Joseph Biden
In Congress, Biden built a reputation during his 30 years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and became chairman again in January 2007, after Democrats won control of the chamber. Biden also chairs the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, and from 1987 to 1995, he chaired the Judiciary Committee. 3
Elected to the U.S. Senate as a Democratic wunderkind in 1972 at age 29, Joseph Biden is currently in his sixth term representing Delaware. The 2008 contest will mark the second time the outspoken senator has vied for his party’s nomination for president. 1
His first presidential bid ended in disaster a year before the 1998 election, marred by accusations of plagiarism, including using parts of speeches made by a British Labor Party leader. In 2004, Biden decided against running, saying he doubted he could raise enough funds to challenge opponents. 2
On the issue of health care for all, like many democratic candidates, the plan is all about the children - up to 21. Biden is selling a semi-socialist health care plan, though one that is slightly more private-enterprise focused than those of his competitors. 4
Joseph Biden is a remarkably intelligent, talented and charming statesman, but a highly specialized one too. And his specializations have to do with foreign policy and military policy, for the most part, not with energy and the environment. 6
Vineet Tiruvadi: The imposing figures of the Democrats’ candidate selection have left Sen. Joe Biden in the shadows, with Biden garnering only 2 percent of Democratic voters in a recent Associated Press poll. This is very unfortunate, considering Biden’s refreshingly moderate stances. 7
Biden said in an interview with George Stephanopoulos, host of ABC’s This Week, that he is the only candidate that has an exit strategy for Iraq. His plan focuses on a federal government that distributes oil revenues between Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis. Furthermore, Biden promotes a federalist system of government that separates each group into its own region - a good strategy. 5
In Congress, Biden built a reputation during his 30 years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and became chairman again in January 2007, after Democrats won control of the chamber. Biden also chairs the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, and from 1987 to 1995, he chaired the Judiciary Committee. 3
