Clinton Camp Hedges, Then Backpeddles, On Troop Withdrawal

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/17/clinton-camp-hedges-then_n_91908.html

"Out campaigning Senator Obama tells voters that as president he'd withdraw combat brigades from Iraq within 16 months, but one of his top foreign policy advisers told a different story," Sen. Clinton herself declared in a speech today. "Giving speeches alone won't end the war and making campaign promises you might not keep certainly won't end it. In the end, the true test is not the speeches a president delivers, it's whether the president delivers on the speeches."

On a conference call later that day, however, aides to the New York senator fumbled a bit, giving the impression that their Iraq plans could also change depending on circumstance -- and then abruptly back-peddling.

In a rapid back-and-forth exchange at the end of the session, a reporter asked repeatedly whether Clinton would stick to withdrawing one to two brigades of troops a month even if there is a massive spike of violence as U.S. troops departed. Trying his best to keep the campaign line, Lee Feinstein, Clinton's National Security Director, nevertheless acknowledged: "There are, in the world, contingencies."

<snip>

This, the reporter noted, was another evasion. Yes or no, would Clinton stick to the withdrawal plan she has outlined even if the security situation in Iraq were to fall apart? Finally, the campaign's spokesperson stepped in.

"This is Howard Wolfson," he said. "You asked for a one-word answer and the answer is yes."



So, contingencies are bad, unless they're good. Sorry, I do think that absolutes are stupid in relation to Iraq. What is true today may not be true six months from now, and Clinton/Wolfson have now committed, unequivocally. Very dangerous statement.

will really appreciate Wolfson's answer.

need wiggle room to react to unforeseen circumstances, but now she hasn't left herself any? GOOD SHOW!!!

She's GONE -- you've gotta find a new surrogate punching bag, Hill ...

I know they're not really amateurs... but seriously... wtf?

Wolfson and Penn are the worst consultants this side of Bob Shrum, and they prove it every time they open their gobs.

I keep saying this - Penn is making $5 million to give Hillary bad advice. Someone should contact the Clinton campaign and let them know that i'll give them bad advice for $2 million.

- as