Biden Leaves Country in Middle of Budget Talks, Obama Sees Nothing Wrong

This administration takes us for fools, although Obama is probably right in saying Biden's absence doesn't matter a single iota.

From Washington Times (3/4/2011):

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. walked out of Thursday's high-stakes negotiations to stop a government shutdown and said the conversations will continue — but he won't actually be part of them since he leaves this weekend for major negotiations with European leaders.

President Obama on Wednesday tapped Mr. Biden, his "sheriff" on the stimulus, to lead negotiations with Congress, though Mr. Biden already had a prearranged trip scheduled to visit Finland, Russia and Moldova next week.

The White House dismissed worries about his absence, saying it would not be an impediment.

"There's no question that our entire budget team stands ready to talk, negotiate, work non-stop starting now to get this done within the two-week CR, if it's possible," said Gene B. Sperling, Mr. Obama's top economic adviser, as he briefed reporters at the White House ahead of Thursday's meeting.

After Democrats said he needed to get more involved in the spending negotiations, Mr. Obama on Wednesday said he would send a high-level team up to begin talking with congressional leaders about a way to finish the 2011 spending bills, which Democrats left undone at the end of the last Congress.

Mr. Biden, who served more than two decades in the Senate before being elected vice president on Mr. Obama's ticket, convened the first meeting Thursday evening in his ceremonial office.

The leaders emerged after an hour saying nothing about how it went. A short time later, Mr. Biden's office issued what all had agreed would be the only statement made.

"We had a good meeting, and the conversation will continue," the vice president said.

Government shut-down? It will be a good thing. We shouldn't be paying for anything that these clowns do (or don't do) at the White House and Congress.

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