At West Point, Biden touts foreign policy, warns of new challenges

Lee Celano / Getty Images

Vice President Joe Biden hands a West Point graduate her a diploma on Saturday.

WEST POINT, NY -- At the graduation ceremony of some of the most elite new members of the U.S. military, Vice President Joe Biden on Saturday praised the Obama administration's efforts to end wars abroad, saying the military drawdowns allow for a "rebalance" of foreign policy.  

Addressing newly minted second lieutenants at West Point's Michie Stadium, Biden spoke at length about the Obama administration's foreign policy achievements: ending the Iraq War, killing Osama bin Laden, and banning torture because "it was the right thing to do."  

"President Obama and I came into office determined to end the war in Iraq responsibly, and today our troops are home," he said.


Highlighting emerging issues like China's economic might and the threat of cyber attacks, the vice president said that the winding down of the Iraq and Afghan conflicts allows the United States more flexibility to address new factors that influence the global landscape.  

Vice President Joe Biden speaks to West Point graduates on Saturday.

"Winding down these long wars has enabled us to replace and rebalance our foreign policy, [to] take on the full range of challenges that will shape the 21st century," he said.  

Among those challenges is the ever-evolving relationship between the United States and China, he said, noting that the two countries don't "always see eye to eye." 

Speaking to a group of veterans, Vice President Joseph Biden recalled the emotions that overcame him when he received a call in 1972 informing him that his wife and daughter had perished in a traffic accident.

"There's no doubt that America can compete, and America will win whenever and wherever the playing field is level," Biden said.  

Although Biden did not mention the ongoing election fight, he echoed some lines from his past campaign speeches, including a heaping of praise on those who executed the mission to kill Osama bin Laden last year.  

"These warriors sent a message to the world that if you harm America, we will follow you to the end of the earth," Biden said.  

And he referenced the day of the attack masterminded by bin Laden, calling the class of graduates members of a "9/11 generation" that will be remembered as America's greatest.  

"Your generation, the 9/11 generation, is more than worthy of the proud legacy that you will inherit today," he told graduates. 

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Biden seems to forget all the questionable foreign decisions that this administration has made! Yes, BinLaden is gone and yes, we are out of Iraq per the agreement signed by Georgr Bush with Iraq leaders. Yes, we are tucking our tails and running out of Afghanistan leaving a weak and corrupt government to fight the Taliban. BUT...we now have over 90 Chinese ships in disputed waters near the Phillipines; we have iran refusing to negotiate to allow inspections of questionable sites where uranium may be purified to bomb quality; we have North Korea signing an agreement to get American wheat and then promptly breaking the agreement; we have a State Department that blundered through the episode with the blind Chinese activist; we have Putin back in power in Russia flexing his power, we have completely fouled up our relationship with Pakistan. Every nation views Obama as weak and spineless, especially our enemies. What a record he has!!

  • 3 votes
Reply#52 - Sat May 26, 2012 8:24 PM EDT

Helmet, that is all total nonsense. Yes, Bush signed the withdrawal timetable with Iraq, but when Obama began to honor it, all you righties were bitching about it. Remember? We are leaving Afghanistan in part because we went there to get Bin Laden. Mission accomplished. "WE" don't have any Chinese ships, and waters near the Philippines are not ours. The US has not been in the Pacific because Georgie was spending the money running around the deserts of Iraq. Iran has never negotiated with us, not through the terms of Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton or Bush II. North Korea has never honored any agreement with the US. The idea that the State Department blundered the Chinese activist is merely an opinion. "We" don't have Putin anywhere - the Russian people voted in the man they wanted. If our relationship with Pakistan is fouled up, it's due to their actions, not ours. Nobody views Obama as week, particularly not our enemies. Ask Bin Laden, Gaddafi, and Pakistan for starters.

  • 2 votes
#52.1 - Sat May 26, 2012 8:54 PM EDT

Liberals LOVE to taint the truth through their eyes, and definitely not with the truth at hand. They are trying to convince themselves what they say is factual, because they no the rest of America and the world see things the way they truly are. I assume they will blame Bush when Americas credit rating is dropped again, due to OBAMA'S ignorant spending ways and not fulfilling PROMISES he has made, not to just Americans but to everyone. Keep on convincing yourself!

  • 2 votes
#52.2 - Sat May 26, 2012 9:21 PM EDT

Sorry to tell ya Fuzzy . we know who caused the S and P downgrade . they wrote us a nice letter about it . today we call them TEABaggers .

  • 2 votes
#52.3 - Sat May 26, 2012 11:10 PM EDT

So I will assume by your idiotic statement carpenter7...that you run your budget over all the time to? Do you spend more money monthly than you take in?

Tea party is about stopping spending. We cannot continue down this path of spending more than we take in.

All liberals should be required to take Math classes. I don't know what world you live in but in my world..when you're out of money..YOU STOP SPENDING.

  • 3 votes
#52.4 - Sun May 27, 2012 8:37 AM EDT

carpenter7-Typical avoidance from the truth. The blame game can't go on forever with you people. Obama assumed a position of RESPONSIBILITY, which he has avoided like the plague. He has been no less a community organizer, but a community divider. He has shown is very weak and no leadership qualities WHAT SO EVER. He takes credit from others and has done nothing of his own. Osama Bin Laden has been on radar for over 10 years going back to Clinton and Bush. Even a military General came out on TV, 2 weeks ago and stated "How dare Obama take credit for something he had nothing to do with". Everyone with common sense, and are truly LOYAL and PATRIOTIC Americans, see Obama for what he truly is. TRAITOR and TREASONOUS person! After he loses the election, maybe you liberals can go back to Kenya with him, and live under his communism mentality and ways!

    #52.5 - Sun May 27, 2012 1:51 PM EDT

    Typical repub bs and lies . Is all i see . Its NOT like i expected anything different mind ya . So are u 2 gonna re write some more history tonight ?

    • 1 vote
    #52.6 - Sun May 27, 2012 8:11 PM EDT

    Oh and BTW Fuzz You as a citizen can start that law suite to have the president removed from office ya know . Hurry and put some money where your mouth is . Treason and Sedition are the only Crimes Spelled out , In one of our most famous documents . I'll leave you to figure out the rest .

    • 1 vote
    #52.7 - Sun May 27, 2012 8:19 PM EDT

    Helmet:

    Bush negotiates a withdrawal but Obama is tucking his tail and running? Please explain the difference (other than Obama is not a white conservative).

    Fuzzy:

    Wow, are you ever. Haven't heard that much krap since I vacuumed out a port-a-potty.

    • 1 vote
    #52.8 - Sun May 27, 2012 10:31 PM EDT

    Typical ignorant idiot! nuf said

      #52.9 - Tue May 29, 2012 11:27 AM EDT
      Reply

      Biden is definitely, the most arrogant, unaccomplished Vice President America has ever had. He has definitely completed the worst duo with Obama, (2 Stooges) that has ever hit this country. Just about every time he opens his mouth, something ridiculous and ignorant comes out. He put Obama in a difficult position with the Gay and Lesbians that Obama had to say he supports, even though EVERYONE knows he says what he DOESN'T MEAN!

      • 4 votes
      Reply#53 - Sat May 26, 2012 9:13 PM EDT

      I'm sure this will be collapsed very quickly as libs don't like "FREE SPEECH" unless it is their kool-aid mentality. Most of you dodged the draft during Vietnam, including our present VP, former Pres. Clinton, it goes on and on. Most libs are pussies that want a hand out, favors from their movie star friends and very much part of the problem instead of part of the solution. F all the libs, the downfall of our great country is in their hands for the lack of moral and lack of leadership. And your POS president is disguisting, worst pres. this country will ever have and the snake oil salesman sold you a big pile of dung. BTW: this has nothing to do with race so don't even go there. Obama is JUNK. ABO 2012

      • 4 votes
      Reply#54 - Sat May 26, 2012 10:13 PM EDT

      whoa an INTERNET Tough Guy . I personally am laughing at you , RIGHT Now .

      • 2 votes
      #54.1 - Sat May 26, 2012 11:12 PM EDT

      "Ignorance is bliss, for liberals!"

        #54.2 - Sun May 27, 2012 1:54 PM EDT

        Has Mitt or any of his sons served?

        The biggest POS was Bush and his evil cohort, Darth Cheney. They can't leave the country cause they'll be sent to the Hague for War Crimes. And they spent our country into the debt we are in. All of our deficit spending is because of the Bush Admin. If you don't realize that, you're Fuzzy - and he's just plain ignorant.

        • 1 vote
        #54.3 - Sun May 27, 2012 10:43 PM EDT
        Reply

        Biden did a wonderful job and by the reception it was very much appreciated, by all the graduates.

        It's almost funny to read the haters post's, most can barely put a sentence together, and you can tell most get their faux fax's from faux noise!

        How anyone can write worst President, after 8 years of Bush?? LOL

        Biden can make some gaffs, but he is sincere and cares about our military! Unlike darth cheney who saw the war in Iraq, as a money making enterprise for his buds at Halliburton!

        • 2 votes
        Reply#55 - Sat May 26, 2012 10:52 PM EDT

        Liberals think, Obama should drop the old junk yard dog, Biden, Joe is Senile and sticks his foot in his mouth more times than not, as he rants and raves, that has to be, a embarrassment to Obama. For that, many Liberals think, Obama should chose Hillary, Liberals love her and think she has a good background and has good morales, like her husband, Bill...

        Liberals loved and forgive the background of old Billy, being a sleeze and skirt chaser and a horny old Goat and the facts, that he has had more affairs over 40 some years and has more romps in the Oval Office than JFK did, he loves to party and get lucky, as he did with those 3 Female Porn Stars in Monaco. Forgot,.. Hillary was caught in photo, drinking and partying in Columbia, yep, she looked real dignified and good for a Sec. of State and possible Vice President......................

        Poor Libs can't pick anyone decent or with good morales or being fit, to be in office... Libs still support and love that, narcissistic, socialists fool, now in the Oval Office, that is on record, as thee worst President ever.......

        • 4 votes
        Reply#56 - Sat May 26, 2012 11:13 PM EDT

        Obama can't drop Biden for HC. Doing so would make it look like he's uncomfortable with Biden's gay marriage thing. Biden started the whole deal for Obama, and if Obama bows out of running with Biden again, it'll look like he's uneasy including gay marriage in the platform. Which is exactly why ol' Joe opened his big mouth. For once, his outspokenness was actually planned instead of just the normal stupidity.

        • 3 votes
        #56.1 - Sat May 26, 2012 11:22 PM EDT

        Obama hasn't made any sense for the past 3.5 years, so why start now? He doesn't think about outcomes, he just jumps and blames Bush if it doesn't pan out. Nothing has panned out during his term, so if he drops Biden it wouldn't surprise me.

          #56.2 - Tue May 29, 2012 11:35 AM EDT
          Reply

          Arab Summer / Muslim brotherhood?

          9000 civilians dead and climbing in Syria?

          Russia dissing the US? Warning about throwing an attack against European mtssile defense?

          How`s that Iranian nuclear containment coming along?

          Are the NK`s halting their programs?

          Obama/Biden is a joke both domestically and internationally yet you libs will defend them until are economy locks up...

          Wait, they did get a blind lawyer out of China, huh?

          LMAO!!!

          • 2 votes
          Reply#57 - Sat May 26, 2012 11:17 PM EDT

          Obama? Biden?

          LMAO, they`re an embarrassment both domestically and internationally yet you libs will defend them `till our economy locks up worse than Greece...

          • 4 votes
          Reply#58 - Sat May 26, 2012 11:23 PM EDT

          Close enough and right back at you comrade!

          Can`t argue on merit but you`ll throw insults quickly enough, huh?

          Typical libtard...

          • 2 votes
          #58.2 - Sun May 27, 2012 1:23 AM EDT
          Reply

          Lets see @ the self described "rifle bullet " . So what do you think we should do ? start a few MORE wars ?It is a real Question . Should we start slinging lead ? Will That solve Our Problems ? we have been watching the repubs . If President Obama helps someone , repubs say " we should not be involved " . If he does not help repubs say " We should be helping " . Or in the Libya case McCain tried to have it BOTH ways . Before we sent jets , but no boots . It was obama needs to act . After he did act , IE jets and no boots , We should not be there . PICK ONE and stick with it .

          • 1 vote
          Reply#59 - Sat May 26, 2012 11:28 PM EDT

          I know you`ve gone to bed so I`ll doubt you`ll get to read this but I`m merely responding to comments about how much better America looks in the international community since Obama.

          That`s a joke unfortunately, under Bush most people I interacted with in Europe and the Middle east thought he was a "Cowboy", he was "dangerous" and one old German friend even went so far as saying "he is destroying America".

          Under Obama the same people I talk to state things like "he`s a child", "he doesn`t understand Europe" and the worst comment, (again from my elder German friend) "HE`S NO LEADER"...

          You choose, but stop stating how great of a job your boy is doing, okay?

          #ixzz1w2cM5sio

          • 1 vote
          #59.1 - Sun May 27, 2012 1:32 AM EDT

          well now it s sunday . My Boys are 18 and 20 Both are attending College . I doubt very much that i' am as dumb as you think . Other than those 2 Boys , I have a pair of Step -sons that are both college Grads , from my first wife . So which Boy are you talking about ?

          • 1 vote
          #59.2 - Sun May 27, 2012 8:08 PM EDT

          Oh and BTW you did not answer the question . You DID however change the subject and start on a different rant . Great job .

          • 1 vote
          #59.3 - Sun May 27, 2012 8:14 PM EDT

          carpenter7 - isn't it fun trying to have a coherent discussion with the worst informed people in the US? I'm talking about you, Faux News listener. They think gullible is a real word and is in the dictionary.

          • 1 vote
          #59.4 - Sun May 27, 2012 10:49 PM EDT
          Reply

          Wrote a new article. Access it via my avatar. If you like it, post your comments. If you hate it, keep it to yourself.

          (I'm kidding, of course. Gimme the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly if you choose to comment.)

          • 1 vote
          Reply#61 - Sat May 26, 2012 11:41 PM EDT

          The top two are both the same. One is just a seed on the Vine for the other. Click the second one from the top: "Obama's Gay Marriage Stance: An Election Issue?"

          • 2 votes
          #61.2 - Sat May 26, 2012 11:52 PM EDT
          Reply

          Enjoy this holiday weekend . Never forget the Reason for this holiday . Our Service Men and Women Deserve No Less . Past Present and Future U.S. is the Best . Men and Women DIED rto give us the right to live our lives in Peace .

          Good Night All .

          • 3 votes
          Reply#63 - Sat May 26, 2012 11:48 PM EDT
          Reply

          Ol' HC is only 64?!?! Sheeeeeeez. October of 1947 was when the prehistoric Secretary of State joined the land of the living. I guess she's got a longer future than I thought.

          I'm heading out for the night in a couple minutes. Good night, folks, and happy Memorial Day.

          • 2 votes
          Reply#64 - Sat May 26, 2012 11:56 PM EDT

          I feel sorry for those cadets at both the Air Force Academy and West Point. They get two of the most despicable politicians to walk the earth. Both lie and do not know crap about patriotism or the real America. I am glad they will both be gone in 7 months.

          • 4 votes
          Reply#67 - Sun May 27, 2012 1:27 AM EDT

          Paul maybe Biden had an opportunity to explain his 5 deferrments in the 60s at the height of the Vietnam conflict.

          • 1 vote
          #67.1 - Sun May 27, 2012 8:32 AM EDT
          Reply

          Biden is just sucking up for votes.

          The more I look at him the more he reminds me of Bevis in "Bevis and Butthead". I guess his running mate would be Butthead. LOL

          • 3 votes
          Reply#68 - Sun May 27, 2012 2:59 AM EDT

          Biden at Westpoint really? Since he and Obama could not pass a grade 3rd grade math test maybe a kindergarden graduation would have been better.

            Reply#69 - Sun May 27, 2012 7:12 AM EDT

            Biden? Really? This guy is nothing more than entertainment. Being one heart beat away from the Oval Office demands more than this foolish little man possesses. But, in reality, its current occupant is nothing more than a foolish little man as well.

            • 1 vote
            Reply#70 - Sun May 27, 2012 7:52 AM EDT

            Our biggest challenge right now is tolerating the half-truths and BS coming out of the mouths of Biden and Obama for another 8 months.

            The good news is they'll both be leaving public housing after 8 months.

            • 1 vote
            Reply#71 - Sun May 27, 2012 8:25 AM EDT

            Joe "5 Deferrments in the 60s" Biden at West Point? Bet the cadets in attendance were impressed he was selected as the keynote speaker.

              Reply#72 - Sun May 27, 2012 8:34 AM EDT

              Kinda' like Mitt at Liberty College?

                #72.1 - Sun May 27, 2012 10:55 PM EDT
                Reply

                Biden has accomplished more in his life than all the posters making negatives comment about him combined!

                Biden is well respected by both parties, he is well versed in foreign affairs, well versed in the Consitution, well versed in the political system.

                Let's see who Romney picks for a VP....right now I can't see how any of the wet-behind-the-ears potential VP nominees causing Biden any concern on the debate stage....look at how corny, ill-breed, nonsensical Palin came across during VP debates....I doubt any of the current potential VP nominees could be as bad....but they won't get the better of Biden during a debate.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#73 - Sun May 27, 2012 9:49 AM EDT

                What? You can be dumber than a 5th grader and make Biden look bad. If Biden was smart - which he isn't - he'd stay out of the public eye as much as possible and let Obama get beat on his own.

                • 1 vote
                #73.1 - Sun May 27, 2012 10:38 AM EDT

                Biden is a several times elected Senator and Vice President of the United States. You remind me of all the people that called George W Bush dumb. What exactly have you don't with your overwhelming intellect?

                  #73.2 - Sun May 27, 2012 12:05 PM EDT

                  Thats odd because the one debate they had.. Sarah Palin spanked him so hard it was hilarious. I guess he must be kind of smart. After all, the Secret Service has to pay him to provide his security.

                  What a great guy! Charging rent of the same people protecting you and your family.

                  • 1 vote
                  #73.3 - Sun May 27, 2012 1:24 PM EDT

                  That depends on what you consider accomplished. It is different for everyone. Biden doesn't know how to speak to people. He speaks at them with disrespect. He doesn't exactly show his intelligence by cursing and putting his foot in his mouth. He has been the worst unaccomplished vice president America has had. Worst than Quayle!

                    #73.4 - Tue May 29, 2012 12:11 PM EDT
                    Reply

                    How in hell did these cadets keep from laughing at this clown? The man is totally clueless. Thank God this clown show ends in about 7 months.

                    • 1 vote
                    Reply#74 - Sun May 27, 2012 10:33 AM EDT

                    Just out of curiousity, why do you use the picture of a traitor as your portrait?

                    • 1 vote
                    #74.1 - Sun May 27, 2012 12:03 PM EDT

                    The South is rising again!!

                      #74.2 - Sun May 27, 2012 8:31 PM EDT
                      Reply

                      Simple facts

                      Republican economic policies have driven our economy into the dirt every time a Republican is in the Whitehouse

                      Reagan - Coined the phrase "Worst Recession since the Great Depression"
                      Bush Sr - Doubled it
                      Clinton - Balanced the budget, Provided a $200 billion surplus
                      Bush Jr - We still havn't recovered 4 years later
                      Obama - Add'd $5.6 TRILLION to our debt,,,,,$3 trillion the week he took office (Bush's undisclosed war debts) $2 trillion (Bush taxcuts) $1 trillion (Bush wars)

                      Republican warfare policies do not work,

                      Iraq, 10 years of war, Totally based on lies
                      Afghanistan, 10 years of war based on lies

                      I suggest we get rid of ALL Republicans in Government and I am not even a Democrat!!!!!

                      • 2 votes
                      Reply#75 - Sun May 27, 2012 11:06 AM EDT

                      Yeah right.. I look forward to these type of non-nonsensical posts. I always show them to my kids to warn them of the effects of drug abuse.

                      • 1 vote
                      #75.1 - Sun May 27, 2012 1:21 PM EDT

                      We do get a laugh from these ignorant numb nuts. Surprising since the Democrats have had control over the government for near 50 of the last 60 years. Common sense, which the liberals DO NOT HAVE, tells you the Democrats have done the major damage, while the Republicans have slightly tried to save what damage was done by the Dem's. People REFUSE to look at the FACTS!! If only liberals weren't anti American. Its up to the Republicans, Independents, Conservatives, and everyone not liberal to save AMERICA from communism or pre WW ll Germany!

                        #75.2 - Tue May 29, 2012 12:22 PM EDT
                        Reply

                        "Yes weed can

                        Barack Obama in dope"

                        smoking gang at school"

                        LMAO....this is plain just funny!

                        http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4340353/Yes-weed-can-Biography-alleges-that-the-US-President-Barack-Obama-used-to-smoke-pot.html

                          Reply#76 - Sun May 27, 2012 1:05 PM EDT

                          obama/Biden will use any event as a campaign speech. Amazed he didn't charge the Cadets $50,000.00/plate for him to "speak" at their commencement.

                          • 4 votes
                          Reply#77 - Sun May 27, 2012 1:26 PM EDT

                          Joe Biden is a genuine person who speaks from the heart as is President Obama. How can ANYONE choose that greasy, slimy weasel Mitt Romney with whatever republican scum runs with him?

                          • 1 vote
                          Reply#78 - Sun May 27, 2012 1:48 PM EDT

                          Given the corruption, pay off and under-the-table deals of the Obama administration, genuine a$$ is a great description of these two.

                          why is is it the left cannot make a simple statement without constant electioneering and name calling?

                          If they are so genuine why did obama just bomb a family in Afghanistan and kill six children?

                          • 5 votes
                          #78.1 - Sun May 27, 2012 2:05 PM EDT

                          leroy are liberals like you born dumb or do you have to go to retardation schools to become like you?

                          • 2 votes
                          #78.2 - Mon May 28, 2012 5:54 AM EDT

                          If they are so genuine why did obama just bomb a family in Afghanistan and kill six children?

                          Why not? They would have grown up to be terrorists or poppy growers anyway. The rightwingers lack the vision and understanding to grasp that reality. They are still pissed that bin Laden was wiped out before they could separate him from his fortune.

                            #78.3 - Mon May 28, 2012 1:21 PM EDT
                            Reply

                            "At West Point, Biden touts foreign policy, warns of new challenges"

                            As long as we have nitwits like Biden running the government the challenges will be immense.

                            • 6 votes
                            Reply#79 - Sun May 27, 2012 1:54 PM EDT

                            This man Biden is another liar because if he were honest would not speak of new challenges around the world... If, he were honest he would have told the men and woman the U.S. doesn't want peace and the government has no desire to stop creating wars and killing people. He is a damn joke just like everyone else both Democrat's and Republicans.

                              Reply#80 - Sun May 27, 2012 1:56 PM EDT
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