Edwards Criticizes Clinton Over Iraq
By MARTIN GRIFFITH – 1 hour ago
RENO, Nev. (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards criticized Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton over her unwillingness to set a timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, saying her position is tantamount to "continuing the war."
Speaking to reporters after a town hall meeting Sunday in Reno, Edwards contrasted his Iraq views with Clinton's and said the Democratic front-runner owes it to voters to provide specific plans on how to end the war.
Edwards said his plan calls for the immediate withdrawal of as many as 50,000 troops and the full withdrawal of all troops within 10 months. He also said he would prohibit permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq.
At a town hall meeting Friday in nearby Fernley, Clinton said she would withdraw troops "as soon as I can" if President Bush fails to do so. Campaign aides called her a war opponent but said she has offered no timetable for a troop withdrawal.
"She says that she will end the war, but she also says she will continue combat missions in Iraq and keep combat troops stationed in Iraq," Edwards said. "From my perspective, that's not ending the war. That's continuing the war. In fact, it's continuing the occupation. So we have really different views about that."
In a news release issued before the town hall meeting, Edwards said, "On such an important question we need honesty and answers, not double-talk and evasions."
Clinton spokeswoman Hilarie Grey defended the New York senator, saying Edwards' remarks reflect a struggling candidate.
"This is a bogus attack from a candidate who is angry that his own campaign hasn't taken off," Grey said. "The fact is that Sen. Edwards and Sen. Clinton have both said they'd use U.S. forces to go after al-Qaida in Iraq. So it's unfortunate that Sen. Edwards keeps making this phony charge when he's out campaigning."
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