Joe's new role in Iraq policy

[Jennicut]

Vice President Joe Biden's official portfolio is expanding. NEWSWEEK has learned that President Obama has asked Biden to take the lead role on Iraq as the U.S. begins its scheduled drawdown of combat troops, a move that comes as administration officials are expressing concerns about the uptick in violence and political instability in the region.

Biden's role will be something of an unofficial envoy to Iraq, though he won't handle day-to-day dealings with officials on the ground. The goal is to "raise the level" in hopes that Biden's stature encourages Iraqi officials to bridge their political differences, says a senior administration official who didn't want to be named talking about high-level personnel decisions. "He knows the players," White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel tells NEWSWEEK. "He brings a lot of experience and expertise on this issue to the table, and the president trusts him."

While they insist that overall incidents of violence in Iraq remain low, Obama and his aides worry about the recent spate of bombings in the region and the Iraqi security forces' ability to respond. But it's the continued political turmoil that has officials most anxious. Both Obama and Biden have raised the issue repeatedly with Iraqi leaders in recent months, without much success. "I think the Maliki government is not only going to have to continue to strengthen its security forces, but it's also going to have to engage in the kind of political give-and-take leading up to the national elections that we've been talking about for quite some time," Obama said on June 26. "I haven't seen as much political progress in Iraq … as I would like to see."

As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden visited the region nearly a dozen times and has been an active player in policy discussions. Speaking about Iraq last February, he said, "We're going to have to get in there and be much more aggressive in forcing them to deal with these issues." http://www.newsweek.com/id/204214?from=rss

I think Joe will do a good job in this role. Already, Iraqi officials are saying they are very reassured by Joe's presence on this.

[PatSeg]

1. Oh yes

This is the kind of Biden News I like to see. Sadly we probably won't see any references to it from the MSM. The general public thinks Joe isn't very active in this administration, because the media only reports on Joe if he says something they can call a gaffe on a slow news day.

[Jennicut]

2. Actually, they mentioned it on CNN a few days ago. Of course, its all Michael Jackson

24/7 right now. I am bummed he died but where is health care or Iran? Idiots.
It was mentioned on the Situation Room so actually made me excited.

[PatSeg]

3. The Michael Jackson converage

was so offensive. There were people in Iran being beaten and slaughtered and we get nonstop MJ coverage. How many different ways can you report that someone has died?

[WheelWalker]

4. Agreed.

[PatSeg]

5. Hey there!

Good to see you.

I expected an over reaction, but not two days of only Michael Jackson. That kind of coverage is for ET, not mainstream news.

[jillan]

7. I must admit that I felt really sad when I heard the news - but -

there's a part of me that still believes he was a child molester, and that makes me ILL.

[PatSeg]

8. Part of me wasn't surprised

with all the things he's done to his body over the years. Basically, I think his life was far sadder than his death. That is one screwed up family.

[jillan]

9. I know. I heard that the reason he was so obsessed with

plastic surgery is that he used to look like a spitting image of his crazy dad.

haha - I'm laughing here because we are discussing MJ - we're just as bad as the msm :P

[PatSeg]

11. It's such a shame

When he was young, he really was a good looking guy.

Yeah we are, BUT we aren't talking about him nonstop for two days! It is inevitable that people will talk about a celebrity when he/she dies, but this is ridiculous.

[jillan]

10. Pat - I hope you watched Jon Stewart tonite -

He really had fun with the msm reporting on MJ....it was hysterical!

[PatSeg]

12. I just watched it

and was very grateful. Matt Lauer going through Neverland showing empty walls where something "used to be" was classic.

[jillan]

14. Mtv's new show "Crypts" !!

The Daily Show is like medicine to me - a good laugh at the end of every day.

[PatSeg]

15. It never gets old

[jillan]

6. I heard this mention yesterday morning, but not anything else all day.

Joe is probably loving this - he's doing what he does best.

[PatSeg]

13. I'm sure he is

which is probably why he can let the media's crap slide right off.