Does experience in foreign policy really matter if you're wrong on the issues?

Question

As pointed out in this article written about Joe Biden?

Excerpts and a very interesting read:

Throughout his career, Mr. Biden has consistently opposed modernization of our strategic nuclear forces. He was a fierce opponent of Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative. Mr. Biden voted against funding SDI, saying, "The president's continued adherence to [SDI] constitutes one of the most reckless and irresponsible acts in the history of modern statecraft." Mr. Biden has remained a consistent critic of missile defense and even opposed the U.S. dropping out of the Antiballistic Missile Treaty after the collapse of the Soviet Union (which was the co-signatory to the ABM Treaty) and the end of the Cold War.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122049148440397625.html?mod=rss_opinion_main

What is your opinion of this article?

Answer 1

My opinion is that is an opinion, an editorial, and considering the source is from the WSJ, not surprising the contributor feels that way about Mr. Biden. It is also my opinion that this opinion is wrong. Mutually assured destruction is really, IMO, not a valid reasoning to pursue nuclear weapons in any way, shape, or form. I think the contributor of this opinion piece is completely wrong, and I tend to agree with Mr. Biden's viewpoint. That is my OPINION.

Answer 2

The article you cite is an opinion piece by a misguided associate of George W. Bush, the man that committed the greatest strategic blunder in the history of the United States, which gives a twisted history of Joe Biden's foreign policy positions.  It has zero credibility, just like Sarah Palin will when she tries to debate Joe Biden using rehearsed talking points fed to her by a McCain campaign foreign policy cram course.  Give me a break.

When Russian tanks rolled into Georgia, who did the Georgian president call and ask to come to see him?  Not John McCain, certainly not Sarah Palin.  It was Joe Biden.

Answer 3

Great question!!!

Biden's experience was voting against using military force when Saddam invaded Kuwait.

He voted to use military force against Iraq after 9-11.

He voted against the surge policy to salvage the war effort in Iraq and deliver victory.

Still---being 0 - 3 on these issues is probably prefereable than Obama's complete lack of a record taking any responsibility for such things. Even his opposition to the war was made in a completely non-binding way since he wasn't even in the Senate at the time.

Answer 4

You must be refering to John McSame, and the answer is no.

Answer 5

Considering that the SDI was impossible in practice and would have done nothing but waste money and raise tensions, I'd say Biden's opposition to it was not only right, but is another point in his favor.

Answer 6

If Biden were running foreign policy, we would all be bowing to Mecca or dead.

Personally, I would be one of the dead, because I'll never bow to Mecca.

Most importantly, I'll never vote for the likes of Obama and/or Biden.  

Answer 7

Not a news article.

Why is it that you Republicans can't even get to the first word of an opinion piece? The very first word is "Opinion".

From your title, I thought you were talking about McCain. I guess experience in being wrong gets you to the top of the Republican ticket.

Besides, what is wrong with Biden being against an expensive program that doesn't work? Do Cheney's friends in the military industry really need welfare that badly?

Answer 8

Its been proven time and time again that the Reagan Star Wars Missile Defense was a complete failure. Now this only strengthens my support for Biden

Answer 9

Missiles and nuclear arms were no deterrent to 9/11...

We actually need to insure we have capabilities to maintain sustained tactical confrontations, as has been shown in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Our ability to project force is not constrained or improved by a nuclear arsenal or ineffective missile defense system - it is limited by the shift in focus that emphasizes technology over manpower.  Such a shift only insures we can effectively deal with other technologically advanced countries, which are few.

Answer 10

funny i thought this was gonna be a question about mccain and his continued support of the iraq war (which we have been "on the cusp of winning" for the last 7 years)

Answer 11

Bad experience don't count.  That is the same as a former convict claiming I have Law experience.