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Joe Biden, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, has told Americans to expect a “major international crisis” that will present an early test of a Barack Obama administration.
His comments were seized upon by the Republican campaign yesterday to raise fresh doubts about the prepared-ness of Mr Obama to be commander-in-chief.
Speaking at a fundraiser in Seattle on Sunday night, Mr Biden said: “Mark my words, 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 . . . we’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy.”
He cited Russia and the Middle East as possible places that may cause problems, as well as the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan – “crawling with al-Qaeda” – as being of particular concern.
Mr Obama would need help and support, Mr Biden suggested, “because it’s not gonna be apparent, initially, that we’re right.” He then spotted the media in the room, “I probably shouldn’t have said all this because it dawned on me that the press is here.”
John McCain told a rally in Belton, Missouri: “The next President won’t have time to get used to the office. We don’t want a President who invites testing from the world at a time when our economy is in crisis and Americans are already fighting in two wars.”
Both campaigns have been briefed by the Bush Administration on intelligence amid warnings that terrorists and rogue states will seek to exploit the three-month transition period after the election in November.
Fran Townsend, a former adviser to President Bush on homeland security, told a think-tank in Washington last week that history showed the early days of a new government could be the most vulnerable. She cited the first attempt to bomb the World Trade Centre at the start of the Clinton Administration in 1993; the Glasgow airport attacks a month after Gordon Brown became Prime Minister in 2007; and the September 11, 2001 terrorism during President Bush’s first year in office.
“I don’t feel confident that the campaigns are taking that seriously,” she said. “We would be remiss if we didn’t take notice.”
Democratic strategists dismissed suggestions that Mr Biden, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations who has a habit of making minor gaffes, had erred again by drawing attention to the threat. They emphasised that Colin Powell, the former Secretary of State and a Republican heavyweight, endorsed Mr Obama because he believed that the Democrat was better able to keep America safe.
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Old Joe could end up being a heart beat away from the presidancy. Does his mouth reflect his judgement?
jon, austin, tx, USA
McCain is like Bush; he voted with him 90% of the time and he practices socialism for the wealthy. Since 1980, the top 1% of wage earners have increased their wealth 20X but middle has lost ground thanks to Republicans. Obama has a better record of supporting vets. He is steadier and more pragmatic
Barb, Buffalo, USA
Do McCain supporters realize everything McCain does only makes Obama stronger? Picking Palin only wounded McCain's campaign.
Vote Obama!
Marty O' Hanlon, Manhattan, New York, USA
Yes, Mr. Powell- Obama is SO "transformational"
"We are on the verge of a global transformation. All we need is the right major crisis and the nations will accept the New World Order." David Rockefeller, United Nations 9/14/94.
Katie, K'stown, USA
When Obama supporters say they do not want McCain in office because he is just like Bush, it's ridiculous. It's a cop out. Both candidates want change. Pay attention to the media....the debates...read the newspaper! Find out more about his campaign & you'll see McCain has his own views/policies.
Liz, Easton, USA
God forbid Obama take office. He's not even elected and Biden is predicting an international crisis. Vote McCain. This is your wake-up call.
Jeanne Slaughter, Annapolis , USA
Senator McCain is not President BUSH. He is McCain with his own new policies for the Country. He will be a different President. He himself don't like Bush performance for 8 years. McCain will be the best president, he means what he says. Not Bush.
Evamaria, Fort Lauderdale, USA
I fuuly agree wth comments made by Lee of New York.One should not be complacent but go and vote for Obama as he means a change.Mc Cain will carry on what George Bush has been doing since last eight years.The economy has gone down the tube.Under Obama's leadership the change will be for the better.
Mirza Ali Behrouze Ispahani, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Joe the Plubber showed us what the media has been hiding... that Obama does not know what he is talking about. His tax-cuts for the middle class? Well, the number went from $250K before the second debate to $200K during the debate and then back to $250K after the debate. Which one is it???
wynn, San Francisco, USA
The Republicans will sieze on anything in their desperation to win. Biden understands that the leader of the world must be intelligent, rational and thoughtful in addressing any international conflicts. Would anyone really want a replay of Bush and the warmongers??
Sandra, Pawtucket, RI, USA
Will Joe Biden be a good president for our country? Has he accomplished anything significant in his 30 years in politics? Has Obama done anything for Black Americans during his 7 years in politics? What about for the Black Americans during the Katrina crisis? Anything? Could someone tell me?
Wynn, San Francisco, USA
I would have to agree totally with 'Lee of New York'. McCain has continually highlighted Obama's lack of military 'nause' but just how does spending a large segment of his military service in an enemy prison give McCain the 'knowledge' of how to run the military?
Ken Herbert, Aylesford, UK
Good ole "foot in the mouth" Joe. What on earth prompted Obama to choose this man as his running mate?
Sinisa, Hamilton, Bermuda
This is a 'coded' message to well heeled supporters of Israel in Florida and elsewhere that Obama will support Israel against the development of nuclear capabilities by Iran in answer to the criticism of such supporters that Obama lacks the fortitude to do the right thing against Iran in a pinch.
Karl Fritz, Alexandria, USA
Dennis:
Your messianic fervor is troubling. The service of millions of American soldiers, and sacrifice of many, over the course of 232 years brought you and many in the world the freedoms you take for granted. Their oath was never to the President, a mere mortal, but to the Constitution, an ideal.
Russ Armstrong, Becker, MN, USA
I will have to agree with Dennis from Bedford. I think this man is not only the smartest but the most "real". I do believe in him. He's just all together "good people". Still waiting for brilliance? Scott from NC has obviously closed his ears while watching debates, etc. because it's obvious.
Christy, Tennessee, USA
Let's see,we have a choice between someone who graduated in the bottom 1% of their class at the U.S. Naval Academy, crashed three planes and was a womanizing screw up for most of his life.Then we have someone who worked his way out of poverty, graduated near the top of his class at Harvard Law. OK
Lee, New York, USA
This is a time for all Americans, Black, White and every other Color to come together for the good of our nation. If necessary I would lay my life down for President Obama because I believe in him that much . I'm sure that I do not speak alone. Out of the Land of Lincoln comes a lot of power
Dennis, Bedford, USA
Biden is not helping Obama with such statements. What was he thinking?
Christine, Georgia, USA
I'm still waiting for evidence of Obama's "brilliance." To date, it has only been hearsay from media sources who are a generally nefarious and untrustworthy lot.
Of course he would be tested within his first six months. An Obama "Chamberlain" presidency is exactly what Russia et al are counting on!
Scott, Durham, NC, USA
McCain has never done anything to make anyone believe he would do something so underhanded and evil He has fought for us, he stayed 5-1/2 yrs in a prison camp. He has fought for 25+ yrs in the Congress for us and for anyone to make such an accusation is absolutely inexcusible.
Anita, Springfield, USA
I had expected the Bush Administration to stage a terrorist attack before the election to help McCain. If such an incident happens after the election, Obama will handle it, and with an iron fist. You better not mess with the Brother.
Clany, Cut Bank, Montana, USA
Talk about setting the bar low?
Ryan, Pittsburgh, United States