November 6, 2007
Posted: November 6th, 2007 07:00 PM ET

Edward challenges Clinton to provide answers

NEW MARKET, New Hampshire (CNN) – Democratic presidential rival John Edwards Tuesday challenged Sen. Hillary Clinton to provide specifics on how she would end the Iraq war.

"Senator Clinton has repeatedly said she will 'end the war.' Yet she has provided no plan for how she’ll do it," Edwards said in a statement posted on his campaign blog.
"She has only said that she will hold a meeting with her advisers within 60 days of taking office. That’s not a plan. It’s a promise of a planning meeting. On such an important question we need honesty and answers, not double talk and evasions."

At his campaign stop, Edwards outlined to voters his list of questions, also enumerated in his release, that he believed all presidential candidates should answer on the Iraq war. They included:

–As president, will you withdraw all combat troops?
–Will you withdraw all combat troops within the first nine to ten months of your presidency?
–Will you conduct combat missions with troops stationed inside Iraq?
–Will you leave permanent military bases in Iraq?

Edwards proceeded to contrast his position with Clinton's. He said Clinton would keep combat troops in Iraq, continue combat missions and maintain military bases.

"To me that's not ending the war," said Edwards

–CNN New Hampshire Producer Sareena Dalla

Filed under: Hillary Clinton • John Edwards • New Hampshire • Race to '08


Tricia M Charlottetown PEI   November 8th, 2007 9:41 am ET

"Senator Clinton has repeatedly said she will 'end the war.' Yet she has provided no plan for how she’ll do it,"

She has provided a plan John you should learn to read!

And instead of constantly attacking Hillary on her (what you deem to be no plans), why don't you tell us what your plan is to end the war in Iraq John. I don't recall reading or hearing your plan.

You are great at Flogging the Leader John but very poor on stating your stand on the issues.

Does your website state your stand on all the issues important to Americans John? Does it list your experience and qualifications John?

Your time would be better spent planning your strategies for changing America instead of wasting time flogging other Candidates.

Or could it be you don't have any strategies John? So your only recourse is to attack those who do? It is so much easier to Attack than actually draft a plan for change huh?

And John, a true Leader wouldn't have to point his finger every time he stands on a podium. What's with that John? Do you think your index finger signals power? Intelligence? Skill? What is your finger supposed to relay to Americans John ?

Have you seen many American Thumbs Ups on your Campaign Trail John? I didn't think so.

I think your next Campaign stategy should be "Back to the Drawing Board."
Your relentless attacks on Hillary are truly boring even to we who aren't Americans.

DR. NO, NEW ORLEANS   November 7th, 2007 9:03 pm ET

WERE HEADING DOWN THE DRAIN WITH THE DUMMYCRATS! GOD BLESS US!

ano to   November 7th, 2007 5:47 pm ET

I feel like I am spinning in circles everytime he speaks, sorry can not handle it, he keeps spinning the way he has been its only a matter of time before he falls

John, OH   November 7th, 2007 2:46 pm ET

I am a Democrat and has never voted for a Republican. However if this guy gets the nomination I'll vote for a Republican. He has started a bad culture of personal attack on democratic party which was limited before. And so much about Clinton..what about "war on terror is a bumber stricker" Johnny boy, you want to explain that?

Eric, SI, NY   November 7th, 2007 1:48 pm ET

She has already answered these questions; just because John refuses to listen does not mean she has not told people what she believes.

anon, pittsburgh, pennsylvania   November 7th, 2007 1:13 pm ET

doesn't he realize that Hillary's plan is REALISTIC? A full pull-out in just 9 months would reverse everything we've been trying to do there. Once we leave Iraq it'll create a power vaccuum... We have to make sure the Iraqis will have a strong enough army and firm hold on the goverment so that the sane Iraqis can take control and repel the nutjobs there.

John Edwards, just give it up. This isn't helping you or the party.

Randy S. Lawton, OK   November 7th, 2007 12:26 pm ET

To El in Ottowa: If Obama's campaign is negative simply because he points out differnces between himself and Hillary and how Hillary constantly contradicts herself, would like to ask one thing; what should he be doing? Just let her get away with it and say whatever she wants to without pointing out inconsistencies.

As for Obama's positions, go to his website and they're all spelled out so even you can understand them.

Hillary is a deceitful, conniving, two-faced individual who doesn't even know if she's Dem or GOP. It just depends on which way the wind's blowing.
Anyone foolish ebough to vote for her, well, if she wins you WILL get what you deserve.
And it won't be pretty.

Provdence, RI   November 7th, 2007 11:22 am ET

Edwards is flat wrong-Hillary said very clearly that she would withdraw troops gradually, because it has to be done very carefully, and it will take time to withdraw 160,000 men and women, and she is realistic. It cannot be done by over night, like Fedex. However, she would keep some to fight terrorists. Edwards is distorting the facts- he is desperate-I would never trust this guy...he made profits from Katrina disasters-he lives in 36,000 sq feet mansion-he gets his hair cuts for $400-he put his cancerous wife on the campaign trail... He lost twice-he is not authentic. He did very poorly on the VP debate against Cheney in 2004-he looked and sounded very novice.

Former US Army Officer, Kansas   November 7th, 2007 10:51 am ET

Don't need a hears what you wnat to hear politican. The gates open and the cattle are out, and just rounding them up and putting them back in the pen will not solve anything.

I did not from the start feel that "invading" Iraqi was justified or wise for the given reason.

I did not feel from the start that the administration had a clue as to what they were going to encounter once we entered Iraq. I felt from the startthe the concept that we were to be greeted as liberating heros was not going to happen.

We are now in Iraq for the long haul, no one is going to follow us home if we pull out, believe it or not, they already know where we live and really would prefer to attack us here in streets than fight us on a battle field thousands of miles away. But our current administration has created a mess, as we as Americans are going to have to clean up their mess if we ever expect to be looked upon as a world leader again.

No Mr Edwards we can not at the drop of a dime withdraw all American troops from Iraq.

No Mr Edwards not all combat troops will be withdrawn in the first 9-10 months.

Yes Mr Edwards the US military in Iraq will contiune to conduct combat operations in the security of the nation of Iraq.

And finally Mr Edwards we shall have temporary bases in Iraq forthe next 30 years regardless of what you think.

The current administration has destabilized the entire region with its actions. It shall be the job of the next administration to stabilize the region, not though the use of military force, but though the use of diplomacy and strength. And yes that means a military presence.

One final point that is a sore point as far as I am concerned, to end a war, you must first have a war. Congress never declared war, they gave Bush the ability to use military force to secure WMD if diplomatic means failed, guess what.

Terry, El Paso, TX   November 7th, 2007 10:43 am ET

"Great... someone who will just give up and let Al Quaeda have its way in the world." Neill C., Montgomery, Alabama

Let's put the terrorism issue in perspective. So far in this century, Islamic terrorists have killed about 7,000 Americans. During that time, 50,000 Americans have died from aspirin overdose; 175,000 Americans have died from gunshot wounds inflicted by another American; 183,000 Americans have killed themselves; and 500,000 Americans have died from alchoholism. On the Danger-To-Americans scale, terrorism is less dangerous than aspirin but more dangerous than scuba diving. Terrorists have not so much as keyed a car since 9/11.

While we need an alert foreign policy that will focus on terrorism and oppose it intelligently. However, the war in Iraq has produced many times more terrorists than it has killed or arrested. I think we should retain a presence in Iraq to help fix the country's infrastructure and get that nation pasted back together, but the war – which I supported – was stupid.

We should have heeded President George H. W. Bush when he wrote about why his administration did not invade Iraq during the Gulf War: "We would have been forced to occupy Baghdad and, in effect, rule Iraq. The coalition would instantly have collapsed, the Arabs deserting it in anger and other allies pulling out as well. Under those circumstances, furthermore, we had been self-consciously trying to set a pattern for handling aggression in the post-cold war world. Going in and occupying Iraq, thus unilaterally exceeding the U.N.'s mandate, would have destroyed the precedent of international response to aggression we hoped to establish. Had we gone the invasion route, the U.S. could conceivably still be an occupying power in a bitterly hostile land. It would have been a dramatically different — and perhaps barren — outcome."

Matt, Columbia, SC   November 7th, 2007 10:34 am ET

"This one term wonder choose to turn tail and run instead of fighting for his senate seat. And now he wants to be president?"

Amazingly, he did what policy-makers probably should do in this case, to show that he isn't interested in his own self-interest (ie – keeping his senate seat), Edwards chose to focus his energies on running a campaign for the White House instead of just saving an empty, no-voting seat in Congress like so many other Presidential hopefuls who don't show up for sessions while on the trail. Nice of you to attack him for that rather than anything worthwhile.

J.Crobuzon   November 7th, 2007 10:30 am ET

America loves this war! Don't you know we're winning? Heck, we're welcomed as liberators and the insurgency is nearly over. Besides, we've taken seventeen-year leases on those bases. Hillary's realistic; if she wins, the GOP are not going to vanish or mass-suicide. They will still control the military and have vast influence over the little people in the heartland.
Edwards and Obama are failing as candidates; all they do is wait for Hillary to act so they can react.

Megha, San Antonio, TX   November 7th, 2007 10:24 am ET

Mr Edwards, by all due respect you need to stop whining and start your pack up. Really. this ain't getting you anywhere. And talk of double talk, in the debate before Drexel, you said you'd keep combat troops in Iraq, now you've changed completely adn the way to hide your own double talk is by attacking Clinton. Be a man, get a life and show some decency. No one even in South Carolina can stand you. Stop going around the country with your stale ideas of double talk, they're overwrought and no one's even listening to you. Your attack dog tactics are helping Obama instead of you, might you look into a better strategy?

HC, new york, ny   November 7th, 2007 10:19 am ET

New USA Today/Gallup polling conducted this past weekend shows few signs that front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton’s standing among Democrats nationally was affected by the recent Democratic candidate debate. Clinton’s 50% of the vote, Obama’s 22%, and Edwards’ 15% are virtually unchanged from Gallup’s Oct. 12-14 poll. Clinton continues to have the highest favorable ratings of the three leading candidates.

Bill, Bloomington IL   November 7th, 2007 10:07 am ET

I have yet to see a democrat with an idea of how to end the war. Edwards included. The democrats have already violated my trust and it took less than a year to do it.

Karen,ny   November 7th, 2007 9:38 am ET

Holding a meeting within 60 days of taking office with your advisors is not a plan. She should tell her plan now along with the rest of the candidates so that all of us will know. She has a lot of nerve thinking that she will be elected. Action is worth a 1000 words.

El, Ottawa, Ontario   November 7th, 2007 9:09 am ET

The dem party, like the republican party, should have a policy that a fellow dems should not be criticize another dem member.

The negative campaigns of John Edwards and Obama are not good for the party in the next election.

Meanwhile, their challenges are not necessarily valid, and they have not given out a position to be counter-argued.

Neill C., Montgomery, Alabama   November 7th, 2007 9:08 am ET

Great. Just what we need, John, is someone who will just give up and let Al Quaeda have its way in the world.

AJ; Montpelier, VT   November 7th, 2007 9:04 am ET

By what authority does Edwards have to critisize Clinton. This one term wonder choose to turn tail and run instead of fighting for his senate seat. And now he wants to be president?

alan St Louis MO   November 7th, 2007 3:08 am ET

End the war YEA RIGHT

Clinton voted yes to ok the BUSH to attack IRAN.

The Bush getting confused telling the differance between Iraq and Afganistan. He thinks Iraq was the 911 preditors. His lack of understanding the map we sent the entire military to go into IRAQ instead of Afganistan.

WOW is that why Osama still running around.
WOW is that why ALqeda is stronger then ever. Even before 911.
WOW is that why pakistan is on the verge of being overthrown by Osama.
AH OH Pakistan is a NUKE armed country.

Clinton= NOT the SOLUTION to fix the world

Anonymous   November 7th, 2007 1:21 am ET

Hillary Clinton is staring in a new sitcom called Flipper.

Ivan, Chicago, Illinois   November 7th, 2007 12:53 am ET

Mr. Edwards you would also keep troops in Iraq even after ending combat missions.
We would need to have soldiers in Iraq to finish the training of the Iraqi Army, the guarding of our embassy, yes and even some needed for specialized military operations, but not for general combat.

RalphB Austin   November 7th, 2007 12:49 am ET

In the debate Edwards wouldn't promise to have US troops out of Iraq by 2013. Now he says he'll have them out in 2009.

Glad he doesn't pander or flip-flop for votes. haha.

Mark, San Diego,CA   November 7th, 2007 12:19 am ET

Hillary flip-flops again. Thanks John for allowing us to vote for someone who is willing to do the right thing and take a moral stand for Ameria and the world.

Greg Brown, Live Oak Florida   November 7th, 2007 12:16 am ET

Edwards, and other candidates, should not push each other on submitting definative plans on national security matters so prematurely. A number of things can change before a new president takes office nnd discussing national security plans and objectives in open forums is completely irresponsible. To hang ones hat on a plan of today with over a year to go, is unprofessional and borderline ignorant.

Michael, Massachusetts   November 7th, 2007 12:15 am ET

I don't trust him at all. There is something about him that makes me think that he is running for the office of the presidency for the wrong reasons. We will find out sooner or later.

Jack Tourince   November 7th, 2007 12:12 am ET

The war is needed...why? I do not know but, obviously there is a good reason. We should be nice and give a few billions to our nations soldiers.

We give so many billions to the war and to our enemies who pretend to like us...why not give a few billions to the troops. It's not like anyone is going to miss it. Not when "we're" spending trillions on these wars.

Dumbocrats are against all wars and the pro-active defence of this nation. They just pretend that they are all for it when the wind is blowing in the "right" direction.

Lots of Republicans "strangely enough" are in the closet homosexuals...Dumbocrats are in the closet about being "anti war at all costs". Strangely we do not hear about the flaming Dumbocrats as often which is odd. Their liberal party ideology would seem to be a more fertile ground for those tendencies.

An aside:

I really get a kick out of the politicians when they roll their sleeves up...like they are really getting down to business and doing some really hard work. I'd like to see some of you people role your sleeves up and spend a week by our soldiers during bomb location duty.

Guess I've got a little cabin fever.

Tricia M Ch'town PEI   November 7th, 2007 12:10 am ET

You say Hillary's comments do not equate with ending the war. But you neglect to say what YOU would do TO END THE WAR. You neglect to say much about anything you would do should by a miracle you be elected President.

Quite frankly, your only statements are those attacking other candidates.
Your attacks on Hillary are very monotonous to say the least. And your low ball style of Campaigning leaves much to be desired especially where leadership qualities are concerned.

But good luck it appears you'll need it.

Jeff from Jersey   November 6th, 2007 11:59 pm ET

So far all Edwards has is his attack on Clinton and not a single solution to anything.He really needs to get a better picture.He looks like he just beat someone to death for trying to make HIM answer a question and he's saying "Don't you even ask me for my own answer or I'll beat on YOU for awhile!".I guess Elizabeth wasn't around to tell him what to say.

Rurik, St. Paul, MN   November 6th, 2007 11:25 pm ET

Edwards is right. Each presidential candidate, whether they're a crooked, lying Republican or a gutless, whiny Democrat, SHOULD answer those questions. And I want to know exactly where they stand on Illegal Immigration as well!

A. Thomas, New York, NY   November 6th, 2007 11:14 pm ET

It is easy to ask criticise, condemn and complain, and most fools including JOhn Edwards do.

I am curious how John Edwards would answer those questions himself, and I can bet there will be counter arguments to his answers too.

Is it fair to expect a candidate to have all the detailed specifics of Hillary's (or any other candidate's) proposal for a complex issue like leaving Iraq, without discussing with the Iraq govt and our allies first?

Mike,Panama City,FL   November 6th, 2007 10:55 pm ET

By watching the debates and reading the ideas and clear vision of Hillary < I can answer the questions myself

As president, will you withdraw all combat troops?

–Will you withdraw all combat troops within the first nine to ten months of your presidency?
–Will you conduct combat missions with troops stationed inside Iraq?
–Will you leave permanent military bases in Iraq?

1. Edwards their is a difference between combat troops and support troops , Hillary said she will pull out most of the combat troops out of Iraq , and have the remaining troops in Iraq have a support role .

2.Obviously if you have support troops in Iraq their will be times that these troops will assist Iraqi security forces in combat missions.

3.Also is very obvious , you have support troops OBVIOUSLY they need a base to stay on

Andrew Atlanta, GA   November 6th, 2007 10:54 pm ET

Edwards is right. I like Hillary and will easily vote for her, but the one thing I cannot stand about her is how she supported the war, won't admit this was a mistake, and does not offer a plan for withdrawl. Otherwise, she's a stellar candidate.

Lorenz, Queens, NY   November 6th, 2007 10:39 pm ET

You tell her Edwards!

Art, San Diego,CA   November 6th, 2007 10:38 pm ET

John Edwards has said nothing in any of the debates that suggests he has the wherewithall to get us out of Iraq. The only one who has a cogent plan is Senator Biden.

Debi, Philadelphia, Pa   November 6th, 2007 10:36 pm ET

I am so tired of seeing that finger

Piper, Atlantic, IA   November 6th, 2007 10:21 pm ET

Seems to me that Edwards is taking Bill Richardson's questions to heart since Gov. Richardson asked these very questions weeks ago!!!

Greg   November 6th, 2007 9:43 pm ET

or take VP pick

Greg   November 6th, 2007 9:42 pm ET

i still think edwards can win nomination

my911call, North Carolina   November 6th, 2007 9:41 pm ET

Why would Hillary Clinton want to fall into this trap. It would be unwise to give detailed solid answers to these questions before being elected. She would need to see and hear the details of each situation from the experts running each area before making a final decision. We need her to approach these situations in a logical orderly manner and not just off the cuff. Good luck Hillary.

dan, new oreleans, la   November 6th, 2007 9:36 pm ET

just more dummycrat bs!!

d   November 6th, 2007 9:21 pm ET

Nobody likes you. Please go away! I do like your wife, she would make a good VP.

Hillary all the way!

colony14 author, Mt Prospect, Illinois   November 6th, 2007 9:20 pm ET

I don't remember anyone asking President Roosevelt or General Eisenhower about their exit strategy; I think Americans simply expected them to win the war. Don't candidates like Edwards understand that Iran and North Korea and Syria watch the news? I'm sure they are eagerly anticipating the election of a President who will immediately withdraw all troops from the Middle East and then let the Straits of Hormuz be blocked without any American interference. How much do you think a barrel of oil will THEN cost?

xtina - chicago IL   November 6th, 2007 9:15 pm ET

As usual John Edw. is asking questions, but doesn't have decision-making experience to show that he has had any success. Voting should be like a job interview – you don't ask the applicant what they WOULD do; you ask them what they HAVE done that's overcome difficulties and that has been a success.

Jon, Sacramento ~ Ca   November 6th, 2007 9:03 pm ET

John John John... Hillary won't answer YOUR question or any others from debate moderators or citizens SHE considers "hostile".

Hillary won't respond and her campaign will just blow off your challenge. Why should she explain anything she has publically stated? She will END the war.. how? when? a real plan? Minor details Hillary doesn't want to get wrapped up in.

This is an election – not a truth telling moment for Hillary. Get on board John!

Daniel, NY   November 6th, 2007 9:02 pm ET

At least Clinton can take comfort in new state general election polls that have her leading Republicans in California and Minnesota... and even leading a match-up in Texas!!! The rundown of complete numbers.

frank Honolulu HI   November 6th, 2007 8:48 pm ET

He'll huff and puff and he'll try to blow Hilary down but it's a fairy tale. He's challanging the wrong person. He needs to stop fighting amonst democrats and try addressing the repubulican mess. He must think Hilary is easier to go after than the real serious issues.

Ken, San Diego, CA   November 6th, 2007 8:32 pm ET

This is pathetic.

The only news Edwards makes (daily) has something to do with a Hillary insult. He is no longer pointing out policy differences, he is merely trying to find an attack point that will stick.

Is he kidding about Iraq?? You really want to rush all of the troops out without a plan to do it successfully? You really want her to make some bonehead troop withdrawl plan without knowing of the infrastructure presently on the ground? How naive and reckless that would be...

Steve the Marine   November 6th, 2007 8:25 pm ET

This guy is out of hand. He questions Clinton on not having a strategy for getting out of Iraq, while his big plan is to just leave and let the Iraqis pass or fail. People seem to forget that although we declared independance from Enland in 1776, we didn't ratify our Constitution until 1789 and were still a shakey country for several years after that. That was over 250 years ago...imagine if CNN were broadcasting from Valley Forge during the winter of 1775 saying that Gen. Washington needs to be relieved because the war effort is not moving fast enough or showing enough results. What of the French stopped supporting us because we didn't get on our feet fast enough?

Ronald Roston, West Covina, CA   November 6th, 2007 8:02 pm ET

Though Mr. Cheney has lied outrageously, connived, bullied and intentionally tried to deceive the American people, I doubt any of these immoral behaviors are high crimes or misdemeanors. He has assiduously avoided being put under oath, so it is unlikely he can be charged with perjury like Mr. Clinton. I wish Mr. Cheney could be impeached as his transgressions make Mr. Clinton's look trivial by comparison. In any event I hope a thorough airing and investigation of the charges take place.

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