D.C. Bjt biasing question
it would seem R2 has to chosen so that adequate current drive is
  present for the base emitter junction to conduct property


Yes this is very true and the rule of thumb is that the current that flows though R1 and R2 should be about ten times higher than that current that flows into the base (determined by beta and Re). This rule of thumb means you can estimate R1 and R2 without considering base current and this estimation yields the volage at the base.

That base voltage then determines emitter voltage (about 0.7 volt lower than the base) and that voltage divided by Re tells you the current that largely flows through Rc. This of course is chosen (in most circumstances) to position the quiescent collector voltage at about 50% of Vcc.

Having said all that, there are exceptions to the rule of thumb especially when you want a more accurate positioning of the quiescent colelctor voltage and value tweaks will be made; you can consider the loading effect of the base current on the potential divider formed by R1 and R2 and make an adjustment to one of those resistors in order to reposition the quiescent collector voltage.

Or you bite the bullet and learn how to use a sim tool like LTSpice (free of course). But it always helps to understand the underlying trends.