Arkansas Congressman: A Vocal Bill Clinton Could Have Changed My War Vote

[babylonsister]

I know, coulda, shoulda, woulda... Just thought this was an interesting tidbit even if hindsight is 20/20, for everyone.


Arkansas Congressman: A Vocal Bill Clinton Could Have Changed My War Vote
by: Douglas Burns
Monday (12/03) at 16:01 PM


A conservative Democratic member of Congress from Arkansas says that had Bill Clinton spoken out forcefully against the Iraq War in 2003, putting a voice to a position the former president claims he held at the time, it could have switched this "Blue Dog's" vote on the House floor.

"It probably would have had an effect on me and the way I voted on the resolution had I known for sure he felt that way, and why he felt that way, which is a conversation we could have had but didn't," U.S. Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark., told Iowa Independent and the Carroll Daily Times Herald this morning.

Berry spent Monday in western Iowa campaigning for U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

With grave reservation and much doubt in his heart, Berry said, he voted in favor of the resolution authorizing the use of force in Iraq.

Berry is a member of a coalition of conservative congressional Democrats known as the Blue Dogs. Had Bill Clinton expressed opposition and given cover to Berry, the congressman could have made the case to this key swing block of voters in the House.

more...

http://www.iowaindependent.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=D9CF61D4224316D542A4E53CD0932C6B?diaryId=1569

[feminazi]

1. Sure

and then someone would have accused Bill of meddling and undercutting the current President. It sounds like Mr Berry should have voted his conscience instead of looking for political cover. Does Berry have no courage?

[Cameron27]

2. No, Berry has no courage.

[blm]

5. Dems in DC relied on Bill's advice as he had access to privileged info that they

would never hope to get. His take on Iraq intel would have been crucial to anyone with no hope of access.

And you do know Bill was also advising Tony Blair, too, don't you?

[DURHAM D]

6. You just made that up. n/t

[blm]

15. You WISH I did so you can continue to pretend Bill sat on the sidelines and had NOTHING

to do with Iraq decisions by Dems in DC.

Oh yeah - of course, no Democratic senator or congressperson would even THINK to inquire of the state of Iraq's affairs from the last Democrat in the oval office with access to privileged info, eh?

[Cha]

10. Thanks for the info, blm..

I know you don't make shit up.

Bill along with his wife chose to support the bushites illegal war On Iraq much to our sadness.

[OHdem10]

3. It takes Leaders strong enough to take risks. Taking a risk

is not too characteristic of Democrats. At the time of that
vote, the Flags were flying Militaristic Music was playing
and people who disagreed with the war were being fired(Phil Donnahue).

The way that war could have been at least slowed down would
have been for Bill Clinton and a Group of Representaives and Senators
to have come out as a group, hit the airways with serious opposition.

I love Bill Clinton, but a risk taker he is not. Often tries
to be on too many sides all at once. The more cautious route
is his.

There was a voice in the Wilderness--He made speeches and was
willing to take the wrath of the Media.

[Cha]

11. That's what drew me to Dean

when Gore wasn't going to run. I needed someone who I could relate to that didn't support the lying fucking War On Iraq.

[Rageneau]

4. Another A-hole blaming Clinton for something he should have done himself.

Whether Clinton spoke out against invading Iraq or not, I knew I was violently opposed to it and protested to the tiny extent I could. If I knew it was wrong beforehand -- Clinton or no Clinton -- so should have he.

[DURHAM D]

7. Well, in his defense he is from Arkansas.

Is in everyone's DNA in that state to blame Bill for whatever...

[sniffa]

8. but Bill had been against the war all along

he said so the other day.

[Cha]

12. Yeah, he lied.

Just like hillary lied when she said Iran shaped up after the vile kyl-lieman bill.

[sniffa]

14. she said that!?

:rofl:

i also heard she said she used to travel with the CIA as part of her "experience."

:rofl:

[BootinUp]

9. Something is wrong with the link to the article. nt

[babylonsister]

13. Look for the link here; that's where I found it:

http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2647

[Renew Deal]

16. This is another instance of Bill giving Hillary problems

Bill is an amazing campaigner, but he's too close to Hillary and too opinionated. It's not her fault. I wish I had him campaigning for me.

[AlCzervik]

17. thats weak, really weak.