Schweitzer Raises Specter Of Clinton's Iraq War Vote In Iowa

[DonViejo]

CATHERINE THOMPSON – DECEMBER 19, 2013, 8:10 AM EST

Former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) seems to be doing all he can lately to differentiate himself from presumed 2016 frontrunner Hillary Clinton while fueling speculation about his own presidential ambitions.

After a Weekly Standard interview highlighted comments Schweitzer made suggesting the former secretary of state might take a turn to the "hard right" politically, the former governor took an implicit shot Wednesday at Clinton's voting record.

“Anybody who runs in this cycle, whether they are Democrats or Republicans, if they were the United States Senate and they voted with George Bush to go to Iraq when I would say about 98 percent of America knows that it was a folly, that it was a waste of treasure and blood, and if they voted to go to Iraq there will be questions for them on the left and from the right,” Schweitzer told CNN after speaking to Iowa Democrats.

The former governor did not mention Clinton by name, according to CNN. Clinton voted for the authorization of military force in Iraq while serving as a Democratic senator from New York.

:::snip:::

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/schweitzer-raises-specter-of-clinton-s-iraq-war-vote-in-iowa

[TwilightGardener]

1. Really, if he wanted to knock her around, he should bring up her full-throated support

of the surge in Afghanistan. Because that achieved next to nothing, but Bob Gates and Gen P and McChystal really, really wanted it.

[mikekohr]

2. Schweitzer/Warren 2016 -the dream team- nt

[davidpdx]

3. I don't really know what to think of Schweizer

[bigdarryl]

4. He's a Progressive WTF!! do you mean you don't know what to think of him

[davidpdx]

6. I should say I don't know a lot about him

Of course if he were to run I'd consider him, but I'd have to learn more.

[polichick]

7. I don't know much about him either - should be interesting to see...

what he's up to.

[davidpdx]

9. I'll keep my mind open about him

There are three or four possibilities besides the person that everyone is trying to say is our last great hope.

[geek tragedy]

5. that issue has already been litigated

And yeah, she was dreadfully wrong with that, and that's why I supported Obama over her in 2008.

But, get some new material, governor. Especially since I don't recall footage of Schweitzer leading anti-war protests. I mean, great that he's saying in December 2013 what we were saying in 2003, but that and $5 gets you coffee at Starbucks.

On the other hand, if Clinton hasn't figured out how to address that vote after stumbling in 2008, she probably doesn't deserve to get the nomination.

[polichick]

8. Perhaps it's an opening salvo?