DemDebate: Biden says he opposed the surge in Afghanistan

Sanders to Biden: You're also the guy that led us into the disastrous war in Iraq

Joe Biden

Joe Biden, who was vice president during the Obama-era troop surge in Afghanistan, was asked to respond to America's failures there and what he'd do next. The question comes days after the Washington Post published a scathing report about how U.S. officials over three administrations misled the American people about how poorly the war was going.

Biden said he had opposed the surge in Afghanistan.

"Rebuilding that country as a whole nation is beyond our capacity," Biden said.

The former vice president said he would send all combat troops home, negotiate with the Taliban, and keep some special forces on the ground.

Sanders jumped into the debate.

"You're also the guy that led us into the disastrous war in Iraq," Former White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said to Biden. "What we need to rethink is the entire war on terror."

However, Sanders apologised for tweet mocking Biden during debate. who has been open about overcoming his own stutter -- appeared to imitate a stuttering child to relay how he connects to people.

Sanders' apology came after she tweeted, "I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I hhhave absolutely no idea what Biden is talking about," prompting the former vice president to tweet, "I've worked my whole life to overcome a stutter. And it's my great honor to mentor kids who have experienced the same. It's called empathy. Look it up."

"I actually didn't know that about you and that is commendable," Sanders said in response. "I apologize and should have made my point respectfully."
Sanders deleted the original tweet.

Biden has long been open about overcoming his stutter to become an effective public speaker. He told The Atlantic in a recent profile that his verbal stumbles were "the best thing that ever happened" to him.
"Stuttering gave me an insight I don't think I ever would have had into other people's pain," he told the magazine.

Still on Troops in Foreign missions: Buttigieg agreed that the troops need to come home, noting that when he left Afghanistan, years ago, he thought he was one of the last troops turning off the lights.

It should be noted that withdrawing American troops from foreign missions especially from Syria and ending war in Afghan are part of the priorities of President Donald Trump.

Biden entered Thursday's debate holding onto the lead in the race for the Democratic nomination with the backing of 26% of registered voters who are Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents, according to a new CNN Poll.


Read: With Or Without A Peace Agreement, US Defense Secretary Wants To Cut US Troops In Afghan