"Biden has started the seed of an idea that needs to grow."

[babylonsister]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-kall/is-bidens-prediction-a-ga_b_136820.html


Is Biden's Prediction a Gaffe?
Rob Kall

snip//

Either candidate will need help, including John "bomb bomb" McCain, at the least, to restrain him from instantly attacking or going nuclear. McCain will have Sarah Palin. Obama will have Biden.

When it comes to dealing with foreign leaders, with international challenges, who would you rather have answering the phone at three AM?

Seems like a no-brainer to me. We've seen enough debates to see who can think calmly on his or her feet and who depends on rote talking points. They don't do the job when you face real challenges.

Biden has started the seed of an idea that needs to grow. There will be an international incident. Either candidate will have to face it. Which one has built a better team of advisors? Which one has demonstrated the ability to maintain calm equanimity while under stress?

The answer is clear. When you bring home a beautiful new plant, you want to transplant it into a bigger container. You add fertilizer. Joe Biden found a beautiful plant. He's provided, as he has always been apt to do, the fertilizer, and it is up to the Obama campaign to spin the story effectively, with the potential it has to enhance the Obama campaign.

[musiclawyer]

1. Not clear on the intent of the snip

But everyone except the stupid know that Biden would be an excellent adviser to Obama, crises ot not. It's not even an issue.

[1corona4u]

3. It means, that Obama is clearly the steadier of the two.

It means that Obama is more suited to handle a crisis, as we have seen in recent weeks. The point was, the Obama camp should use the comment to point out the difference in the way mccain handles things, and the way Obama does.

[Thrill]

2. He should just focus on attacking McCain

And linking him to Bush. I don't see why a VP would even mention something like that. I don't know why he wouldn't just keep up the attacks on the economy

[1corona4u]

4. Sorry you don't get it.

It has everything to do with the issues. Mccain is eratic, Obama is not. This race may be about the economy to some point, but that's not the only reason people will vote for Obama. We need someone who is not eratic.

[Thrill]

7. I do get it. He gave them a narrative to change the subject

You don't get it. As long as we continue to talk about the economy we win. Any time you give voters a reason to worry about Obama leading the country. We give them a chance.

[babylonsister]

9. Is that why Obama just had a meeting with top foreign

policy and military advisors? He needs to address both issues. Obama 'gets' it. Maybe your criticism is unfounded. I do have a lot of faith in Obama; I pretty much think he knows where he's going and what he's talking about.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/2/2008_RACE_RUNDOWN?SITE=CONGRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Obama takes on national security in Va. swing

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Democrat Barack Obama convened a panel of foreign policy and military luminaries Wednesday to discuss "urgent issues" facing the country from abroad, an attempt to inoculate himself against the renewed charge that he is too untested for the White House.

Republican John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin have seized on comments from Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden that Obama would face a "generated crisis" within six months of becoming president because adversaries across the world would want to test his mettle.

McCain has said the statement from Obama's own running mate illustrates the danger of electing Obama. Biden, however, reached a different conclusion: He said Obama would fare well in such tests because he's "got steel in his spine."

Also, Obama was given a huge boost on the foreign policy front over the weekend when longtime Republican Colin Powell, former secretary of state under President Bush, endorsed him. Powell's backing helps Obama undercut McCain's perceived dominance on foreign policy issues.

Still, the Obama campaign showed enough nervousness about the power of the topic to alter the race that it scheduled the meeting at a Richmond hotel, and made sure Biden himself participated by phone from Colorado. Sitting around the room with Obama were a slew of retired generals and foreign policy mavens from Capitol Hill and the diplomatic world. Most have functioned, either formally or informally, as advisers to campaign.

---

[Bucky]

20. I like that "nervousness about the power of the topic" line -- Well spun, AP!

So these security professionals have been advising Obama in the past, but today he's nervous while meeting with them? Pu-lease! Biden was right in saying this. It's a fair prediction and it will remind voters who the steady and commanding leader is in this race.

[Overseas]

5. I agree. If we are tested, I don't want McPanic in charge.

That's how I've been talking about the Biden "gaffe."

If our nation were tested, would I want McPanic to dart about frantically telling us there was absolutely nothing to worry about on Monday and declaring martial law on Tuesday?

Or would I want No Drama Obama to assess the situation, consult his experts and get on with a solution?

[ProSense]

6. Exactly,

This is going to have to be said. Obama will have an economic crisis to deal with and two wars.

People need to understand now, as Biden said, that the decision will be tough and sometimes unpopular, but they will be sound.

If he says this after he gets elected, it has a different impact: giving the Republicans room to claim he went back on his word.

There is still 2012 to consider. This was a perfectly timed comment by Biden, and it's going to have no impact on the outcome of this election.

[CADEMOCRAT7]

8. Obama was just on, they are doing just that talking about National Security.

In some way I wonder if Joe Biden was putting out the message, WE ARE PREPARED. We are aware of this possibility and heads up we have prepared for it. It just might be a deterrent. Joe Biden is well seasoned on foreign policy. I trust his instincts.

[sampsonblk]

10. He shouldn't have said it, but I don't consider it a gaffe

At this point in the campaign, less is more. Now is not the time to break new ground in speeches. Its the time to give the home-stretch stump speech and leave it at that. We're right at the goal line.

[babylonsister]

11. Then you missed the whole intent of the article.

Sorry, but I think foreign policy and the future needs to be addressed.

[sampsonblk]

12. The article is spin

Poor spin, if you ask me (which you obviously did not).

We are ahead. Why bring up new stuff? It just strikes me as foolhardy.

Let's talk about it plenty, after the election victory.

[babylonsister]

13. Do you regret Obama bringing up foreign policy today?

The more topics brought up that concern this country the better; it sure highlights a huge distinction between Obama's campaign and McCain's, who can do nothing but continue with the character assassination.

[sampsonblk]

17. Of what use is that?

If it were me - and I understand that its not - I would just keep hammering home the themes that have put us in such good position thus far.

[Bucky]

21. I disagree. This election is not just about winning. It's about governing for four years.

Our next president, leading us in the dangerous environment the Republicans have helped make, owes it to us to say how he'll handle security issues.

[ProSense]

14. Obama

doesn't agree with you.

[sampsonblk]

16. I understand they are trying to make the most of it

That's what Obama has been doing throughout this campaign - taking things head on. I am all for it. Hey, it got him this far.

[ProSense]

18. No, it's a

fact.

The next President is going to be tested.

[sampsonblk]

19. Wait...are you citing a CHERTOFF prediction as fact?

Surely you remember the terra alerts?

In any event, its not something that we ought to be bringing up now, in my opinion. Obama is more than capable of dealing with it if/when the situation arises. Why add more to the conversation when we are ahead in the polls two weeks before the election?

[Willo]

15. I'm glad he said it so we can put an end to the lie that McCain is better on foreign policy

The sooner that lie is put in check, the safer we all will be from a bogus, see-we-need-McCain attack.

The entire campaign and three debates has shown us that McCain is not able to handle differing ideas.
He will roll his eyes, mock, interrupt and be otherwise disrespectful.

He has shown that lying and blaming others comes easier to him than, honesty, taking ownership and apologizing.

He has shown that he would rather risk relationships than admit he was wrong.

The president will be tested whether intentionally or incidentally. Now is the time to discuss it openly and pick a person who can best handle all types of challenges.