Biden Just Went To Georgia, And Things Get Worse?

[Dinger]

I think it is indeed a good idea to go over there and try and make things better, and I realize that Biden (& no one else) can "fix" the situation in Georgia, but so close to his apparent candidacy as Obama's running mate, this doesn't look good. Maybe this is an invalid connection, and maybe I'm totally misinformed, and if so, I stand corrected.

By the way, I base this on what CNn is reporting this afternoon (Russia "digging in their heels, " etc.)

[TwilightGardener]

1. I don't think there's any connection, or any impact from Biden's visit.

[butterfly77]

2. Republicons are plotting ...

[jillan]

3. Isn't it Russia, not Georgia, that's making it worse?

[writes3000]

4. Are you going to speak against every VP choice that's not Clark or just Biden?

I'm sincerely asking because you've said if it's Biden you won't last on DU.

Does that mean you're okay with the other speculated choices?

[Dinger]

9. Yeds, I Am O.K. With The Other VP Possibilities,

But that doesn't mean I have to shut up.

[Terranist]

5. No US politician could fix anything over there; they're just looking out for US interests

Which is the steady building of a pipeline, NATO membership, missile placement. All of that encourages Russia to engage us militarily. Maybe if we sent like John Lewis or someone with a history of actual empathy.

[Muttocracy]

6. Do you know when he arrived and left? I haven't found the times anywhere. nt

[gateley]

7. Nice try.

Good effort. :thumbsup:

[Dinger]

11. Hell gately, I Don't Even Think It's A Good Effort

I just posted something I was wondering about to myself. I probably should have left it that way.
But as I look at my op, I see that I was not clear on something, and that is that this situation doesn't fall on any ONE person's shoulders, Biden's or anyone else's. I sure as hell didn't intend to take away from his trip to Georgia, and I sure as hell don't know what went on there, but I just hope this doesn't come back to bite us in the ass.

[gateley]

14. I think we're caught in the middle on this one.

We can't afford to piss off Russia -- it's not the poor, impotent, harmless country it was a few years back, not to mention all that oil! On the other hand, it's our policy to stand by "democratically elected governments" around the world. This seems to be what we're spouting, but who knows what they're saying behind closed doors?

Biden wrote a piece in the Financial Times which explained how sanctions could harm Russia - and he did it in a manner that was not threatening or sabre rattling (a la Bushco and McCain). I think Biden would do a lot less harm that the Reps.

Don't forget - he's there in his capacity as Chair of the SFRC (which is why the President invited him.) So I view it as independent of the VP brouhaha. The thing is, the media is jumping on it as though it's a SIGN, and I don't necessarily think it is.

Don't worry about Biden yet - we don't know WHO Obama will pick. There'll be plenty of time after for those of us who didn't like the choice to piss and moan. :-)

[styersc]

8. Biden wasw invited to Georgia by its president as he knows...

Biden has clout and experience. It would have been unforgivable to turn down the invitation.

[FrenchieCat]

10. " I base this on what CNn is reporting"........

I learned long ago not to base much on what corporate owned news channels report. Just sayin'. :shrug:

[Dinger]

13. Yeah, I Know

I just said that so nobody would think I was making this up.

[inthebrain]

12. I'm not so familiar with the politics of this region

What I do know is that the US Foreign Policey has always been to ensure that Russia is surrounded by hostile states. This is why tensions in this area are through the roof.

How sending a member of congress (one that one the foreign relations committee nontheless) to ease tensions there is going to work is a valid question.