Joe Biden's Purple Finger Photo Op (C&L Video Clip)

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Purple Finger Joe

Video-WMP

Video-QT

Juan Cole reports that "there was some trouble, but the voter turnout is likely to be good, given that more Sunni Arabs are going to the polls this time than last...read on"

His position on the war is his to make and that's fine. I'm glad that it was relatively peaceful in Iraq and maybe our troops will becoming home in the near future, but Biden's purple finger was as a complete and total suck up that I've ever seen to the GOP. (not including Joe)

2:00:17 PM permalink2:00:17 PM

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/12/15.html#a6330

[Bucky]

1. Ahh, people love that shit. Let 'em have it.

It doesn't bother me. There's nothing wrong with leveling the playing field if it makes it easier to zap the Republicans on fucking up the war.

[FrenchieCat]

2. Contrast that with Clark's statements.....

of problems ahead.....

WES CLARK: "the real challenge is... after they vote, and the National Assembly is
formed, will that Constitution be changed to give more weight to Sunni
concerns.

Most of the people who are close to the Shias tell me that they will NOT concede
on the two key issues, which is the control of the oil revenues, they want the
oil revenues to stay with the Shia dominated area in the South, not go to the central
government and they will not concede on their ability to set up a separate Shia-like set of provinces in the South, that's almost like a mini-State.

And so, if they do not concede on those two issues, itÕs going to be very difficult. You know, if you look back at American history, we had to a civil war to try to resolve whether we were going to be one nation or not. And a lot of people voted in the South in 1860 in that election,
and it didn't stop a civil war.

So it really is going to depend on how astute the U.S. ambassador is there and the military leadership on the ground to be able to transfer our military power into political leverage to persuade the Shias and Kurds to give up something for their own good to keep Iraq together.
http://securingamerica.com/files/Fox051214.mp3


AND TODAY, Clark was interviewed (no transcript yet) and basically stated he thinks it will be a struggle for them to win the changes in the direction of the new Iraq that they need (more respect for secular choices over strict fundamentalism, fair sharing of oil revenues, no near break away southern Shiite State etc.)

He said negotiations will be much more difficult to conclude successfully because "this time it's for keeps". U.S. must use the leverage that Shites still wanting us to provide security for them gives us to prod diplomacy toward legitimate compromises on key constitutional issues. Failure to reach an agreement accepted by all can lead to Iraq flying apart at the seams.

He also said that Iran is watching closely to see if they can expand their influence with the permanent Iraq government.

Answer to interviewer's question of something to the effect of "Isn't it great to see democratic elections in Iraq?".

Clark deftly started his answer with, "It's exciting, isn't it? But will this be a one time only "democratic election"? (that's probably not an exact quote, but close).

[stray cat]

3. Biden actually said something similar this morning on CNN

as did Lindsey Graham.

[FrenchieCat]

4. Biden often repeats what Clark has said.....

that's common knowledge. Without attribution, I might add.

The difference is that Biden sucks up....and Clark just provides straight up information.

If Biden warned that even with this vote, there are a myriad of problems to come....and then enumarating the various issues that actually show that this "vote" is not an end nor a means...but rather one step into which direction is still very much up in the air....then kudos to Biden.

[stray cat]

10. Kudos to Biden even if he is repeating Clark

Its exactly what Biden said this AM. Of course, Lindsey Graham said the same thing as has John McCain. There are realistics in both parties and it is refreshing when they speak up.

[Cha]

9. Sounds like Clark knows

what he's talking about.

What's funny is the hoopla over "democratic elections" in Iraq when we don't even have them in the USA.

[KoKo]

5. GAAAACK!!!! (Ejecting Biden Fur Ball !)

Go AWAY JOE BIDEN...What Fuckin' Fantasy world do you live in "Mr. MBNA" from Delaware!!! :puke:

[Catchawave]

6. I like Joe Biden....

He's 7th on my 2008 list :)

Are we having fun yet ?

[AnnieBW]

7. Purple Finger, Brown Nose

Does a purple finger come with a brown nose?

[BayouBengal07]

8. Let them have their fun.

Let the GOP brag about elections, and let people like Wes Clark give the truth. When the shit starts to hit the fan again, all the Republicans will be able to do is remind people that, hey, they had elections!

[LittleClarkie]

11. What gauntlet did he have to run to get that purple finger?

Did he risk life and limb?

Shut up Joe.