Firstly, I'm trying to point out that he doesn't fit the stereotype of that "washington insider" everyone's so concerned about. Secondly, please, don't throw any credibility you might have accrued in this thread away by inferring that Biden is secretly a racist because he speaks without thinking. When you talk that much, on the record, you're going to slip up sometime. Thirdly, you're comparing Biden to Bush? Who the hell has voted with Bush 90% of the time since 07 and 95% in 2008? Come on. Fourthly, it's not a "three-state" plan so much as a regional one:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/23/AR2006082301419.html
Excerpt:
"This plan is consistent with Iraq's constitution, which already
provides for the country's 18 provinces to join together in regions,
with their own security forces and control over most day-to-day issues.
This plan is the only idea on the table for dealing with the militias,
which are likely to retreat to their respective regions instead of
engaging in acts of violence. This plan is consistent with a strong
central government that has clearly defined responsibilities. Indeed,
it provides an agenda for that government, whose mere existence will
not end sectarian violence. This plan is not partition -- in fact, it
may be the only way to prevent violent partition and preserve a unified
Iraq.To be sure, this plan presents real challenges, especially
with regard to large cities with mixed populations. We would maintain
Baghdad as a federal city, belonging to no one region. And we would
require international peacekeepers for other mixed cities to support
local security forces and further protect minorities. The example of
Bosnia is illustrative, if not totally analogous. Ten years ago, Bosnia
was being torn apart by ethnic cleansing. The United States stepped in
decisively with the Dayton Accords to keep the country whole by,
paradoxically, dividing it into ethnic federations. We even allowed
Muslims, Croats and Serbs to retain separate armies. With the help of
U.S. troops and others, Bosnians have lived a decade in peace. Now they
are strengthening their central government and disbanding their
separate armies."
I do respect his credentials and note that he has a deeper understanding of the politics of the region than McCain (see repeated Sunni - Shiite confusion there). I still prefer Bill Richardson, but from where I sit, Joe has a good head on his shoulders.