Biden: Iraq one of Obama's 'great achievements'

The Los Angeles Times ^ | February 11, 2010 | Andrew Malcolm

[Senator Goldwater]

VP Biden went on CNN to chat with Larry King Wednesday.

Many recall Biden's plans to give in to Iraq's fractious factions and carve the country into three territories. And even more probably recall Biden's boss' plan to halt the Iraq war years ago.

Plus, of course, Obama's vehement opposition to the 2007 troop surge of you-know-who from Texas that Obama knew for certain was only going to worsen sectarian strife there.

Well, of course, it didn't turn out that way, thanks in large measure to the brave service of U.S. troops who served and helped peace to break out despite the loud political acrimony back home over their role.

Now, the Obama-Biden pair that opposed the Iraq war and its tactics and predicted their failure is prepared to accept credit for its success.

It seems that Biden is certain now that Iraq will turn out to be one of the Obama administration's greatest achievements.

No, really.

Here's how Biden put it to Lar:

I am very optimistic about -- about Iraq. I mean, this could be one of the great achievements of this administration. You're going to see 90,000 American troops come marching home by the end of the summer. You're going to see a stable government in Iraq that is actually moving toward a representative government.

I spent -- I've been there 17 times now. I go about every two months -- three months. I know every one of the major players in all the segments of that society. It's impressed me. I've been impressed how they have been deciding to use the political process rather than guns to settle their differences.

Biden did not elaborate on what all the administration's other "great achievements" were so far.

No doubt, Iraqis too are very thankful for that 2008 election.

[Senator Goldwater]

Can't make this stuff up.

[Bitsy]

What the $ell is he smoke’n? Those people have to all be on crack!

[TheClintons-STILLAnti-American]

Biden on Weekend At Larry's .

What a comedic combo.

[Erik Latranyi]

For once, we did not hear it was Bush’s fault!

[getitright]

Troops come marching home... is this the October Surprise?

I’m series. This could be hugh. It may save The House for the dems.

[Razmataz]

What an absolute shame we have elected... an absolute
shame. May God help us.

[cranked]

Delusional.

[al_c]

I mean, this could be one of the great achievements of this administration. You're going to see 90,000 American troops come marching home by the end of the summer. You're going to see a stable government in Iraq that is actually moving toward a representative government.

And Zero had absolutely nothing to do with that, Biden!!

What a dolt!!!!

[proud American in Canada]

OMG! And Larry didn’t call him out on it, I’m sure.

[FourPeas]

Good ‘Ole Joe certainly does love the spotlight.

[Robert DeLong]

Even an L.A. Times reporter sees through this? Now that is a miracle.

[null and void]

Only if he really believes it.

[silverleaf]

Joe was the smart democrat foreign policy expert who wanted to divide Iraq into 3 parts because a united Iraq was ungovernable

but then, Joe Biden is also the guy who voted against the Alaska pipeline

twice

[Retain Mike]

Biden did not mention numerous obstacles overcome here. The Democratic Party, traditional media, and others continually proclaimed Iraq a “quagmire”, and demanded immediate U.S. withdrawal. Joe Biden promoted Iraq disunion into three separate countries. Jack Murtha received the Profiles in Courage award for falsely accusing U.S. Marines of being “cold blooded killers”. When Lt. General Petraeus appeared for Senate confirmation this Princeton PhD provided a splendid dissertation for using classic counterinsurgency tactics to win in Iraq; tactics consistently victorious when not politically subverted. Hillary Clinton said listening to him required a “suspension of disbelief”, asked no questions, and presented her own perspective of a failed and hopeless mission.

July 2007 heralded Obama’s last noteworthy Iraq involvement when he, Biden, Clinton, etal co-sponsored the Levin-Reed Amendment requiring most troops leave by April 2008. Passage would have precluded achievements he now embraces. Beginning in 2007 with the “Al Anbar Awakening” and throughout 2008, Iraqi people and leaders experienced deliverance from lives dominated by assassins stalking them and their families. Iraqis witnessed national institution ascendance in providing personal and material security.

[OneWingedShark]

...but Iraq was/is Bush's fault! {And we had that thing virtually won (I was there in `08) and any 'backsliding' in that arena lays squarely on the [lack of] leadership in the WH/Joint-Chiefs/Generals.}

[Senator Goldwater]

Well stated.

[a fool in paradise]

Bjorn on third, thinks he hit a triple.

[cups]

This man is second in Command of this country.

This statement has seriously left me enraged and speechless. I can’t believe the media hasn’t picked up on this and is not being blasted from the rooftops.

Speechless...

[hal ogen]

This is nobama Bizarro world stuff. These lib morons fought success every step of the way...and then have the gall to claim it as one of their greatest successes. feh!

[Jenny Hatch]

“Joe was the smart democrat foreign policy expert who wanted to divide Iraq into 3 parts because a united Iraq was ungovernable

but then, Joe Biden is also the guy who voted against the Alaska pipeline

twice”

And as Ann Coulter claimed back in the day, this was the modern equivelent of voting against the invention of the wheel.

He is such a poser.

Jen