Sen. Clinton calls for troop cap in Iraq

[rodeodance]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070117/ap_on_go_co/clinton2008

Sen. Clinton calls for troop cap in Iraq

By BETH FOUHY, Associated Press Writer 15 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The United States should cap the number of troops in
Iraq, while increasing American forces in
Afghanistan, Sen. Hillary Rodham said Wednesday.


Clinton, the expected front-runner for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, was quick to seize the spotlight the day after Illinois Sen. Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) took a major step toward entering the race.

Appearing on network television and radio shows to discuss her recent trip to Iraq, the New York senator said she opposes
President Bush's plan to increase U.S. troops in Iraq and favors redeploying troops out of Baghdad and eventually Iraq. She said she also favors conditioning economic aid to the Iraqi government's progress in meeting certain political goals.

"The Bush administration has frankly failed to put any leverage on this government," Clinton told CBS "The Early Show." But she sidestepped questions on whether she would vote to block funding for Bush's troop increase.

On Afghanistan, Clinton called the conflict there "one of the great missed opportunities," urging an increase in U.S. troops before a likely "spring offensive" by the Taliban.

[MindPilot]

1. Hey Hill, call on the clue phone for you...

How about capping the troop level at zero?

We don't "sustainability", we don't want "phased redeployment", we want them OUT.

[Tellurian]

5. Clue phone for you..

Congress, unless they get a new resolution in, is powerless to get the troops home.
Even so, Bush may ignore the resolution and then a Constitutional Crisis ensues.
That issue will do nothing but take more time with no guarantees of the outcome.

Bush has already appropriated money for the troop surge and is thumbing his nose at
the American people in doing so..

By the by...thanks rodeodance for finding something on the current update on Iraq!

:hi:

[MindPilot]

7. I know that, but I would hope the Democratic Senators across the board

would be a bit more outspoken about it.

[Tellurian]

12. Yep, I'm hoping ALL the DEMS lambaste Bush daily about this War..

FWIW...this is such a major issue and our troops are despairing at an astounding rate.
I believe NOTHING is more important to speak about than getting the troops home.

It's too much to ask them to wait for years of debate.

If the Dems were smaht...They would HALT all announcements and hold Bushes feet to the fire
about getting the troops home and put ALL further political aspirations on hold. The respect
they would gain from the American people would be insurmountable to any Republican spin.

[natrat]

13. telurian is that a cattle dog in your avatar?

where does he/she stand on iraq?

[Tellurian]

21. yes, he's an Australian Cattle dog, aka Blue Tick Heeler

His name is Tequila.. sort of a what Tick Heeler sounds like when you say it fast.

He stands with US! If it was within his power, he would gather up every other BTH
in support of bringing the troops home.

Thanks, for asking..

[Tom Joad]

42. Hillary has been outspoken in support of this war, and no one should deny her proper credit.

or blame, depending on point of view.

Though, of course, she says it was mismanaged.

[Emillereid]

38. Zero sounds like the right number to me!

Come on Hill -- take a chance! Just get behind the American people (about 70% now) -- that ought to be a big enough focus group for you. Otherwise you might just find yourself 'blowin' in the wind' whipped up by the Obama express!

[Lerkfish]

2. so....she's ALSO calling for a troop level increase, just like Bush.

um...I'm waiting for her supporters to explain that.

[MGD]

4. I guess that's her answer to retreat, surrender,and appeasement.

[Lerkfish]

6. er...eh? can you clarify that remark?

are you saying that a withdrawal of troops is retreat, surrender or appeasement?

please clarify your statement.

[Tellurian]

8. Not according to this video link..

Her words were taken out of context..

She said, "we should not be taking troops out of Astan and sending them to Iraq"
we need more troops sent to Iraq (not taking them out of Astan). The yahoo article
has a misquote in there and compromising the meaning of her words..

She is for redeployment OUT of Iraq!

here is the video link:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553/

[ShortnFiery]

40. I wish Hillary would just ...

go away. :shrug: Instead the USA Corporate media force feeds us her *wisdom* like it's manna from Heaven. :(

[msongs]

3. this sounds like an editorial, not a news story.....

Clinton, the expected front-runner...

...quick to seize the spotlight the day after Illinois Sen. Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) took a major step toward entering the race.

front runner according to who?

is there a cause and effect between clinton's remarks and obabmas interest in running? no facts to prove it.

Msongs
www.msongs.com

[Tellurian]

10. The Battle has begun for Truth in reporting of facts..

It's agressive and dirty. So buckle up, it's going to be a constant battle
for Dems to get an accurate message out there!

[AtomicKitten]

45. who would have guessed

we would have to do it on Democratic Underground?

[Eugene]

9. Here's AFP's take: Hillary Clinton rejects Bush Iraq plan

Hillary Clinton rejects Bush Iraq plan

37 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Senator Hillary Clinton rejected President George W. Bush's plan
to send more troops to Iraq, saying Baghdad was not committed militarily or politically
to assuming control of the country.

In media interviews on the heels of a visit to Iraq where she met Iraqi Prime Minister
Nuri al-Maliki and top US commanders, Clinton said Bush's strategy for quelling violence
in the country does not have a good chance of success.

"The Iraqi government is not committed to taking the steps both militarily and politically
that would help them to gain control over Baghdad and other places in the country,"
Clinton told NBC television in an interview.

-snip-

"I support the beginning of a phased redeployment out of Baghdad and eventually out
of Iraq completely."

Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070117/pl_afp/usiraqpoliticsclinton_070117143019

[Tellurian]

11. Yep, that story is more accurate..

Thanks.

"I do not think that this strategy has a very high level of success at all attached to it. In fact, I think that at best it's a holding pattern."

Clinton, a front-runner for the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 2008, had previously taken a cautious stance on Bush's new strategy on Iraq, announced last week.

Clinton said that instead of Bush's plan to increase US troops in Iraq by 21,500 in an attempt to restore security in Baghdad and Al-Anbar province, she backs placing an immediate cap on the number of US troops in the country, currently about 132,000.

"I support the beginning of a phased redeployment out of Baghdad and eventually out of Iraq completely."

[Lerkfish]

14. well, then, my bad: the original story sounded much different.

[Tellurian]

22. No worries, Lerkfish..

I'm afraid the media is going to have to be held to account for
Truth in reporting accurate statements..

Amazing, the spin. All Dem candidates are going to have to put
out their own press releases to counter predigested reports either
watering down the impact of their statements and/or outright misstatements.

[rodeodance]

18. Headline: Hillary Clinton rejects Bush Iraq plan

Hillary Clinton rejects Bush Iraq plan

1 hour, 14 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Senator
Hillary Clinton rejected
President George W. Bush's plan to send more troops to
Iraq, saying Baghdad was not committed militarily or politically to assuming control of the country.

In media interviews on the heels of a visit to Iraq where she met Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and top US commanders, Clinton said Bush's strategy for quelling violence in the country does not have a good chance of success.

"The Iraqi government is not committed to taking the steps both militarily and politically that would help them to gain control over Baghdad and other places in the country," Clinton told NBC television in an interview.

"I do not think that this strategy has a very high level of success at all attached to it. In fact, I think that at best it's a holding pattern."

[rodeodance]

20. "I support the beginning of a phased redeployment out of Baghdad....

Clinton said that instead of Bush's plan to increase US troops in Iraq by 21,500 in an attempt to restore security in Baghdad and Al-Anbar province, she backs placing an immediate cap on the number of US troops in the country, currently about 132,000.

"I support the beginning of a phased redeployment out of Baghdad and eventually out of Iraq completely."

[rodeodance]

15. Reuters: Clinton urges conditions on U.S. funding for Iraq

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N17295768.htm

Clinton urges conditions on U.S. funding for Iraq
17 Jan 2007 15:31:34 GMT


WASHINGTON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Sen. Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday the United States should cut funding for Iraq and its military if Iraq's leaders fail to give the minority Sunnis a greater role in government.

Clinton, a potential Democratic presidential candidate, also said she opposed President George W. Bush's plan to add 21,500 U.S. troops to Iraq, in part because it would siphon off U.S. military strength from Afghanistan, where Taliban insurgents have been intensifying their attacks.

"He's taking troops away from Afghanistan, where I think we need to be putting more troops, and sending them to Iraq on a mission that I think has a very limited, if any, chance for success," the New York senator said on NBC's "Today" show.

Clinton, who visited Baghdad and Kabul last week, said previous attempts to cajole Iraq's Shi'ite Muslim leaders to compromise with the Sunni Muslims have failed.

"I don't think we should continue to fund the protection for the Iraqi government leaders, or for the training and equipping of their army, unless they meet certain conditions, including making the political compromises that have been called for now for more than two years," she said.

[rodeodance]

16. wants funding cut if minority Sunnis do not get greater role in gov.

.......WASHINGTON, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Sen. Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday the United States should cut funding for Iraq and its military if Iraq's leaders fail to give the minority Sunnis a greater role in government.

[Tellurian]

19. Even this new CBS report on msnbc has yet another spin..

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16669005/

[rodeodance]

17. Jan 10 Statement to Bush speech. She does NOT support escalation.

http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=267447

January 10, 2007

Statement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on the President’s Speech on Iraq

"Based on the President’s speech tonight, I cannot support his proposed escalation of the war in Iraq.

The President’s Iraq policy has been marred by incompetence and arrogance as his Administration has refused to recognize the military and political reality on the ground. American troops continue to serve and sacrifice in Iraq, performing magnificently and bravely. But as our commanders have said repeatedly, Iraq requires a political solution, not a purely military one, and we did not hear such a proposed solution tonight.

The President simply has not gotten the message sent loudly and clearly by the American people, that we desperately need a new course. The President has not offered a new direction, instead he will continue to take us down the wrong road – only faster. The President’s speech failed to adequately address the political situation in Iraq, rising sectarian violence, mounting strain on our military, growing Iranian influence, and festering divides over how to distribute oil revenues.

As I have said, as the American people have demanded, and as the facts on the ground require, we need a new course and an end to the current failed policy. I continue to urge a strategy that places pressure on the Iraqi government to resolve the political crisis through phased redeployment of U.S. troops, establishes an Iraqi Oil Trust to end the stalemate over oil, and pursues an aggressive diplomatic strategy including an international conference of the regional parties to further the task of Iraq’s stability."

Click here for more of Senator Clinton's statements concerning the war in Iraq

[Tellurian]

23. Thank goodness for you Rodeodance..

For posting the reality of what is being said...

than the reports posted by Repuke news jocks.

[VegasWolf]

27. Err, escalation is NOT the issue. Getting the troops out completely is. nt

[goforit]

24. Clinton is a whimp... "A cap"?..... Your neocon contingency makes you squirm.

[Tellurian]

25. The neocon contingency is killing our troops..

and you're allowing it!

[natrat]

26. she supports more afgh troops..hmm .so does the pentagon

she sucks ....tell me she isnt tied into this freak facist movement

[paulk]

28. yes, because she agrees with the Pentagon -

that the Taliban are preparing for a spring offensive there - that more troops are needed to counter this expected offensive, therefore she is tied into a "freak fascist" movement...

I guess there are quite a few Democrats that are "freak fascists", since this position is held by most.

Surely you can do better than this, "natrat", in your criticism of Sen. Clinton.

[Freddie Stubbs]

32. Certainly: She isn't tied into this freak fascist movement

If the Pentagon acknowledged the existence of gravity, would you slam her her for agreeing?

[Freddie Stubbs]

29. Sen Clinton Against Troop Buildup In Iraq: NY Democrat Wants Cap Placed On Number Of American Troops

(CBS/AP) Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, back from a trip to Iraq and Afghanistan, said Wednesday she is against President Bush's call to increase U.S. troops in Iraq.

"I am opposed to this escalation," Clinton, D-N.Y., told CBS News' The Early Show. However, Clinton added, "I am for putting more troops in Afghanistan." (Watch the video)

Appearing on network television and radio shows to discuss her recent trip, Clinton, the expected front-runner for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, was quick to seize the spotlight the day after Illinois Sen. Barack Obama took a major step toward entering the race.

Clinton based her opinions on talks with U.S. military leaders in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as with the Iraqi government, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/17/iraq/main2365562.shtml

[illinoisprogressive]

30. Aha! So her trip really was about finding away to back out of her support.

I knew it. I just knew it. she is so phoney. such a consultant driven shrew.

[paulk]

31. sigh....

[Quantess]

33. I'm not impressed, Senator Clinton.

Not good enough.

[damntexdem]

34. Great idea!

I think a good number for the cap would be zero.

[superconnected]

35. Sen. Clinton calls for troop cap in Iraq

WASHINGTON - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a potential presidential candidate, on Wednesday called for capping the number of U.S. troops in Iraq and linking funds for Iraqi security forces to the government's control of the violence-plagued nation.

Back from a weekend trip to Iraq and Afghanistan, the New York senator also called for increasing U.S. forces in Afghanistan, arguing more troops are necessary as Taliban forces are waiting to attack when weather permits.

Clinton was quick to seize the spotlight the day after Illinois Sen. Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) took a major step toward entering the 2008 race. She made a round of appearances on network television and radio and participated in a Capitol Hill news conference.

Clinton said she would offer legislation that would not cut funding to U.S. troops, as some lawmakers want, but would, after a six-month time period, cut off money for Iraqi troops.

More...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070117/ap_on_go_co/clinton2008

[jwirr]

36. Troop caps would stop an escalation and allow time for withdrawal.

Good for her.

[Tom Joad]

39. Yep, time for withdrawal from a war of aggression she supported from the beginning.

Eventually. Maybe before my 12 year old nephew reaches 20? Not sure. But eventually.
Think bush says troops will leave eventually also.

Egyptian Pyramids will disintegrate, eventually.

Sun will burn no more, eventually.

[Tom Joad]

37. Clinton calls for troop levels to remain the same. No quick withdrawal.

Stay the curse.. i mean, course.
She wants to pressure the Iraqi US installed govt. Opposes any pressure on the Bush regime, as demanded by the american people.

[ShortnFiery]

41. There's our potential "new boss"

Not the same, but strikingly similar (Oil Grab) to the old boss. :(

[Tom Joad]

43. The tragic thing is, much of DU will start apologizing for this war

supporter. (I put that as nice as possible)

[Robbien]

44. How the heck does she think she can be POTUS if she pisses off 70% of Americans?

A cap? Jeeze.

The lady needs to dump her very expensive consultants and get some who are not sleeping with the GOP.

[sarcasmo]

46. The more she speaks, the more I realize she is NOT the answer.