In waging his current crusade, Edwards has apologized repeatedly for his Iraq vote, not-so-subtly contrasting himself with Hillary Clinton, who has said she wouldn't vote the same way again, but who has also refused to express regret for supporting the resolution.Now set the way-back machine to election season 2004, when Edwards and his running mate, John Kerry, had a few conversations about their Iraq War votes in response to a challenge from President Bush to John Kerry to publicly state if he still stood by his vote for the Iraq War, even with the absence of WMDs:
...That confessional stance has won Edwards considerable credit with Democrats.
Yet as John Kerry's 2004 ticketmate, the former North Carolina senator was anything but eager to acknowledge error on Iraq. Instead, according to several Kerry-Edwards campaign aides, Edwards argued repeatedly that the two should stand by their votes, even after it had become apparent that Iraq had neither weapons of mass destruction nor collaborative ties with Al Qaeda.
..."I specifically remember Edwards having a very distinct take," says one person in attendance, who paraphrases Edwards's argument this way: "We need to stick to this. We should stand by our votes, say we would vote that way again. If you admit a mistake, it shows weakness in time of war. That's what the Republicans want us to do."
The reasons for invading Iraq remain valid, even with the absence of WMD stockpiles. There have been mistakes made post-overthrow, but that happens in any war. The recognition of those tactical mistakes should be a clarion call to our elected civilian leaders to correct and adapt, not to run away and leave deepening chaos that will overwhelm the region. You gotta love a presidential candidate with the courage of his convictions...
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Edwards ought to be glad he doesn't have this problem.
From http://www.solidpolitics.com
Hillary's porn problem.... Hillary Clinton took $2,300 from Playboy founder Hugh Hefner.... And porn publisher Larry Flynt is hopping mad about it.... Two years ago Hillary returned a $1,000 contribution from Flynt.... Now, Flynt says if she's taking Hefner's money, she ought to take his....
Bill at 8:13PM on Apr 17th 2007
2. Its classic pol-speak to waver on an issue as long as it takes to find out which position will turn out to be right or popular.
Steve Bonomo at 9:33PM on Apr 17th 2007
3. I don't see how any honest, sane, ethical person can say that "the reasons for invading Iraq remain valid."
Come on, the reasons given were lies; we had no lawful reason to go there and we killed
100,000-300,000 civilians in so doing. How can you defend that? I for one do not believe that we
have the right to go abroad and make war for just any reason we choose (and change the reason when the first doesn't pan out).
Here is an analogy:
You see your neighbors fighting all the time, the husband is known to beat his wife.
You hear rumors that he has an arsenal and has automatic weapons.
You witness a domestic arguement and when you call the police, they come, but can do nothing
because the wife will not press charges.
The next bad arguement, you take your Glock, go in shooting, ostenisbly to save the family, you wound the man, kill
one of his kids (oh well, acceptable loss) and tie the man up.
Well, when the police get there, they find the man had no weapons. They will arrest you and you
will be in jail for a long long time.
How do you defend your actions? You cannot.
We cannot as a country.
kyj at 10:12AM on Apr 18th 2007
4. The United States was bombed and over 3,000 Americans were killed. When the Pearl Harbor of Hawaii were bombed 1,500 persons were killed. We went to War with Japan, but losing 3,000 persons in the same matter is not important and we should have looked the other way? What would that be telling the terrorists?
American is a nation of the free, you and I have freedoms that allow us to speak out, work, receive education, and worship as we like. Iraq did not have that freedom and were being killed by the same terrorists that killed 3,000 of us.
The mistake I do not see. What I see is America at it's best. Helping another nation find it's freedom.
Do not think for a moment that terrorists do not want to overcome America. They thought that bombing the World Trade Center would cripple America. Fortunately, they do not know the heart of the American people, or at least the I heart I thought we had.
Where is our national pride and excellence? America it is time to stop all this tribble quarrling and support our troops and be a STAND UP AMERICAN!
Madonna at 12:30PM on Apr 18th 2007
5. I wish that the election was coming sooner than it is...This President is a pitiful excuse for a president.... I am surprised he hasn't been impeached...However if he is impeached we would have to put up with this stupid Dick Chaney...Takes one to pick one...huh?
Georgann at 1:39PM on Apr 18th 2007
6. If AOL is going to refer to someone saying such and such about John Edwards regarding his stance on the WAR, it is very poor journalism.
It is here say and not news. Anyone can claim anything. How irresponsible.
I think this article was poor and not newsworthy.
Donna at 7:40AM on Apr 30th 2007