Letters to the Editor
-
This is not news...
Hillary has always made clear that she will end the war RESPONSIBLY. And she has been careful not to give a timetable for complete withdrawal. What part of that message were people not listening to?
-
There's a reason she's never said that vote was mistake
And I don't count that weasle moment at the end of the last debate. (I would take that vore back...yeah, it was a political miscalculation for her). If she's the nominee she'll do a 180 degree turn and go toe to toe with John McCain over Iraq. "Ill win this war smarter" I can hear her now.
She's mever disavowed that vote or said it was a mistake because she's more than willing to play any side of the issue that she feels will benefit her at a particular moment. No soul there at all.
-
I hope she loses
I hope she loses on Tuesday. I hope she is forced to concede to Obama and the Democrats have a chance to put forward a positive and united effort against John McCain.
And I hope, every day, she is reminded that her cynical vote to authorize the war in Iraq is what ultimately kept her from her lifelong dream.
-
Hillary
She's full of shit.
-
"Regardless of the Consequences"
"I have no doubts whatsoever that if she were president in January '09 she would not act irresponsibly and issue orders to conduct an immediate withdrawal from Iraq, regardless of the consequences, and squander the gains that have been made."
Has either Obama or Clinton stated that they would conduct an "immediate withdrawal ... regardless of the consequences"? What candidate would ever promise to do anything "regardless of the consequences" and why would we want to elect someone so reckless?
Oh, wait. I just remembered McCain would have us stay till victory even if it takes a hundred years.
I'm still happy with either Obama or Clinton.
-
But what about Afghanistan?
I think Democrats need to keep Republicans from leaving Afghanistan out of these discussions about what do to with Iraq.
Remember 9/11. I don't feel that prioritizing Iraq over Afghanistan is a decision that protects this country.
The chaos in Afghanistan is destabilizing for Pakistan and Pakistan has nuclear weapons that are real and are not just some dictator's fantasy.
If we have to choose, then we need to choose Afghanistan. It would really be disgusting and dangerous for us to lose that war because of Iraq.
-
straitjackets
I was nervous when both Obama and Clinton got strong-armed into giving specific "end-the-war" strategies at one of the earlier debates, long before either had enough information for such foolish projections. (And they won't get enough information until after inauguration). The kind of gotcha mentality of moderators like Tim Russert has resulted in impulsive statements that have now become working policy positions.
I'm one of those Dems who's not sure whether we should yank everybody out right away. I was vehemently against the war (and am voting for Obama for that reason), but I distinguish between the decision to go in and the subsequent decisions once in. I agree with those who have predicted that these promises by both candidates will blow up in the face of whomever gets to the White House.
At any rate, it seems unfair to hold Clinton responsible for someone else's interpretation of her words and record. Count me among the disappointed that Obama would exploit this issue.
-
Pentagon generals providing ammunition for Obama?
In addition to the plum tossed to him by Gen. Keane, Gen. Casey - who heads the Joint Chiefs - said last week that Obama's claim during the Austin debate that soldiers had been sent to Afghanistan without proper arms was probably true. And now another general appears in one of Obama's last-minute TV ads today in Texas defending Obama's record on Afghanistan. Doesn't it strike anyone as a little bit strange that the Pentagon has jumped into the Democratic primary to lobby for the self-described agent of change who says he always opposed the Iraq War and believes it was waged carelessly? It makes you wonder who they're really worried about winning in November.
-
Punish Her for Her Vote
I would like to know how many other congressional members will be/have been kicked out of office solely on the criteria of the Iraq "war vote." ("Support for," "funding of," and "war unpopularity with the public" do not count as criteria.)
I pose that with neither sarcasm nor capriciousness. I genuinely want to know.
-
@saintzak
My feelings exactly.
-
Obama's response is a lie. He'll withdraw on Day 1, regardless of consequences??!!
Obama's response is deceitful. He calls the guy an "advisor", but he is not. And Obama incorrectly restates what the person said, shortening it to: "she won't withdraw", instead of the truth of it, which is she won't withdraw without consideration of the effects of that, and consideration of what is best for America and Iraq.
Obama apparently objects to considering the how and when to withdraw and what effect that might have. I guess Obama's position is immediate withdrawal, regardless of the consequences. That's shows the same lack of wisdom and consideration that got us into the war.
But wait, does anybody really believe Obama will just immediately withdraw all troops? If that's what his supporters believe, they're in for a disappointment if he wins. We'll be stuck with Iraq, with at least a few thousand soldiers, for another five years at least.
When it comes to honesty and hypocrisy, the two candidates are equal - both guilty sometimes. When it comes to having any specific plans, Hillary wins hands down. But Obama will be the nominee anyway. If elected, we'll see how well he matches his actions to his campaign rhetoric. Expect to be disappointed.
-
"does anybody really believe Obama will just immediately withdraw all troops?"
Oh, I do. Absolutely. It will be like the rapture. One moment they will be there and then poof! Obama has special powers.
Clinton, on the other hand, will only begin withdrawing them within 60 days. This is because she has normal, practical powers.
And when we begin withdrawing and there is a bloodbath on the evening news as Shites begin taking out Sunnis, even women and children, President Clinton will stick out her chin and deal with the outrage. She may even take measures to protect human life and the withdrawal will go slowly.
Obama on the other hand: Whoosh! The blood bath be damned! It is the rapture that matters.