander-in-Chief of the United States Armed Forces. The truth is that neither one has anywhere near the experience and readiness of Senator John McCain.

As such, John McCain is taking his first overseas trip as the presumptive GOP nominee although officially, he is making the trip as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Elizabeth Holmes of the Wall Street Journal notes the following:

"John knows a lot of the leaders of our allied countries both in Europe and the Middle East very well," says Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democrat-turned-independent who has been a staunch McCain backer. "They respect him. They trust him. And, believe it or not, they even like him," says the lawmaker, who is joining the trip. Sen. McCain is adamant that he will keep the focus on national security and won't talk politics but "understands the charge" that some people will still see this as a campaign trip. He points to his regular trips overseas, including seven other visits to Iraq, as proof that this is only more of the same. Even so, this will be Sen. McCain's first trip as a general-election contender and will likely be received differently by world leaders and U.S. allies. When word of the trip first leaked out last week after Sen. McCain received the necessary number of delegates, a reporter asked him whether he should take time away from his domestic campaign agenda. "We got eight months," he said. "I think you probably have time to catch up on issues that are important." Among the most important: areas of conflict. Upon returning, Sen. McCain says he will give a national-security speech, something he says he has done in the past but then added with a chuckle, "Obviously this one would hopefully be paid more attention to."

Neither Obama nor Clinton have the experience, readiness or clout to even come close to John McCain on this issue.

We need to draw many, many more comparisons between the candidates just like this one.

You can access the complete article on-line here:

McCain Trip May Enhance
Perceived Foreign-Policy Edge
Elizabeth Holmes
Wall Street Journal
March 15, 2008