PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) – Presidential hopeful Joe Biden on Thursday told New Hampshire voters their high oil costs are to be blamed on the Bush administration’s policies in the Middle East.
The Delaware Democrat also said all other domestic programs are handcuffed until the war in Iraq is over and oil costs come under control. He said the economy is being driven by the war in Iraq and unease in the Middle East.
“Here at home, our future is being mortgaged. Imagine what I can do with the $1.5 billion per month that that we’re spending in Iraq. $1.5 billion,” Biden said, promising health care and education for children.
“How can our national security not lie in further educating our children?”
Biden’s comments come as the Delaware Democrat escalates his criticism of the temporary increase of troops in Iraq.
In recent days, Biden has called the claims that the surge is succeeding a “fantasy” because the surge is not producing political reconciliation in Iraq.
“People are betting on the long-term price of oil and they anticipate supply interruption,” he said. “At the pump, the difference between paying $3 a gallon instead of a little over 2 means a lot to middle class people. It’s a big darned deal filling up their tank.”
He said much of that income goes to U.S. enemies, including the Iranian government and propping up their president: “It’s hard to think of a more self-defeating foreign policy.”
There is no evidence the president’s surge is working, Biden said.
“There is no evidence – I emphasize, none – that that is happening. And there is no evidence – none – that it will happen, so long as the Bush administration and those who support it continue to cling to the failed strategy of thinking it’s possible to set up a strong central government in Baghdad capable of winning the support of all the Iraq people,” Biden said.
Biden instead favors dividing Iraq into three self-governing regions rather than trying to unify it under a strong central government.
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