Politics: Battle of words between no-chance-in-Hell Democrats
A press release from the Joe Biden campaign:
Yesterday, Gov. Bill Richardson claimed in an email to supporters that he was the “only Democratic candidate with a concrete plan to end the war.†[Richardson Email, 9/19/07]
This assertion contradicts his previous statements on the issue. One month ago, at the Democratic Presidential Debate in Iowa, Richardson said of Senator Biden’s plan for Iraq: “I believe Joe Biden’s plan has potential.†[ABC News/Iowa Democratic Party Debate, 8/19/07] And in September 2006, Richardson said, “I would also study Senator Biden’s federation [proposal]. I think that may be ultimately the right solution.†[Christian Science Monitor, 9/27/06]
“Governor Richardson is right that he represents both experience and change – he has a lot of experience changing his mind on matters both large and small,†said Biden for President Campaign Manager Luis Navarro.
Biden acts like a spurned lover. Of course Richardson is gonna like his plan to end the war more than some other candidate’s plan. If Biden has an issue with the plan, let’s hear it, rather than this drek about how Richardson spurned him.
Meanwhile, Richardson issued this press release:
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who is the Commander-in-Chief of his state’s National Guard, today issued the following statement regarding the GAO Report on the Army and Marine Corp’s equipment replacement strategy:
“Almost exactly one year ago, I addressed the National Guard Association and issued the same warning as yesterday’s GAO report on Defense Logistics. We should not have a national policy of “stealing from Peter to pay Paul” to equip our troops — requiring non-deployed units in the US to transfer equipment to deployed units overseas and demanding deployed units to leave their equipment behind in the military theater.
As the commander in chief of the New Mexico National Guard, I know they have a vital homeland security mission here at home. It’s unconscionable to call on the Guard to conduct rescue missions with out-dated helicopters, to ask them to rebuild disaster-hit cities without engineering equipment, or to send them into combat without armored transportation and adequate weaponry.
The Army’s current plan to provide only 40% of the equipment our National Guard needs by 2008 is totally unacceptable. When we send our National Guard into combat or to defend our homeland, it is our country’s obligation to provide them with the right equipment to do the job.
States like New Mexico have met our responsibilities and made our guard troops available, now the federal government needs to step up and get them the funding and equipment they need to do their job effectively.”
Since 9/11, over 2000 New Mexico Army Guardsmen and 500 Air Guardsmen have been deployed in support of Operations Nobel Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
There’s nothing that screams military competence than some governor bragging about being the Commander-in-Chief of his state’s National Guard. I’m sure voters would compare that favorably to John McCain’s record, for example.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
“There’s nothing that screams military competence than some governor bragging about being the Commander-in-Chief of his state’s National Guard…”
Constitutionally speaking, since no war has been declared in either Iraq or Afghanistan or anywhere else for that matter, Governors ARE STILL technically commandars-in-Chief or their states respective Guards. With that being said, any governor that is opposed to the deployment of their troops and has testical fortitude (ovarian fortitude) can recall their troops at any time. However, I can assure you that state will never see a penny of federal money for military bases ever again. Probably all federal cash would be cut off.
And since I’m on the subject of Unconstitutional war, if you are opposed to the “war” for any reason you cannot only blame President Bush. Every member of the House of Representatives shares the responsibility fully. It is they, and only they who can declare war. Any member who has not brought forth a resolution to declare war is remiss in their duty to the American citizenry. If the resolution passes, America goes to war, if the resolution fails, America does not go to war. Representatives then become accountable to their constituency for their vote. That is how the system is supposed to work.
“Governors ARE STILL technically commandars-in-Chief or their states respective Guards. With that being said, any governor that is opposed to the deployment of their troops and has testical fortitude (ovarian fortitude) can recall their troops at any time.”
Actually Brad that is not true. There are two pieces of legislation that bar that from happening. (All sources courtesy of none other than wikipedia):
The Montgomery Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987
Provides that a governor cannot withhold consent with regard to active duty outside the United States because of any objection to the location, purpose, type, or schedule of such duty. This law was challenged and upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States in 1990.
John Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2007 H.R. 5122
Federal law was changed so that the Governor of a state is no longer the sole commander in chief of the National Guard during emergencies within the state. The President of the United States will now be able to take control of a state’s National Guard units without the governor’s consent. In a letter to Congress all 50 governors opposed the increase in power of the president over the National Guard.
Thing is, Biden’s plan actually works in conjunction with the new Iraqi Constitution regarding federalism for that country. Up until recently his plan has been the only one that uses this aspect. Comments recently from “top tier” candidates Obama and Clinton have praised Biden’s plan.
Any sniping by the Biden camp is the direct result of the other candidates adopting his plan for themselves.
Mark my words-when it comes down to next September and October, the Democratic nominee will be all over Biden’s plan.
[...] Debate in Iowa, Richardson said of Senator Bidens plan for Iraq: I believe Joe source: Politics: Battle of words between…, Peoria [...]