http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/31/45907.aspx In an interview with the New York Observer, Biden has harsh words for his Democratic opponents on Iraq.  He calls Sen. Hillary Clinton's plan to cap troops "'nothing but disaster,'" and says that former Sen. John Edwards, who has proposed an immediateen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/31/45907.aspx#46253Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:26:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:46253Bob, OrlandoI like Joe Biden's voice in the Senate but not in the oval office. Clinton and Richardson are the only Democrats that are his "equals" in experience and both have some degree of humility, something I do not see in Biden. I'd be interested in what others think. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/31/45907.aspx#46331Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:07:15 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:46331Don W., San Diego, CAI like Joe Biden a lot. He's a very bright guy with a lot of experience and isn't afraid to speak out. Hillery will not be able to unite people. Richardson is probably the best qualified. I'd like to hear from others on this subject.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/31/45907.aspx#46381Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:39:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:46381Steve Turner Cedar Falls IowaWhen the movie is made about Obama, I'd guess he will be played by Denzel Washington. When the movie is made of Biden, he'll be played by...Hmmm, Michael Richards?http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/31/45907.aspx#46418Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:00:28 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:46418Bob, OrlandoDon, I agree with what you say about Biden, it's just that I think he likes to hear himself speak too much. I have the same concerns you do about Hillary, plus I'm not sure I'm ready for Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton. I like Obama and Edwards but feel they both lack the experience necessary in the world we live in today. This is why I will be supporting Bill Richardson as I feel he does have the experience needed and has proven that he can get things accomplished with adversaries both at home and abroad. I am somewhat doubtful of his ability to raise the $$$ necessary and I just hope he is still in the race for the Florida primary. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/31/45907.aspx#46460Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:26:14 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:46460catwoman, Chico, CANope, he'll be played by Pierce Brosnan reprising his role in "The Matador"http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/31/45907.aspx#46520Wed, 31 Jan 2007 20:01:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:46520Kato in Des Moines, IowaAmong the democratic party hopefuls in 2008, Senator Biden is by far the most experienced and most knowledgeable in matters concerning foreign policy. For the past several months he has been advancing his own plan for Iraq that, in my opinion, makes a lot of sense and the President should seriously consider. Biden realizes that the military alone can no longer achieve peace and stability in Iraq. The time table for the military to win the peace has long since past. The problem now requires a political solution that is palatable to Sunnis, Shiah and Kurds alike. Biden's plan proposes a federal system that divides Iraq into three regions or provinces -- a predominantly Shiite south, a predominantly Sunni middle, and a predominantly Kurdish north. Each group would have a certain degree of autonomy within their respective region or province. The federal government would ensure the country's oil wealth would be distributed fairly to all three provinces. This plan provides a framework for getting 3 of the 4 factions in Iraq to work together. The military of course would still have to go after al quaida in Iraq. The plan is bold, it takes into account the long history of struggle and confrontation in Iraq, and it offers an alternative other than armed conflict or defeatism. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/31/45907.aspx#46640Wed, 31 Jan 2007 21:17:05 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:46640Mark--MDSteve, glad I wasn't the only one to see the racism implicit in Biden's incredible statement--surprising because I generally like the guy. I'm also irked that he rejects complete troop withdrawal out of hand. I wasn't aware that that is what Edwards is proposing but it's just another reason for me to put me at the top of my list (though I hope that the troops are still not there in '09, when he could first have the power to do anything about it, but I suppose they will be). I'd also be happy with Richardson, Obama, Kucinich, and possibly Dodd (need to learn more about where he stands). I'd grudgingly go along with Hillary, but I feel she hasn't been strong enough in opposing this occupation.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/31/45907.aspx#46663Wed, 31 Jan 2007 21:35:56 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:46663Tim"'You got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy... I mean, that’s a storybook, man.'" Thats probably the most racist remark I have seen during an election process...ever!http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/31/45907.aspx#46670Wed, 31 Jan 2007 21:43:12 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:46670Bob, OrlandoKato, you spell it out very nicely and it sounds perfect. My reservation is that it will never work. I believe that there are those in Iraq who will do whatever it takes to sabotage any effort to unite the country, even with the provision for sectarian autonomy. They are hellbent on revenge for past and current greivances. Call me a defeatist but I don't think there is anything the US can do at this point but let the Iraqis settle the score amongst themselves without our interferences. I suppose it may be better to attempt to implement Biden's plan before we "cut and run" and I admire him for putting the idea forward. He does have the foreign experience that would be valuable in the next administration but feel he is a man of ideas more than a leader. The senate is the perfect place for him, or maybe Secretary of State, or ambassador to the UN. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/31/45907.aspx#47041Thu, 01 Feb 2007 04:08:47 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:47041Steve Turner Cedar Falls IowaThe more I think about Biden's remark, the more I guess I'd have to redefine my thoughts about the term 'racist'. I wouldn't say that he said 'African-American' the way, say, the Klan would use other terms that were negative in connotation. But the fact that he felt the need to use any description of race, would make that part of his description, 'racial'. Let's say he was describing himself. He hasn't, to my knowledge, ever described himself as a European American. He hasn't evidently felt the need to say that. Why? I guess because in the end, it's really irrelevant. Why shouldn't Obama's race be irrelevant, also? And now that I think about it, the 'nice-looking' and 'clean' things are irrelevant, too. The only part of his statement that is relevant to a man seeking public office is 'bright'. That would indicate intelligence, right? All we want in any Public servant. The time has come to measure people by what is between their ears, not what color their ears are, or if they are nice-looking, or even I guess, if they are clean. Obama and Biden are both Americans. Obama, in Biden's word, is 'bright'. If he learns anything from this, Biden might also be described as that.