September 12, 2007
Posted: September 12th, 2007 12:05 PM ET

In a letter to president Bush, Clinton said a troop withdrawal this summer is "too little, too late."

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, isn't the only White House hopeful Wednesday stepping up talk on Iraq.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, sent a letter to President Bush describing his reported plan to withdraw 30,000 troops next summer "too little too late and unacceptable to this Congress."

"As Commander-in-Chief you have the authority and ability to greatly accelerate the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq, and to bring so many more troops home so much faster," Clinton, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, writes in the letter. "I strongly urge you to choose this course of action."

She added, "Mr. President, it has been nearly four and a half years since you landed on an aircraft carrier and stood before the American people under a banner that read 'Mission Accomplished.' Do not repeat that mistake on Thursday night. Do not misrepresent the facts about the situation on the ground. And do not portray an unavoidable reduction in U.S. troops to pre-surge levels that would occur anyway as a marker of success. Be candid with the American people."

During her endorsement event with the National Association of Letter Carriers Wednesday morning, Clinton criticized Bush for troop reductions that "were going to happen anyway" and demanded that he "start bringing troops home now."

"Taking credit for this troop reduction is like taking credit for the sun coming up in the morning," Clinton said. "The president has the authority to bring our troops home safely and responsibly starting now. But he just won't do it."

Meanwhile, in what has been billed as a major address on Iraq later Wednesday in Iowa, Obama plans to call for a withdrawal to begin "immediately."

– CNN's Jessica Yellin and Alexander Mooney

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Iraq


Ed Holton - Douglas, AZ   September 17th, 2007 11:46 am ET

Has anyone noticed that Hillary is always one of the first ones to blast the millitary? I am a retired service member and I have heard nothing from Hillary on what she would do to address our military readiness situation. Remember that during her husband's 8 years in the White House, she shared his views of loathing the military as an institution. She has stated nothing on fixing th VA system's current mess. In fact, she has pretty much failed to address any thing about the military, other than negative comments of course. Hillary, if you want my vote, tell me why I should!

Tricia M Charlottetown PEI   September 13th, 2007 8:25 pm ET

Given that the majority of Democrats most likely voted for a Democrat Candidate the that last two times around. I guess it would be only logical to blame them for the mess Americans are in now wouldn't it?

And I must disagree with Gravel who said "the people get what they deserve." Given the last two elections this would be an untrue statement. As those who did not vote for Bush certainly did not get what they deserve.

Tom - Dedham, Mass   September 13th, 2007 12:19 pm ET

Sam from IA, are you serious?

"Do you right wingers ever tire of whining. My children where never allowed to whine like that. They live thier lives, work, go to school, and accept responsibility for their actions."

That sounds like Republican voters, certainly not a segment of the Democrats voting block.

"Those who can, do. Those who can't, vote republican and blame someone else for their problems."

Blaming someone else for your problems sounds like a major voting block for Democrats.

Ed,Ellenville,New York   September 13th, 2007 7:07 am ET

Rick it's not hate but a dwindling patience for medical technology to catch up to society.Anyone who reads the medical news,such as Monday's article about the obvious brain defects and their resulting conservative views,knows that these mental midgets are subject to suggestion and emotional interference within their own brains.I have and will continue to drive that home.The gratuitous vitriol just happens to be the most effective method of muzzling these thinkers of a lesser level.When a poll shows that 56% of americans think that the constitution is a christian religious document,it displays just how many mental deficients are among us and highlights the threat to our nation.Therefore it is encumbant upon all thinking americans to heap shame and ridicule on these unwitting traitors until they quit interfering in our government.I hope that explains it for you and if you also see the criminal activity of the theocratic right impuning our secular nation,I hope you'll join me in condemning them,too few of us have the ethical and moral wherewithall to step up to the plate.Lots of these godheads are willing to rant,let them be ostracized,they should feel hated for promoting theocracy.The pilgrims would hang them instantly.

Sam, IA   September 13th, 2007 4:59 am ET

Do you right wingers ever tire of whining. My children where never allowed to whine like that. They live thier lives, work, go to school, and accept responsibility for their actions. Those who can, do. Those who can't, vote republican and blame someone else for their problems. Hillary has become the bell ringer for your pavlov's dog syndrome.

Mike Dallas, TX   September 13th, 2007 12:02 am ET

The CHESS game continues. It is becoming boring and tiresome because it is predictable. Obama LEADS, Hillary FOLLOWS- 100% of the time.

Daniel SLC UT   September 12th, 2007 9:02 pm ET

Hillary is right once again!

Every time she says something the scared Republicans start calling names. This is the problem with the Republican party, when things don't go their way, they start attacking, name calling. Grow up.

You folks that vote Republican are the ones NOT supporting the troops. You all live in so much denial.

Bill W, Coatesville, PA   September 12th, 2007 7:55 pm ET

To Jeremy: Hillary Clinton is not running against "the wack job we have in office right now." He is done, finished, can't be elected again (THANK GOD!).

But instead of comparing her to Bush, you need to compare her to the other candidates. And as soon as you do, you will see that she is oneof the worst candidates -on just about every issue.

The Clintons had their 8 years in the White House, The past 20 years have been Bush, Clinton, Clinton, Bush, Bush. Isn't it tome for change – REAL change?

And if you feel you absolutely HAVE to elect a former first lady, I'd vote for Nancy Reagan A THOUSAND TIMES before I'd vote for Hillary Clinton once.

Rick, San Francisco California   September 12th, 2007 7:21 pm ET

Hey Ed from Ellenville, why are you filled with such hate?

Susan, Rockville Centre, NY   September 12th, 2007 6:21 pm ET

I am a confirmed Democrat and I was against the war from day 1. However, we've already lost significant world respect for starting this war. If we just pull out and the whole region blows up, what do you think our allies will think of us then? We'll have absolutely no credibility left. In addition, China and Russia are just waiting for us to fall on our face, so they can step in and become the next credible superpower and Iran is waiting to capitalize on the chaos we leave in Iraq. WE CAN'T JUST LEAVE CHAOS IN IRAQ. It will be a total disaster!

I didn't want to start it and I never believed we should be there, but we can't just leave. We have an obligation to stabilize Iraq before pulling out.

Michael, Bismarck ND   September 12th, 2007 5:41 pm ET

....Go Hill! Thanks for sending the letter to GW. (not that it will do any good) Keep workin hard, soon you and Bill will be back in the White House and we can get this mess taken cleaned up.
We Love You Hillary!

dawn -- Gaithersburg, MD.   September 12th, 2007 4:48 pm ET

Every word quoted from Sen. Clinton's speech was true and logical. No matter what, troops will have to come back down to pre-surge levels by next summer because current deployment levels are unsustainable. Reducing to pre-surge levels is certainly NOT an indication that the "Bush strategy" is working. And troops should be brought home at a much greater and faster level than Bush proposes.
But hardly any of the comments critical of Sen. Clinton address what she actually said. It's very difficult to take seriously these vitrolic remarks because they don't appear to spring from reasonable, logical, or fact-based opposition to Sen. Clinton's words or actions. Instead, "critics" seem motivated by unreasonable hatred. And while no one can change these people's opinions, the rest of us should ignore them. The debate should be over actual policies in the world, not fantasies in the heads of "Hillary Haters."

TheRealist NYC   September 12th, 2007 4:04 pm ET

"I cannot respect Hillary Clinton after how strongly she supported this war in the beginning."
Too bad you didn't check you facts.

Here's what she said, on the senate floor, in 2002

If we were to attack Iraq now, alone or with few allies, it would set a precedent that could come back to haunt us. In recent days, Russia has talked of an invasion of Georgia to attack Chechen rebels. India has mentioned the possibility of a pre-emptive strike on Pakistan. And what if China were to perceive a threat from Taiwan?

So Mr. President, for all its appeal, a unilateral attack, while it cannot be ruled out, on the present facts IS NOT A GOOD OPTION!"

Does that sound like strong support? get real!

Ray, Rochester   September 12th, 2007 3:51 pm ET

Will someone please tell this hypocrite to shut up.

Tricia M Charlottetown PEI   September 12th, 2007 3:51 pm ET

RightyTighty:

"The Navy put that sign up for its sailors, it been throughly documented. LOOK IT UP! Only a anti-American liberal would try to steal the glory of young saliors just off their completed mission."

The Republican falsehood that the Navy put the sign up has already been disregarded as another Bush Lie. LOOK IT UP!
READ BEFORE Your Fingers do the typing!

"Only a anti-American liberal would try to steal the glory of young saliors just off their completed mission."

THEIR COMPLETED MISSION. Oh, You mean the Completed Mission Bush engineered, watched from the sidelines, as brave military members carried it out, Do You?
And you mean only a self serving excuse for a President would try to take the heroism and glory from his own brave, heroic, military members. Dont' You?

In either case it makes you Not Righty and Not Tighty and 100% Factless.

If you Anti Clinton Zealots could see past your nose, Bush wouldn't be in office now. And Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Austraila, et al, et al, et al, wouldn't be greiving their slain heroes. And we wouldn't be paying more taxes to finance the Bush War that should have never started!

Frankly, I'm more than tired of hearing the Praise and Glory comments in reference to a Leader that should have never been elected. And I'm more than tired hearing about the American casualties as a result of his rush to War. There are many more Nations', than America grieving for their loved ones who never returned home. But you'd sure never know that any other Nations had military Troops fighting this war by reading the American Version of Iraq News!

OH, and while I'm at it – there will also be many more Nations along with America grieving, paying, and living another four years of torment if Americans elect yet another excuse for a US President.
(Especially the Bush Clones: Rudy, Fred, Mitt and Ron.)
And with all the Anti Democrat comments I see posted here, I can almost be assured of another four years of misery and torment.

I hope you'll Pardon me if I don't thank you.

Adam, Plano, TX   September 12th, 2007 3:50 pm ET

Hillary's change in stance on this war is whats "too little too late".

Pete, Washington   September 12th, 2007 3:50 pm ET

Hillary, did you say "..too little too late?"

Are you referring to your decision NOT to read the NIE Report back in 2002, because you thought that you 'understood' the issues?
Isn't THAT too little too late?

Maybe, you are referring to you deciding to vote NO on the Levin amendment, that you should have voted 'yes'. It's too little too late.

Perhaps, you are referring to your YES vote to go to WAR in Iraq? What were you thinking? Again, it's too little too late.

EXPERIENCE? GOOD JUDGMENT?

Three of the most important decisions in YOUR career in the U.S. Senate, and you got ALL three WRONG !!!

I am afraid, dear hillary,...it's too little too late for us to consider you to sit in the White House and make important decisions. We learned our lesson with Bush.

America, let's do it right this time.

Obama'08

Brenda, San Diego CA   September 12th, 2007 3:47 pm ET

Are we ready for a woman president?

Romeny '08!

duh, sjc, CA   September 12th, 2007 3:45 pm ET

Obivously the public education system isn't working very well. Maybe its just me, but I remember in our high school health class we learned that 'pulling out' was not correct method of safe withdrawl!

ThirstyJon, Freedomville, IL   September 12th, 2007 3:40 pm ET

I cannot respect Hillary Clinton after how strongly she supported this war in the beginning. It is very convenient that she know acts as if she had no part in it.

I hope Americans will see through this and not vote in a disaster.

ThirstyJon
freedomthirst.com

Bill W, Coatesville, PA   September 12th, 2007 3:19 pm ET

Jeremy: Hillary Clinton is not running against "the current whack job in office now." He's out. So your point is moot. How about you look at and compare her to the other people who are running and CAN be elected? If you do, you'll find she's one of, if not THE worst candidate. Were you asleep during the whole Clinton Administration, or maybe you have Alzheimer's?

Jeremy, Columbus OH   September 12th, 2007 3:06 pm ET

I admire Hillary and her comments. Her intelligence is far more superior than the current wack job we have in office right now who can't talk and thinks everything is childlishly funny. Grow up Mr. President. Thankfully I wasn't one of the millions of stupid people who elected you.

BeReasonable. Traverse City, Mi   September 12th, 2007 2:41 pm ET

As a past Democrat I am dismayed at the hippocratsy of this party. They have turned a good cause into a political campaign since the start. They had all the chances to look over the intel reports and as usual jumped on the bandwagon an voted without doing so. Now when the going gets tough they Monday morning quarterback the war and claim they were misled.
Sure we all want the troops out of Iraq but only after the job is done and the region is stable. Don't fool yourself into believing the troops will be brought home. The Democrats are using the term "redeployment" for a reason. Does Darfur come to mind, another civil war? Or what about the Afghan arena.
They are too busy making firsts instead of making wise decisions and that is why I am no long one of them.

therealist   September 12th, 2007 2:40 pm ET

This person is a phony using my tag and should be banned for doing it.
You are a jerk. Use your own tag to state your opinions, instead of hiding behind someone else's.
Jerk. – TheRealist

I AM the original and have no need for name calling. You sound like.., thepessimist.

Ed,Ellenville,New York   September 12th, 2007 2:40 pm ET

Iraq has nothing to do with security,that's the dead spot on your brain that makes you repeat falsehoods.I'd gladly submit to an MRI just to weed out all of these regressives.This is getting really absurd,the earth is round.It's 2007,do we really want to let the nuts all run free?

William Payne, South Vienna, Ohio   September 12th, 2007 2:27 pm ET

How many more families must suffer the agony of son's and daughter's being sent home in a body bag before we wake up to the fact that this war in Iraq is wrong

David, Boise Idaho   September 12th, 2007 2:26 pm ET

Hillary is whining like little school girl. Even after she gets what she wants (a troop reduction) she screams, "NO, I want MORE!!"

I respect Hillary in many regards but I don't trust her for a moment to handle US forces and national security.

Les, Huntsville, AL   September 12th, 2007 2:17 pm ET

HILLARY/OBAMA....wake up and quit trying to tell the American people just what they want to hear. That is what causes such out out burst...policians insist on just letting us know what we want to know and not the "TRUTH"...and maybe thats cause the US cant handle the TRUTH...but I do NOT think we should pull out...war is bad, yes indeed..no duh...who said it was sunshine...but it is needed in order to keep security...u cant just tuck ur tale and run.....we are suppose to be better than that??? I pray Hillary nor Obama do not get elected. This is all about what you want to hear people...dont listen....trust what is right....this war needs to go on until Iraq can stand on its own two feet!!!

Russell Greensboro, NC   September 12th, 2007 2:12 pm ET

Hillary should be cooking potatoes

Bob, Long Beach, CA   September 12th, 2007 1:58 pm ET

You would think the Democrats would be the surges biggest fans seeing as how they spent so much time saying more troops were needed. Too bad Bush still hasn't learned that doing what the Dems want will never make them his friends.

Ronald Westport, CT   September 12th, 2007 1:58 pm ET

I can guarantee one thing. If we pull out now : No more Americans will be killed in Iraq and no more taxpayer money will be wasted on a Republican party foreign affairs fiasco.
As for the Iraqis, if we don't trust them to work out their own problems,and we have to guarantee their security, let's annex them as the 51st. state. Does that sound feasible to you???

Biff, Douglas MA   September 12th, 2007 1:57 pm ET

RightyTighty -

I believe the goal in Iraq at the time of the Mission Accomplished speech was to end the threat of Saddam and his WMDs. If we were told that the ultimate mission was bringing democracy to Iraq, I don't think many Americans would have supported the war... except for fools like you.

therealist   September 12th, 2007 1:53 pm ET

What about Youssif? The 5-year-old Iraqi boy savagely burned by terroist?? You know those guys like Osama, the ones in Iraq that openly support US Democrats too...

Guess we shouldn't mislead Youssif or his dream living Father either, huh Hillary. I wonder what they think of your cut and run stradegy?

Nads, Atlanta GA   September 12th, 2007 1:52 pm ET

Hey RightyTighty:

http://www.time.com/time/columnist/printout/0,8816,536170,00.html

That should answer your mistaken impression of the 'Mission Accomplished' banner. Either way, way to entirely miss the point about Bush prematurely declaring "accomplishment" where he had no reason to do so.

BCNU purple state, usa   September 12th, 2007 1:52 pm ET

I would really like to see President Bush make a big surprise move and pull the troops out as quickly as he could. It would take all the wind out of the complainer's sails. Come on Mr. Prez, get on TV Thursday night and say 'you asked for it, here ya go. We're gonna bring them all home before October. We're aren't gonna send any other troops overseas. We are closing all of our overseas installations (S. Korea, Japan, Germany, NATO, Kosovo) NO troops on foreign soil. In addition, ALL foreign aid is hereby cancelled. ...'

It'll never happen, but it sure would be fun to watch. You'd see a lot of folks on both sides of the aisle suffer a coronary right on the spot. Then we could get some fresh new faces in Washington.

Patrick Tucson AZ   September 12th, 2007 1:51 pm ET

http://troopshome.com

Ron, TX   September 12th, 2007 1:49 pm ET

I'm sorry Hillary, but how is "pull out now" a plan? Everyone knows you can't just "pull out" and expect everything to be fine- You need real prevention- diplomacy! You have to talk to leaders that may not like you, but I know you don't agree with that Hillary. What else do you have planned besides "pulling out"? Anything?

Oh, and did you actually READ the reports this time, Hill?

Ed,Ellenville,New York   September 12th, 2007 1:45 pm ET

I love the way Hillary strikes fear into the mentally handicapped!Posters like spinstopper and right-tighty are hilarious,if only their leaders were as foolish,we'd have no problems,unfortunately they've become so used to drinking from the trough of conservative swill and have no intention of giving up their scam.MRI testing to ensure that their brains are working,(no dead spots that indicate conservatism)could eliminate these victims from the debate.No more retarded people in politics.

Maria, Houston   September 12th, 2007 1:43 pm ET

Too little too late...

Lou from Tulsa and others: yes, new administration should not inherit Bushes war...His "Mission" was supposed to be completed, right? ... Millions were made by Halliburton and others, those were profits paid for by human lives and suffering... slogans for crowds are cheap and American public is too gullible to believe in them... and now we and our children have to pick up the tab? President Bush and his cronies should now show what a cool bunch of cowboys they are and ride into the sunset without leaving their mess behind for someone else to clean...

Kim Hebert, Alexandria Louisiana   September 12th, 2007 1:42 pm ET

All of this bickering is a result of a lack of leadership from all our idiots in Washington. There are too many people in Washington worrying about elections, power and paychecks rather than solving this country's problems. So what do they do, they waste time grilling a guy who risks his life every day to defend our freedom. The facts are these people haven't got a clue what to do and they are too darn scared to admit it.

d. s. wilmington nc   September 12th, 2007 1:42 pm ET

Hillary is saying she wants to avoid standing up to our country's enemies. That's not an option in this day and age is it?

pl. at the UN for a while.   September 12th, 2007 1:39 pm ET

I am not American. I cannot vote.

All of you bashers, are you sure you know the history of ideas–and that of your country?

Ms Rodham Clinton is not advocating a four century old "compact" in the near-east. She is addressing a sitting-soon-to-be-unsat President; and offering a definite strategy that is good for America.

janetta,san diego ca   September 12th, 2007 1:39 pm ET

Go home to Arkansa you misearable fool!

Dan, TX   September 12th, 2007 1:38 pm ET

I see the republicans and democrats mostly on the same page. We all know we need to get out as soon as possible. But we also all know we have to give the Iraqis a fair chance to get their act together.

I don't see how we can give them more than a year to do that. We can't spend $2 billion a week indefinitely just to prop up a people who don't have the guts to stand up and take advantage of the opportunity we have given them. Welfare for the Iraqi people is not the answer.

$2 billion a week is enough to give us a nice tax break, or to develop alternative energy so we can leave the whole Middle East to their own sad future.

Obama and now Clinton use the term start getting out, but if you look at what they actually are saying, they are both talking about a phased redeployment that would take almost two years. The Republican candidates are planning on the same timetable. They are using different words. The Dems and Repubs are using different words to describe the same strategy!

I see a consensus policy hidden from view by partisan spin and politics.

IM4ULORD, Waukesha, WI   September 12th, 2007 1:37 pm ET

Hiliary, do us the favor and you withdraw!!

lyn, MD   September 12th, 2007 1:37 pm ET

Did Hillary call for someone to be "Candid with the American people"

She has a lot of nerve...when has she EVER been honest?

NS, New York   September 12th, 2007 1:34 pm ET

Jimbo Colbert:"How many attacks how occured since 9/11? Thanks god a republican was in office at the time 9/11 occured. If not we would have had many, many more attacks."
-
Aren't you forgetting something? After the first World Trade Center bombing, at the beginning of the Clinton administration, we did not have another one here for the rest of his term- that's 2884 days. So far Bush's record is only 2191 days. Not only did Clinton keep us as safe as Bush, but he did for longer, and without shredding the Constitution. And if Bush and Ashcroft had bothered to pay any attention to the anti-terrorist experts held over from the Clinton administration we might have been able to stop 9/11.

Greg, Phoenix, AZ   September 12th, 2007 1:34 pm ET

Just SHOCKED that she would say that.

I was thinking she was going to actually come out and support the President, our top General, and our troops.

She wouldn't have an agenda or anything, would she?

Michel, Los Angeles, CA.   September 12th, 2007 1:33 pm ET

Hillary is right!! and I cannot wait until she is president and these disguesting, lying, republican bums are thrown out on their cans!

mary jane, baltimore, md   September 12th, 2007 1:31 pm ET

Just retire gracefully senator, we have heard enough of your lies. I am making sure with my vote you are not getting anywhere so as other women sorrounding me. This is not bush, clinton, bush, clinton country. I wanna be free again and I need a change. I will elect anybody else other than you. Go back to Arkansa and stop making my eardrum fail

Tom - Dedham, Mass   September 12th, 2007 1:31 pm ET

So many negative responses to Hillary and her "ideas", are you all part of the "vast right-wing conpiracy"?

I am not going to waste my words on her, but I know someone is going to post "but the American people want us home".

This is just a question to throw out there, the American people from all races and political persuasions also have voted overwhelmingly in 45 or so states that they don't want gay marriage.

Should we abide by that polling/vote of he American people as well?

Just wondering.

pl. at the UN for a while.   September 12th, 2007 1:28 pm ET

Stop bashing CNN.

They actually listen to good sense. Last week they did not post one of my postings. But I credt them for quickly pulling a commentary which was the object of my challenge to them.

Tim O'Brien, Chicago   September 12th, 2007 1:22 pm ET

To RightyTighty, what planet are you from? The White House admitted they had the sign placed there and later said they regretted it. Where is all of this documentation you speak of? Or did Rush or Hannity say it once so it must be gospel?

Keep drinking that Kool-Aid...

Portland, OR   September 12th, 2007 1:21 pm ET

Bush isn't withdrawing anymore troops out than were already scheduled to leave. His intention is political, to make the American public believe we have to a Republican in the White House in 08' to finish his mess with Iraq.
Bin Laden, al Qaeda, Islamic Militants & Afghanistan will never change! We are just keeping our own citizens in harms way for something that will never ever change.

robert, myrtle beach sc   September 12th, 2007 1:18 pm ET

Way to go Hillary our next president... get the right wing, holier than thou, hypocrites, all bent out of shape...they think this administration is so great because they can only think & speak as they are instructed by the GOP...they have their heads buried about 3 foot in the sand...

TheRealist   September 12th, 2007 1:03 pm ET

Listen to me…, not your battle hardened generals on the ground in Iraq, say the fools who choose, scratch that, insist on losing wars.
Posted By therealist : September 12, 2007 12:14 pm

This person is a phony using my tag and should be banned for doing it.
You are a jerk. Use your own tag to state your opinions, instead of hiding behind someone else's.
Jerk.

Danny G. Boca Raton, FL   September 12th, 2007 1:00 pm ET

what has she said or done that is wrong? Pres. Bush did made the mistake of declaring mission accomplished! Pres. Bush has made point after point during this war that we are "winning", "turning the corner" I call that "SPINNING" or how about this "PROPAGANDA", Gen. Petreaus has suggested we draw down to pre-surge levels, at a time when we don't have the capacity to sustain the current number of troops and to do it in the original schedule they had given congress? what is the progress on that? if you need to sustain 140,000+ troops in Iraq, then create a massive campaign in this country to get everyone involved... remember the "I want you" uncle sam signs? where is this president calling on every able man and woman in this country to help fight on this Global war!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He is not a leader, he either is not capable of running this war or he is lying... as a form of respect I choose to believe the first.

Hillary my hat off to you, if we are to be successful in shaping anything in Iraq, it is not going to be with sustain 140,000 boots in the ground for another 10 years. Try spinning that people, but the way to shape a resolution is by understanding the players, to have action where needed (perhaps miliraty action) and to then have the diplomatic means to back it up. the current government in Iraq is incapable of diplomacy and reconciliation, and yet we are not helping them... tell me how are we failing so badly at this... we should be having a Debate about the ways to move forward, not a report from a General about military statistics that in the end amount to a continued sustained effort of ALL troops already deployed on the ground with no apparent end in sight...

Wynter, Loudon, NH   September 12th, 2007 12:59 pm ET

The problem here is that Bush is still running the mission in Iraq to form a perfect democracy. He hasn't evolved the mission to include the fact that a "perfect democracy" in Iraq is impossible. What Obama and Clinton are promoting is correct. We need to change the mission to one of "stablizing" the country and "training/support" to the government. And to do that we don't need to have the current troop levels in Iraq.

Take off your Rose-colored glasses Mr. President and do the right mission.

Telling it like I see it,
Wynter

Keith - Atlanta, GA   September 12th, 2007 12:59 pm ET

This is not the top Hillary Clinton story of the day. The top story is that she voted in the senate to required bundled campaign donations to require the disclosure of all donors. In the Hsu incident she is not revealing the donation sources. This is hypocritical.

Jim- Troy Mi   September 12th, 2007 12:56 pm ET

At this point, I believe we need to distinguish the difference between spreading democracy globally (call it westernization) and proactivity in reducing viable threats to our nation.
Converting whole countries to our ideology does not work.
What gives us the right to push our conception of individual, political and economic freedom on cultures that have existed long before our nation came to be? It is ludicrous to think we can change a country, and force our beliefs under the banner of "we have freedom, our way is the best, and we want you to share in our joy". This is such a complex undertaking that it is unrealistic to even think it can be accomplished. The fact of the matter is, that those who are of the Muslim faith are victims of the fanticals operating under their misinterpretation of the true definition of the faith to further their destructive agenda. Thus, let us cease forcing our way of life on other countries- instead, we need to proactively defend ourselves against terrorism, nuclear weapons and other such undertakings that threaten our nation -taking on the responsibility of converting whole nations to mimic western civilization is arrogant and provides no assurance that our security has been improved. undesirable not to mention having a 95% chance of failure. Violence just begets violence, as Iraq clearly shows. I feel bad for the good people of Iraq who are now caught in this disaster. Finally- for crying out loud, we have people who live in our own country who are suffering mercilessly and our government wants to save the world?

lavelle   September 12th, 2007 12:52 pm ET

One question shouldn’t the person leading in all of these "polls" tell us at least once what she would do when she's in office? Her whole campaign is based on name recognition. Nothing else it kind of reminds me of GW's campaign you know all talk but no agenda! But leave it up to some Americans she's the one that should lead us. Yeah right....She voted for the war she didn’t lead by reading the information that was provided to her. She just said yes lets invade Iraq. What a leader!

Will, Vienna, VA   September 12th, 2007 12:49 pm ET

Clinton is a TRUE leader who is the only Democrat, aside from maybe Kucinich, who can actually get the job done in Iraq in a reasonable and responsible way. It's time we had a president who can actually deliver hope instead of just lecturing about it.

Winston Hsia, San Antonio Texas   September 12th, 2007 12:47 pm ET

Good job. We sure can spend that $900 Billion a year on TAX CUTs, Medical costs, education, all kinds of research, rebuild Gulf coast, etc,... Just think about what we have missed.

Ulf Svensonn - Washington, DC   September 12th, 2007 12:41 pm ET

Thanks for the censorship, CNN.

You're a shining example to the Constitution of the United States of America.

Coach Haughton   September 12th, 2007 12:38 pm ET

Good call Hillary.
I would expect such an astute political move from you. Just wish you hand't sent them there in the first place.

E. Coleman   September 12th, 2007 12:36 pm ET

Hillary doesn't know what she believes or what she is preaching. At this point her comments are negligible and meaningless. If she had any understanding of the true, historical situation in Iraq, it would be different. A politico such as Fatally Flawed Hillary can visit Iraq a million times and learn absolutely nothing, because of tunnel vision, a closed mind, and her greedy will to grab personal power and/or political position. Hillary does not have the wisdom nor experience to be President of this Great Nation. IMO

James, Phoenix AZ   September 12th, 2007 12:33 pm ET

Hililary has called for a "candid conversation.... ok.. Let's be honest for a minute. If President Bush said ALL troops were going to be home in 1 week – Hillary would be calling it "too little too late". She is campaigning to be elected President – therefore must attack EVERY decision the President makes, regardless if the decision is a reasonable approach or not.

RightyTighty   September 12th, 2007 12:30 pm ET

"Mr. President, it has been nearly four and a half years since you landed on an aircraft carrier and stood before the American people under a banner that read 'Mission Accomplished.'

As if Bush and the whole military was celebrating a democratic Iraq on that day..., Pleeeease!!

The Navy put that sign up for its sailors, it been throughly documented. LOOK IT UP! Only a anti-American liberal would try to steal the glory of young saliors just off their completed mission.

Hillary has once again proven herself to be nothing but a cold hearted, two-faced politician. A Republician's ideal Democractic candidate..

Alberto Muñoz - Washington, DC   September 12th, 2007 12:29 pm ET

Do Hillary and Obama advocate bringing the troops home, or actually participating in the so-called "War on Terror" ? Bush's major mistake in 2002 was that he targeted Iraq, despite zero evidence of ties to al Qaida and terrorism, and NOT *real* terrorist sponsor states like Syria and Iran.

It's all well and good that Hillary & co. wish to end our participation in an unwinnable war in Iraq (even at the possible expense of total collapse in the region, now that the U.S. has removed all central authority in Iraq), but what of pursuing the terrorists and bringing them to justice ??

Jimbo Colbert   September 12th, 2007 12:25 pm ET

I this carpet bagging loser actually wins the election, Canada's population will grow tremendously. America is basically populated with stupid people, but that would be the end all be all, voting her into the White House.

Just like hubby Bill and the rest of the scared Democrats, the terrorists will be able to operate freely again and attack us.

How many attacks how occured since 9/11? Thanks god a republican was in office at the time 9/11 occured. If not we would have had many, many more attacks.

Shara, Columbus, OH   September 12th, 2007 12:24 pm ET

This is ridiculous! The Democrats push for evacuation of Iraq, then when action is finally being taken, it's "Well, too little too late." It's time to quit acting like we're not all in this together! Quit pointing the finger at each other and actually focus on the important things like the fact that troops WILL finally start coming home!

Lee Allmond, Denver, NC   September 12th, 2007 12:20 pm ET

Clinton and Obama have no understanding of what will happen if we pull out immediately. With political pandering like they display I wouldn't vote for them on a bet.

Providence, RI   September 12th, 2007 12:17 pm ET

Hillary is right.

Claude, Mesa AZ   September 12th, 2007 12:15 pm ET

Talking about someone who misrepresents the facts, you're a pro at it Hillary. You have no platform to stand on Mrs. Experience. You casted your vote for the war, didn't read the intelligence estimate...who are you to recommend anything. Shut up and sit down.

spinstopper   September 12th, 2007 12:15 pm ET

"I strongly urge you to choose this course of action."

CHOOSE TO LOSE!!

therealist   September 12th, 2007 12:14 pm ET

Listen to me..., not your battle hardened generals on the ground in Iraq, say the fools who choose, scratch that, insist on losing wars.

lou tulsa ok   September 12th, 2007 12:12 pm ET

The Democrats are scared to death to inherit a war they will be responsible for ending or solving. They have no solutions, and rather than have their shortcomings made public, they would rather have Bush take the heat. That won't happen, and when the war goes on into the next presidency, which the Dems expect to win, Hillary and B.Hussein Obama will look like the fools they are. Neither has the ability nor the stomach to be commander in chief of the USA forces. They just don't want the rest of us to find out. Unfortunately if the US is fool enough to elect either of them, we will all reap the whirlwind of our foolishness.

David S. , Hartford, CT.   September 12th, 2007 12:12 pm ET

Keep in mind as this flip flopper Hillary deflects attention from her campaingn finance scandal, that the Clinton admin. for EIGHT YEARS pushed for invasion into Iraq and ousting of Saddam. They couldnt convince Congress enough to carry out their goal of invading Iraq. They voted for it, they pushed for it and if people would do research, they'd see this is all too true .

Anonymous   September 12th, 2007 12:08 pm ET

Follow the leader...Barack Obama

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