Home
Archive
Newsletters
Video
Blogs
Discuss
About
Search
Donate
Advertise
  • AlterNetYour turn

Support AlterNet
Do you value the information you're getting from AlterNet? Please show your support with a tax-deductible donation.


Feedback
Tell us how we're doing.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Hillary Literally Applauds Troop Escalation

Posted by Chris Bowers, Open Left at 10:14 AM on January 29, 2008.


If Clinton applauds the escalation, then why should I have any confidence that she will keep only a small residual presence in Iraq?
3a71a2cc38e8491ea4bd0058c2cd418c
Obama | Clinton

Share and save this post:

      

      

Share on Facebook       

AlterNet Social Networks:
follow us on twitter
find us on Facebook

Got a tip for a post?:
Email us | Anonymous form

Get Chris Bowers in your
mailbox!

 

Here is an important campaign difference:

Clinton and Obama's divergent views on the troop surge in Iraq, however, were plainly visible.
When Bush proclaimed, "Ladies and gentlemen, some may deny the surge is working, but among terrorists there is no doubt," Clinton sprang to her feet in applause but Obama remained firmly seated. The president's line divided most of the Democratic audience, with nearly half standing to applaud and the other half sitting in stony silence.
The most consistent criticism of Obama online has focused upon his rhetorical posture in relation to Republicans and conservatives: conciliatory language of unity, the use of right wing talking points on health care and social security, positing left-wing DFH strawmen (70's style, anti-military love-in was my favorite), triangulation that blames ideologues and partisans on both sides for polarization, etc. However, here is an instance where the roles are starkly reversed, as Hillary Clinton literally stands up and applauds George W. Bush for his troop surge, while Obama remains seated.

There are not many ways to interpret Clinton's remarks except as applause for the escalation she ostensibly opposed. Even if she was applauding "the troops," that would imply that the Democrats who did not stand up were somehow against the troops, which is the most vicious right-wing talking point of all. This is should also be a stark reminder of the difference between Clinton and Obama on supporting and not regretting / opposing the war in the first place, on Clinton's general hawkishness, on ending the causes of wars like Iraq, and even on the continued presence of a residual American military presence in Iraq.

If Clinton applauds the escalation, then why should I have any confidence that she will keep only a small residual presence in Iraq? This is a terrible move by Clinton, one that makes me feel as though more than five years have passed since the AUMF and nothing has changed, and that she is portraying her foreign policy views dishonestly during the campaign.

I think there are very clear differences between Obama and Clinton on this nexus of policy, rhetorical, and administrative issues. In the final analysis, it is why I definitely prefer Obama to Clinton in this campaign.

Digg!

Chris Bowers was a full-time editor at MyDD from May 2004 until June 2007. Some of his projects have included the creation of the Liberal Blog Advertising Network, the first scientifically random poll of progressive netroots activists, the Use It Or Lose It campaign, the nation's most accurate forecast of Democratic house pickups in 2006, and the 2006 Googlebomb the Elections campaign.


Ned Lamont to Run for Governor of Connecticut
There are not many progressive Democratic Governors. Lamont's entry into this campaign could change that.
November 4, 2009.
No More Excuses: John Tester Brings 51st Senate Vote for Public Option
The count's there if they get an up-or-down vote.
October 10, 2009.
Are There Enough Votes For a Public Option? Here's the Math
There are at least 188 votes for the public option, only 29 away from passage.
October 8, 2009.
3 Important Lessons Dems Should Learn From Grayson
Even as Grayson intensified his rhetoric, Republicans withdrew their resolution to condemn him on the House floor.
October 1, 2009.
Public Option Update: 51 Votes Secured on the Floor
There's a chance legislation containing a public option could still pass.
September 29, 2009.
Advertisement
Comments Turn comments off sitewide Give us feedback »
Comments closed.
The comments for this story have been closed. Thank you to everyone who participated.
View:
So?
Posted by: Sissy on Jan 29, 2008 11:58 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Hillary has supported the Bush initiatives all thru this war, plus the "delcaration" on Iran which was just a few months ago. I repeat, so why in the dickens wouldn't she continue to support little matters that affect the troops?

Good grief I'm tired of her.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» So? Obama too Posted by: fifthworld
Lady Macbeth
Posted by: Wacre on Jan 29, 2008 12:22 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
That's one of the things I dislike about Hillary Clinton (and most politicians in general): Every move she makes appears to be designed to bring about some sort of reaction in those that witness it. Hardly anything about her seems genuine or honest. This in and of itself isn't a bad thing, as long as I have some sort of feel for who a particular person actually is.

Unfortunately, in Hillary's case I have no clue. My problem with her is mediated somewhat by the fact that I don't have to go home to her, though it does exactly motivate me to aid in her quest for higher office.

Perhaps it's just that, as an ambitious woman, her desire for power and greater influence is beginning to assert itself. That being said, there's something about her that seems a tad disingenuous.

Just one of the reasons that she definitely isn't my first choice (Edwards is) and while, if she wins the nomination I would probably vote for her, it is a decision that I would really, really have to think about.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Lady Macbeth Posted by: blackie4aces
Out of The Blue
Posted by: When In Doubt on Jan 30, 2008 8:42 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Clinton has lost my vote with this bit.
Edwards gone.
Obama doesn't ring my bell...his race absolutely no part of that problem.

The horror of a McCain/ Huckabee ticket takes us to the deepest nadir of the American Political scene.

The Chinese loan for the "stimulus" package and the 100 years of war of McCain, they will own the country {what part that is already theirs}, we are on our way to disaster of epic proportions.

Sleep tight kiddies

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Out of The Blue Posted by: blackie4aces
Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!
Posted by: blackie4aces on Jan 31, 2008 8:18 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Uh, is anyone the least bit taken aback? "I have been told there's gambling going on in this establishment. I am shocked, simply shocked!"

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

A Response To "Out Of The Blue"-I decided to go public
Posted by: blackie4aces on Feb 1, 2008 12:05 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Unfortunately, you "ain't" out of the blue. The dice cup has been turned and the issue is decided. The old white bones roll with no hesitancy and even less conscience on the laquered, glass-like bartop. Evita has been ordained by friends and enemies alike to run for a quite unearned slot-she stood by her hubby's cheatin' heart and remained his soul-mate in triangulation, in humiliation, in betrayal of the poor, in friendship for Dick Morris, in partnership for the final liberal fire sale of all principles to the former corporate antagonists of the former party of the people. Sleep tight, my little ones, 'cause Santa ain't comin' for quite a while. Might as well sleep and dream.

Another Republican presidency, another gutless congress, the most likely scenario now, or, although a major longshot, a president with the moral convictions of a coral snake, albeit a female coral snake-among coral snakes the sexes are virtually identical with only one obvious and necessary exception. This is the individual, who cheer-led the sanctions on Iraq, a policy her husband maintained, and she claims his experience as her own, which killed 500,000 children under the age of six, who never fails to remind the American Nation (we are not really a nation; we are a country) of her commitment to children. Marian Edelman has to be discreetly furious at this level of contemptuous opportunism. "It Takes a Village," eh? Guernica was a village, no? I have to wonder how concerned was she about the children and dependents of WalMart employees during her stint on that esteemed and progresive board of directors.

She is also the only Democratic candidate who could easily lose to Romney, and almost certainly will lose to McCain. Ah, yes, a real team player, definitely one with the big picture always before her. After all, recent polls indicate only forty-nine percent of the electorate (male and femle, by the way) would rather have their fingernails pulled out with needle-nose pliars by a professional Egyptian Intelligence Officer than vote for the Senator from Illinois and that's before the issues are considered. I'm sorry. Make that the Senator (and long time resident?) from New York. Yea, a team player, alright.

"Out of the Blue?" I think not. I only wish I hadn't fucked up so much as a young man-and just a bit as an old man. The French won't have me. I am not even sure if Paraguay is a decent shot. They have a rather scruffy image to overcome. I never thought these were options worth cultivating. Of course, after George Bush, I never thought a Republican could be elected President for a very long time either.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]