For what it's worth......how I got past Clinton's stance on Iraq...

[BooScout]

I have a hard time expressing this sometimes. It's not an easy subject for me. I will tell you that I have protested against the war on two continents. I have written and called congressmen and women and senators. I have argued with Republicans (and even a few Democrats) until I was blue in the face about how wrong the war was. I sat and wept when Max Cleland, my Senator at the time was swiftboated by the Bush machine....you think it was nasty what they did to Kerry? It was much worse with Cleland. By the way, Cleland voted to authorize the use of force and has since said he felt pressured to do so because he was in a tight race. It did him no good, the Republicans ran ads in Georgia with Cleland on the tv screen with Saddam and Bin Laden, questioning a triple amputee Vietnam Vet's patriotism and saying he would be soft on terrorists. They smeared a good man and people it was the ugliest politics I have ever witnessed.

But I digress......how have I gotten past Hillary's stance on Iraq? I am a great reader of history. I love politics and political history best and when i knew I liked Clinton best among the candidates, but needed to reconcile myself with where she had stood, I looked to political history.

My first real awareness of how a national political campaign worked was way back in 1972 and McGovern's run. I remember being so disappointed when the anti-war candidate lost to Nixon....evil incarnate. And now, in my doddering middle age, I have learned my history lessons well. Americans don't like electing dovish Democrats.

I think McGovern himself sums it up on how I arrived at where I am concerning Clinton. Here is what he has to say on the subject:

"I lost for standing up for what was right," McGovern continued. "Some of our greatest presidents have compromised their positions in order to not offend large elements of the voting public. It's possible that's what Hillary is doing."

People will tell you that Hillary has never apologized for voting to allow force to be used and Kerry did. My thought with Kerry doing that is........what was the point? When he apologized it just made him look weak. I think we all know why the Democrats voted to use force. They were damned scared of the Bush Machine at the time. Every last one of them were fighting for their own political life. Some lives were destroyed in the wake of the Bush Machine.

I probably haven't stated my thoughts very well but it's the best I can do to explain it. Now it's time to move on and start repairing what Bush has wrought. I happen to think Hillary Clinton is the person that can do that job the best right now.

[maddiejoan]

1. you echo my thoughts

k&r

[DJ13]

2. Now that youre past the IWR thing

Try to consider how the Clinton's long time support for free trade can solve our economic problems that stem from free trade.

[BooScout]

3. One thing at a time.....

Sheesh.......:eyes:

[Egnever]

4. So you are ok with it cause she just did it to win the presidency?

That seems like a pretty piss poor reason to throw peoples lives away.

[Bright Eyes]

5. I think you expressed yourself well.

:)

However, authorizing a war that has killed hundreds of thousands just for political expediency isn't admirable. It also raises questions if she'll react based on conviction or political advantage in an emergency.

[BooScout]

6. And how do you feel about all the other Dems.....

That voted to authorize the use of force too?

I don't blame the Democrats for the War in Iraq. I blame Bush.

[Bright Eyes]

7. Don't get me wrong, I'm upset with ALL politicians who voted for Iraq

Little Boots is certainly more responsible then anyone else, but those who voted for the war have blood on their hands.

Senator Clinton has steadfastly refused to admit she made a mistake. An apology would go a long way with me (As well as many others).

And while Iraq is very important, it isn't the only reason I don't support Clinton.