October 12, 2007
Posted: 08:45 AM ET

Sen. Sam Brownback will join Sen. Joe Biden in Iowa on Friday to discuss their Iraq plan.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The Oscar and Felix of politics? Sen. Joe Biden, D-Delaware, and Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, would be strong contenders for “The Political Odd Couple of the Year Award” – if one existed.

Biden is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, while Brownback is running for the GOP presidential nod. On matters of policy, they don’t share that much in common – except what to do about Iraq.

So, the two presidential hopefuls will meet up in Des Moines, Iowa, Friday to talk about their plan to bring stability to the war torn nation. Specifically, the two senators will discuss their legislation that calls for decentralizing Iraq's federal government and giving more control to local and regional groups. Their amendment passed easily in the Senate last week.

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“Partisan politics must not come in the way of finding a solution to the war in Iraq,” Biden said in a statement. "The overwhelming majority of Americans want us to get our troops out of Iraq as quickly as possible without leaving chaos behind.”

Brownback added, "Joe and I might be running for the nomination of two different parties, but we agree on one thing: the American people want progress in Iraq and this represents a viable way forward to stability and success. Decentralizing power in Iraq offers the best chance for Iraqis to live in a peaceful, united country where they can resolve their differences. It is time to begin the political surge we desperately need to help stabilize Iraq so we can get our troops out of harm's way.”

– CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

Filed under: Iowa • Iraq • Joe Biden • Sam Brownback


William Courtland, Waterford, Ontario   October 14th, 2007 12:59 pm ET

Cy, Flemington NJ

http://www.isx-iq.net

Now that was established before the action of arrest against Saddam. So, I hope that permits my life as suicide is against my moral conscience.

-

I have never owned an I-pod and would expect a musician to gain only .05 dollars per song when sold to the public or per radio play in a world with that medium, no more than a street performer; just with greater volume, and one is hired for a concert venue.

Movies in America, I know the back ground of science fiction better than many of the concept writers.

A computer? I have never purchased one, and do not own the one I type at now, but it is impractical to watch the destruction of the earth, comfortable as an Amish Mennonite.

Automobiles, I Don't have a license even in a town.

As for savings accounts, the Idea of that verses the 401k is the stock market removed from the distribution cycle creates inflation and those with a 401k ride inflation to make currency, so rob the government treasury.

Television is the easiest method of learning, it holding audio, text, and visual elements.
Coca-cola is meant to have cocaine in it for preventing special dysphasia of the inner ear on long duration space missions-over five years. Otherwise carbonated phosphoric acid works well on whole oats cereal.

Alcohol is used in the cooking process and helps clean and destroy the cell wall of meats to dissolve the ribonucleic acids and other enzymes in attempts to better chemically break down what is to be digested before it is ingested, so making it safer to ingest.

I really only eat Cheese and drink Apple juice as a regular staple, and have not visited a fast food restaurant since requiring withdrawals from that protein bank in High-school.

I would prefer either a high rise with all the amenities in the basement, or a greater down town of select product groups with informed merchants.

I would live in a hut, but trespassing laws and the right to take from the earth what I require is also hindered by general society.

I Really just got frustrated with the fact that the entire political system seems to have disintegrated and in Iraq the only thing anyone can be guaranteed is the freedom to seek one's leave of a method of society in both religion and government. The corporation is not a bad idea, but I do believe in the populist-union method in corporate regards.

Hello and Have a good day.

DJ, Los Angeles, CA   October 12th, 2007 5:03 pm ET

This is much to do with nothing. All that would happen is Iraq would turn into a completely segregrated and isolated peoples with no incentive to maintain any degree of centralized government.

Let Iraqi's determine their own fate and quit spending my hard-earned tax money paying on corporate welfare for Blackwater security, Halliburton and Oil Monopoly subsidies.

Dave from THE state of Texas   October 12th, 2007 2:56 pm ET

Speaking of narrow minded: Hi Pat!

Matt, New York, New York   October 12th, 2007 12:14 pm ET

Amazing! Truly Amazing! Only in America could you combine the worst Republican running for president with the worst Democrat and call it progress. Let’s get the religious nut and the plagiarist to partition themselves from the race before we even talk about partitioning Iraq.

Robert, Shelton CT   October 12th, 2007 12:03 pm ET

I agree with their plan for Iraq, and it is really nice to see these politicans coming and working on a common issue…most of the Senate, especially the old ones like Ted Stevens would never do this.

Kudos to Biden and Brownback for at least making an attempt for the nations greater good.

Chris, FL   October 12th, 2007 11:48 am ET

This is why it doesn't matter who you vote for, they're all the same. They all want to destroy America.

Cy, Flemington NJ   October 12th, 2007 11:38 am ET

I've never heard a plan to establish capitalism in Iraq, only the need to instill more personal freedoms in a region of the world where rights are few and far between.
If you think that somehow America is trying to determine Iraq's tax structure and I guess in your idea, maybe a Bagdad Stock Exchange then please show me some proof or commit suicide immediately.
I'm going to assume you think the people of Iraq deserve more personal freedom and are trying to be humorous by assuming America thinks Iraq will only function with big corporations – maybe a Starbucks on every corner of Bagdad.
Even though it was a huge assumption and painful to assume you were trying to make a point, let’s think about this logically. Big Bad Corporations, I know William, they are scary. Target, Macy’s, McDonald’s all are big corporations now because of, believe it or not, reasons. Companies like this succeed because people like their product because it’s cheaper or better. Read a business case about how a company goes from good to great using supply chain management, economies of scale, or innovation. These companies do this for “profits” because people generally don’t put money in their 401K and say “Wouldn’t it be great today if the companies I put my retirement savings in stopped growing and lost me money. That would be neat”. If you don’t think these Big Bad Corporations offer a service then please never again buy an ipod, watch a movie made in America, buy a computer, buy a car, open a savings or checking account at any big bank, watch TV, drink a coke, or buy a beer. If you can find more people like yourself and form a coalition of nitwits you can decide to stop going to doing these things and these companies will move out of your town.
Matter of fact just live in a hut with no electricity or running water before being a hypocrite by trying to choose which big corporations you gladly make part of your every day life and which ones you are going to bash. While you’re doing that I’ll go around to all the small businesses out there and tell them if they’ve come up with a new product or aspirations to expand to become the next Apple to stop, there will be none of that here, William has put his foot down.

Pat, Huntington, NY   October 12th, 2007 10:40 am ET

Brownback is a homophobic racist flat-earth believing, evolution denying, idiot who doesn't deserve any attention. How dare Biden even associate with some so narrowminded as this guy.

Tom - Dedham, Mass   October 12th, 2007 10:27 am ET

This is why Biden get's a lot more respect at this address than what's her name.

He is smart and a lot more experienced than "her", and this idea should at least be considered.

I wish out country always ran like this, I know that it wil never happen, but instead of 2 PARTIES running the country, how ABOUT GOOD IDEAS from SMART people.

Mark R. Fort Lauderdale FL   October 12th, 2007 9:59 am ET

Haven't we done enough? I don't know how much more of our good will and great ideas that Iraq can take! It's time to leave-now!

Evan, Milwaukee   October 12th, 2007 9:57 am ET

Posted By Christian, Tampa FL: "but it would be sad to create the perception that the United States entered into the occupation of one country and left it with three countries."

Why would that be sad? The British did the opposite 75 years ago. To me it would be returning things to how they should be.

Rodney Dallas TX   October 12th, 2007 9:25 am ET

They might as well schedule something in their future….neither are headed for the White House.

Matt, Boston, MA   October 12th, 2007 9:15 am ET

If we buy into the administration's line for a moment that Iraq is a sovereign nation we're only there to support, then what business do we have declaring how Iraq should be carved up? Shouldn't they be able to decide for themselves how to govern their country?

Ah, but if we actually let the Iraqi gov't make their own decisions, we'd have to honor their wish to expel Blackwater, their right to give visas even to Iranians we're trying to vilify, and even let them *gasp* keep the money from their own oil.

Hey White House, how's the whole having your cake and eating it too thing going?

William Courtland, Waterford, Ontario   October 12th, 2007 2:53 am ET

There was a plan of perfection once provided for the global conscious, but those of ill conscience wanted freedom from it; so, politics and religion were born in attempts to fix the problems arising of the disobedience.

As Walmart comment was an ‘old joke’: Iraq: ask a future seeing psychic what happens in a taken(now-missing) future of Iraq; then govern by that vision like a Vizier in the failing pre-Moses Egypt; then tell a new Moses where to go.

I wonder if creating a place of war is not just a way of scratching an original mark away from that pre-planned conscience intent, or, if it is done in attempts to correct the past mistakes.

For those who do not believe in destiny (and non-belief of fate is a free choice) what can be done with true freedom but sin? And considering the lack of forensic evidence who can claim this isn’t just part of the plan in teaching a sentient species. God was a man, but I currently know of a Universe so I might think to now blame that or imprecate to it.

Daniel, NY   October 12th, 2007 2:40 am ET

New poll out of Virginia has Mark Warner holding a massive lead in the Senate race!

William Courtland, Waterford, Ontario   October 12th, 2007 2:03 am ET

Or, set the real benchmark.

To leave once a Walmart, a Target, a Macy's, and every regular American fast-food chain has been established in Baghdad, with English as a second language and all without oil tax revenue gained of a protectorate state, and it left with a forever formal partisan government.

That was not sarcasm.

William Courtland, Waterford, Ontario   October 12th, 2007 1:55 am ET

Claim Iraq for the United States then with the same statement without a period donate Iraq to the United Nations.

Then leave; directly into Sudan.

please tell me you're not serious, franklin, TN   October 12th, 2007 1:07 am ET

Even though this may sound like a nice armchair solution from the states – it is not practical on many levels. Oil sharing revenue for one, mixed neighborhoods for another (not to mention mixed marriages, etc.) Do people really think these people will get along with the existence of an invisible boundary seen only on a map?? Not to mention, I don't think the country of Iraq wants the US to simply tell them to break apart into 3 countries. If they wanted that for themselves, they would have done it for now.

What this shows me is that Biden and Brownback are incredibly limited in their thinking and have a very shallow understanding of the complexity of Iraq. Props for doing something bi-partisan, but they sound like amateur hour at the big game.

Joe, Yorktown, VA   October 12th, 2007 12:49 am ET

I like when politicians from two parties work together to solve America's problems. Reminds me of the fundamentals this country was built upon.

Ron   October 12th, 2007 12:24 am ET

Well, at least these 2 people have come up with a sensible approach to getting our troups out of Iraq. I don't know if it'll work, but it's worth a try.

Christian, Tampa FL   October 12th, 2007 12:19 am ET

While I don't fully agree with Biden and Brownback about their plan, I'm glad to see this bipartisan effort.

The partition plan is better than some of the alternatives, but it would be sad to create the perception that the United States entered into the occupation of one country and left it with three countries.

Patrick, Tulsa Oklahoma   October 11th, 2007 11:42 pm ET

I would love a republican and democrat to run together on the same ticket. In 2004 it was rumored that Kerry and McCain considered running together. It would be very good for our country.

Pat, Tampa, FL   October 11th, 2007 11:28 pm ET

Iraq is a sovereign nation, as of June 2004. The U.S. Congress has no legal authority to decentralize Iraq's government. So, I assume this is just a resolution to put pressure on the Iraqis. Does it carry any muscle? It not, it's kind of pointless.

Jim Wills - Geyserville, CA   October 11th, 2007 11:21 pm ET

Last week the jokes at the poker game were all about the "wide stance" of one of our Senators from Idaho

but this week Counter Coulter jokes will be flying from the Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Athiests, Hindu and Pagan players that are all happy, tolerant and American.

This over educated harpie has no wisdom.

laurinda,ny   October 11th, 2007 10:37 pm ET

Mr. Republicans: What's up dweebs? I bet you little bookworms sit up all night writing your dorky little tid bits and around 2 pm you start your postings. Your posting times are to short in between. See, the dem caught on. Like everybody is going to get up at two o'clock in the morning and start posting. Were you in the same classroom as your idol Bush?

Sue in Michigan   October 11th, 2007 9:46 pm ET

This is a good idea, except that Iraq doesn't want anything to do with OUR plans for their nation's government! What right do we have to pass resolutions telling them what to do? Oh, wait, maybe the billions of dollars and thousands of lives count for something? Nope, if we truly mean what we say, they have to choose and implement their our plan..

midnight, bay st louis, ms   October 11th, 2007 9:27 pm ET

My god, say a prayer and act. thank god we had general George Patton kick some nazi butt. Way to much thinking in America today. Wake up people smell the roses. Whatever it takes we finish this war in our lives not our grandkids lives.Way to many cowards and weak people in America today.Read your history folks!!!! Support our troops and go forwrd.

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