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What Was The Question?

Looking for debate info, I found this:

Asked what she would do if two American cities were simultaneously attacked, Clinton let ‘er rip. “Having been a senator during 9/11, I understand the extraordinary horror of that kind of attack,” she said. “I think a president must move as swiftly as is prudent to retaliate. That doesn’t mean we go looking for other fights. Let’s focus on those who have attacked us and do everything we can to destroy them.”

It was at least the second time in the debate that Clinton referenced her experience as a Senator during and after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks — an effort to show she has been in the trenches fighting terrorism and its aftermath for years.

Edwards, who was asked that same question, emphasized the importance of diplomacy — changing the way that the world looks at America. “We have more tools available to us than bombs,” Edwards said.

Richardson went a step further, advocating an immediate military retaliation.

Can someone give me a better account of what the question was? I mean, military retaliation against whom? I mean, there was no military retaliation after the terrorist attacks in Madrid and London for the very good reason that there was nowhere to retaliate. Having deposed the Taliban from ruling Afghanistan, we can’t respond to a new al-Qaeda attack — even a big one — by deposing the Taliban again. So what are we talking about here? Presumably not just lashing out at random.

CAUGHT ON TAPE: McCain Supported ‘Precipitous Withdrawal’ From Somalia, Haiti

This morning, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), gave several television interviews in which he vigorously advocated staying the course in Iraq. He told the CBS Early Show, “[T]here is progress being made…we’ve got to at least give this new strategy a chance to succeed.”

McCain further claimed, “I don’t recall a time in history while men and women are fighting and sacrificing that one of our major leaders has said that the conflict is lost.” On two separate occasions during the Clinton administration, however, he argued for the approval of legislation guaranteeing the removal of U.S. forces from foreign engagements, regardless of the consequences:

October 1994 — McCain argued for the precipitous withdrawal of U.S. forces from Haiti: “In my view that does not mean as soon as order is restored to Haiti. It does not mean as soon as democracy is flourishing in Haiti. It does not mean as soon as we have established a viable nation in Haiti. As soon as possible means as soon we can get out of Haiti without losing any American lives.” [Senate Floor, 10/6/94]

October 1993 — McCain argued against giving any strategy the chance to succeed in Somalia: “Mr. President, can anyone seriously argue that another 6 months of United States forces in harm’s way means the difference between peace and prosperity in Somalia and war and starvation there? Is that very dim prospect worth one more American life? No, it is not.” [Senate Floor, 10/14/93]

Watch his statements:

McCain has conveniently forgotten his previous statements. He now calls the position he took in ’93 and ’94 “precipitous withdrawal” and “surrender.”

Ryan Powers

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Murtha Slams McCain Over ‘Outrageous’ IED Joke

In a fiery speech last night, Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) blasted Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for joking about improvised explosive devices (IED) during his appearance on the Daily Show on Tuesday.

McCain was asked by Jon Stewart about his notorious recent shopping trip at a Baghdad market, and responded, “I had something picked out for you, too — a little IED to put on your desk.”

During his floor speech last night, Murtha said that he received a call from a friend’s wife who was distressed about McCain’s crack. “In the last four months, we’ve lost more troops than any other period during this war,” Murtha said. “Imagine a presidential candidate making a joke about IEDs when our kids are getting blown up!” he shouted loudly. “It’s outrageous!”

Watch it:

[flv http://video.thinkprogress.org/2007/04/murthmcc424.320.240.flv]

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