June 3, 2007
Posted: 09:05 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) — When asked if they would go after Osama bin Laden knowing that the resulting attack would hurt innocent civilians, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton defended her husband for trying to take him out while he was president.

"He did fire missiles at a training camp," Clinton said. "He had intelligence that's where bin Laden was because by that time, bin Laden had already bombed our country and demonstrated his hostility towards the United States."

Clinton said she would also attempt to take him out if there would be limited collateral damage.

"We would give the order to do it knowing what a weighty responsibility that is," she said.

– CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

Filed under: Hillary Clinton


John, San Diego   June 6th, 2007 2:44 pm ET

One thing that I think everyone is forgetting is that there may have been military issues doing Bill Clinton presidency but we were able to deal with them. Bush is the first and only US President to invade another country and overthrow its goverment- with no proof. Bush invasion has killed 3500 Americans (that's 1000 more than 9/11). Bush has created more hatred for the US than ever before, back when Clinton was president we actually had allies! Bush has plunged the country into such horrific debt (after 6 years of surpluses) that we are tetering on financial ruin. The smart decision would be to get out of Iraq and actually protect our country, our military is stretched now that we are not safe. How would we respond to another attack? Our entire army is in Iraq! Clinton will bring back the troops, protect our country, restore our allegiances, and have fiscal responsibility.

HM   June 4th, 2007 8:39 pm ET

Actually, the Clinton Administration has the distinction of being involved in more conflicts than any other:

1. Somalia, Africa
2. Kosovo, Serbia
3. Haiti
4. Iraq (bombed)
5. Afghanistan (bombed)

During his Administration the following happened:
1. USS Cole was attacked
2. Embassy in Kenya was bombed
3. Embassy in Tanzania was bombed
4. World Trade Center was bombed the first time
4. Oklahoma City Bombing

It was not a peaceful time. Nothing much was accomplished. It was an administration where very little was done but people don't seem to realize it. Its a very selective recollection of history when Bill Clinton's presidendy is looked back on.

Stan Park Ridge ILLINOIS (Hillarys real home)   June 4th, 2007 12:37 am ET

PAeceful 8 years with Clinton, Do you remember Oklahoma CIty? What about Waco, Elian GOnzales…This guy used force against Americans…Plus we are still in Bosina Come on get real CLINTON did nothing to protect America and look at what happened on 9-11 when he could of had Bin Laden from Sudan's Govt….Hillary is not at all a leader!

I was at Gulf War I and they did have WMDs and even Bill was hunting them down inbetween his conferences with Monica, so quit the lies Hillary!

You voted for the WAR and know that you can't just leave and even your husband knows that. Oh by the way you are from Park Ridge Illinois not New York so start acting like a person from Rich White Upper Middle Class Park Ridge. You are a FAKE!

BRent SHelton CT   June 4th, 2007 12:30 am ET

Liar we do not need any more Clintons in the WH, 12 years of Bush is enough and 8 years of Clinton was enough, and Bill did not go after Bin Laden, he was handed his head on a silver platter by Sudan and rather spent his time with the cigar and a girlfriend. Hillary is too shrill and get a skirt on and show us you are a woman….

J. P. Ashburn VA   June 3rd, 2007 11:43 pm ET

Was his strong response for 1) the first WTC attack ? 2) the Kobar Towers, 3) TWO-not just ONE US Embassy destroyed in Africa 4) USS Cole
If he and or HILLARY had taken any meaningful action then, we wold not have had 9/11 or the Iraq war you claim to hate so much, you know the report she did not read…

Brenda Mohr   June 3rd, 2007 11:41 pm ET

Bill Clinton had numerous opportunities to TAKE OUT Bin Laden however he was always too busy playing golf or partying to take action until the 18th hole etc. 3 times he fooled around until it was too late to get him. Ummm priorities screwed up, perhaps 9/11/01 would not have happened if Bill conducted business instead of socializing. Oh and yes Hilliary was there too. The two of them have no respect for our Military and actually look down on our SOLDIERS. Think America she is nothing but an actress.

Kyu Reisch, Radcliff, Kentucky   June 3rd, 2007 11:35 pm ET

Hillary said the truth. We had a peaceful time during his two terms. I miss Bill Clinton. One thing Americans should do, The Clintons to the White House.

Davy C Rockett   June 3rd, 2007 9:46 pm ET

Gravel is right, Hillary and Obama are just as guilty as Bush when it comes to Iraq War. They gave him the power to go into Iraq. They still are funding the President to do what he wants in Iraq.
Ron Paul introduced a bill where all of them could have voted to get the powers given to President back to Congress but they kept supporting him.

There so full of it it's not even funny.

Aaron W., Dallas, Texas   June 3rd, 2007 9:42 pm ET

While I believe the war in Afghanistan was just, unlike what we didn't do in Iraq, I have hard time believing that her husband would've done something other than firing missiles from relative long distance (but it was a smart move on his part to do it). It was a shoulda, coulda, woulda situation with military anything in the Clinton Administration. Bush's huge mistake on Iraq was made worse by base closings and fund-pulling by Clinton. But of course thanks to Bush, many of us look at Bill as some sort of saint now.

Tanya, Seattle, Washington   June 3rd, 2007 9:34 pm ET

Sen. Clinton's campaign slogan seems to be "Vote For Me, Get My Husband". All she talks about is what Bill has done, and what Bill will do once she is in the Whitehouse.

Jordan Buren, Sioux Falls, South Dakota   June 3rd, 2007 9:27 pm ET

She may be guarding her cards but it is better to guard your cards and hint to what you are doing. President Bush has lied and decieved to all of America. We went to war in Afganistan because of 9-11. The was in Afganistan was just, but the war in Iraq was and still is not. As far as Senator Clinton, Shes our best candidate and we need to support her.

oregon   June 3rd, 2007 9:18 pm ET

Senator Clinton came across as decided and intelligent. However, she is giving nothing well. She plays her cards close to her chest and is not telling the American people what is going on.

John, Manassas, Virginia   June 3rd, 2007 9:08 pm ET

Mike Gravel is exactly right. Hilary, Obama, and Edwards are just as much in favor of the war as the Republican. They to are funded by the military industrial complex.

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