Posted by
slacker on Friday, October 20, 2006 12:52:05 PM
In my initial post on the War in Iraq I mentioned Joe Biden's plan, but I did not put a link to it in my note. Sorry for the oversight. Go to
http://uniteourstates.com/
which is Biden's site and click on the link for a pdf document. It describes his plan in a little more detail than his recent press release.
I do not know when he originally formulated this plan, but I know it has been around since at least early summer when he announced he is running for President next time. I think it is honorable that he would stick his neck out and produce a document like this when he knows full well his opponents in both parties will have all the time in the world to take shots at it without being required to state their own positions in any detail. And of course he risks events proving him wrong between now and 2008 which would be the death of his campaign. I like politicians who are willing to state what they believe when there is real risk in doing so.
As I said, I don't agree myself with all elements of it. I think the situation has devolved to the point where it is impossible to imagine that we will be able to draw US forces down to 20,000 in country by Year End 2007 as he suggests, for example. I don't think that's Biden's call anyway. He can propose a strategy and plan but it will be a joint decision with the executive branch and the military on how many troops are needed.
But I would also like to point out, in case you missed it that the key elements of this plan are what made some headlines last week when the Shia and Kurd elements of the current government rammed a policy of federalism through their legislature. Now of course this was over the objections of the Sunnis who are vastly outnumbered and fear they will be left with the part of the country that has no oil. Biden's plan addresses this. And to the Shia and Kurds delayed the implementation of this plan for federalism, which is allowed by their constitution for eighteen months. That may render any such vote essentially a moot point since I have little faith that the current indigenous leadership in Iraq will be standing in eighteen months. But still, it suggest internal support for such a plan and it would be definitely be better to be helping the Iraqis implement a strategy a large majority understands and agrees with than what we are doing now.
Some other good news is that the committee Baker was asked to run by Congress is supposed to be bi-partisan. It has at least interviewed Biden and discussed this plan with him. Baker has made public statements that strongly suggest he does not agree with Biden. But at least he will be heard. I do not know what any of the other members of Baker's committee think. They will not publish any recommendations until after the elections.