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Biden to Travel Abroad -- But as a Senator, Not Vice-President-Elect
January 05, 2009 4:39 PM
ABC News’ Rick Klein Reports: We’re still waiting for an explanation from Sen. Joe Biden’s office on why, two months after winning the vice presidency and two weeks before taking that office, he remains a senator, and is ready to take the oath of office Tuesday for a Senate term he has no intention of serving out.
Then comes this statement -- answering some questions, but raising new ones:
STATEMENT FROM BIDEN SPOKESPERSON ELIZABETH ALEXANDER
"Senator Biden, in his capacity as the outgoing Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will depart later this week with a bipartisan Senate delegation to visit countries in Southwest Asia. For security reasons, details of the delegation's itinerary will be released as the trip progresses.
"The purpose of this trip is fact-finding: in the coming months both the Executive and Legislative branches will carefully review U.S. policy toward this region, and the trip will allow its participants to bring current and first-hand information to these reviews. The members of the delegation, who will be participating in all or part of the trip, include: incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee John Kerry (D-MA) and Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
"The fact-finding delegation will make it clear to foreign leaders that they are not there to speak on behalf of the U.S. government, or convey policy positions for the incoming administration. The delegation extends its thanks to the Bush Administration for their cooperation in making this trip possible."
Everyone got that? The vice-president-elect of the United States is about to make a tour of foreign countries.
But he’s doing that as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, not as vice-president-elect. And nothing he says or does on that trip speaks for the current or incoming administrations.
Anyone think this will be obvious in all the destinations Biden and company visit? Does this mean any gaffes he commits won’t count?
January 5, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (13)
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Does this mean any gaffes he commits won’t count?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What a silly, silly, silly question. This is a new year, a new administration, a new beginning for America (or so 80% of the country hopes). So why is it that the Note is not doing any better with its reporting?
Posted by: Question | Jan 5, 2009 5:02:08 PM
Question- It's a Republican talking point to mention gaffes on Biden. It sure gets overdone.
Posted by: kat | Jan 5, 2009 5:14:18 PM
The fact that he is traveling as a Senator allows the travel to be covered by taxpayers as Vice President-elect it would have to be paid by the campain.The trip illustrates that while the Obama administration has not been sworn in, it has effectively begun governing.
Posted by: Alan | Jan 5, 2009 5:38:59 PM
Maybe Dopey Joe will renounce the
VP position and remain a U.S. Senator!
We can only hope this is so.
Otherwise the Joe Biden VP follies
start on January 20th.
This moron will keep foreign dignitaries
in stitches for the next four years!
To those who dismiss Biden's ignorance
as "gaffes" it is no gaffe when you
state that FDR was president during the
1929 stock market crash and say that
FDR went on the radio to calm the
American Public!
We're talking a lack of basic
knowledge of American history at the
least and ignorance at the most!
In any case I bet Joe Biden as VP is
funnier than that other clown,
Al Franken is as a U.S. Senator!
Posted by: reaganfan | Jan 5, 2009 8:24:29 PM
kat: You've got it exactly right. This report stinks of right-wing bias.
Posted by: realvalues | Jan 5, 2009 10:59:51 PM
let me get this right: when a dem makes a mistake and it gets reported, it's bias, when a rep makes a mistake the reporting is fair and honest?
OK, I guess I am ready for four years of bias. LOL
Posted by: JUD | Jan 6, 2009 9:49:24 AM
Firsly, Mr. Klein, and listen very carefully because I personally will be responding like this to every journalist who says it: CUT THE CRAP ON THE WORD GAFFE with Mr. Biden. Do you really think it's funny to anyone other than your pathetic self, low-brows and some Republican detractors? Secondly, Joe Biden is highly respected and known in foreign areas and by other great leaders...this is just one area Joe Biden excels. Joe is an honorable statesman and wonderful to have to represent the US. Who do you think you are? It's time you and other so-called journalists can the word gaffe. Do you need a dictionary? Good luck Joe Biden, I'm proud of you.
Posted by: Stewart | Jan 6, 2009 12:28:25 PM
To Kat: Nice, concise question. Good for you. I am very tired of this word used without thought by some writers...lazy, uncurious journalism. Mr. Biden is a great statesman and is going to be an outstanding vice president. He has outstanding credentials in foreign policy and deserves great respect.
Posted by: NBS | Jan 6, 2009 12:34:37 PM
Stewart you're absolutely right!
Joe Biden doesn't make "gaffes"!
He's a Moron!
Joe Biden is an Embarrassment to
the U.S. Senate and the
United States of America.
Posted by: reaganfan | Jan 6, 2009 1:21:58 PM
Reaganfan...har, the rest of us are giving you papal-ish commenter dispensation because judging by your name, you ride the special bus (do you need us to explain that?) ;-)
Posted by: Principia | Jan 6, 2009 3:26:25 PM
Woohooooo! Right on Stewart. Finally, smarts!
Posted by: NBS | Jan 6, 2009 3:28:52 PM
Maybe he is going as Senator and not VP elect because he may become the P.
http://www.globemagazine.com/story/286
I saw this while checking out at a local store today. This will sure break out to all media withing the next week. Funny how a tabloid is the only one with the guts to publish it.
Posted by: WhatsUpInWashington | Jan 6, 2009 5:03:53 PM
WhatsUp...please, honestly, for your own good, this has been discussed and debunked officially and soundly. Only Reaganfan would read this rubbish (globe) and believe it.
Posted by: Principia | Jan 7, 2009 2:36:48 AM
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