Hillary didn't read NIE because she's sooooo experienced she thinks she knows more than field operatives! Boy did she get it wrong, big time!

A day or two ago someone made a comment listing supporters of Obama, icluding Dodd and Kerry. I replied and asked if they were the same Dodd and Kerry who didn't read the NIE, and voted "yes", as did Clinton and Biden (who did read the NIE)? That was apparently unsuitable to be posted. I still give Biden full marks for reading it.

James Boyce reports:

"Sen. Bob Graham's floor statement urging his fellow Senators to read the full classifed NIE. Here is Sen. Graham's statement:
""Friends, I encourage you to read the classified intelligence reports which are much sharper than what is available in declassified form," Sen. Graham reports stating on the floor of the Senate in October 2002.
"We are going to be increasing the threat level against the people of the United States." He warned: "Blood is going to be on your hands."
Senator Bob Graham, Chariman of the Senate Intelligence Committe READ the NIE and voted NO to Bush's war.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-boyce/the-iraq-war-vote-was-69_b_50742.html

Kerry is a moron.

"It really depends frankly on what the total exposure to the intelligence is. You don't have to read the NIE, honestly, if you've been briefed, if you sat in on hearings, if you have some familiarity with the topic."

I have a younger brother who has the unfortunate habit of defending decisions he's made even when they have obviously, in hindsight, proven to be not only stupid but utterly disastrous.

I've always said he could be a senator if he wanted to.

I've always liked John Kerry. Classy as usual.

Also... Sadaam did allow inspectors in. We pulled them out so that we could shock and awe the region into democracy.

When Kerry was the standard bearer for the Dems in 2004, progressives loved him, but when he lost and conceded without challenging voter fraud in Ohio they abandoned and blamed him for GW2. But when he endorsed their hero barack Obama he was back to being a good guy. Now when he gives Hillary Clinton cover for the A#1 cheapshot about her not reading the NIE prior to voting for the AUMF in 2002, he is again a villian. The problem with so-called progressive Democrats is that they operate from pure emotionalism and dignify it as special insight. This is how it works: decide what is true for you, then assemble facts to support it. Constant ranting about her vote supposedly agreeing with Bush's Iraq war is a good example. Most progressives have no memory of the Vietnam war controversy which tore this country apart; if they did, they would know that this war in Iraq is meek by comparison and is not even the biggest issue any more with GE voters. To support Barack and attack Clinton, they have elevated it in their minds to the level of WW2 and turned Hillary into Axis Sally based on a single vote in which a majority of Democratic Senators concurred. This is not a logical conclusion but simply one of convenience for progressives. Given: Barack is the Golden Child; and, Hillary contests against him for the nomination; then, Hillary is the enemy to be destroyed by any means. This is what passes in progressive circles for analytical thinking.

A novice politician was asked to attend an Anti-War Rally and give an Anti-War speech. He has used that speech to define his whole campaign for President and to bash all of the Democratic Senators who voted for the War Resolution including Hillary Clinton.

John Kerry has allowed him to do that until what little conscience he has bothered him so Kerry now tries to justify his own vote in a way that does not stop the Hillary Bashing.

Read this for the full story.

http://www.thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Winter08/PDFfiles/2008Election.pdff

The 3 am ad didn't scare me but this does.

You know, I wonder how many people crucifying Hillary for her Iraq vote actually read the IRaq Resolution?

You be the judge -- click the wiki link and read it yourself.

But I only ask you to read it withthe mindset you had a couble months after 9-11.

I ask because I really don;t think just months after 9-11 most people would give a despot like Saddam the benefit of the doubt.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_Resolution

This is BUSH's WAR don't forget that.

"Even though the resolution before the Senate is not as strong as I would like in requiring the diplomatic route first and placing highest priority on a simple, clear requirement for unlimited inspections, I will take the President at his word that he will try hard to pass a UN resolution and will seek to avoid war, if at all possible.

Because bipartisan support for this resolution makes success in the United Nations more likely, and therefore, war less likely, and because a good faith effort by the United States, even if it fails, will bring more allies and legitimacy to our cause, I have concluded, after careful and serious consideration, that a vote for the resolution best serves the security of our nation. If we were to defeat this resolution or pass it with only a few Democrats, I am concerned that those who want to pretend this problem will go way with delay will oppose any UN resolution calling for unrestricted inspections.

This is a very difficult vote. This is probably the hardest decision I have ever had to make -- any vote that may lead to war should be hard -- but I cast it with conviction.

[...]

My vote is not, however, a vote for any new doctrine of pre-emption, or for uni-lateralism, or for the arrogance of American power or purpose -- all of which carry grave dangers for our nation, for the rule of international law and for the peace and security of people throughout the world."

http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/011884.php

This is a ridiculous story - do your jobs - This was an authorization to go to war read everything. AAArgh the incompetence of our government is astonishing.

It's only nessasary to read the NIE when it benefits your agenda............John Kerry.

I am starting to get a kick out of watching Democrats eat their own. Obama's supporters will do what the Republicans have tried to do since the 1990's. Destroy the Democratic Party. My self as a liberal independent who usually votes Democrat am Dazedandamazed by the vitrol spewed by the Obama supporters. After all so far in this election I think they have attacked at least one vote of 99% of the democrats in the House and the Senate advocating to throw them all out. What exactly is this sweep you are crying for? A Republican sweep in 2010.

Hillary gets our vote.
One of our nation’s top military figures, General Shelton served two terms as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In announcing his endorsement, General Shelton said, “I’ve been with Senator Clinton when she has been with our military men and women. I know from those experiences that she understands the demands and sacrifice of military life. I am confident she will always put the readiness and well being of our troops first. She is ready to be Commander-in-Chief.”

General Shelton joins General John Shalikashvili as the second former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to have endorsed Senator Clinton. General Shelton is the fourth flag officer to endorse Senator Clinton this week.

The first Green Beret to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Shelton served our Nation with distinction over a career that spanned 38 years. General Shelton served two tours of duty in Vietnam, and was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. He was assistant commander of the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Desert Storm in Iraq, and later commanded the 82nd Airborne Division. Prior to serving as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Shelton commanded U.S. Special Operations Forces. He served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s highest ranking military office, from 1997-2001.

General Shelton joins a distinguished group of 28 retired flag officers who have endorsed Senator Clinton to be our nation’s next Commander-in-Chief. In addition, more than 2,000 veterans and military retirees are members of Senator Clinton's national and state veterans’ steering committees.