"IWR was the right vote under a NORMAL president but not under this shithead" is the best position

[Proud2BAmurkin]

for a Democrat to take into the GE. I'm glad Clinton stuck to her guns on that one and does not apologize outright.

[sfam]

1. Everyone knew what this vote meant...even Hillary

Truly she did. Everyone knew we were going to war from the moment that vote was cast. Hillary CLEARLY did as well.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

9. Kerry? Edwards? No they didn't.

[LiberalFighter]

11. Did you read the bill? Did you debate the issue on the Senate floor?

Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 - Expresses support for the President's efforts to: (1) strictly enforce through the United Nations Security Council all relevant Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and (2) obtain prompt and decisive action by the Security Council to ensure that Iraq abandons its strategy of delay, evasion, and noncompliance and promptly and strictly complies with all relevant Security Council resolutions.

Authorizes the President to use the U.S. armed forces to: (1) defend U.S. national security against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and (2) enforce all relevant Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq. Directs the President, prior to or as soon as possible (but no later than 48 hours) after exercising such authority, to make available to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate his determination that: (1) reliance on further diplomatic or peaceful means alone will not achieve the above purposes; and (2) acting pursuant to this joint resolution is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization for use of the armed forces, consistent with requirements of the War Powers Resolution.

Requires the President to report to Congress at least every 60 days on matters relevant to this resolution.

[sandnsea]

2. Not if you know what Chaffee knew

and that's that the intelligence was hoaky. He said the scary aluminum tubes looked like something that could be bought at the hardware store. He voted no.

This intelligence was trumped up and of all people, Hillary Clinton should have known it.

[Barack_America]

7. And Levin and Biden...

She can't claim that nobody else knew what was going on and tried to clue her in.

[TornadoTN]

13. It's pretty ridiculous to take her response seriously

I really had a hard time stomaching her response about how "serious" the threat was, especially given the multitude of people who were shouting as loudly as they could that something was amiss.

Sorry, Hillary supporters, I don't buy that excuse. She's going to have to denounce it completely before I consider her any further.

[Barack_America]

16. Well then, I guess you won't be considering her further...

She'll never admit it was a mistake. She almost can't admit that it was a mistake now. The window has passed.

[TornadoTN]

21. Its going to be tough if I'm faced with that decision

I fully intend to vote for the nominee, but I certainly won't feel good about it if she's the nominee.

[rodeodance]

24. She can't go back and her getting down on her knees seems to be the

only thing that will satisfy so many at this point. How would it look if she graffed at this point?? good fodder for the RW pundits.
It serves no ones purpose at this time for her to apologize--except those who want to see her gravel in the mud.

[DJ13]

3. You know WHY the IWR is Hillary's achilles heel?

She claims experience from being the President's wife, and most of the WMD "evidence" Bush was lying about was from her own husband's administration.

[rodeodance]

23. its folks like you that make it her achilles heel. but you know that.

[parasim]

4. Well, there wouldn't have been an IWR under a normal president. nt

[Proud2BAmurkin]

10. Clinton gave other examples of the same thing in the debate

[More Than A Feeling]

5. She should have said just that rather than piling up

that heap of eye-glazing nonsense.

[Ediacara]

6. She should have said, "Had I known then what I know about Bush's character and honesty, I'd never...

...have voted yes."

ON EDIT: Even more bluntly: "Had I known then what I know now: that President Bush is a lying sack of shit so dishonest that I wouldn't trust him to pee in the toilet, I'd never have voted..."

[Proud2BAmurkin]

12. You're right. She puts it too politely but maybe needs to say it your way

[rodeodance]

25. then we would hear the kerry flip flop meme from the RW

[Spider Jerusalem]

8. Um...no

Bad vote under any circumstance, as the reasoning behind it consisted largely of outright falsehood (chemical weapons, support of Al Qaeda, etc). No competent or honourable administration would have introduced such a resolution to Congress.

[Avalux]

14. Good lord. I knew Bush was a lying sack of shit and I'm just a minion.

Hillary said she "talked to people she trusted in the WH" before voting. Very poor judgement and I can't trust her to be President.

[Barack_America]

18. She knew. She has mentioned several times that she sought...

...personal assurance from Bush & co. that they would try diplomacy.

Why ask for personal assurance on several occasions unless you suspect that something is amiss?

And if you suspect that something is amiss, why not vote for the Levin Amendment to maintain some control over the situation?

Sorry, but none of the explanations she's offered so far are believable, IMO.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

27. She GOT personal assurance from the fucking liars.

[Barack_America]

28. Yeah, but she voted against the one thing that could've held them to their word...

[calmblueocean]

15. BS! 23 Senators knew better than that! Wellstone knew better than that!

Sorry, he was my home state senator, and the standard I hold most Senators to.

There was no excuse for voting for the IWR and nearly a quarter of the Senate didn't.

It was terrible, horrendous judgment, and thousands upon thousands of people DIED for it. Don't minimize their deaths.

[Barack_America]

17. Exactly, and the Levin Amendment would've provided her insurance...

...just in case those other Senators were right about Bush and she was wrong.

But she was more interested in getting reelected and being perceived as tough on terrorism.

And that's it.

[Occam Bandage]

19. War with Iraq would *always* have been the wrong vote.

[CTLawGuy]

20. the best position

is why are we going into Iraq when Al Qaeda is still running around in Afghanistan???

[rodeodance]

22. whow--that is a beautiful way to phase it. yes yes--send it to HILL. and i do not think

she should apologize at this point either. It would give the RW too much fodder. they are waiting for her to get down on her knees.--some here on Du are waiting also. They can't get past that moment in their minds.


..........

for a Democrat to take into the GE. I'm glad Clinton stuck to her guns on that one and does not apologize outright.

[arewenotdemo]

26. HRC Cannot be Trusted on Iraq

Interesting read. She likes her data from all the (obviously) wrong sources, but parrots it pretty well.

http://www.alternet.org/audits/70416/?page=entire

[subsuelo]

29. Clinton shouldn't stick to her guns on this though

There's no ammo there. And when she gets called upon to face off vs the Republican nominee, we all lose then.