Edwards: Iraq funding deal in Congress "isn't a compromise at all, it's a capitulation"

[JohnLocke]

Edwards Statement On Proposed Iraq Funding Bill
John Edwards for President
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
----
Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Senator John Edwards released the following statement today about the latest congressional developments on a bill to fund the war in Iraq.

"Conceding to the president on full funding for the Iraq war is a serious mistake. It is time to force an end to this war, and the only way for Congress to do that is to use its funding power. Any compromise that funds the war through the end of the fiscal year isn't a compromise at all, it's a capitulation. As I have said repeatedly, Congress should send the president the same bill he vetoed again and again until he realizes he has no choice but to start bringing our troops home."

http://www.johnedwards.com/news/headlines/20070522-proposed-funding-bill/

[JDPriestly]

1. Edwards talks straight. I like that.

[marmar]

2. This might end up being Edwards' big advantage....

Clinton, Obama, Dodd et all will be tied to their votes on this.

[Jack Sprat]

29. You bet. Edwards, Kucinich, and Alaska will

be a counter to anyone voting for a compromise. That will move him up in my rankings.

[zeemike]

3. I am right there with ya John n/t

[mike_c]

4. I am not really excited about Edwards on several counts, BUT...

...his continued clear and unequivocal stance on the war against Iraq makes him a viable candidate for me. Not my favorite, but I'd be proud to vote for him if he keeps this up.

[BootinUp]

5. tough words from a primary candidate

/not

[Lost4words]

8. Who, in your opinion, is talking tough right now?

Just wondering?

8643

[BootinUp]

11. I don't fault those

that are bashing Dems that don't have much of a clue about the challenges in Congress, but I don't think Edwards bash is doing any good except for himself. The Congress is attempting to build support from across the aisle to end this thing, it ain't gonna happen until the pressure is greater on the repukes. I think we are getting there but its a long fight.

[Lost4words]

14. I truly hope you are correct. n/t

[tularetom]

6. I'm beginning to admire Edwards' political smarts

He's been urging the Dem congress to keep sending the funding bill with deadlines for troop withdrawal back to bush and let him keep vetoing it. They didn't listen - now Hillary and Obama are between a shit and a sweat over what to do about it. Edwards has raised his prospects with real Democrats by this no doubt.

[Lost4words]

7. He is the only dem talking tough right now! The rest, spineless IMHO!

[dave_p]

15. Kucinich has been tougher for years

... just don't pass a war funding Bill except for withdrawal. It's that simple!

[Lost4words]

16. you are so correct on both points!

:hi: 8643

[zulchzulu]

18. How do you pass a "war funding Bill except for withdrawal" without the votes?

Pass that doobie y'er smokin'...

[dave_p]

20. ok, I garbled that bit

You already have part of the last batch of funding in the pipeline.

No new funding still leaves enough for withdrawal. The war-chest's never that empty.

[rucky]

24. Or not pass it .

yeah yeah then the troops will have substandard food, water & armor and it'll be all our fault.

[martymar64]

39. They already have substandard water food and armor

Not to mention substandard medical care. If the funding is cut, they won't be able to stay in Iraq, they'll haveto come home. Only a sadistic prick like * would force them to stay after the funding is removed.

As far fault goes, the majority of the public already blames BushCheneyRummyRiceRethugs for this fiasco and wants our troops home now. Any attempts to shit blame to us would ring hollow, to put it generously.

[MissWaverly]

9. I am not voting for any presidential candidate that caved on this

too bad, I am sick and tired of these blank checks, he's now polling at under 30%, cant't they do better than this.

[illinoisprogressive]

10. for once I agree with Edwards. this is very true.

[zulchzulu]

12. Wow! So Mr. Co-Sponsor of the IWR now smiles back that he's anti-war!

It must be nice yelling orders from the grandstands...after you helped set up the game so your team would lose.

[IndianaGreen]

21. He is doing better than the Goddess of Peace

Where is she at, anyhoo? Polling?

[jefferson_dem]

32. Focus group in place. Wetted finger in the air. Waiting to follow...

n/t

[draft_mario_cuomo]

37. HRC would rather posture for the general election than end Bush's failed war

[draft_mario_cuomo]

26. Where is Mr. Anti-war Obama on this?

Oh wait, he was correct 5 years ago and that is all that matters, even if he caved to continue Bush's war. 2002 4 life! :sarcasm:

[draft_mario_cuomo]

36. Well? Where is our great "anti-war" leader on this?

[Ishoutandscream2]

13. This can be a turning point for me

So far, I'm not too ecstatic about our candidates. In 04, I initially supported Clark. At this point, I hope beyond hope that Al will run. However, I'm starting to think Edwards might be my guy. More pronouncements like this and I will support him (barring Gore running).

[Rydz777]

17. I pretty much echo your feelings. I'm waiting for Gore but am

prepared to be disappointed. Otherwise - leaning to Richardson. Richardson says he would get out of Iraq as his first act after being sworn in as President. I think it will come to that. Bush has no intention of getting out and the Democratic leadership doesn't seem to have the nerve to confront him.

[NCarolinawoman]

22. "Pronouncements" That's the key word.

When he was my Senator he sent federal marshals to his office in Raleigh to "greet" peaceful anti-war protesters. Couldn't he have at least spoken to them himself? They voted for him. They were his constituents. If current "pronouncements" from the sidelines impress you now, so be it.
I don't see any courage here.

For me, I will always remember that he took the extra steps to bring this tragedy to fruition: Co-sponsoring the IWR and writing an op-ed in the Washington Post, which in essence, cheered on "w". Now he criticizes some who were against this war from the very beginning.

Talk is cheap.

[Clark2008]

40. I don't see how you can go from Clark and/or Gore to Edwards.

Edwards not only voted to support this insane war (after Clark said it would be a waste of lives and money), but he co-sponsored it.

He supported the PATRIOT Act.

He supported No Child Left Behind.

And, now, because he says, "Oops," he thinks he's in the clear? Oh come on!!

Edwards has done nothing his entire political career except vote for whatever he thinks will get him elected. He didn't help the poor as a senator. He didn't fight against this war. And now he's trying to erase his entire Senatorial record.

:grr:

Sorry for the rant, but I just don't see how one supports Clark or Gore and then moves to Edwards. I don't see it at all. It's simply not logical.

[jillan]

19. How easy it is to criticize from outside the beltway.

It's like after you quit your job, you can finally say what you want about your boss

[draft_mario_cuomo]

27. That is a lame excuse for not showing leadership inside the beltway

Kucinich is opposed to financing Bush's war. Why can't the others who rhetorically profess to oppose the war do the same?

[Inspired]

31. The real leaders are outside the beltway.

WE are the leaders.

[slipslidingaway]

23. Then Edwards approves of this benchmark as do most of the

other candidates.

http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=63687


"Kucinich Statement on the Iraq Supplemental Conference Report HR 1591

Washington, Apr 25 - WASHINGTON, DC — Following passage of the supplemental conference report this evening, Congressman Dennis Kucinich released the following statement:

This “Supplemental” is a plan to extort Iraq’s oil wealth under the guise of a plan to end the war. Funds for the security of the Iraqi government are contingent upon Iraq giving up control of oil. This legislation is a repugnant, high pressure tactic to force Iraq to pass a “hydrocarbon act” which will effectively privatize the oil wealth of Iraq. The key deception is that the hydrocarbon act, which sounds like an environmental law, lets Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds “share” whatever is left after US oil companies take unconscionable profits. This bill is not a plan for peace. It is blood for oil. It is a guarantee of more war and the continued U.S. occupation of Iraq."

[Tom Joad]

25. I am impressed.

[IndianaGreen]

28. Edwards is no longer drinking the Beltway Appeasement Kool-Aid

Being outside of Washington is a plus!

[IndianaGreen]

30. When the American people voted for a Democratic Congress, they didn't expect another Vichy surrender

This funding bill must be voted down!

[waiting for hope]

33. Edwards is already taking a lot

of heat from his Memorial Day Stance - and he is NOT backing down, he is sincere in wanting this war to end. He has my support! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[JohnLocke]

34. Kick (nt).

[Quantess]

35. Yes, I agree. And I'm so glad he said so. (no text)

[JohnLocke]

38. Kick (nt).