Senator Dodd on Clinton-Byrd

[ProSense]

Update: Senator Christopher J. Dodd, who has worked to stake a more aggressive stance on withdrawal than most of the other Democratic candidates, released a statement downplaying the significance of Mrs. Clinton’s measure to deauthorize:

I support the efforts of Senators Byrd and Clinton to de-authorize the war in that we can all agree that the authorization has been de facto null and void because there were no weapons of mass destruction and Saddam Hussein has been out of power for years.

While I applaud this effort, sadly, it will not change the President’s course in Iraq. There is only one binding and responsible way to end this war.

He reiterated his support for the Feingold-Reid legislation, which would not only set a withdrawal timeline but also ultimately cut off war funds.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/clinton-sunset-iraq-authorization">link

[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t

[bigtree]

2. I don't believe anyone ever claimed the measure would 'change the course'

by itself.

[ProSense]

3. What is does is

give Bush the authority to define the war. That was alway a content with Byrd's original resolution, it allowed Bush to go to war (because Bush was to define the terms), but with a one-year expiration date. What good is that if he's already started the war?

I believe this fall is the time to review the Iraq war authorization and to have a full national debate so the people can be heard. I supported the Byrd amendment on October 10, 2002, which would have limited the original authorization to one year and I believe a full reconsideration of the terms and conditions of that authorization is overdue. This bill would require the president to do just that.

The American people have called for change, the facts on the ground demand change, the Congress has passed legislation to require change. It is time to sunset the authorization for the war in Iraq. If the president will not bring himself to accept reality, it is time for Congress to bring reality to him.

I urge my colleagues to join Senator Byrd and me in supporting this effort to require a new authorization resolution, or to refuse to do so, for these new times and these new conditions that we and our troops are facing every single day. Madam President, I yield the floor.

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