"I'm going to vote for you, but...."

[kentuck]

Joe Biden prefaces his comments with that. If there are the serious "buts" that they talk about, then they should have the courage to vote against the nominee. When they point out the obvious lies, there is no need to apologize for it.

[baby_bear]

1. Biden drives me to drink

He says some really good things, then wipes them all out with a gratuitous statement like the one you just mentioned. There was no reason for him to preface his remarks with an assurance that the president is entitled to his cabinet and that he would vote for Rice. Message: You don't need to give my following remarks any attention or weight whatsoever.

He said similar stupid things during the Gonzalez confirmation hearing, before he went on to make some good points.

I think he likes himself too much.

b_b

[Atman]

2. Biden has a point...

I wish the effing democrats would show some spine for once. FOR ONCE.

That said, I admit, I understand Biden's point...as he said in his remarks, unless the President's nominee is not intellectually qualified or somehow unable to do the job nominated for, then it is generally the rule that they get confirmed. So he'll vote yes.

As much as I can't stand our lilly-livered leaders in DC, Biden's larger point is that this is the President's sword to fall on. If he wants an idiot for this important job, he'll get an idiot, and he'll pay the price.

I don't wholly agree...I think it is the world and the United States citizens who pay the larger price, but Biden's point is still legitimate. To a degree. But he's still being a pussy for not standing on conviction rather than ceremony.



New NBY Edition just posted

[underpants]

3. Right + this is the Senate not the House

in the House they say most anything. The Senate historically is more gentlemanly.

[kentuck]

4. ....Advise and consent....

on all nominees presented. That is the Senate's job. Not to rubberstamp any presidential nomineee.

[rucky]

5. where can I find this rule? or is it one of those unwritten codes...

of the Senate? That shit should've been thrown out of the window a long time ago. These "codes" serve nobody but themselves.

The House of Lords - er - Senate is WAY too chummy for my taste.

[eallen]

8. That low bar makes perfect sense for cabinet nominees!

I'm going to say this again. The cabinet is not the judiciary. It is not an independent, third branch of government intended to check the other two. The cabinet works for and under the president. Presidents traditionally have wide latitude in choosing their own cabinet. The Senate should approve any nominee who is minimally qualified, despite significant political qualms, or even a few ethical twinges. If the cabinet members later fuck up, that redounds to the president.

Save the big guns for judicial appointments.

[kentuck]

9. That is a good point...

But is the Senate is there simply to rubberstamp, why have any hearings at all??

[eallen]

11. Several reasons.

First, it's not a pure formality. If some president, in a fit of nepotism or cronyism, were to appoint a cabinet member who was completely unqualified or three days from indictment on serious charges, the Senate should nix it. You might object that no president would ever do that. Well, why not? Let me suggest that one of the reasons is precisely the Senate approval process, that then looks like a rubber stamp.

Second, the hearings are a chance to get issues out in public, warning the appointee of the political hurdles ahead, and alerting Congress to the appointee's intentions.

Third, it makes great show. :)

[leesa]

12. Sorry. I think lying under oathe is probably a disqualification

Biden is WRONG to say such a thing. She is a proven liar and she will be our SOS...that makes her unqualified.

[sarcasmo]

6. Biden put her in a bit of a corner and made his point.

I am much happier with Biden today than yesterday. He showed a little backbone today and yet will vote for her, Biden pointed out he doesn't' believe Chimpy has an exit strategy for Iraq, that's a little backbone to me.

[robbedvoter]

13. behold: the great Biden:

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20050116...
..
Biden also praised Rice, but noted that "relations with many of our oldest friends are quite frankly scraping the bottom right now.''
However, Biden also had blunt advice for European critics: "I have one simple message: Get over it. Get over it. President Bush is our president for the next four years. So get over it and start to act in your interest, Europe.''..........

[ladjf]

7. Bidden is a weasel and isn't on our side.

[AntiCoup2K4]

10. Exactly. He's on the enemy's team

http://www.newamericancentury.org/russia-20040928.htm