Reply #2: Rest of the piece [View All]

[rinsd]

Of course, most of the Democratic presidential candidates have shifted their views on Iraq in the past few years as it has become more unpopular. Biden, Dodd, and Edwards also voted for the 2002 Iraq war authorization, and all are antiwar now (some more than others). Even Obama, who opposed the war when he was an Illinois state senator, voted for all appropriations for it until the very last supplemental -- just like Clinton did -- since he joined the US Senate.

But none of these other Democrats 1) is leading by double digits in the national polls, 2) is a famous former First Lady with a famous husband, and 3) is largely getting such a free pass on the nation's biggest issue -- Iraq.

Her campaign, in fact, deserves plenty of kudos in making Clinton sound like Dennis Kucinich when it comes to Iraq. As of now, they have turned a major weakness into a strength -- which comes at the same time as Clinton has increased her lead in the polls. And if she goes on to win the Democratic nomination, it will be one of the big reasons for her success.