Quad-City Times - Biden Asks Activists to Ignore Polls

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In the midst of answering a question Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., is handed a note.

He says he's being told U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte is on the phone wanting to know about his talks earlier in the day with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

"He'll have to wait a few minutes," Biden said.

If Biden wanted an exhibit in his case that he's the Democratic presidential candidate with the most experience, Negroponte may have given it to him -- at least as far as the audience of more than 120 at The Hat restaurant in Davenport is concerned.

Biden trails in the polls, but he pleaded with activists Tuesday to ignore pundits and support him because of his experience, especially with foreign affairs.

"This is complicated stuff," Biden, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said. "It can't be handled with bumper sticker slogans."

Biden said he's the only candidate with a plan to end the war, having proposed separating Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish factions. And he defended his decision to vote in May to fund the war.

"Even while I'm ending it, I intend on protecting the troops as I'm taking them out," he said.

He said the war "literally is paralyzing us. ... We've got to settle this."

Biden, a champion of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle, toured Alcoa's Davenport Works on Tuesday as part of his trip to the Quad-Cities.

Alcoa has a contract to provide rolled aluminum for the MRAP vehicle.

He said the plant and its workers are "saving lives" with their work.

Biden said Tuesday that he made clear to Musharraf, with whom he spoke earlier in the day, that it's important to restore the constitution and continue with the country's elections, which are scheduled for January.

Musharraf imposed emergency rule on Saturday, cracking down on media, the courts and opposition leaders.

"It is clear to me from our conversation that President Musharraf understands the consequences for his country and for relations with the United States if he does not return Pakistan to the path of democracy," Biden said.

Biden was on the final day of a three-day swing through the state.

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