Biden says Democrats should counter on terrorism focus
8:25 AM
Posted: Tuesday, August 29, 2006
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., said Monday that Democrats shouldn't shy away from pointing out Republican failures on national security.
"If anything is shown by the British uncovering the plot on the airliners, it's simple -- we are not protected," Biden said.
Biden, who has said he is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, was in Iowa to campaign for Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-Iowa, who is in a heated re-election campaign in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District.
Biden said the report of a bipartisan commission named to review the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks is an example of the GOP's failure on national security.
"They gave failing grades, this bipartisan commission, to the Republican congress and to this Republican president for failing on almost every major criterion," Biden said.
Biden also said more money is needed for programs to protect children, including expanded programs to track sex offenders and strengthened DNA identification efforts.
He also said more money is needed for financial aid for students facing increasing college tuition. He also called for protecting Social Security.
While Democrats focus on those issues, Republicans often say this year's midterm election will be decided by voters' concerns about national security and terrorism.
"Democrats prevent that by rejecting this administration's refusal to do anything about homeland security," Biden said. "We are not safe."
Boswell said his top priority is to protect children. He said he's willing to spend the money to make sure programs are adequate.
"It is incumbent on us to do everything we can to make it safe for them," he said.
Republicans said Biden and Boswell were simply displaying their tax-and-spend proclivities.
"It's appropriate that Boswell would invite a self-described northeast liberal like Joe Biden to join him on the campaign trail," said Republican Party of Iowa executive director Cullen Sheehan. "Biden and Boswell have consistently voted to increase taxes, only to put the money back in the pockets of special interests."
Editors: Mike Glover has covered politics since 1982, when he began covering the Iowa Statehouse.
AP-CS-08-29-06 0141EDT
"If anything is shown by the British uncovering the plot on the airliners, it's simple -- we are not protected," Biden said.
Biden, who has said he is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, was in Iowa to campaign for Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-Iowa, who is in a heated re-election campaign in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District.
Biden said the report of a bipartisan commission named to review the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks is an example of the GOP's failure on national security.
"They gave failing grades, this bipartisan commission, to the Republican congress and to this Republican president for failing on almost every major criterion," Biden said.
Biden also said more money is needed for programs to protect children, including expanded programs to track sex offenders and strengthened DNA identification efforts.
He also said more money is needed for financial aid for students facing increasing college tuition. He also called for protecting Social Security.
While Democrats focus on those issues, Republicans often say this year's midterm election will be decided by voters' concerns about national security and terrorism.
"Democrats prevent that by rejecting this administration's refusal to do anything about homeland security," Biden said. "We are not safe."
Boswell said his top priority is to protect children. He said he's willing to spend the money to make sure programs are adequate.
"It is incumbent on us to do everything we can to make it safe for them," he said.
Republicans said Biden and Boswell were simply displaying their tax-and-spend proclivities.
"It's appropriate that Boswell would invite a self-described northeast liberal like Joe Biden to join him on the campaign trail," said Republican Party of Iowa executive director Cullen Sheehan. "Biden and Boswell have consistently voted to increase taxes, only to put the money back in the pockets of special interests."
Editors: Mike Glover has covered politics since 1982, when he began covering the Iowa Statehouse.
AP-CS-08-29-06 0141EDT
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
