Clinton Challenges Bush on Iran

Hillary Clinton got it right and showed strength. Now she just has to believe it and lose the "no options are off the table" lingo. The world got that message a long time ago.
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Watch the video, and Crooks & Liars offers some of Clinton's statement, too.

It would be a mistake of historical proportion if the administration thought that the 2002 resolution authorizing force against Iraq was a blank check for the use of force against Iran without further Congressional authorization.

Nor should the president think that the 2002 resolution authorizing force after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 in any way authorizes force against Iran. If the administration believes that any, any use of force against Iran is necessary, the president must come to Congress to seek that authority.

Senator Hillary Clinton

Senator Clinton took to the Senate floor today and got it right on Iran, at least the biggest part she got right. Mr. Bush needs to go to Congress for authorization before going to war with Iran. Clinton threw the marker down.

That said, I still have a serious issue with her use of the "no options are off the table" rumble, because it's cold war language in a new age era. An age that after Mr. Bush, no leader of a sovereign nation on earth believes we won't use force. Over and over again I make this point, but it's important to make clear. No president of either party would ever take the use of force off the table. Any time there is a clear and present danger, the U.S. will protect our nation and citizens.

To truly move our foreign policy forward and progress from where we've been the last years, Democratic candidates must have the courage to resist these right-wing talking points meant to show toughness. There are other ways to express that fortitude and even though Clinton is a woman she needs to utilize them.

That said, on the Senate floor today Hillary Clinton got it right and showed strength. Now she just has to believe it and lose the "no options are off the table" lingo. The world got that message a long time ago.

The question is whether anyone will listen to Hillary on Iran, even if she's right, as long as she's pulling her punches on Iraq.

- Taylor Marsh LIVE! can be heard from 3-4 pm eastern - 12-1 p.m pacific, Mon.-Thurs, with podcasts available.

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