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Obama Flexes Anti-Iraq War Credentials
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ShareNovember 20, 2006 5:14 PM
ABC News' Teddy Davis Reports: In a speech calling for a "gradual and substantial reduction in U.S. forces" from Iraq as well as direct US talks with Iran and Syria, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) reminded potential Democratic presidential primary voters today that he publicly opposed the Iraq war before it began.
"Many who supported the original decision to go to war in Iraq have argued that it has been a failure of implementation," said Obama in a speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. "But I have long believed it has also been a failure of conception – that the rationale behind the war itself was misguided."
Obama was not yet in the Senate when Congress voted to authorize the use of force in the fall of 2002. But he spoke out against it as a Senate candidate that year.
"Month after month, and then year after year," Sen. Obama said today, "I've watched with a heavy heart as my deepest suspicions about this war’s conception have been confirmed and exacerbated in its disastrous implementation."
All the potential Democratic presidential candidates who were in the Senate at the time of the vote – Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE), Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), and former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) – all voted to authorize the use of force.
Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)—one Democratic Senator who was considering a run for the White House and who voted against the Iraq war – announced earlier this month that he would not be running for president in 2008.
Without mentioning Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) by name, Obama also criticized those who have "proposed escalating this war by adding thousands of more troops," saying that 'it's not clear that these troop levels are sustainable" and warning that "adding American forces will only relieve the Iraqis from doing more on their own" and that "we would only be putting more of our soldiers in the crossfire of a civil war."
November 20, 2006 in Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (14)
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Finally someone in Washington making some sense. This is refreshing.
Posted by: Omar | Nov 20, 2006 10:44:52 PM
What a joke! Obama is just posing now that he's finally figured out Americans are against the Iraq disaster.
Posted by: Illinoisvoter | Nov 21, 2006 12:55:36 AM
I hope Obama runs in '08.
He seems smart and reasonable,
trustworthy and stable.
I know his resume is thin, but I don't think that will be a factor.
I just hope if he does run the GOP can restrain themselves from running "Harold, Call me" ads.
My guess is, though, they won't.
Posted by: RH | Nov 21, 2006 8:43:24 AM
Concur with Illinoisvoter. However, I think that he is better suited as a Vice President since he has not had much experience. Edwards/Obama would be a great 2008 Ticket.
Posted by: Linh Nguyen | Nov 21, 2006 12:50:50 PM
All he says is about as real as a two two dollar bill. Because of experience he won't make a good President and because he's stabbing fellow dems in the back they won't support him. He's only making these war claims to try and get the country to support him.
Posted by: RepublicanSoldier | Nov 21, 2006 5:35:44 PM
Republican soldier is deathly afraid of Obama. He is a republican's worst nightmare....a charismatic Democrat who can play in all parts of the country.
I hope he runs...he could be this generation's Jack Kennedy.
Posted by: realist | Nov 22, 2006 11:27:49 AM
IllinoisVoter,
Don't be foolish, the whole article is about how Obama opposed the Iraq war openly years ago, to say he is only opposing the war now for political gain is nonsense.
Linh,
Edwards is hardly more qualified than Obama for the Presidency. Unless you think 4 extra years as a 1 term senator outweigh Obama's many years in the Illinois state government.
RepublicanSoldier,
The country already supports him - since 2004 he's got incredible positive reactions in polls, from republicans too. And, given your comment about experience, I hope you weren't hypocritical enough to vote for the criminally under-experienced GWB in 2000.
Posted by: amd | Nov 22, 2006 1:15:19 PM
Obama could make a better president, he is fresh in the political world and he could just be the person we need to go through this period of chios.
Posted by: roland | Nov 22, 2006 2:39:59 PM
Okay, Obama inexperienced? Being Governor of Texas makes you better qualified? I believe he has a good chance to win but he would have to find a good running mate who has alot of experience. I like Obama/Biden......
Posted by: BSWMPLS | Nov 24, 2006 2:25:28 PM
The Clinton political machine will never let Obama get close enough to having a shot at the Democratic nomination. Something will "come up", some dirt or scandal, that dooms his chances. The powers that be have already had a Hillary plan in effect since 2000. No way they let it crumble now.
Posted by: TreeHugger | Nov 27, 2006 4:52:22 PM
Even though I have enormous respect for Senator Clinton, being a female myself , I would not vote for her. She is far to vocal, but she does not have the ability to "awe" the crowd....she is quite wooden in her speech. I liked her husband so much better....and I like Obama's chances, especially IF he is WISE enough to pick a "qualified" running mate....America could do a LOT worse....we could be "stupid" enough to "vote" in another "BUSH"....
Posted by: Denise | Nov 28, 2006 4:21:19 PM
I bet he would have voted for it if he were in Congress at the time, but we will never know since he wasn't. Those people felt immense pressure to support the war due to public fear and anger. It's one thing to oppose President Bush during a campaign and another thing to be held accountable to your constituents and the public in general by your voting record. I will give him credit for apparently opposing the war at the time, but I dislike the angle he's taking on the issue for campaign purposes. Look to the future. How do you solve the problem? How do you avoid a recurrence? Don't point fingers because ultimately we are all responsible as a nation.
Posted by: Jason | May 21, 2007 9:02:25 PM
Roland: "Okay, Obama inexperienced? Being Governor of Texas makes you better qualified? "
No, Gov of Tx was totally unqualified, so if he wasn't qualified and Obama is inexperienced, why would you vote for Obama? For another four years of Bush travesties?
Posted by: MaryAnn | Jan 3, 2008 2:26:29 PM
What makes someone qualified then MaryAnn, I invite you to email me and tell me what office one can hold that prepares them for the ever changing Presidency
Posted by: Walter | Jan 9, 2008 8:44:35 PM
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