Posted on 08/03/2007 10:09:25 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton Thursday warned that a US withdrawal from Iraq must not duplicate the "arrogance and incompetence" she said marred the 2003 invasion.
Senator Clinton was joined by defeated 2004 Democratic nominee Senator John Kerry to introduce a bill requiring the Pentagon to keep Congress informed about contingency planning to safely withdraw 160,000 US troops.
"We must not redeploy out of Iraq with the same combination of arrogance and incompetence with which the Bush administration exhibited deploying into Iraq," Clinton told reporters.
"We did not have a smart plan to go in, but we will do everything in our power to be sure we have a smart plan to get out."
Clinton wrote the legislation after a spat with the Pentagon over planning for troop withdrawals, which saw a senior civilian defense official accuse her of aiding enemy propaganda.
"Withdrawing troops from Iraq will be dangerous and difficult," Clinton said.
"We must oversee the Bush administration, as the Constitution demands, and four years of mistakes and mismanagement in Iraq require."
Kerry, who co-sponsored the bill said poor planning by the Bush administration had cost US lives.
"This administration has made planning a dirty word," he said.
Clinton said her clash with the Pentagon was directly responsible for a secret briefing on draw down planning by the Defense under secretary Eric Edelman to the Senate Armed services committee on Thursday.
In July, Edelman rebuked Clinton after she asked how and if the US military was working out how it could extricate US soldiers and supplies from Iraq.
"Premature and public discussion of the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq reinforces enemy propaganda," Edelman wrote to Clinton, prompting her to slam his "outrageous" position.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates last week attempted to smooth over the row, saying he was actively involved for an eventual draw down of US troops.
But in a television appearance this week, Vice President Dick Cheney praised Edelman's letter, prompting Clinton, senator for New York, to write in turn to Bush.
Such wisdom from someone who couldn’t recall how billing records turned up on a dining table in her private presidential quarters.And Lurch of course!
She could write the book on those two traits.
However, that arrogance and incompetence (that you refer to) is what will make her the first women to be elected as the president of the US.
Unfortunately, I don't see anyone stopping Hillary. The demographics are on her side. I assume that you are not so obtuse to be able to discern what I say.
yitbos
“Senator Hillary Clinton(L), D-NY, and Senator John Kerry, D-MA, hold a news conference on Iraq redeployment “
Why would these 2 be holding a news conference on what our Military is going to do? Clinton acts as if she’s won already, VP Jon Carry in tow.
Actually, if you read the article, you'll see that they're her words, not mine.
The tone of glee in your post leads me to wonder if you are not a closet Hillary supporter.
I'm not.
I'm not a quitter, either and I don't give up until the fat lady sings. I'm listening...
....listening....
Nope. She's asleep. Not even warming up the old vocal chords.
Calling the election when it's still about sixteen months out? Are you sure your crystal ball is calibrated properly?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
She did. It's called "Living History"
Unfortunately, yes, I am right on target. As I said, look at the demographics.
You go ahead and throw in the towel. Those of us with some humility and hope will pick up the battle.
Oh, you know what that means; when President Hillary withdraws from Iraq, there won't be any silverware left there either. Better start collecting sporks from KFC now before the relief drives start.
Redeploy to Cambodia?
She’s toast!
O.J.Simpson just endorsed Hilary - he appeared on some internet interview!
“They really don’t care who they crap on..”
Sure, to them it all rolls down hill and they are on top.
Hillery! looks like she’s ready to bite the head off a chicken, Kerry looks scared.
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