Monday, November 9, 2009

Opinion

Was Biden Right About the World Testing Obama?

Then-Sen. Biden was sure the world would test Obama due to his lack of experience. Has it?

Posted July 6, 2009

"Mark my words," said then-Sen. Joseph Biden in October of last year. "It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We're about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here if you don't remember anything else I said. Watch, we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy." Given the tensions Obama faces in North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and elsewhere, was Biden right? Is the world testing Obama? Or is this just a way of making others' problems about us? Post your thoughts.

Previously: Will the Public Option Work?

Take our poll: Is the world testing Obama?

Reader Comments

Was Biden right?

He definitely was right about Obama being tested within six monmths of his inauguration. North Korea is testing him and so is Iran's Ahmedinejad. North Korea is a very tricky situation in which he has to have the cooperationm of China to thwart the ambition of the North to flex its power. He seems to have the cooperation of Russia, not only with its censure of the North, but also its agreement to zero out nukes worldwide. If this U.S.Russia cooperation succeeds, then the North's wanting to go nuclear becomes a moot question, and so does the situation with Ahmedinejad. He's also being tested in Afghanistan and Pakistan against the Taliban and Al Queda, and so far, Obama is doing very well with his foreign policy initiatives. All he needs to do is convene a conference on peace in the Middle East with Saudi Arabia, Syria, as well as Egypt and Jordan on establishing peace between Israelis and Palestinians, with a two state solution and relationships established beteen all Arab states and Israel. Saudi Arabia and Syria are key.

Add your thoughts

Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

advertisement

Crossword Puzzle

Do You Like Crosswords?

We've added a new feature to our weekly digital magazine: an exclusive crossword puzzle!

advertisement

Cartoon Gallery

Editorial Cartoon

Political Cartoons

Check out our most recent cartoons.

Washington Book Club

Foreign Policy by Contractor

Allison Stanger discusses One Nation Under Contract.

What the 2009 Elections Tell Us About 2010

By Tom Davis

Seven lessons the parties need to learn from Tuesday's races.

The 2009 off-year elections in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York's 23d Congressional District offer a small snapshot of the current views and motivations of the American electorate. While there may be a desire to extrapolate the events of Nov. 3, 2009 into a prediction of what will happen on Nov. 2, 2010, that is impossible.

Healthcare Cartoon Gallery

Editorial Cartoon

We've assembled some of the best editorial cartoons on the healthcare debate. Check them out.

Thomas Jefferson St.

Voters' Top Priority: The Economy

Obama Democrats should stop rushing healthcare reform and address more important issues.

H1N1 Vaccine for Wall Street?

Another example of what's wrong with government run healthcare.

Healthcare Vote Delays a Bad Sign for Dems

Expect more waiting, and arm twisting, as vulnerable reps take the hint from voters.

Americans Want Jobs, Not Healthcare Reform

As the unemployment rate reaches double digits, the public makes its preference known.

California Candidates' Poor Voting Record

Couldn't Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman have put a note in their BlackBerrys about voting?

Pelosi Cracks the Whip on Moderates

She's using fear of payback to push middle-of-the-road Democrats to vote for the House bill.

A Dollar a Day to Keep the Babies Away

North Carolina program aiding at-risk kids needs to go nationwide.

The New V Takes Swipes at Both Sides

Are they sniping at Obama? Sure? Bush too.

Your Photos

President Barack Obama speaks about combat troop level reductions in Iraq as he addresses military personnel at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Obama in Your Town

Has the president visited your town? Send your photos to obamaphotos@usnews.com, and we'll post our favorites online.

Courtesy Greg Meinert

Thousands cheer as Obama becomes the 44th president.

Your Inauguration Photos

Thanks for sending us such great shots from this historic event.


A baby kissing an Obama poster for Washington Whispers.

Your Campaign Photos

We asked to see your personal election pictures and you delivered.

advertisement

Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.
Make USNews.com your home page.