Gotta love it… give ol’ Joe five minutes of face time in front of a microphone, and he manages to handily squeeze in criticism of his own transition admin, *plus* reveal details of his upcoming travel that were kept secret for security reasons.
DOH! From Politico:
Team Obama kept Biden under wraps immediately after the election, but with his Senate swearing-in and upcoming Iraq trip, he’s back in front of the microphones.
Chatting with reporters after he was sworn in for a seventh term in the Senate, Biden called it “a mistake” that the Obama transition selected Leon Panetta as CIA director without consulting the Senate intelligence committee.
“I’m still a Senate man and I always think this way. I think it’s always good to talk to the requisite members of Congress,” Biden said. “I think it was just a mistake.”
Biden then went on to reveal the key stops on his upcoming overseas trip with a Senate delegation – without even being asked.
~~~Just yesterday Biden’s Senate office took care to conceal these destinations, declaring in news release announcing his travels: “For security reasons, details of the delegation’s itinerary will be released as the trip progresses.”
Well, thanks Joe…. for confirming Obama felt he didn’t need Feinstein’s feedback on Panetta afterall. Who knows. Maybe that leak about his appointment they alluded to (see near bottom of my previous post) can be traced back to the gaffe master himself.
He iced the cake by comparing the current economic status of the US to 911…. another behind closed doors conversation.
And on Monday, Biden declared, “We’re at war!” and compared the economic turmoil to 9/11.
~~~The 9/11 comparison came during a closed-door meeting with lawmakers and Obama on Capitol Hill Monday, two sources familiar with the exchange told Politico.
His spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander said Biden was referring to how Congress “came together and worked together for the sake of the country, that the Congress worked day and night to accomplish what was necessary.”
It’s going to be a fun four years!
open mouth and insert foot, gotta love joe. if this man didn’t have so many handlers can you imagine all of the damage that he could do? he would be way over the top and he would still be clueless. and this was the best selection for obama, guess we already knew that his choices have always been questionable. as the hits about obama’s choices keep coming we can sit back with tons of popcorn and watch the show.
Not-so-serious-but-might-come-true Prediction for 2009: After one too many gaffes embarrassing President Obama, Vice President Biden is asked for his resignation. Immediately after Obama accepts Biden’s resignation, he names his new Vice President….Al Franken.
You just might have something there, Carl….
Like Obama, he too “feels close” to Abe Lincoln
And it can’t be said enough how convenient it would be to have such a dignified and versatile veep during hard financial times. Think how much they can save on paid entertainment for formal state receptions by having Al perform instead… This particular rendition of Al singing “Let my people go” for the 2005 Downtown Seder would offer the bonus of being PC for multiple ethic groups.
All in all, at least we’d get more laughs with Al than Joe….
Hmm… heartbeat away from the Presidency… no longer representing Minnesota… heartbeat away from the Presidency… no longer representing Minnesota…
As an embarrassed Minnesotan, I find that choice surprisingly difficult.
(… and, sadly, yes: I do consider it a fait accompli)
Joe Biden will follow in the steps of Harry Truman (or any other FDR VP) and Dick Nixon .. that is .. he will be as valuable as a door stop. Unfortunately for Joe, he is too old (and too bereft of any special ability) to follow on as POTUS unless Obama exits early.