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Clinton Questioned About Iran Vote

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October 07, 2007 3:14 PM

ABC News' Eloise Harper Reports: In a rare and heated moment, Sen. Hillary Clinton D-N.Y., was asked by a registered Democrat, Randall Rolph, about her recent vote in support of labeling the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist entity.

"We want to send a clear message to their leadership that we want to impose sanctions, see labeling them a terrorist organization gives us the authority to impose sanctions on their leadership" Clinton said. "I consider that part of a very robust and diplomatic effort because (it) wasn’t in what you read to me -- that somebody obviously sent to you."

Rolph shot back: "I take exception this was my own research," Clinton interrupted "let me finish," Rolph replied "this was my own work." "I'm offended that you just said that" Rolph continued.

Clinton then claimed that she had been asked the same question before: "Well let me just apologize, Clinton said, "I've been asked the very same question in three other places so let me apologize."

Mr. Rolph, who says he is an undecided voter not affiliated with any campaign, said the bill she signed authorizes combat.

"It does not" Clinton said, "sir let me just say one other thing because I respect your research - there was an earlier version that I opposed it was dramatically changed."

Rolph may have been referring to a portion of the non-binding "sense of the senate" amendment that allows for the use of U.S. instruments -- diplomatic, economic, intelligence and military -- to stop the Iranian Revolutions Guard inside of Iraq.

Afterwards Rolph told reporters that "she basically said to me I was stupid and I'm offended."

October 7, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (31)

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Its sad to say at least our conservative friends on the right get the Richardson Plan for Iraq. ***

Come on my fellow Democrats, get off this celebrity kick of Clintons and Obama and start asking hard questions of the top Democrats.
Change and experience with substance are the seeds for our future not popularity or celebrity. I am voting for Richardson because of substance.

Posted by: threeriverscrossing | Oct 7, 2007 6:00:30 PM

"We want to send a clear message to their leadership that we want to impose sanctions, see labeling them a terrorist organization gives us the authority to impose sanctions on their leadership" Clinton said.

Who want to believe this in their right mind? "SANCTIONS"? ya right! This is a signal to the president to take military action and every body knows it and Hillary is acting like she doesn't.

Remember, last time she voted for war she "thought" it was meant for the president to go to the UN?

Fool me once.....

Posted by: meg | Oct 7, 2007 6:51:52 PM

Its so amazing to me how these stories can completely miss the point while pretending that they are giving us some real solid information. All of the candidates except for 1 from either party have lied to us. Clinton has no intention of stopping this war and neither do any other candidates but, RON PAUL! They keep telling us his following is only on the INTERNET. Well, I would just like to present some stats that make that a great thing! According to Bill O'reilly the Mainstream News has suffered a serious drop in ratings over the last 6 years due to more and more people of all ages getting their news from alternative sources such as the INTERNET! In fact 79% of all people between the ages of 15 - 39 get their news from the Internet solely!!!! While more and more of those over 40 are switching to the internet because it lacks EDITORIALIZING that has become so frequent on CNN, FOX, MSNBC, and all the others. What does it all mean you are asking??!?!?! It means that if more and more people are getting their news from the Internet and Ron Pauls following is on the INTERNET (whatever that means) Then.... Ron Paul is more in touch with not only the Average American but, also is touching a wider audience than any other candidate because he has over 300,000 individual clicks per day. Ron Paul is the only hope for our Country and he has shown himself to be a consistent and true American. He is the only candidate that puts the American People above his own wishes. He isnt just trying to get elected, he is trying to better our nation by keeping the individual at the forefront rather than pushing them into the backseat! Protect the Constitution! VOTE RON PAUL!!

Posted by: Ezra Mondeva | Oct 7, 2007 6:52:04 PM

The only stupid voters are the ones that don't research anything and takes corporate medias words as the truth !

Posted by: kenny | Oct 7, 2007 8:14:25 PM

Let's just be clear about what Rolph tried to do. Rolph didn't go there to be convinced but to try to embarass Clinton.

Posted by: Joe | Oct 7, 2007 8:26:23 PM

Joe says Rolph only wanted to embarrass Clinton. Is Joe a mind-reader or just a Clinton supporter trying to attack a voter who has a right to get specific answers to matters of potential war with Iran?
The important point of this is that Clinton owes the public an explanation of her latest vote on the Lieberman-Kyl amendment, especially after her AUMF vote led to the Iraq disaster. It seems that Clinton is trying to say that this was really a vote to allow sanctions against Iran, which is disingenuous because instituting sanctions is not at all dependent upon such a vote.

Posted by: Donna | Oct 7, 2007 10:50:16 PM

HEHEHEHE ... Billary has got the wool pulled over the lefty eyes... she knows Bush is doing the right thing.... and she will keep it going once she is elected....

Posted by: FidoNY | Oct 7, 2007 10:50:42 PM

It didn't take a whole lot of "research" on Rolf's part, since it was on the front page of every newspaper in the country and all over cable news. Many progressive activist websites sent out an urgent email when the originally-worded Liebermann-Kyl resolution was about to be voted on. This "urgent action required" email pointed out that the original wording actually amounted to a declaration of war on Iran, and offered links to every member of Congress. (I sent out a bunch.) It was, supposedly, the flood of emails that resulted which forced the rewording of the resolution, which many Democrats ended up voting for as a non-binding measure. Remember, the Constitution gives Congress the authority to declare war, not the president. The original document was bad news all around, but after the changes were made it was mostly just a statement. Any Democrat voting against it would have run the risk of being called "unpatriotic" or worse by the Republican candidate for president later on. It's going to get ugly. Why give them any ammo?
It seems probable that Rolf was a "plant." The Clintons have dealt with political dirty tricksters for so long, they no doubt have "radar" for them. I'd like to see the guy's voter card. He said he is a Democrat, but did anyone check? There are Republicans (and, no doubt, Democrats) who practice "Rat F***ing" (the Nixonian term for "Swift Boating") and who pay people to do exactly that kind of thing. They pay them to blog against various candidates, too! Just ask John Kerry! Now, Hillary's team is a lot savvier than Kerry's was. They're on the lookout for these guys. She heard the same question phrased the same way for a third time-Probably sounded like talking points to her. I don't blame her for being wary!

Also, I hate to break it to you Folks, but Ron Paul is not the Messiah. He's certainly a cut above the other Republican candidates, though, which isn't hard to be. You know, he's run as the Libertarian candidate several times. No one ever noticed.

Posted by: WhoMe? | Oct 7, 2007 10:57:03 PM

She either votes to attack Iran or give back all those contributions she's received from AIPAC. She's bought and paid for by them just like many other (Mostly Democrats) politicans. Just look it up for yourself. (GOOGLE: Pro-Israel PAC Contributions to 2006 Congressional Candidates)All the War Hawks are there !!!!

Posted by: kenny | Oct 7, 2007 11:01:27 PM

Yeah, Hil, and your PR people represent Blackwater and union-busting, but you on the other hand are the Good Witch that just wants us to get our ruby slippers back.

Posted by: bob | Oct 8, 2007 6:21:08 AM

By the time the general election campaign is in full swing next fall and we're engaged with Iran militarily, Hillary's commnets regarding her vote to label the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization will sound quite familiar: "If I had only known then what I know now." Her inability to learn from her mistakes should disqualify her from any serious consideration for President. We've been through far too much of thqt inability to learn from past mistakes stuff with Bush already.

Posted by: sps91158 | Oct 8, 2007 7:54:30 AM

Enough is enough of Washington and its Oldies its Dynasty of sons and wives of Past Leaders!

I think Hillary Should go back to Arkansas and take care of her ageing Man.


Posted by: Jay | Oct 8, 2007 9:31:36 AM

Please, someone out there tell me that they have this snarky exchange on video. Senator Clinton has done a remarkable job distancing herself from any genuine questioning from the press or the electorate. It is time we get to see how she responds to someone that isn't beholden to Washington.

Posted by: rmbell | Oct 8, 2007 10:21:31 AM

If they didn't get it on video this time they will if she is the nominee. People will keep pressing her now. And when she cuts someone off again and gets hot, if she is the nominee, it will be all over. People don't like her. And they will believe the worst that the GOP say. Guiliani is even more hot-headed but he is trying to be nice as pie on the trail. He will get away with more temper tantrums if he gets caught because people think he is "tough" and should be acting that way. It's not fair, but it will happen.

Posted by: goldie | Oct 8, 2007 10:40:57 AM

Please tell me someone has this exchange on tape. I want to see it on YouTube.

Posted by: rmbell | Oct 8, 2007 10:51:12 AM

Why so sure Rolph was a plant? I'm a true-blue Democrat who, given the chance, would ask the very question. In fact, I would have asked her for the names of the advisers who informed her decisions to allow Bush to invade Iraq and now Iran.

There are some of us who actually pay attention to Congressional votes and their potential impact on our country. Personally, if she's the nominee, I would rather not vote than vote for Hillary Clinton. The consequences to our country are too great. Despite good intentions, the truth is that what's good for the Clinton supersedes everything else.

Posted by: GordonsGirl | Oct 8, 2007 10:57:01 AM

This guy was a loud mouthed jerk sent by the republicans. GOOOOOOOOO! Hillary! you have my vote!

Posted by: Bec67 | Oct 8, 2007 11:03:51 AM

I am more than 100% sure that the Rorph is a Republican disgusting a as democrat.

You should direct your hanger to Bush for mis managing the war of choice. After the new PM of British that was oppose to Britain participation in the war is implemneting Hillary approach to reducing British soldiers.

Posted by: Kayode | Oct 8, 2007 11:25:30 AM

At exactly which campaign events did Senator Clinton get that same question asked? Anyone have corroboration for Clinton's assertion?

PS I'm a died-in-the-wool Dem who not only voted for Bill twice and Hillary twice, but also volunteered on Bill's '92, '98 and Hillary's 2000 campaigns, and I would like to know why she voted for that amendment also. Not everyone who questions Hillary is a ring-wing plant.

Posted by: lilme | Oct 8, 2007 1:02:37 PM

The guy obviously works for Faux News! This is the kind of "hit squad" they send out. A democrat, my ###!

Posted by: Bec67 | Oct 8, 2007 2:52:42 PM

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