VP Biden argues the government must focus more heavily on solving unemployment problem

Biden: Time to give more attention to jobs problem

WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden says he’s confident the various factions in Iraq will form a workable coalition and bring stability to the country now that the U.S. combat role there has ended.

Interviewed Tuesday morning on network news shows from Iraq, Biden said the Obama administration owes it to America’s troops to “make sure transition works.” He said he wouldn’t want to have to explain to parents that the battle wasn’t worth it.

Answering a question, he said it was appropriate for President Barack Obama to also address the economy in his speech. Biden said, “Our ability to maintain our national security is in fact dependent on the economy.”

He appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” CBS’s “The Early Show,” and NBC’s “Today” program.