Pirate's Cove

This could get fun

Joe Biden met with CENTCOM chief Gen. David Petraeus this morning to talk about Afghanistan — an issue that has pushed the vice president into the spotlight, landing him on the cover of the latest Newsweek.

I have an idea for how he can capitalize on all the attention, and do what generations to come will always be grateful for: resign.

Now, why would he do that, Arianna?

The centerpiece of Newsweek‘s storyis how Biden has become the chief White House skeptic on escalating the war in Afghanistan, specifically arguing against Gen. McChrystal’s request for 40,000 more troops to pursue a counterinsurgency strategy there. (snip)

It’s been known for a while that Biden has been on the other side of McChrystal’s desire for a big escalation of our forces there — the New York Times reportedlast month that he has “deep reservations” about it. So if the president does decide to escalate, Biden, for the good of the country, should escalate his willingness to act on those reservations.

What he must not do is follow the same weak and worn-out pattern of “opposition” we’ve become all-too-accustomed to, first with Vietnam and then with Iraq. You know the drill: after the dust settles, and the country begins to look back and not-so-charitably wonder, “what were they thinking?” the mea-culpa-laden books start to come out. On page after regret-filled page, we suddenly hear how forceful this or that official was behind closed doors, arguing against the war, taking a principled stand, expressing “strong concern” and, yes, “deep reservations” to the president, and then going home each night distraught at the unnecessary loss of life.

Well, how about making the mea culpa unnecessary? Instead of saving it for the book, how about future author Biden unfetter his conscience in real time — when it can actually do some good? If Biden truly believes that what we’re doing in Afghanistan is not in the best interests of our national security — and what issue is more important than that? — it’s simply not enough to claim retroactive righteousness in his memoirs.

So, basically, it boils down to “he has a different opinion, and he might make Obama look bad.” Even though the sole purpose in picking Biden was to prop up Obama’s non-existent foreign policy credentials. Oh, and let’s not forget that lovely talking point Liberals liked to throw around when some low ranking trooper did something bad (or called bad, anyhow, without proof) in Iraq: The Buck Stops Here. Obama is president, at least by law.

Don’t worry, Arianna, Obama has more than enough on his plate that is making him look bad. Putting the troops in Afghanistan that General McCrystal is requesting is Obama’s decision. Might it not be a good thing that he receive advice from people around him?

Just remember this one, folks, the next time a Democrat does some actually wrong. The bar has now been set really, really low. And, yeah, she didn’t really make a case at all, except that “he might make Obama look weak and ineffective.”

Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU