Biden's 2020 opening? Dem field missing foreign policy hand

[left-of-center2012]

In town halls, television interviews and social media posts, Democratic presidential candidates are touting their support for “Medicare-for-all,” higher taxes on the wealthy and a war on climate change. But foreign policy, one of the chief responsibilities of a president, is largely taking a back seat on the campaign trail.

Former Vice President Joe Biden is seizing on that opening to position himself as the sole global policy expert in a crowded Democratic field if he decides to run for president.

In a series of speeches over the past month, Biden portrayed himself as an authoritative counterweight to President Donald Trump’s isolationist and nationalistic impulses. Last week, he told an audience in Germany that his vision of America “stands up to the aggression of dictators.” The problems of the 21st century, he later said at the University of Pennsylvania, can’t be solved “without there being cooperation.” His advisers have endorsed his foreign policy credentials to key political operatives and allies in early-voting states.

The moves reflect the vulnerabilities Biden, a 76-year-old firmly aligned with the Democratic establishment, could exploit in a crowded primary with rivals who are decades younger and working overtime to appeal to the party’s liberal base. In that kind of race, Biden could carve out space as a battle-tested statesman with the experience to stabilize America’s role in the world.

more at:
https://www.apnews.com/9a393ca3f79444529f1c52dd49ab2ac8

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

1. I don't think Biden's positioning on foreign policy is going to work given his IWR vote.

Bernie certainly wasn't fooled by the Shrub's blatant lies about the threat posed by Iraq and Saddam supposedly sitting on mass stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction. That's why Bernie's the guy I want directing this country's foreign policy.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!

[TexasTowelie]

2. I think that voters have moved past the IWR vote from 15 years ago.

Republicans don't raise it as an issue. Most Democrats don't mention it either.

[JudyM]

3. It was a significant lapse in judgment to vote for invasion with neither a realistic exit plan nor

even actual evidence of WMD... in that part of the world! As we now know too well, there should’ve been a higher standard than just going along with most of the party.

[BannonsLiver]

5. I still hold W accountable

You remember him, right?

[TexasTowelie]

8. I believe that if we examine the voting records for any of the candidates

that we will probably find significant lapses of judgment, depending on each individual's point of view. Some of those questionable votes (and non-votes) occurred more recently than 15 years ago.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

11. No question!!

[BannonsLiver]

4. Most people who care about jobs and healthcare have.

I think everyone can agree Iraq was a boondoggle. Discerning people can hold those truly responsible to account for their actions.

Hint: none of those people are Dems.

Btw, this is the same line they used against Hillary in 2016 and it flopped then too. Be bettter Bernie people. You’re going to need more than that this time around.

[Indykatie]

10. Biden Has Consistently Led in All 2020 Polling by Wide Margins

which supports thinking that the country has moved on from IWR vote and anger re Anita Hill. His strong record on women's issues since mitigates his mis-step on Anita Hill for many including me. There's a disconnect it seems between Biden's reputation and chances to win nomination on twitter and the voting public. Does anyone else find it odd that none of the other candidates have strong foreign policy experience given how talented and deep the Dem field is otherwise?

[BannonsLiver]

16. Not really

There are a bunch of candidates who are fairly new to govt. this is skewing young as a field so far. And I’m not sure how much it matters. The oldest candidate in the race so far has zero meaningful foreign policy experience and has a terrible record with regard to sanctioning Russia for interfering in our elections. If you allegedly have experience and good judgement and can’t see the problem there I don’t see much value in the experience.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

12. It sure BECOMES an issue if Biden runs for president AND touts his foreign policy experience!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!
For a more peaceful world... no more endless wars!!

[TexasTowelie]

17. Possibly.

However, I can't avoid noting how the discussion began since the IWR wasn't mentioned in the OP or the linked article.

My personal belief is that the discussion about who voted no or did not vote on Russian sanctions is more timely, more pertinent, and will be a much bigger issue than the IWR.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

18. That's a fair discussion too... one I'm sure Bernie should and will be happy to have.

ALL issues should be on the table... some will be helpful to a campaign and some will be hurtful. Then people vote... that's called democracy.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[BannonsLiver]

6. I'll take Biden's Foreign policy chops over Bernie's any day.

Most people who follow international politics do as well. You guys had better do better than regurgitating the old line of attack used on Hillary back in 2016. It didn’t work then either.

On edit: Foreign policy discussions in this election will center on Russia. NOT a strong suit for Bernie, AT ALL.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

13. Oh wait, I thought discussing a politician's voting record was NOT an attack...

Oh wait, nm... that standard only applies to Bernie. I get it now.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!
For a more peaceful world... no more endless wars!!

[BannonsLiver]

14. Good.

I’m glad you won’t mind when Bernie’s record on Russia is examined in detail as the race moves on. Now, I’m no expert, but I’m preeeeeetty sure Russia is a little more current than Iraq.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

7. I don't Democracts would support a nominee for president...

who appears to have never met a dictatorship he didn’t like or didn’t excuse.

We are the party of FDR, not the party of isolationism.

Joe Biden will reestablish American leadership in international affairs.

[ripcord]

9. I would like to see Biden enter the race

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

15. Dont think Joe's running... but, would like to see his voice added to the mix.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!
We The People ARE the revolution!!