Foreign Policy Heavyweight

That was the epithet that the Obama-Biden campaign used to express the now Vice-President. And it was this very Heavyweight that shot a hot no when asked whether Egypt's President Mubarak should stand down. And this is coming at a time when the people of Cairo and Alexandria have taken to the streets for five days straight already. Mubarak, to crush the peaceful demonstration, has sent federal troops. And, don't forget, Article 54 of the Constitution of Egypt says people have the freedom of peaceful and unarmed demonstration. Does Biden not know that this guy has broken his country's Constitution? And, sure, you can say he was just trying to be a good statesman, trying to support an important "ally"--but isn't politics all about avoiding questions?

In an interview with the Newshour’s Jim Lehrer today, Vice President Biden said he would not refer to Egyptian President Mubarak as a dictator and instead called him an “ally” on a number of key foreign policy issues.

When asked if it was time for Mubarak to stand aside, Biden said no.

“I think the time has come for President Mubarak to begin to move in the direction that – to be more responsive to some of the – some – some of the needs of the people out there,” Biden said.

Biden said the people protesting are “middle-class folks” who are looking for more opportunity. More>