Clinton Endorses Anti-Torture Pledge

[Zandor]

October 04, 2007 3:19 PM

ABC News' Rick Klein Reports : Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has endorsed the principles of an anti-torture pledge circulated by a liberal organization, after facing criticism as the only Democratic candidate for president to withhold her support for a blanket statement condemning torture.

ABC reported earlier Thursday that Clinton had not yet responded the group's request to sign the pledge. However, the Clinton campaign said its response to the group was being drafted prior to receiving media inquiries.

The anti-torture pledge, initiated by the American Freedom Campaign -- a group founded by a coalition of civil-liberties groups and liberal activists -- commits the candidates to disavowing some of the controversial tactics employed by the Bush administration.

"We are Americans, and in our America we do not torture, we do not imprison people without charge or legal remedy, we do not tap people's phones and emails without a court order, and above all we do not give any President unchecked power," the statement reads. "I pledge to fight to protect and defend the Constitution from assault by any President."

In a letter to the group sent Thursday afternoon, Clinton writes that she agrees with the statement.

"To lead, our country must uphold its most fundamental rules and standards," she writes. "The next president must not only possess a clear-eyed assessment of the terrorist threat, but must demonstrate the moral courage to face that threat without forsaking the values which set our Nation apart."

Technically, Clinton did not sign the pledge. Instead, she sent a letter outlining her principles and broad agreement with the group's stance, in a manner similar to responses sent by Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., and former senator John Edwards, D-N.C...........

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/10/clinton-wont-si.html

[Stephanie]

1. That's how long it took to complete the polling.

[Zandor]

2. Why am I not surprised

Even when she does what some say they want, they refuse to give her credit.

[LittleClarkie]

4. She was still dead slow at it

it must be said.

As was Obama. And why not just sign the thing, Edwards and Biden? She's not alone in this.

[movonne]

9. For someone who wants to be a leader wouldn't you think she should

have been the first to sign...not the last...

[MonkeyFunk]

13. She doesn't run

on the schedule defined by internet cranks.

[LittleClarkie]

3. So the check's in the mail, eh?

Why doesn't she just sign the thing?

[HughMoran]

5. Another red herring set free

The vile haters here on DU will move on to the next bash Hillary's head in topic and ignore this revelation.

[Pastiche423]

6. Set free how?

She din't sign it.

[Zandor]

7. Other Dem candidates didn't "sign" as well n/t

[Pastiche423]

8. My bad

I thought this thread was about Hillary:

Clinton Endorses Anti-Torture Pledge

[movonne]

10. Who of the ones running for president didn't sign???

[Zandor]

15. Biden and Edwards

"Technically, Clinton did not sign the pledge. Instead, she sent a letter outlining her principles and broad agreement with the group's stance, in a manner similar to responses sent by Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., and former senator John Edwards, D-N.C."

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/10/clinton-wont-si.html

[uppityperson]

11. endorsed, not signed. Why?

[upi402]

12. bold, what a courageous stance

yawn

technically did not sign it...

upi402 looks down, kicks one foot against the other

next shocker please

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

16. well good for her!