Edwards echoes King's anti-war message, calls on Congress to withhold funding (AP)

[JohnLocke]

Edwards Echoes King's Anti-War Message
By Beth Fouhy--Associated Press
Monday, January 15, 2007
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NEW YORK (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards called on Americans to resist President Bush's planned troop escalation in Iraq, echoing a plea by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. 40 years ago to end the Vietnam War.
Edwards addressed about 1,200 parishioners Sunday at Riverside Church, a multiracial, politically active Manhattan congregation where King delivered his famous ``Beyond Vietnam'' speech on April 4, 1967. King was assassinated exactly one year later.
Edwards spoke from the same wooden pulpit King used and was introduced by King's son, Martin Luther King III. The younger King said his father would have admired Edwards' commitment to fighting poverty.
The former North Carolina senator and 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee touched on poverty issues in his speech, as well as AIDS in Africa, energy independence and a proposed boost in the minimum wage.
But he saved his strongest words for the troop increase in Iraq, invoking King's condemnation of the Vietnam War as a betrayal of American values.
"Silence is betrayal, and I believe it is a betrayal not to speak out against the escalation of the war in Iraq," Edwards said to a sustained standing ovation.
(...)
Edwards, who declared his candidacy in late December, said Americans must not wait for a change in presidential leadership to demand that American forces be drawn down in Iraq. Bush announced last week he would send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq in an effort to stabilize the war-torn country; Edwards has called for 40,000-50,000 to be removed.
"We need to show we are serious about leaving, and the best way to do that is to start leaving," he said to applause.
(...)
Edwards also called on Congress to withhold funding for the troop increase, echoing a proposal announced last week by Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy. Kennedy's plan has been embraced by some other Democrats, including Dodd, but viewed warily by others who see it as unworkable and potentially harmful to troops already serving in Iraq. Clinton and Obama are among those who have not yet indicated they would support Kennedy's approach.
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Read the rest here.

[citizen snips]

1. with this huge deficit I don't know why any senator

would want to approve this war funding.

[Maccagirl]

2. John Reid Edwards is a good man

who has the ability to become a great man if given the chance. I'm proud he's a Democrat. Not only that, he's got Elizabeth!

[Clarkie1]

3. I am interested at how Edwards arrived at the 40,000 to 50,000 figure.

Why does he feel strategically that that would be the ideal number to withdraw immediately?

Of course, it will never happen, so it's a purely hypothetical question but I'm interested nevertheless.

[JNelson6563]

4. He was late to the dance

but I'm glad he's arrived and calling for support of Kennedy's plan.

Julie

[mzmolly]

5. Good news.

:hi:

[harveyc]

6. About time, some Leadership!

When are Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Reid going to show some leadership to end the war in Iraq now, by defunding it?

"Speak out and stop this escalation now. You have the power, members of Congress, to prohibit this president from spending any money to escalate this war — use that power." - John Edwards, January 14, 2007

[Clarkie1]

7. I am interested in how Edwards arrived at the 40,000 to 50,000 figure for immediate withdrawl.

Is anyone going to answer my question?

[chimpymustgo]

8. It's his plan to get OUT. Simple as that.

And it's important for Congress to cut off the funding for an ESCALATION now.

[Clarkie1]

11. But what is the plan? Why not just ask to withdraw all troops immediately?

Why these particular numbers? Does he have any other plan besides withdrawing this amount of troops?

[citizen snips]

9. its quite simple once you figure out the formula.

eventually it comes out to 50,000 troops.

[Clarkie1]

10. I'm asking a serious question.

If that's how he arrives at a strategic plan he has no business anywhere near the oval office.