Arianna Huffington Calls For Joe Biden's Resignation

It's the "principle" of the thing and we all know what a principled guy Joe Biden is, right?

During George W. Bush's presidency, Vice President Dick Cheney was often portrayed as the hawk behind the wars that were launched in Iraq and Afghanistan. The old White House is a contrast to the new one where Vice President Joe Biden is apparently the dove for peace behind President Barack Obama as Obama tries to decide whether or not to escalate the war in Afghanistan. That's according to numerous news sources, including a Newsweek article that caught the attention of Arianna Huffington, columnist/publisher of the left-leaning Huffington Post Web site.

She writes today that "if the president decides to escalate, Biden, for the good of the country, should escalate his willingness to act on his 'deep reservations' and resign."

Giving reasons why Biden ought to resign, she continues: "Generations to come will be grateful if he does, instead of following the pattern of 'opposition' we've become all-too-accustomed to. You know the drill: after the dust settles, the mea-culpa-laden books start to come out, and suddenly we hear how forceful this or that official was behind closed doors, arguing against the war, then going home each night distraught at the unnecessary loss of life. Well, how about making the mea culpa unnecessary? Instead of saving it for the book, Biden can unfetter his conscience when it can actually do some good for the country."

Huffington notes that the Newsweek profile highlights Biden's role as a "team player" in the White House, noting that he initially dissented on how to handle the conflict in Afghanistan, but "quickly got on board."

Writes Huffington: "I have no doubt that Joe Biden is a loyal guy -- the question is who deserves his loyalty most? His 'team' isn't the White House, but the whole country. And if it becomes clear in the coming days that his loyalty to these two teams is in conflict, he should do the right thing. And quit."