Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., took to the front lines in the Senate battle over the defense authorization bill amendments, saying “the president continues to dig us into a deeper and deeper hole in Iraq. And right now, the most important thing we can do is keep pressure on him — and our Republican colleagues — to stop digging and to start to work our way out of this war with no end.”
In a speech on the Senate floor, he predicted President Bush would continue to lose support from Republicans in “the coming weeks,” stressing “that’s how this war will end.”
Biden, perhaps seeking to differentiate his position from the other candidates, argued that he has been trying to get U.S. troops out of Iraq for the last six months.
“That’s exactly what I’ve been working on day in and day out for six months, from the very first Biden-Hagel-Levin-Snowe resolution opposing the troop surge back in January, to the Biden-Levin provision in the Iraq supplemental bill setting a target date for withdrawing most of our combat forces. And that’s why I will work hard to win support for the Levin amendment to the defense bill in the coming days.”
He then returned to his post-withdrawal plan for Iraq — something he said other Democratic candidates have not presented to voters.
“I’ve also been very clear that while starting to get our troops out of Iraq is necessary, it is not sufficient. We also need a plan for what we leave behind so that we do not trade a dictator for chaos and we need a commitment to protect our troops so long as a single one of them remains in Iraq. I will continue to push my plan for a political settlement in Iraq based on federalism — a plan more and more experts and more and more of my colleagues support.”
Biden also announced he would introduce an amendment to the bill to increase funding for mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles that he said could reduce by two-thirds the number of casualties by roadside bombs in Iraq.
In his speech, Biden warned of a “Saigon revisited” if the United States does not change its Iraq policy and have a plan to end the war.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman also took to the airwaves to make his case for Iraq, appearing on CBS’s “Early Show” on July 10 and CNN on July 12.
Biden joined other presidential contenders in Detroit for the NAACP presidential forum on July 12.
On Friday, Biden returned to Iowa for his second visit this month, making a two-day swing through Des Moines, Elkader, Dubuque and Peosta. On Sunday, Biden planned to attend the American Association for Justice’s presidential forum in Chicago.
During a stop in Des Moines, Biden said he has restructured his fund-raising operation to increase donations and become more competitive, setting a goal of raising $25 million, according to the Associated Press. He said he has neglected fund raising because of his discomfort with the role money plays in presidential politics. But, he said the $25 million would enable him to compete in four early primaries.
He also was scheduled to appear on CNN’s “Late Edition” on Sunday, along with Sens. Trent Lott, R-Miss., and Jack Reed, D-R.I.
Looking ahead to a July 23 CNN and YouTube debate in South Carolina, the Biden campaign alerted voters: “YOU get to ask the questions,” calling on people to challenge the candidates on their plan for Iraq after they withdraw the troops.
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