Here's Some Of Edwards Ad Hitting Bush Tonight
As we noted below, in a novel move, John Edwards has booked some time on MSNBC to run an ad countering Bush's big Iraq speech tonight. Here are some excerpts from what he'll say in the spot that were provided by the campaign:
“Unfortunately, the president is pressing on with the only strategy he’s ever had – more time, more troops, and more war.“In January, after years of evidence that military actions cannot force a political solution, the president announced a military surge to force a political solution. In May, he vetoed a plan to end the war, demanded more time to show the surge could work, and Congress gave it to him. Now, after Gen. Petraeus reports the surge has produced no progress toward a political solution, what does the president want? More time for the surge to work, when all of us know it won’t.
“But Congress must answer to the American people. Tell Congress you know the truth -- they have the power to end this war and you expect them to use it. When the president asks for more money and more time, Congress needs to tell him he only gets one choice: a firm timeline for withdrawal.”
Comments (11)
dcshungu wrote on September 13, 2007 5:04 PM:I like it a lot! This is an ad that transcends politics and in a very public and direct away - at least in a way that neither this congress nor the enabling MSM has managed - tries to hold Bush accountable. Rapid response, tit for that! This is leadership...
Daniel wrote on September 13, 2007 5:05 PM:Democrats are running after each other on the Iraq issue, which is actually proving to be a good thing as they all taking more bold stances. Compare everything that transpired from the frontrunners yesterday: Obama's speech, Edward's ad, and Clinton's letter.
Montanan wrote on September 13, 2007 5:08 PM:I wish Edwards were correct in saying that Congress has the power to end the war, but they don't. The argument that 'defunding' will end the war is based on the premise that Bush will follow the law and respect the Constitution. A shaky foundation at best.
The unfortunate reality is the the troops won't be withdrawn till there is a Democratic President.
colonpowwow wrote on September 13, 2007 5:32 PM:Montanan is right. I think Bush (with Rove's hand up his azz operating his smirk-hole)already indicated a few months back, that they would raid the defense budget for war funding if it came to that.
Montanan, colonpowwow -- not taking an action because Bush might respond illegally (no matter how likely that response might be) is just giving into behavior that's worse than blackmail -- at least what the blackmailer threatens to do is itself legal. Not taking an action because you think someone else will violate the law is the ultimate abdication. If Bush wants to go ahead and violate the Constitution (again), let him. But let's not spare him the embarrassment.
Lori Morales wrote on September 13, 2007 5:54 PM:Senator Edwards: Please hold Bush's feet to the fire and redeploy our troops. Stop funding the war.
Should you want to read some interesting blogs from my little town of Tehachapi, California, visit www.tehachapinews.com
Forgive some of the whackos, but you'll see a theme of "bring our valient troops home" loud and clear.
Montanan wrote on September 13, 2007 5:57 PM:wes2 - I certainly did not suggest 'not taking an action because Bush might respond illegally'.
I don't think Congress should fund the war.
However, I stand by what I said. The Congress does not 'have the power to end this war', as Edwards asserts.
colonpowwow wrote on September 13, 2007 5:59 PM:wes2 - I (and I think Montanan) agree with you that defunding the war would be the correct thing for the Democrats to do. We were wistfully remarking that Bush had already pushed back on that, and that fact underscores Montanan's bottom line - that in reality, no matter what Congress does or doesn't do, the troops are there until a Democrat wins the Presidency.
Glenn Smith wrote on September 13, 2007 6:01 PM:Great move by Edwards; he will separate himself from the other Dems who tread too lightly, ignoring public opinion that is overwhelming against Bush's fiasco.
colonpowwow wrote on September 13, 2007 6:09 PM:Glenn Smith - I agree that it's a great move for Edwards. When you're 20+ points behind the leader(s) in a race, you better start making good use of the cash you've got before you become (more) irrelevant.
Now, if Clinton had thought of this and done it first, the Hannity Hillogynists on this board would be saying "another typical example of her calculating political opportunism."
Now, if Clinton had thought of this and done it first, the Hannity Hillogynists on this board would be saying "another typical example of her calculating political opportunism."
Hannity Hillogynsts... I like it... and they did, in fact, say exactly that when HRC had written to Bush making the very same point that Edwards is going to make tonight. This is a golden opportunity to force a course change on Iraq policy...If only the MSM could follow suit by mustering just a little cojones and stiffening its spine to hammer away at W's failed adventure, the dam would break and withdrawal would become inevitable...
