Times-Republican - Biden Wants to Restore Nation's Credibility Throughout the World

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Times-Republican - Biden Wants to Restore Nation's Credibility Throughout the World
By KEN BLACK,

An energized Joe Biden came to Marshalltown Saturday, stirring the crowd with talks of impeachment and foreign policy.

The Delaware Democratic senator told a group of approximately 40 that he is concerned about the rhetoric coming from the White House concerning Iran. While a recent intelligence report noted that it is likely Iran ceased its research into developing nuclear weapons in 2003, the president has been skeptical of the report.

"If this president goes to war with Iran without first coming to Congress to get authority, which I don't believe he can get, I promise you I will lead the effort to impeach him," Biden said. "And I don't say that lightly."

While war with Iran may be unlikely, President George W. Bush has repeatedly said that all options are on the table.

"This is outrageous - what this president does - and it undermines our credibility throughout the world," Biden said.

In his opening remarks, the Democratic presidential hopeful urged those in attendance to not simply look at those candidates with the most money.

"Without Iowa, this nomination and this country goes to the highest bidder," he said. "It goes to the candidate with the most money."

That's one reason why Biden believes so strongly in further campaign finance reform, which he says will fundamentally change the election process in the country.

One of the thing that has kept Biden from getting the money some of the other candidates have received is his stance on issues, he said. Because he considers each issue individually, he is not a dependable vote for traditional special interest groups that support the Democratic Party, he claims.

"That's why I have trouble raising money," he said.

Biden also took Republicans to task concerning their so-called moral superiority. He mentioned tax breaks for the rich that help leave the poor without insurance. He mentioned the hesitancy of some in the GOP to renounce torture techniques.

"I've had it up to here with them," he said. "They confuse ideology with morality. I am not confused about it. I know what I believe."

Biden also took a number of questions from the audience, speaking on various topics of local interest including power plants and cell phone towers.

While he said the question of cell phone towers creating health concerns is still unresolved, he noted the issue concerning power plants is well documented.

"Coal-fired power plants are not healthy," Biden said. "That's just a fact."

As president, he said he would not be encouraging them and would hold them to a higher standard of cleanliness than is currently in place. He further said that coal should only become an option once clean coal technology has advanced even further than it is currently and carbon sequestration is available.

Concerning immigration, Biden said there must be some changes. His plan calls for securing the border, negotiations with Mexico concerning creating better opportunity for its citizenry and holding domestic employers accountable for knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.

For those estimated 12 to 14 million already in the country, Biden proposes a path to citizenship where they would have to meet certain benchmarks, such as passing a background check and learning English. For them, the path to citizenship would take longer than those who are going through proper channels.

He said his plan was not amnesty and deportation was not an option.

"The ability for us to [round up] 12 million people and put them on buses and cattle cars is not [reasonable]," Biden said.

The Iowa Caucuses take place Jan. 3. Biden is hoping for a finish in the top three.

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