The general concensus is that Obama picked Biden for his experience in foreign relations. I am not denying this.
The Scranton PA born senator experience with dealing with international issues is a strong point. The political pundits saying the Delaware senator balances Obama's comparative lack of experience in this issue. While successfully, diplomatically dealing with foreign relations is of great importance, there are other important issues too. Some of these are the economy, health care, disabilities, environment, crime, housing and others. We need someone who knows how to deal with everyone of them. Or at least listen to knowledgeable advisors. Biden shows he is strong in many of these issues
Please note what I reported here is not the entire summary of Biden's views and legislation on various important topics. I chose what I think are the main points.
The main purpose of a vice president as opposed to balancing the ticket in the presidential campaign, is to step into the presidency, if he or she needs to.
Here is some information on Biden's views on major issues.
I will only report on legislation that originated with him.
Violence Against Women Act was drafted by Senator Biden. which enhanced the investigation and prosecution of violent crime perpetrated against women, increased pre-trial detention of the accused, provided for automatic and mandatory restitution of those convicted, and allowed civil redress in cases prosecutors chose to leave unprosecuted.
Education Joe BidenBiden received a 91% voting record from the National Education Association (NEA) showing a pro-teacher union voting record. He supports abstinence education, against student vouchers and believes in the Constitutional right to voluntary prayer in school He voted in favor of Educational Savings Accounts.
EnergyBiden supports governmental funding to find new energy sources to reduce the need to destroy our lands.
Biden believes steps must be taken concerning global warming. He supports the creation of a new treaty on climate change requiring emissions reductions from developing countries such as Brazil, India, China, and Mexico. He supports investment in technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the creation of a "cap and trade" system. Biden supports the promotion of renewable energy, including biodiesel fuels but not ethanol.
During his presidential campaign 2007, Biden claimed, if elected, his top priority would be "energy security." He has also been quoted as saying "If I could wave a wand, and the Lord said I could solve one problem, I would solve the energy crisis."[6]
Environment He co-sponsored the "Sense of the Senate" resolution calling on the United States to be a part of the United Nations climate negotiations and the "Boxer-Sanders Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act", the most stringent climate bill in the United States Senate.[7] He voted "Yes" on a $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas and "No" for drilling in ANWR on national security grounds and defunding renewable and solar energy.[8]
Economic issues JoeBiden would take back one year of the tax cuts for Americans earning over a million dollars yearly. He'd put this money in a dedicated Homeland Security and Public Safety Trust Fund to implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations and invest in law enforcement Biden supports a balanced budget amendment. Biden voted for the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005[18]
Biden cites high health care and energy costs as two major threats to the prosperity of American businesses, and believes that addressing these issues will improve American economic competitiveness.[19][dead link]
Biden was given a 100% approval rating from AFL-CIO indicating a heavily pro-union voting record. However, he was one of the Democrats to vote for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1993 He opposed the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) but supports normalizing relations with China, Vietnam and the Andean nations. He opposes free trade agreements with Oman, Singapore, and Chile.
Biden was given a 100% approval rating from the American Public Health Association (APHA). He supports funding for health care to allow all people access. Biden is opposed to the privatization of Social Security and was given an 89% approval rating from the Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA), reflecting a pro-senior citizen voting record. Voted in support of welfare block grants and supports welfare reform.
Start the Iraq phased redeployment of U.S. forces in 2007 and withdraw most by 2008, leaving a small follow-on force for security and policing actions. The plan, named The Biden-Brownback Resolution, passed the Senate 75-23 in a nonbinding vote on September 25, 2007, including 26 Republican votes
Israeli-Palestinian conflict Biden describes himself as a Zionist. Strongly supportive of Israel, he views Israel as a strategic ally in the Middle East He favors a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Biden cosponsored the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 which expressed U.S. support for a two-state solution
North Korea Biden favors open dialogue with North Korea and describes them as a "paper tiger", unable to directly cause harm to America. However, in June 2007 Democratic debate, he called the situation one of "the three most important things that the next president is going to have to deal with", along with Iran and Iraq.
Iran As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Biden was a major voice calling for "hard-headed diplomacy" with Iran. In July 2008, Biden should first engage directly with Iran in the context of talks with the Permanent Five Members of the UN Security Council and Germany, and "ultimately country-to-country, just as we did with North Korea." He also has called for the implementation of "coordinated international sanctions" on Iran, adding "we should complement this pressure by presenting a detailed, positive vision for U.S.-Iran relations if Iran does the right thing."
In 2007, Biden voted against a measure to declare the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization. He wrote in December 2007 that "War with Iran is not just a bad option. It would be a disaster." Biden has threatened to begin impeachment proceedings against Bush if he starts a war with Iran sans Congressional approval In an interview wit the Jewish press September 2008, Biden said the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is a terrorist organization and the Bush presidency already possessed the power to designate it as one. He stated that he voted against the measure out of concern that the Bush administration would misuse the measure to justify a military attack against Iran.
Cuba Biden strongly opposes the Fidel Castro regime in Cuba and supports the continuation of the trade embargo as well as the democratization of the island in post-Castro era. 2006, Biden stated, "We should be putting together a plan as to how we are going to play a positive role in moving that country, after the Castros are gone, to—more toward democratization , liberalization in their society."
Biden encourages Russia to behave according to the G-8’s "objectives of protecting global security, economic stability, and democracy." The resolution also called on Russian and U.S. leaders to increase cooperation and funding for the Nunn-Lugar program, other nonproliferation initiatives. It also emphasized need for a successor to 1991 Strategic Arms Reductions Treaty. Resolution passed.
He has joined with Democrats in voting against parental notification and a ban on abortions on military bases. Biden's record on abortion is pro-choice, receiving a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America in four of the last five years, although he received a 36% as recently as 2003. Biden pledged that he would appoint Supreme Court justices that share his beliefs.[42][dead link] He has also stated his opposition to the Mexico City Policy, and voted in favor of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act in 1994. Biden supports federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and voted to expand development and voted against a 1998 ban on cloning.
Drug law Joe Biden in New HampshireBiden favors diverting drug offenders out of the nation's prison system. He is ostensibly against making stricter laws for drug offenses, but helped in the creation of a Drug Czar, a government official overseeing all anti-drug operations. According to his campaign website, he is for increased penalties against those caught selling drugs within 1000 feet of schools. He voted against restrictions on children obtaining violent videos and supports funding for the Boys and Girls Clubs in underprivileged areas. He was the drafter and chief sponsor of the RAVE Act, a law that aimed to crack down on MDMA-fueled raves but which was criticized by some as being too broad in scope. The law, was later renamed the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act of 2003, was additionally controversial because it was passed without public hearing or debate in Congress, attached to an unrelated child protection bill. Critics of the law assert its since been used by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration to intimidate those organizing rallies and fund-raisers to support drug-law reform.
LGBT issues Biden voted in favor of Defense of Marriage Act and against the Federal Marriage Amendment. He supports states rights to establish civil unions and favors adding sex orientation to the criteria for a hate crime.
He is a strong supporter of mental issues and helping those suffering with a mental illness or a mood disorder. Senator Joseph Biden was a co-sponsor of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health Equitable Treatment Act.
So you see Biden is much more than being strong on foreign relations. He is a senator who's dealt with many important legislation dealing with quite a few issues.
