Who knew what about Iraq, when and where they got the info.

[madfloridian]

I think this is important since one person is being singled out here so viciously lately. I think fair is fair. Pretending the others did not know is being in a serious state of denial.

My viewpoint is this: From Bob Graham on to the others, they may or may not have gotten equal info. Even on the intelligence committee it could have varied. I think fair is fair. I no longer hold the yes vote against most of them. They interpreted it the best they could. There are only a couple I question, because they had to know it all. And they chose not to speak out.

Edwards is speaking out, and all hell is breaking loose. So...

May I remind you that our former Democratic president knew, and said nothing. In fact he supported Bush. I will not see one person torn apart here while that slips by us.

These posts cover much of what he said and conveyed to others about the war. A speech is included saying he approved of what was going on in Iraq.

All three of these men can't be wrong. Advised by Clinton advisors
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1041

In the above post, Feingold, Edwards, and Dean say they talked to Clinton advisors who approved of the IWR.

Bill Clinton once said about Iraq: "I want it to have been worth it."
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1220

It was not worth it. He did not have to defend Bush against us.

And may I remind you that Hillary had to know what her husband knew...that Iraq was not a threat. But Bill defended Bush against the left anyway. Against the left? I guess that means us. I am not going to see Edwards ripped apart here while she is left unscathed. She had to have known. So did her husband...that Iraq was no threat. They had to know we were entering a needless war which could destroy our moral standing in the world. There was no speaking out.

Clinton defends successor's push for war

"Former President Clinton has revealed that he continues to support President Bush's decision to go to war in Iraq but chastised the administration over the abuses at Abu Ghraib prison.

"I have repeatedly defended President Bush against the left on Iraq, even though I think he should have waited until the U.N. inspections were over," Clinton said in a Time magazine interview that will hit newsstands Monday, a day before the publication of his book "My Life."
Clinton, who was interviewed Thursday, said he did not believe that Bush went to war in Iraq over oil or for imperialist reasons but out of a genuine belief that large quantities of weapons of mass destruction remained unaccounted for."

They knew. They made different decisions based on what they knew.

I think those who believe it is ok for the Senate leader to attack a presidential candidate as Harry Reid did today, and take up for others....should see this is starting a dangerous trend.

This is a topic that I am approaching as honestly as I can, it is a hard one. If one person is going to be torn apart like this, then we need to speak up. I forgive all of them the vote, but some are easier to forgive than others for me right now.

[sandnsea]

1. The Clintons pushed Iraq

Edwards has already said he wasn't lied to, he saw the intelligence and made the vote. He stood by that vote for nearly three years and refused to say there were any lies or manipulations. He didn't even want to say the war was a mistake during the campaign.

Then he comes out with his apology, but still refuses to say there were any lies. I guess he was just wrong, I don't know, I can't figure it out.

Now he wants to play Mr. Anti-War and jump all over Democrats who are dealing with the aftermath of HIS very real PRO-WAR vote???

Psssht. I'm done with Edwards.

[madfloridian]

2. That is your right.

You don't need to support him at all.

[madfloridian]

3. I did not realize this.

Well, I knew some of it, but I did not know he was this upset about Lieberman. I did not realize he opposed a timeline.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2006/07/14/bill_clinton_defends_liebermans_iraq_stance_1152922213/

HARTFORD, Conn. --Former President Bill Clinton is sticking up for U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman and his support of the Iraq war. Clinton, who spoke at an Aspen Institute conference last week, questioned why Democrats in Connecticut are focusing on ousting a fellow Democrat, Lieberman.

Lieberman faces a stronger-than-expected Aug. 8 primary challenge by Greenwich millionaire businessman Ned Lamont, who has criticized Lieberman for his support of the war and his perceived closeness with Republicans and President Bush.

"If we allow our differences over what to do now in Iraq to divide us instead of focusing on replacing Republicans in Congress; that's the nuttiest strategy I ever heard in my life," Clinton told the nonprofit cultural organization.

...."Clinton questioned efforts of some Democrats to impose a fixed timetable for removing U.S. troops from Iraq -- something Lieberman opposes.

"Why send a signal to the people that are trying to keep Iraq divided and tear it up when we're gonna go," he asked.

He's a good man, he was a good president. But I very much disagree with him on Iraq. What we have done there boggles my mind. We have lost our humanity as a country.

[madfloridian]

4. Wonder if he is still opposed to a timetable?

:think: