I am not sure where to turn for inspiration when considering the 2008 political season, but Joe Biden has gotten my attention!
Simply put, at the moment, all things considered equal, he has my vote, and it's a
"YES!"
On Friday night's
(April 7, 2006) Bill Maher,
Senator Joe Biden of Delaware came right out and admitted he was seeking the Presidency. I was glad to see someone in the party actually moving beyond the "scenting blood in the water" phase.
In any event, that wasn't the highlight. The highlight came when Biden was discussing the President and his belief in the power of prayer.
"Maher: My guess is that [Bush] was praying when he should have been learning. I don't say that as a snarky remark, I really mean it."
Biden: Bill, smart people pray. This guy (Bush) uses it in a way, I think, to avoid having to know the hard things. I mean it. The idea that you would pray whether or not you should go to war or pray after making a difficult decision, I understand that, but Republicans seem to use prayer as a political organizational tool, not a road to redemption.
Attention American faith-based voters, you are being duped by the GOP and this Administration. As Senator Biden is pointing out, the Republicans aren't using prayer as an act of faith. They use it as a manipulation tool. They have done what they can to make God into their political whipping boy, and you have fallen for it. The GOP is not the road to redemption, that road is traveled by each individual with the grace of God in their own church.
Wisdom in the Separation of Church and State? I say yes. And so should you. If you don't see that then you are exactly the pawn they want to manipulate for their own greedy motivations. You are guilty by association. But that is a judgment we should leave to God. I just thought you might want to be aware, and perhaps rethink your path on the road?
BIDEN (continues): "They use it (faith & prayer) in a different way."
"I respect the fact that the President prays; that is totally separable from the fact, whether or not the President is informed. When I speak to the President, and I have had plenty of opportunity to be with the President, at least prior to the last election, a lot of hours alone with him, meaning me and his staff, and the President will say things to me, I literally turn to the President and say, "Mr. President, how can you say that, knowing you don't know the facts?"
You will notice, like it or not, that in the next passage, Bidens account of the President doesn't include a defense of his assertion that the President is poorly informed and making decisions that effect us all. As one would expect from this President, instead of defense of his actions, he simply glosses it over with another answer he prefers. In this case, it is bullshit. Instincts are a good thing in my opinion. I have always trusted mine. But I have never just let them speak for themselves when I make a decision. I always investigate the facts to make sure my instincts are on, and aren't simply some blind assumption that could make an "Ass out of U and Me." With countless observations to his credit, it is clear our President prefers the later approach.
Biden (Continues) : He'll look at me and he'll say, "My instincts. I have good instincts." I said, "Mr. President, your instincts aren't good enough." Now if he conflates prayer with guidance on where to send your missiles "I don't know he does that, if he does that, that's dangerous, that's over the edge. I don't think he does that."
Biden summarizes Bush's Presidency thusly. I have to admit, this seems like an accurate depiction to me.
"I think [Bush] makes his decisions based on his instincts and then prays that he's right."
I think Biden is the best choice for 2008! At least at the current time.
If I was Hillary, I would be concerned, and taking notes. She is one of the "elite" within the Democratic party that Biden speaks of. She needs to be herself, just like Joe was himself and all will be fine. But if she trusts that our instincts are poor, and she can lie past them, then she is going to be sadly disappointed by the savvy of the voter. Both sides are eager for change and intelligent explanations, and this desire will keep us alert to anything that seems inauthentic or political for the sake of politics alone.
Nice work Senator Biden. Keep teaching, I think the class is listening!
What do you think?