Hillary Clinton: 'I will do what this president has failed to do: recognize reality and end the war'

bigtree

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Apr-11-08 01:57 AM
Original message

Hillary Clinton: 'I will do what this president has failed to do: recognize reality and end the war'

Edited on Fri Apr-11-08 02:48 AM by bigtree

Pittsburgh, PA — Sen. Hillary Clinton slammed President Bush’s Iraq policy speech today and pledged to begin withdrawing troops at the start of her term regardless of the military situation on the ground in January 2009. (http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/04/10/the-buck-stops-with-hillary/)

While the President and Sen. McCain both said they will follow the advice of General David Petraeus who called for a moratorium on troop withdrawals from Iraq during Congressional testimony this week, Clinton insisted that her Iraq policy will be directed from the Oval Office.

“Let me describe for you the way our system works. Policy is set by the civilian leadership, the President of the United States sets the policy. Our military, and thankfully so, carries out the policy that is set. You ask the military for their best advice about how to implement the policy that you have set,” she said during a media availability at Pittsburgh International Airport, where she reiterated that she will begin withdrawing troops within her first 60 days in office.

“We have a long history of President’s changing policy. I have been clear throughout this campaign that my assessment is there is not military solution and the testimony delivered this week in the Congress by General Petraeus and Ambassador (Ryan) Crocker reinforced the assessment that I had made,” she said. “The surge was given a stated rationale that has not been fulfilled. We have given the Iraqis years of our blood and treasure for them to take responsibility for their own country.”

She added that, “an orderly responsible withdrawal that is clearly communicated to the Iraqis…will concentrate their attention far better than a blank check with indefinite timetables from this administration.”

At a news conference here, Mrs. Clinton was asked if she would keep to her promises on withdrawing troops, even if she is advised differently by military leaders on the ground. (http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/10/president-is-boss-clinton-says/)

On the heels of Mr. Bush’s speech Thursday morning in Washington, Mrs. Clinton continued to criticize his Iraq policy. Mr. Bush said that the senior commander there will be allowed “all the time he needs” before he reduces troops further, and defended last year’s buildup of troops in Iraq.

Mrs. Clinton characterized Mr. Bush’s policy as out of touch with reality.

“The president refuses to face the reality that we are confronted by in Iraq,” Mrs. Clinton said. “Once again, President Bush is asking Americans for time and patience. But the American people are saying we’ve had enough of both.”

She added, “It’s time for the president to answer the question being asked of him. In the wake of the failed objectives that were laid out to be met by the surge, what is the exit strategy in Iraq? As president, I will do what this president has failed to do, and that is to recognize the reality and end this war responsibility, starting within 60 days of taking office.”

"I just want to respond to some of the statements and suggestions that have been made," she said, "that it is irresponsible or demonstrates a lack of leadership to advocate withdrawing troops from Iraq in a responsible and carefully planned withdrawal. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7337356.stm)

I fundamentally disagree. Rather, I think it could be fair to say it might well be irresponsible to continue the policy that has not produced the results that have been promised time and time again...

You know the lack of political progress over the last six months and the recent conflict in Basra reflect how tenuous the situation in Iraq really is...

For the past five years we have continually heard from the administration that things are getting better, that we're about to turn a corner, that there is finally a resolution in sight. Yet each time Iraqi leaders fail to deliver...

I think it's time to begin an orderly process of withdrawing our troops, start rebuilding our military and focusing on the challenges posed by Afghanistan, the global terrorist groups and other problems that confront America..."

In a statement today, Hillary Clinton criticized Bush's Iraq declarations:

"Today, President Bush delivered yet another address on Iraq - but we’ve heard enough speeches that are long on promises, short on facts.

And the fact is, there will probably be more troops in Iraq after the surge than before the surge. Iraq has barely moved toward political reconciliation, meeting only a few of the benchmarks set out by the Bush Administration at the start of the surge. And violence has once again spiked in Baghdad and Basra.

On Tuesday, I asked General Petraeus when he came before the Senate Armed Services Committee what conditions would mean we should change course, given that the surge has failed to achieve political reconciliation. He did not answer.

Yesterday I called on President Bush to answer the question General Petraeus did not. But the President refuses to face reality.

I want to commend President Bush for agreeing to cut the length of deployments from 15 to 12 months. But it is deeply unfortunate that the President only made this change when the strain he placed on our forces required it.

Now, once again President Bush is asking Americans for time and patience - but the American people are saying he’s had enough of both.

Our troops have done all that’s been asked of them and more. It’s time for the President to answer the question being asked of him: in the wake of the failed surge, what is the endgame in Iraq?

As President, I will do what this president has failed to do: recognize reality and end the war responsibly," she said.

Clinton said on Thursday that if elected she would investigate whether oil companies are manipulating markets to boost their profits.

In her speech to the Beaver County Democrats banquet in Hopewell Township, Pennsylvania, Clinton said the price of a barrel of oil has risen from about $20 to around $110 during the administration of President George W. Bush.
She said it was time to take action to cut prices by releasing stocks from the strategic petroleum reserve and investing in environmentally friendly technology to help make the United States more energy independent.

The New York senator said gasoline prices could be as high as $4 a gallon this summer, raising the burden on working people already hit by an economic downturn and housing crisis.

"We're going to investigate the oil companies and make sure they are not manipulating the market to increase the energy prices," she said, vowing to end tax breaks for oil majors and use the money to fund clean energy investment.

"We're going to investigate the energy traders ... We've got to look into that, make it transparent... We don't really know what's going on," she said.

In U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton’s second visit to Hopewell Township second visit to Hopewell Township in 32 hours Thursday, she promised a boisterous Democratic audience that she’d renew the American dream and repeatedly said she could fix mistakes made by President Bush on the economy and the war in Iraq.

“I hear something. It’s the sound of a moving van leaving the White House taking George Bush,” she said to thunderous cheers. “I believe the whole world will breathe a sigh of relief when George Bush and Dick Cheney turn those keys over.”

Clinton told the audience she would end tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations, invest in manufacturing to spur job growth, pursue sound energy policies and enact programs to help the middle class achieve the American dream, such as increased funding and access to college grants and loans, lower interest rates, improved education for children and universal health care.

“The wealthy and the well-connected have had a president for seven years,” she said. “I think it’s time you had a president that represents you.”

“I will always stand strong for you. I always have,” she said. “I can’t promise you 100 percent results, there’s no such thing in life, but I can promise you 100 percent effort. If you give me the chance, I will not disappoint you.”

"We don't know what new problems the next President will face. But one thing we do know, and know with certainty, is that strength matters in a President -- and in a candidate for President," she told the Beaver County Democratic Committee banquet. ((http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/04/10/clinton_america_needs_leader_w.html)

"We need a candidate and a President who will stand strong -- who will not waver, who will not bend with the winds of the moment or break when the attacks start flying."