EXCLUSIVE: Clinton Says Bush Has No Authority ‘To Do Anything With Respect to Iran’
EXCLUSIVE: Clinton Says Bush Has No Authority ‘To Do Anything With Respect to Iran’
Yesterday, ThinkProgress interviewed Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and asked her about Sen. Jim Webb’s (D-VA) efforts to expressly prohibit President Bush from taking “unilateral military action in Iran without the express consent of the Congress.”
Clinton expressed her support for the position, saying, “I think that the President should not assume that he has any authority to do anything with respect to Iran.” Clinton said that Bush “needs to come to the Congress, and neither the resolution regarding Afghanistan or Iraq give him authority to take offensive action.” Watch it:
Center for American Progress fellow Ruy Teixeira has noted that the public’s views could not be clearer on Iran: make diplomacy, not war. Despite the Bush administration’s attempts to ratchet up tensions with Iran, a majority of Americans (57 percent) have consistently expressed the view that Iran is a threat that can be contained with diplomacy. Another 20 percent don’t see Iran as a threat to the U.S. at the current time. Support for military action has fallen recently, registering only 15 percent.
Transcript:
NICO: You spoke recently about Iran, and obviously there are readiness issues involved there. Peter Pace warned recently that the deterioration of readiness has lead to a threat to our ability to respond to other crises. And I know that Senator Webb has introduced legislation echoing some of what you have said recently, and I was wondering if you had any thoughts on his bill or on that issue in general.
CLINTON: Well, I think that the President should not assume that he has any authority to do anything with respect to Iran. He needs to come to the Congress, and neither the resolution regarding Afghanistan or Iraq give him authority to take offensive action. We do need to have a tough, smart policy toward Iran. And I’m hoping that perhaps the administration has begun to see a little bit of a light with the recent announcement by Condi Rice that she at least will be meeting with her counterpart. So, let’s hope that the administration has learned from some of their errors. And you know, they were very critical of nation-building, peacekeeping and stability operations during the 90s, and now they’re having to reinvent the wheel because they have totally decimated our capacity to do what everybody knows we have to do, both in Afghanistan and in Iraq and facing other threats around the world.
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129 Responses to “EXCLUSIVE: Clinton Says Bush Has No Authority ‘To Do Anything With Respect to Iran’”
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C’mon, Hillary. If you want to win my consideration for vote, you’ll have to go to task on this administration. They’re a bunch of freaking cowards, when push comes to shove, and I know you’re tough enough to take them on, too.
March 9th, 2007 at 4:57 pmSaddam judge flees Iraq
March 9th, 2007 at 4:57 pmJudge who sent former Iraqi president to the gallows is seeking asylum in Britain.
Well Hilary make sure you have a resolution to back it up
March 9th, 2007 at 4:57 pmI think
is NO way to START a statement
I think Im definately maybe correct here
March 9th, 2007 at 4:59 pmPlace that son-of-a-pig under arrest!
I DARE you Senator Clinton…
…while you’re selling all of these wolf tickets…
…fat basta*d L’il Dick Cheney already said…
…”they can’t stop us”…
…Let’s see what you can do Hillary!
March 9th, 2007 at 5:00 pmAll they’d have to do is follow John Conyer’s lead. But somehow impeachment was taken “off the table”.
Really, now. All this is just posturing. OF COURSE Emperor George has no authority. Didn’t stop him in the past.
Even when he clearly broke the law (FISA, anyone?) no one stood up to take the clear clean shot at His Royal Bushness.
ITMFA!!!
March 9th, 2007 at 5:01 pmLike I said in yesterday’s Hillary thread:
Talk is cheap, Hillary.
fscking DO SOMETHING!!!
BTW, everyone knows Hillary voted to kill habeus corpus, allow Bush to interpret the Geneva convention his own way, Secret evidence in trials with the defence having no right to see it, killing posse comatatus, along with other bad things the rubberstampers passed, don’t you?
She voted more with the rubberstampers than against them.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:13 pmok, TP… it’s beginning to show…
that famous hillary bias we were all afraid you’d turn to…
maybe?… seems to be a lot of hillary stories lately…
guess edwards and obama and richardson have been sitting around
March 9th, 2007 at 5:15 pmtwiddling their thumbs, waiting to see what’s what, huh…
…
I agree with Clinton here and Bush should go to congress to get permission for the coming invasion. Clinton has been a solid voice speaking out against the terrorist leaders of Iran. We all hope Iran comes to their senses but if they don’t we hope that other congress men and women will get behind Clinton and Obama’s view that we need to attack Iran.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:22 pmYes TP forget the Hilary Propaganda -
Also you spelt Gullible wrong its “Gulibul”
March 9th, 2007 at 5:22 pmCrazy idea, but try diplomacy. I know it’s an anathema to everything Bush stands for but it’s the only sensible way to sort out disagreements between countries.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:24 pmBTW, everyone knows Hillary voted to kill habeus corpus, allow Bush to interpret the Geneva convention his own way, Secret evidence in trials with the defence having no right to see it, killing posse comatatus, along with other bad things the rubberstampers passed, don’t you?
Of course she wants all these perks in place when she becomes president to continue with the bildenberg Scripts ( its a game) and were all mugs
March 9th, 2007 at 5:24 pmKaty, we honestly have no bias. If Sen. Edwards, Obama, or anyone else wants to make themselves available to us, we’d love to interview them and post it for the ThinkProgress community to hear what they have to say.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:25 pmAbu Omar al-Baghdadi just arrested in Baghdad?
Is this a real name? who’s your Baghdaddy?
March 9th, 2007 at 5:25 pmwe need to attack Iran.
Comment by Roger_Roger
No we do not.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:27 pmDiplomacy is what we need to try, something Bush knows NOTHING about
Hillary, How strange - I assumed YOUR Co-President had the authority in Bosnia, and elsewhere……and should you win the next election I will assume you will have the same Commander-in-Chief authority. (Psssst, girlfriend….stop trying to have it both ways. You try to sound like Margaret Thatcher in one speech and Ghandi in the next.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:28 pm#15 Nicely taken out of context Wayne. I clearly said we should have talks with them first to see if we can talk them down. If talks fail, we clearly have no other option unless you are fine with terrorists enriching Uranium?
March 9th, 2007 at 5:29 pm#9 Roger if they don’t we hope that other congress men and women will get behind Clinton and Obama’s view that we need to attack Iran.
Are you on CRACK! where in the above statement did Hillary say that its her view that ‘we’ need to attack Iran!? Seriously how do the words, clear in black and white, make it into your brain and get so damn confused man!?
March 9th, 2007 at 5:30 pmHillary Clinton makes statements based solely on political expediancy, and not personal conviction. Sad but true.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:30 pmBush should go to congress to get permission for the coming invasion.
Comment by Roger_Roger — March 9, 2007 @ 5:22 pm
So invading Iran is a foregone conclusion in your tiny little mind?
Do you have an idea of the human cost? Why are you so callous about other people’s lifes?
March 9th, 2007 at 5:31 pmSaddam judge flees Iraq
Judge who sent former Iraqi president to the gallows is seeking asylum in Britain.
I find this Ironic that the judge who led an Illegal court created by Bremner , banned under international law, sentences Saddam to death under an illegal occupation , illegally ….. should seek asylum ,,, he should be up in the Hague himself ,
Dont know about you Americans but I really do miss Saddam Hussein and cant wait to read his bestseller coming out soon ……..
March 9th, 2007 at 5:31 pmTotally wrong. Need to read up on history. The President has the authority to deal with Iran with limited strikes (like ever other president before him), and even in extreme cases to put boots on the ground.
http://www.macsmind.com/ wordpress/ 2007/ 02/ 15/ madam-of-the-house-pelsoi-is-full-of-crap/
(12) Libya. On March 26, 1986, President Reagan reported (without any mention of the War Powers Resolution) that, on March 24 and 25, U.S. forces conducting freedom of navigation exercises in the Gulf of Sidra had been attacked by Libyan missiles. In response, the United States fired missiles at Libyan vessels and at Sirte, the missile site.
(13) Libya. On April 16, 1986, President Reagan reported, “consistent with the War Powers Resolutionâ€, that on April 14 U.S. air and naval forces had conducted bombing strikes on terrorist facilities and military installations in Libya. President Reagan had invited approximately a dozen congressional leaders to the White House at about 4 p.m. on April 14 and discussed the situation until 6 p.m. He indicated that he had ordered the bombing raid and that the aircraft from the United Kingdom were on their way to Libya and would reach their targets about 7 p.m.
(14) Persian Gulf (103). On September 23, 1987, President Reagan reported that, on September 21, two U.S. helicopters had fired on an Iranian landing craft observed laying mines in the Gulf. The President said that while mindful of legislative-executive differences on the interpretation and constitutionality of certain provisions of the War Powers Resolution, he was reporting in a spirit of mutual cooperation.
(15) Persian Gulf. On October 10, 1987, President Reagan reported “consistent with the War Powers Resolution†that, on October 8, three U.S. helicopters were fired upon by small Iranian naval vessels and the helicopters returned fire and sank one of the vessels.
(16) Persian Gulf. On October 20, 1987, President Reagan reported an attack by an Iranian Silkworm missile against the U.S.-flag tanker Sea Isle City on October 15 and U.S. destruction, on October 19, of the Iranian Rashadat armed platform used to support attacks and mine-laying operations. The report was submitted “consistent with the War Powers Resolution.â€
(17) Persian Gulf. On April 19, 1988, President Reagan reported “consistent with the War Powers Resolution†that in response to the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts striking a mine on April 14, U.S. Armed Forces attacked and “neutralized†two Iranian oil platforms on April 18 and, after further Iranian attacks, damaged or sank Iranian vessels. The President called the actions “necessary and proportionate.†Prior to this action, the President met with congressional leaders.
(18) Persian Gulf. On July 4, 1988, President Reagan reported that on July 3 the USS Vincennes and USS Elmer Montgomery fired upon approaching Iranian small craft, sinking two. Firing in self-defense at what it believed to be a hostile Iranian military aircraft, the Vincennes had shot down an Iranian civilian airliner. The President expressed deep regret. The report was submitted “consistent with the War Powers Resolution.â€
(19) Persian Gulf. On July 14, 1988, President Reagan reported that, on July 12, two U.S. helicopters, responding to a distress call from a Japanese-owned Panamanian tanker, were fired at by two small Iranian boats and returned the fire. The report was submitted “consistent with the War Powers Resolution.â€
March 9th, 2007 at 5:33 pmKaty, we honestly have no bias. If Sen. Edwards, Obama, or anyone else wants to make themselves available to us, we’d love to interview them and post it for the ThinkProgress community to hear what they have to say.
Comment by Faiz — March 9, 2007 @ 5:25 pm
thank you, faiz! … that’s so good to know…
i’m sure you’ve invited those candidates also, correct?
we’ll all be looking forward to those interviews!
March 9th, 2007 at 5:33 pm…
I wouldn’t mind puttin’ Bubba back in the White House, just for old times sake, you know those old times when gas was a buck 50, and you could buy a house, and we had the respect of the international community.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:34 pmHillary is wrong as Pelosi was wrong.
http://www.macsmind.com/ wordpress/ 2007/ 02/ 15/ madam-of-the-house-pelsoi-is-full-of-crap/
March 9th, 2007 at 5:35 pmThere should be no doubt now after the last 6 years in the Twilight Zone, that the self-appointed decider-in-chief will issue an executive proclamation that in accordance to the unitary presidency, it is Congress who has no authority to stop him.
I say we frag this f*cker tonight.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:39 pmKaty, we honestly have no bias. If Sen. Edwards, Obama, or anyone else wants to make themselves available to us, we’d love to interview them and post it for the ThinkProgress community to hear what they have to say.
Comment by Faiz
You guys are awsome =)
I would love to hear from the other candidates.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:41 pmThanks Faiz.
Jack Moss - I Liked that post
Yes look at the Hilary Statement
“I think that the President should not assume that he has any authority to do anything with respect to Iran.â€
I Think .. what - I think
March 9th, 2007 at 5:41 pmTwo different scenarios can prove how irrelevant her claims are.
The first is called “got pursuit” whereby the adminisration will (falsely) claim that it was chasing Al Qaeda fighters over the border into Iran. Bush has already tipped his hand in this regard.
The other will be when Israel’s nuclear submarine lights-up one of our war ships off the coast of Iran with a missile (Google: USS Liberty) and Cheney’s IRAN Retaliation Plan goes into effect before Ms. Clinton even knows a thing.
A FALSE FLAG ATTACK IS IN THE WORKS.
Cheney already told you what the response will be.
Hillary, unless you arrest Dick Cheney, we’re nuking IRAN.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:49 pmIf talks fail, we clearly have no other option unless you are fine with terrorists enriching Uranium?
Comment by Roger_Roger
I am.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:50 pmThe sooner a nuclear war begins, the sooner humanity will realize how dangerous people like you were in the past.
Make no mistake. Hillary is in bed with AIPAC.
This is all just more BS to hide her real intent and make herself more electable.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:51 pmMarch 9th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Bill Clinton had some interesting comments about Iran on c-span last weekend. I agree with him that Iran is NOT A MONOLITH. IN every election IRAN has had before Ahmadinejad, the PROGRESSIVE Candidates and positions won, but were thwarted by the Mullahs, who can block any action of the people. A 2/3 Majority of the Iranians favor a Modern , Peacefull Country and are NOT AntiAmerican.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:52 pmIn the last elections Ahmadinejad lost badly. Attacking Iran would be to squander the potential good will of the majority of Iranians. Hopefully Sec. Rice will appreciate this situation in her talks with Iran this weekend in Baghdad.
As the top Democratic recipient of pro-Israel funds for the 2006 election cycle thus far, pocketing over $58,000 as of October 31 last year, Senator Clinton now has Iran in her cross-hairs.
During a Hanukkah dinner speech delivered on December 11, hosted by Yeshiva University, Clinton prattled, “I held a series of meetings with Israeli officials [last summer], including the prime minister and the foreign minister and the head of the [Israeli Defense Force] to discuss such challenges we confront. In each of these meetings, we talked at length about the dire threat posed by the potential of a nuclear-armed Iran, not only to Israel, but also to Europe and Russia. Just this week, the new president of Iran made further outrageous comments that attacked Israel’s right to exist that are simply beyond the pale of international discourse and acceptability. During my meeting with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, I was reminded vividly of the threats that Israel faces every hour of every day … It became even more clear how important it is for the United States to stand with Israel …”
March 9th, 2007 at 5:52 pmwe’d love to interview them and post it for the ThinkProgress community to hear what they have to say.
Comment by Faiz
Harvard is really showing in that diplomatic statement, Faiz. ;)
March 9th, 2007 at 5:54 pmf talks fail, we clearly have no other option unless you are fine with terrorists enriching Uranium?
Comment by Roger_Roger
I doubt terrorists have the technical know how to enrich uranium Roger. As with most countries they want nuclear weapons (as Russia did) so they will not be attacked. If they obtain nuclear weapons, as North Korea did, it will be another cold war. If Iran were to fire a nuclear weapon they would be annihilated.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:56 pmLets see if Hillary actually stops him this time when he decides to bomb Iran.
March 9th, 2007 at 5:58 pmI think I have a head ache…..Can’t recite the passages from the patriot act but it is worded in vague language or not that the president has a right to march all over the world at his leisure and for profit…..
Now you know one little reason why I have been so pissed off all these year’s…The house and senate passed this little diddy and I don’t recall who voted for or against but it was one of the main reasons I was so busy yelling at them on the internet….
Damn, I can’t believe she said that..
Some one look up the original and post the link please..
Like we have a right to march on any country or tell any one else how to live..Get a F***ing grip we have all the big bomb’s, are building the new H bomb and hand our bomb’s for f***ing mangos along with having the worst insane madman with his fingers on the button….Geees Whos in charge of this asylm….Blessings…Kucinich (sp) for president..Please.
March 9th, 2007 at 6:01 pmNorth Korea has nuclear capabilites Roger, have they used them to attack anyone? No. They used it for economical means and to force six party talks.
Does this mean I support Korea?
Hell no. It is the reality of the situation.
Would N. Korea stand a chance if they were to fire a nuclear missile? Of course not.
Time for Détente With Iran
Ray Takeyh
From Foreign Affairs, March/April 2007
Summary: To tame the growing power of Iran, Washington must eschew military options, the prospect of conditional talks, and attempts to contain the regime. Instead, it should adopt a new policy of détente. By offering the pragmatists in Tehran a chance to resume diplomatic and economic relations with the United States, it could help them sideline the radicals and tip Iran’s internal balance of power in their favor.
Ray Takeyh is a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and the author of “Hidden Iran: Paradox and Power in the Islamic Republic”.
March 9th, 2007 at 6:10 pm“Hillary, How strange - I assumed YOUR Co-President had the authority in Bosnia, and elsewhere”
The fact that Bush cultists continue with this cannard shows how desperate they are for talking points. What President Clinton did in Bosnia was to fulfill his treaty obligations with NATO. Since not adhering to treaty obligations would be breaking U.S. federal law, he was not overstepping his authority, it was accepting responsibility.
Again, I find the knee-jerk hatred of Hillary to be astounding. I see that she is even being criticized her for prefacing her remark with “I think.” Please people. Get a frickin grip.
March 9th, 2007 at 6:16 pmSharon, you are clearly a Kucinich supporter. Does that mean you don’t believe a woman should have the right to get an abortion? After all, Kucinich is a practicing Catholic and has voted against choice in the past. Has he flip-flopped. Have you demanded that he clearly state his opinion on choice?
March 9th, 2007 at 6:18 pm#22, #25 - Jack Moss,
March 9th, 2007 at 6:19 pmAll of your items refer to response to attacks by a foreign entity. You also conveniently forget the USS Liberty incident where Israel tried to sink a clearly marked American surveillance ship.
Comment by Sharon
Sharon, Hillary voted for both the original Patriot Act and for the Patriot act extension of 2006.
http://votesmart.org/
March 9th, 2007 at 6:20 pmThese talks in Baghdad this weekend with Iraq’s neighbors are a BIG DEAL. If we can abandon the neocon/cheney plan for permanent Bases in IRAQ, and Regime Change thru coersion in IRAN and Syria..maybe we can get out of this Quagmire that Bush got us in. This may be our last opportunity to avoid total disaster in the Middle East.
March 9th, 2007 at 6:25 pmI have to admit I’m starting to like Hillary more and more I hear her, but still I’m completely bugged by the fact that she was on the Board of Trustees at Wal-Mart for 6 years
She needs to come out against dangerous Free Trade agreements like NAFTA, CAFTA (which she voted against, good job!), and the Wal-Mart model that is decimating the American middle class
March 9th, 2007 at 6:25 pmWayne, I think the count on the Patriot Act reauthorization was something like 95 to 4, so if you’re going to eliminate candidates based on that vote, you’re limiting your options to some extent.
March 9th, 2007 at 6:29 pmBlue Dog….In answer to your question’s by order..Yes I do and faught for women’s right to choose.I was one in the front lines marching 40 year’s ago for that very thing…Second I don’t care that he is against that one issue based on his faith…The main reason I am for Kuchenich is he has been true to anti war issues from day one..Have read every speech, watched every vote and he has not flip floped once…..Unlike bush who paid an old girl friend to have an abortion and now “got relegion” yah right!…No more lier’s thieves, radical reich winged war monger’s or their enabelers for me..I realy am for the troop’s dammit and I want them home to protect us here, instead of fighting made up war’s for the neo-con’s to pad their pocket’s and at the sacrafice of our people and genocide of other countries….Word’s to the old song ” War”, what’s it good for, absolutely nothing. …..Blessings
March 9th, 2007 at 6:35 pmAgain, I find the knee-jerk hatred of Hillary to be astounding. I see that she is even being criticized her for prefacing her remark with “I think.†Please people. Get a frickin grip.
Comment by Bluedog49
Her voting record is not a knee jerk reaction Blue.
Some of us have some very real issues with some of the bills Hillary supported and voted for.
It is a shame, since I liked her before she was elected Senator and had a voting record in the Senate
Now while she voted for the patriot act and the re-authorization, she did vote against Alito and Roberts for the SCOTUS, which I do applaud her for.
March 9th, 2007 at 6:36 pmWayne, I think the count on the Patriot Act reauthorization was something like 95 to 4, so if you’re going to eliminate candidates based on that vote, you’re limiting your options to some extent.
Comment by Bluedog49
And I will b*tch about everyone who voted for that travesty.
March 9th, 2007 at 6:40 pmI am consistant.
Why are people so interested in following leaders? Central banksters (e.g., Federal Reserve) run the show.
And what is the big deal about Iran getting a bomb? Is there a great fear of nuclear blowback or what is it? I hate to ask but is it white supremacy?
March 9th, 2007 at 6:42 pmWal-Mart model that is decimating the American middle class
http://www.ecofriend.org/ entry/ wal-mart-pushes-energy-saving-bulbs-to-200-million-us-homes/
I know Walmart takes advantage of cheap labor, but this is a step in the right direction.
See Link here for Polity IV charts. (as relating to disparity)
March 9th, 2007 at 6:44 pmhttp://www.cidcm.umd.edu/inscr/polity/index.htm
Wayne, I wasn’t thinking of your post on her record when I mentioned the “knee-jerk” thing. Sharon, I was just pulling your chain on Kucinich. I think he’s a fine legislator. I just don’t see any way he could ever beat Romney, Guliani, McCain or Jeb Bush. But, also please remember that it’s much easier for a House member, who only answers to one district, to vote consistently and stridently anti-war than it is for any Senator.
March 9th, 2007 at 6:46 pmdosomething: “Why are people so interested in following leaders? Central banksters (e.g., Federal Reserve) run the show. ”
Not if we elect representatives who change the rules. The power of bankers is a result of the enormous political power corporations have at this time. We need to take the power away from large corporations.
A good start would be public financing of all federal elections and reinstating the “firewall” between news operations and the corporate boards which own them.
March 9th, 2007 at 6:50 pmI hate to ask but is it white supremacy?
Comment by DoSomethin
Iran has huge oil and gas reserves, it is much easier to bully a country that does not have nuclear weapons. White supremacy? I doubt that. Religious fanatics are easily led to believe this is about the caliphate or some other nonsense when it is, to me, about resources and economics.
March 9th, 2007 at 6:55 pmHillary “KarmaChameleon” Clinton must have Ellen Goodman on her payola. Watching Hillary can make you dizzy. First, she’s shmoozing Jews and ….quick - - she’s adopted a Southern accent just in time for Selma! Next, she wants to chat over coffee….then she expounds on her ability to smash enemies into submission. What a woman! What an amazing transformation!! Remember Hillary, “Never underestimate the power of self-delusion.”
And don’t be tooo hard on TP, Prpgs. JP of TP had an excellent working relationship with the male former Co-President.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:00 pmBlue Dog, I knew that and spouted off for the troll’s reading our post’s..I also know he has very little chance to get the nod and not because of the one’s you named..McCane is to old and senile, Romney can be beat easily because of his relegion, the public is not ready for the mormon card, Guiliani is a one trick pony and surrounded with 9/11 along with to many marriages, bla, bla, Jeb Bush has the bagage of the bush failures and deciete….Of the dem’s running Obama may blow Hillery out of the water and if it comes down to my vote he would get mine….A few others look good with the odd one I wish were running and that’s Al Gore..When Bill and Hillery were in the white house it was the best, now she’s for the war so I am not in favor of her….Blessings
March 9th, 2007 at 7:01 pmDoSomethin, I’m not sure why you think concern over Iran having nukes is an example of “white supremacy.” After all, Iran, changed it’s name from Persia to help gain the favor of Nazis in the ’30’s. I believe it is the Persian word for “aryan.” Iran was closely aligned to the Third Reich and fully approved of Hitler’s “final solution,” part of which was to subjugate and eliminate people of color.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:04 pm“Religious fanatics are easily led to believe this is about the caliphate or some other nonsense when it is, to me, about resources and economics.”
“When it is, to me”…..TO ME? Since when are you the “decider” for radical Islamists?? If you would watch a film compilation of Islamic speeches and media outlets, you MIGHT see they seek to re-establish the Caliphate. With your “unusual” understanding of Muslims, I assume the “Religious fanatics” you reference must mean Islamic radicals - - oh wait, you are discussing Western “religious fanatics”. Silly me.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:06 pmSharon: “now she’s for the war so I am not in favor of her…”
Sharon, not apologizing for your vote is not the same as being “for the war.” Hillary is not “for the war.”
By Holly Ramer, Associated Press  | February 18, 2007
DOVER, N.H. — Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton told New Hampshire voters yesterday that ending the war in Iraq is more important than whether she repudiates her 2002 vote authorizing President Bush to use military force there.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:10 pmFirst, she’s shmoozing Jews and ….quick - - she’s adopted a Southern accent just in time for Selma! Next, she wants to chat over coffee….then she expounds on her ability to smash enemies into submission. What a woman! What an amazing transformation!! Remember Hillary, “Never underestimate the power of self-delusion.â€
Just as George bought some land in Texas donned a Cowboy hat a southern drawl and started clearing brush.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:12 pmLess than 3% of the world’s Sunnis want to establish a world Caliphate. And, so, of course, Bush cultists seek to bomb as many Muslims as possible. That this makes sense to Bush cultists says a lot about their courage and values.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:13 pmWhen it is, to meâ€â€¦..TO ME? Since when are you the “decider†for radical Islamists?? If you would watch a film compilation of Islamic speeches and media outlets, you MIGHT see they seek to re-establish the Caliphate. With your “unusual†understanding of Muslims, I assume the “Religious fanatics†you reference must mean Islamic radicals - - oh wait, you are discussing Western “religious fanaticsâ€. Silly me.
Comment by valiant venus
Either side.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:14 pmBlue, of all the Senators I like Feingold’s voting record the best. It is a shame he isn’t running. heh
**sigh**
March 9th, 2007 at 7:15 pmIf you would watch a film compilation of Islamic speeches and media outlets, you MIGHT see they seek to re-establish the Caliphate.
500 years have passed,,,and no caliphate. What does that tell you?
March 9th, 2007 at 7:15 pmSince when are you the “decider†for radical Islamists??
Hey, your finally getting it! The left is not the deciders for Islamic radicals.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:18 pmThank you for pointing that out!
f you would watch a film compilation of Islamic speeches and media outlets, you MIGHT see they seek to re-establish the Caliphate.
Why would I watch right wing propaganda?
March 9th, 2007 at 7:19 pmI bet Valiant Venus speaks farsi.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:21 pmThank’s for that info Blue Dog…Thank’s to you as well Wayne for the link and yes I wish Finegold were running as well…..Blessings
March 9th, 2007 at 7:22 pmWayne, I really like Feingold, but didn’t he vote for the Bankruptcy Bill? I may be wrong about that, but I think he did.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:23 pmSo Valiant Venus, if Osama was a Saudi, why didn’t we attack Saudi after 9/11? Economics?
March 9th, 2007 at 7:24 pm“500 years have passed”…What’s 500 years when your tribes and sects are still blowing each other up?….. The thing it does tell me - they haven’t given up their crazy idea in 500 years - I don’t think they will anytime soon.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:24 pm“Why would I watch right wing propaganda?” Comment by AckSyn JAckSyn
Forgive me…I had you confused with an open minded individual. I’m pretty sure you watched the cinematic sensations “Fahrenheit 9/11″ and an “Inconvenient Truth”….. Why would I confuse you with someone interested in what radical iman were spewing?
March 9th, 2007 at 7:28 pmYeah, yeah, the Bush cultist wants you to know that Hillary is a big phony. The Bush cultist worships a guy who wears cowboy hats and cowboy boots, but is afraid of horses and has never been photographed riding one. The Bush cultist is troubled by Hillary’s drawl when she quotes a famous southern black woman’s famous words. But, oh, oh, the Bush cultist worships a guy who was raised by Conneticut yankees, went to Andover and Yale, but speaks like a Texas hayseed shitheal. This is the kind of intellectual consistency we have come to expect from the Bush cultist.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:29 pmIt is a shame, since I liked her before she was elected Senator and had a voting record in the Senate
Comment by Wayne
And that’s how you end up with Governor George Bush as President. Jeb doesn’t have a voting record either.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:30 pmWhat’s 500 years when your tribes and sects are still blowing each other up?
So the Caliphate is tribes that blow each other up?
Isn’t that more like sectarian violence?
Move. that. goal. post.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:32 pmWhat’s 500 years when your tribes and sects are still blowing each other up?
Comment by valiant venus
Or 300 years of killing natives , enslaving africans, invading other countries and screwing the planet. What does that tell you?
March 9th, 2007 at 7:33 pmI had you confused with an open minded individual. I’m pretty sure you watched the cinematic sensations “Fahrenheit 9/11″ and an “Inconvenient Truthâ€â€¦.. Why would I confuse you with someone interested in what radical iman were spewing?
Comment by valiant venus
Actuallu I didn’t watch either of them. Nice try.
Radical Imam have been spewing the same thing for 500 years and still no caliphate.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:34 pmYour just another group thinker tryimg to group people by what they watched. I am not surprised, its what the pundits taught you to do. To frame an issue by some idiotic means.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:36 pm“So Valiant Venus, if Osama was a Saudi, why didn’t we attack Saudi after 9/11? Economics?”
Osama WAS a Saudi who was punted from the Kingdom because he hates the House of Saud. The Saudi government allowed “infidel” soldiers on sacred soil…and that was tooooo much for the radical Osama. (Note the suicide bombings inside Saudi Arabia which killed Saudi citizens.) Yes, oil and Israel are the ONLY reasons we have a tepid relationship with Saudi Arabia. If there was a Saudi government connection - and not just the Wahabe’s myriad of phony charities - I don’t think the relarionship would be so cordial. But you are forgetting, right now, the Saudi’s NEED us as much as we need them. Al Quaeda wants to oust the Jordanian and Saudi royals.
As you can see…the answer is a bit deeper than your insipid superficial question, “Economics?”
March 9th, 2007 at 7:40 pmMark Foley was a perv, ergo V V must also be a perv.
Haggard was meth user and a conservative ergo V V must also be a meth user.
Bush drove drunk ergo V V drives drunk.
Cheney shot a man in the face ergo V V will shoot someone in the face.
Safavian was corrupt ergo V V must be corrupt, after all they are Republicans.
Such idiocy.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:41 pm“Radical Imam have been spewing the same thing for 500 years and still no caliphate.” Comment by AckSyn JAckSyn
Geee, Action, do you think technology and delivery systems might have improved in the last 500 years? Yawn…
March 9th, 2007 at 7:42 pmYes, oil and Israel are the ONLY reasons we have a tepid relationship with Saudi Arabia.
Osama is not seen as a threat by Israel.
And at least you admitted it was about the economics of oil.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:45 pmO!, vagina, will you never learn?
March 9th, 2007 at 7:46 pmGeee, Action, do you think technology and delivery systems might have improved in the last 500 years? Yawn…
Comment by valiant venus
SO now your reniging on your caliphate claim because of technology?
Move,that,goal,post.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:47 pmGeee, Action, do you think technology and delivery systems might have improved in the last 500 years? Yawn…
Comment by valiant venus
So the tribes can blow themselves up even better?
Your argument makes no sense, your all over the place.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:48 pmAction - Your feeble answer to my Saudi explanation concludes your portion of the debate….Game - Set - Match…. Thanks for playing….
March 9th, 2007 at 7:48 pmShane: “And that’s how you end up with Governor George Bush as President. Jeb doesn’t have a voting record either.”
Here, here! I notice Guliani and Romney don’t have voting records as well. And the only guy who does has been proclaimed a saint by the conservative Irish Catholic mob on NBC.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:49 pmHope all of the negative Clinton Dems who talk like they “know” everything Hillary does is contrived- will try to educate themselves so they don’t automatically eliminate one of our best hopes to take back the White House- It’s way too early and it’s way too dumb to hurt each other- food fights are immature and useless- this is too important- HRC has been in public service her entire life- check her bio- she has been an activist and has worked hard, hard, hard- Unless you can match her record of service and you “know” by being part of her decision team and not through media-do this country a favor and wait until to make an educated decision- We owe it to our kids-
March 9th, 2007 at 7:49 pmHillary has to do better.
The war president will simply claim that “defending our freedom” in Iran is part of his War on Terror.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:49 pm“O!, vagina, will you never learn?” Comment by tom baker
Obviously nothing from you. Not to be unkind, but you might be a better “listener”……
March 9th, 2007 at 7:51 pmGeee, Action, do you think technology and delivery systems might have improved in the last 500 years
So V V the Caliphate, that isn’t, but is sectarian violence, we should worry about, but not, because we have modern missiles and delivery systems so the sectarians can blow each other up. And we are friends with Saudi because of the economics of oil, as you stated. Even though the radicals like Osama hate us.
Do you see a problem with your argument?
March 9th, 2007 at 7:54 pmLMAO at V V.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:55 pmMenemsha, I second the motion!
March 9th, 2007 at 7:56 pmWhy would I watch right wing propaganda?†Comment by AckSyn JAckSyn
Forgive me…I had you confused with an open minded individual.
First you accuse me of watching some supposedly leftist films, which I haven’t, then you accuse me of being closed minded for not watching said films on Imam speeches.
I think one V V just flew over the cuckoos nest.
March 9th, 2007 at 7:58 pmAckSyn, you cannot expect logical consistency from a cultist. The cultist is not interested in truth, only in defending and enhancing the power and influence of her cult leader.
March 9th, 2007 at 8:02 pmi’ve already got a wife, V - so my listening-to-hysterical-and-irrational-hyperbole capacity is more than spoken for.
March 9th, 2007 at 8:07 pmAckSyn, you cannot expect logical consistency from a cultist
Comment by Bluedog49
None whatsoever. My bad. Think I will go eat dinner. Later.
March 9th, 2007 at 8:08 pmBluedog49 I like your style- Let’s keep reminding our colleagues to keep it fair and keep it smart- Emotions cannot play a role yet- we need to save ourselves for the real fight!
March 9th, 2007 at 8:19 pmYet Another Wingnut Sliming Of Hillary Proven To Be Bogus
Another day, another wingnut tale proven to be highly dishonest […]
[…]a simple fact-check shows this latest wingnut preoccupation to be highly dishonest. The audio clip Drudge linked to cherry-picked that quote and removed it completely from its context, which would have shown that Hillary wasn’t adopting this accent or grammar or language as her own at all.
Rather, it turns out that Hillary was actually quoting the hymn lyrics of someone else — while clearly and very openly imitating (not very well, it turns out) the cadences she thought the lyrics would traditionally have been delivered in. There was nothing phony about it at all. Watch for yourself:
March 9th, 2007 at 8:46 pmhttp://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/ horsesmouth/ 2007/ 03/ yet_another_win.php
…
#40 BlueDog,
What are you claiming? That President Clinton was unwillingly dragged kicking and screaming into the Kosovo air campaign (which I supported, by the way) because as a member of NATO, the U.S. was obligated to do so?
The argument that Clinton was obligated under U.S. law and the NATO treaty to bomb Kosovo is incorrect.
While invocation of Article 5 of the NATO treaty state that an attack on one member is an attack on all, Article 6 was never invoked during the Kosovo crisis. In fact, Article 5 has only been invoked in the history of NATO, and that was in the days after 9/11.
March 9th, 2007 at 8:48 pmIran should be left alone. They are a shining light onto the world. Us Progressives must organize to support and protect our Iranian friends!
March 9th, 2007 at 8:54 pmTypo correction: While invocation of Article 5 of the NATO treaty provides that an attack on one member is an attack on all, Article 5 was never invoked during the Kosovo crisis. In fact, Article 5 has only been invoked in the history of NATO, and that was in the days after 9/11.
March 9th, 2007 at 8:58 pmComment by Jack Moss
Read your own material. Firing back in self defence is far different than launching another war of aggression.
March 9th, 2007 at 9:25 pm“500 years have passedâ€â€¦What’s 500 years when your tribes and sects are still blowing each other up?….. The thing it does tell me - they haven’t given up their crazy idea in 500 years - I don’t think they will anytime soon.
VV is of course referring to 500 years of western imperialist terrorists battling each other and attacking the third world mercilessly.
Funny how imperialists never see their own imperialist behavior. They project it onto others less able.
March 9th, 2007 at 10:53 pmHillary Clinton calls Iran a threat to U.S., Israel
The Associated PressPublished: February 1, 2007
NEW YORK: Calling Iran a danger to the U.S. and one of Israel’s greatest threats, U.S. senator and presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton said “no option can be taken off the table” when dealing with that nation.
“U.S. policy must be clear and unequivocal: We cannot, we should not, we must not permit Iran to build or acquire nuclear weapons,” the Democrat told a crowd of Israel supporters. “In dealing with this threat … no option can be taken off the table.”
March 9th, 2007 at 11:01 pmYes, Hilary plays both sides of the game. Talks out of both sides of her mouth thinking she won’t get caught. People are watching now. She won’t win not when she lies while our children die in Iraq.
March 9th, 2007 at 11:08 pmWHO CARES WHAT SHE THINKS SINCE SHE DOESN’T THINK FOR HERSELF!
Every word has been vetted by Begala, Carville, Podesta, and polled by Penn. She has no heart, she has no agenda, she is shrill and opportunistic, and she ain’t Bill. She also doesn’t deserve to be President.
C’mon Hillary, enough already. It’s time for Gore or Obama.
March 10th, 2007 at 3:27 amIt was only a matter of time before Podesta, et al. showed their true colors. You knew it was going to happen soon, especially after Judd from TP went to work for Hillary. I used to like this site a lot but I am about to puke (and leave for Politico, Talking Points Memo and Political Wire) if this is going to become an all-Hillary all the time blog. It will be interesting to see if they censor this post like my last one. Hillary is cold, calculating, shrill, opportunistic, and non-deserving of the Presidency. She’s also no Bill. Time to move aside Hil, for the more worthy candidates. As for TP, I hope it doesn’t become another Fox news type media outlet.
March 10th, 2007 at 3:32 amHilary sucks just like monica
March 10th, 2007 at 4:46 amYeah, but he has the money. All the billions stolen from Iraq have to be used somewhere!
March 10th, 2007 at 6:47 amHillary, Nancy & Murtha have the power over Iran; and to not help the troops, but they won’t do it.
absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
vote for any woman
better than any man
March 10th, 2007 at 7:09 amnone could make things any worse
.
“I think that the President should not assume that he has any authority to do anything with respect to Iran.†Clinton said that Bush “needs to come to the Congress, and neither the resolution regarding Afghanistan or Iraq give him authority to take offensive action.â€
Bush doesn’t need authority. All he has to do is engineer a false flag operation, or simply support an Israeli attack.
We know from the Downing Street memo that Bush has considered false flag operations in the past. We know from the Israeli attack on the Liberty that they are perfectly willing to murder Americans when it is politically convenient.
The ONLY thing that might stop a nuclear attack on Iran is IMPEACHMENT. We need sufficient evidence to convince 17 Republican Senators.
God help us.
March 10th, 2007 at 7:46 amThe talks kick off in Iraq today , If Syria and Iran allow America to steal Iraqs oil there will be no war , If on the other hand
March 10th, 2007 at 8:29 amAnyone else having trouble with the raw story start page?
I am no longer getting the headlines - just the articles below.
March 10th, 2007 at 9:27 amEither they changed the format or the home page is screwed up.
Hillary is a coward. She is a murderer and a liar just like Bush.
March 10th, 2007 at 12:20 pmFringe, then go ahead and support the Green Party candidate this year. After all, that was a great strategy in 2000.
March 10th, 2007 at 2:26 pmExley, your citing of the fact that NATO articles were not invoked is obfuscation and distortion as usual. NATO members asked Clinton to help. He agreed. They didn’t have to invoke an article because Clinton was a willing and cooperative Treaty partner. Sometimes it almost seems as if you purposely try to confuse the issues around here. Nah, that must just be my imagination.
March 10th, 2007 at 2:29 pmHey, Fringe left…Enough already…..Hillery is not a murderer, unlike Laura Bush she has not killed any one to my knoledge and she is not at all like bull shit bush, who by the way is not the ruler of our country, cheney is….Lighten up would you or be considered a troll…I may not want to vote for her but I refuse to flip shit on her or any other polatician on either side that is not involved with the true evil in the present administration….Blessings
March 10th, 2007 at 3:20 pm#118 - your a troll. A troll to the Democratic Party. Try thinking for yourself for a change.
March 10th, 2007 at 4:55 pmf*ck Hillary… vote for Ron Paul in 2008!
March 10th, 2007 at 5:25 pmA libertarian imbecile hates Hillary. Huh! Who would have thought such a thing. You tools of corporate power are so f*cking predictable it’s pathetic.
March 10th, 2007 at 5:51 pmFringe left, the correct spelling would be “you’re,” as in “you are.” You’re in such a rush to spew, you forget your basic grammar and spelling. Go back to masterbating. I’m pretty sure you’re better at that.
March 10th, 2007 at 5:53 pmSenator Clinton is CORRECT, and SHE MUST SINK HER FANGS INTO CHIMPya and Cheney’s BEHINDS(UGH!) AND BE A FEROCIOUS RABID ATTACK WOLF READY TO REND Bushland Uber Allies INTO LITTLE SHREDS IF SHE WANTS THE 2008 DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT!!!!! SO GRIT YER TEETH AND BITE THEM, Hillary!!!!!
March 10th, 2007 at 6:01 pmHillary is just the other side of the same coin of neo-conism: people with conections, power and money willing to support Israel’s Zionists policies while making a killing during their reign of power. SHE DOES NOT CARE ONE IOTA ABOUT THE REGULAR JOES OF THE US; WE ARE CANNON FODDER OR WORSE. If she wins the presidency, some things about how we prosecute the ‘War on Terror’ might change, but the overall reality of escalating conflict throughout the middle east and heightened insecurity at home will continue, along with consolidating the unitary executive powers that Bush has usurped. Understand this: the slippery slope ending in fascism is already so tilted in that direction that only ‘anti-lock brakes’ can stop it now; absent a rising up of the sheeple. I support Kucinich and have respect for Ron Paul as well for continuing to speak up and fight for important issues like the Federal Reserve, immigration and abolishing the income tax. PROSECUTE ALL WAR PROFITEERS AND RETURN THE FUNDS TO OUR NATIONS PIGGY BANK!!
March 10th, 2007 at 7:16 pmBluedog49. The correct spelling is masturbating, not masterbating.
March 10th, 2007 at 8:06 pmMarch 10th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
It’s important to keep in mind the background to Hillary’s fairly empty statement on the matter:
1) The Webb initiative to require congressional approval for the attack on Iran was about to die due to Israel lobby pressure. It died yesterday (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070313/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_iraq;_ylt=AhCdKP.xWENIvxEfHwOP6tHMWM0F), shortly after Hillary’s token statement of support (but no action in support, you can be sure.)
2) If asked to vote to authorize W. to attack Iran, Hillary 100% certainly would vote yes, since she is a fully-owned property of the Israel lobby.
Hillary supporters need to realize: she is the closest thing in the Democratic field to continuity of foreign policy following George W. Bush. Her consistent position is: she would fight the same Israeli proxy wars, only with more competence. She believes we must finish the misssion in (i.e. retain control over) Iraq (even though, as with Nixon following Johnson, she will have no more luck than W in that venture), and she insists on a regular basis that “all options are on the table” regarding Iran, a code-phrase for “attacking Iran is inevitable, and I will do it better than the other guys, so send your checks to my campaign.” (Of course, all options are not on the table. Justice in Palestine is never on the table. Only two options are on the table: Iranian surrender of their nuclear program, and US attack on Iran.)
So, is the novelty of a woman president worth a continuation and dramatic widening of our Israeli proxy wars in the middle east?
March 13th, 2007 at 2:14 amAmerica, if we are so smart, why do we not find another source of energy that doesn’t suck and deplete the planet? Let all nations take care of their own business and religions as they see fit for themselves, unless you are planning to live there, it is not your/our business or concern. It is past time to focus on Americans helping America.! The grassroots, middle-class, foot soldiers of this nation who do most of the blood letting and shedding need to remember the meaning of the word ‘Revolution’!
March 20th, 2007 at 5:39 pmEnough is enough! We need to come home and take care of ourselves. Who else is going to do it?
we should sent a couple of SSN nuke heads into the city of Com, and Teheran. Those camel flea infested people should live in the 4th century where they belong. We should also look into the arrogance of the FBI who sat on info about the terrorists before the 9-11 attacks. They don’t share info on the cells operating in West Virginia, and Tampa because anyone other than the FBI is not allow to see sensitive material. Always remember that politics COME FIRST before national security. Thus we sleep with the enemy(The house of SAUD)while they launder money through the many mosques who preach hate and death to America. If you can speak arabic you will understand what they are saying. The average american muslim who DO NOT speake arabic continue to praise Allah in english while the Islamic Brotherhood preach American doctors ripping out Muslim babies from their mothers womb. America needs to wake up and take a good look at the terrorists hiding in plain sight. Why would Mrs Clinton care? Her husband raise money for her campaign, and will get all the free sex he wants when she becomes president.
April 2nd, 2007 at 3:36 pm