Dodd Campaign Takes Shot at Edwards’ Stance on Iraq

Today on Meet the Press, former Senator John Edwards said that he believes Congress should continue to send bills with a deadline for ending the war to the President to force his hand. He specifically said there was a difference between sending bills with a deadline and cutting off funding for the troops.

This is Sen. Edwards’ latest position on his ever-changing stance on whether or not to support a firm, enforceable deadline tied to funding to end this war.

February 2007: Edwards Said He Would Not Cut Off Funding for the War in Iraq:

Edwards: “I would not cut off funding for the men and women who are part of our troops and serving in Iraq.” [NBC, Meet the Press, 2/4/07]

May 2007: Edwards Said that Congress Should Use Its “Funding Power” to End the Iraq War:

Edwards: “It is time to end this war. The only real power Congress has to end the war is their funding power, which is why I and others have been calling on them to use it for some time. I would actually go further than Reid-Feingold and use the funding authority, not just to set an ultimate deadline, but to force an immediate withdrawal of 40-50,000 troops, followed by a complete withdrawal in about a year. But using the funding authority to bring this war to an end is exactly the right thing to do. Every Senator who believes this war is wrong and wants to end it should support Reid-Feingold.” [John Edwards for President press release, 5/15/07]

October 7, 2007: Edwards Claimed That He Does NOT Support Cutting Off Funding for the War:

Tim Russert: “You’re now are in favor of cutting off funding, aren’t you?”
Edwards: “No sir. No. I am saying now what I said in February.” [NBC, Meet the Press, 10/7/07]

“For months Sen. Edwards has been lecturing Congress on what it must do to end the war. And while it would have been easier to do with his vote, we agree that the only way to end the war was to force the President’s hand through Congress’ funding power,” said Dodd Spokesperson Colleen Flanagan. “We are so disappointed that Sen. Edwards is now backing away from his position on ending funding for this failed policy. If we are going to end this war, we need to be clear and consistent with this President.”

“If Sen. Edwards is going to offer Congress advice as to what to do from afar, the least he could do is be consistent about it.”

nhpols.com

http://campaignsandelections.com/nh/releases/index.cfm?ID=4802