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The Beau Biden Question

Posted by PATRICK EDABURN in Politics, War.
Aug 23rd, 2008 | View Comments

One of the little side-stories to the selection of Senator Joe Biden as Barack Obama’s running mate is that of his son Beau. I often am in disagreement with Senator Biden on issues and I suspect the same would be true of his son. But there is an aspect of his life for which I have the greatest respect, though it also raises some serious questions.

Beau Biden is 37 years old and, since 2007, he has served as Attorney General of Delaware. It is widely expected that, if his dad is elected Vice-President, he will be appointed to fill the vacancy. But Beau is also a Captain in the Delaware Army National Guard and, as such, he is scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in October as a JAG officer.

When he was going as the son of a prominent United States Senator, there were some questions raised about his safety and the safety of his fellow soldiers. But other Senators have children or other relatives serving and it was considered to be acceptable for him to go ahead and serve.

But now he would be going as the son of the Vice President (or potential Vice President) of the United States. This raises things to a whole new level and merits serious discussion. Terrorists would love to target such an opportunity to either kill or kidnap such a high-profile figure. Just as the British faced the question when it came to Prince Harry we must consider this dilemma right now.

It is not simply a matter of Captain Biden’s personal safety (though obviously the safety of any soldier is important). It is a matter of the risk to those around him, those who would be potential collateral damage in an attack on Biden. The JAG Corps does not often face serious threats from outside attack but, with Biden there, it would be a real possibility.

I honor Captain Biden for his service and consider pride in his defense of our country to be a non-partisan issue. Should he serve, then we should all take pride in his doing so, should it be decided that it is too dangerous, nobody should offer a word of disdain.

I am no military expert and I will leave the ultimate decision to those who are better suited to decide. I simply think that there needs to be a discussion and there needs to be a decision.

  • StockBoySF
    I think that Beau should serve in Afghanistan until his Dad is the VP in waiting. Then there can be further discussion. If he is tapped to replace his father as Senator from DE, then he can serve as Senator. Even with his father on the prez. ticket I think Beau should serve.
  • I would be very upset at either side making political games out of this. We are not looking at protecting the sons, it is an issue of protecting the troops around them as well.

    As to McCains son, I do think he should come home too. There are simply too many risks to the troops around him when he would be such a major target
  • Mike_P
    Whoops, got my wars mixed up! Actually, I'm not sure if there is a "Green Zone" type area in Afghanistan.
  • CStanley
    McCain's son is already in Iraq. Are you suggesting that he should be sent home if McCain wins the election?
  • superdestroyer
    If CPT Biden does not go, the Democrats will open themselves up to the same calls of Chickenhawk that they have been using on the Republicans. Remember, the Democrats have been very effective is saying that the elite Republicans would not send their children to SWA. Now, if the coming Obama Administrations wants to double down in Afghanistan while keeping families members of high ranking members of its Adminsitration home, it will look at morally bankrupt as the current Bush Administration.

    My guess is that CPT Biden will never see Afghanistan, that was is left of the Repubicans after November will point out the hypocrisy, and most left of center bloggers will adopt the White House spin to explain it all away. I guess just like progressive never send their children to pubic schools or public universities, they will not send their children to war.
  • DdW
    Well-put and well intended. Let's hope that when this gets discussed in the media, and by the pundits, the same common sense and objectivity will prevail...regardless of the decision.
  • kryon77
    Young Biden is going to Afghanistan, not Iraq. Is there a "green zone" in that war?
  • Mike_P
    I'd guess that as a JAG officer Capt. Biden will be in the Green Zone, or some other similarly fortified area, rather than stationed with an infantry unit.
  • All I can think of is Prince Harry...
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