Say It Ain't So, Joe

Arianna Huffington has an interesting idea about Joe Biden: if he's as adamant about opposing the Afghanisurge as he says he is, then he should consider resigning in protest.

It's been known for a while that Biden has been on the other side of McChrystal's desire for a big escalation of our forces there -- the New York Times reported last month that he has "deep reservations" about it. So if the president does decide to escalate, Biden, for the good of the country, should escalate his willingness to act on those reservations.

What he must not do is follow the same weak and worn-out pattern of "opposition" we've become all-too-accustomed to, first with Vietnam and then with Iraq. You know the drill: after the dust settles, and the country begins to look back and not-so-charitably wonder, "what were they thinking?" the mea-culpa-laden books start to come out. On page after regret-filled page, we suddenly hear how forceful this or that official was behind closed doors, arguing against the war, taking a principled stand, expressing "strong concern" and, yes, "deep reservations" to the president, and then going home each night distraught at the unnecessary loss of life.

Well, how about making the mea culpa unnecessary? Instead of saving it for the book, how about future author Biden unfetter his conscience in real time -- when it can actually do some good? If Biden truly believes that what we're doing in Afghanistan is not in the best interests of our national security -- and what issue is more important than that? -- it's simply not enough to claim retroactive righteousness in his memoirs.

Though it would be a crowning moment in a distinguished career, such an act of courage would likely be only the beginning. Biden would then become the natural leader of the movement to wind down this disastrous war and focus on the real dangers in Pakistan.

It's an interesting premise to be sure, but I'm not sure how effective Joe Biden would be as the leader of the anti-war effort. From a practical political perspective the focus would be "Joe Biden hates Obama and the fractured Dems" and no real discussion about Afghanistan would be able to take place with all the shouting. In a very real sense, Joe Biden's resignation would only get in the way of an exit from Afghanistan, not facilitate it.

Having said that, Huffington is right when she says Biden sticking to his guns like that would garner his serious respect from a number of outlets once the noise died down. The problem is while Biden may have his reasons for doing this, the Village will take several tries before they assign him the correct narrative, it's how they work. You don't have to look any further than the Wingers to see how this will be misconstrued.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/why-joe-biden-should-resi_b_320929.html