The Shameful Switch

The Shameful Switch

Presidential Candidates Clinton And Obama Reverse Their Positions On Troop Funding To Pander To MoveOn.org's Wishes

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Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) And Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) Voted Against Providing Funds For The Troops In Iraq:

Obama And Clinton Voted Against The Iraq Supplemental Spending Bill. (H.R. 2206, CQ Vote #181: Passed 80-14: R 42-3; D 37-10; I 1-1, 5/24/07, Obama and Clinton Voted Nay)

• "Courting The Anti-War Constituency, Democratic Presidential Rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton And Barack Obama Both Voted Against Legislation That Pays For The Iraq War But Lacks A Timeline For Troop Withdrawal." (Liz Sidoti, "Clinton, Obama Vote 'No' On Iraq Bill," The Associated Press, 5/25/07)

But Just Last Month, Obama Said That Congress Would Provide Funding For The Troops, Saying "Nobody Wants To Play Chicken With Our Troops On The Ground":

"'I Think That Nobody Wants To Play Chicken With Our Troops On The Ground,' Said Obama." (Mike Glover, "Obama Says Congress Will Fund Iraq War After Expected Bush Veto," The Associated Press, 4/1/07)

• "[W]hat You Don't Want To Do Is To Play Chicken With The President, And Create A Situation In Which, Potentially, You Don't Have Body Armor, You Don't Have Reinforced Humvees, You Don't Have Night-Vision Goggles." (CNN's "Late Edition," 4/1/07)

"Given That Bush Is Determined To Veto A Timetable For Withdrawing U.S. Troops From Iraq, Congress Has Little Realistic Choice But To Approve Money For The War, Obama Said." (Mike Glover, "Obama Says Congress Will Fund Iraq War After Expected Bush Veto," The Associated Press, 4/1/07)

Earlier This Month, Clinton Said "Of Course" She Would Support Funding For The Troops:

Clinton Will "Of Course" Support A Measure To Fund Troops. "Clinton said she 'of course' eventually will support a measure paying for the troops ..." (Mike Glover, "Clinton Won't Set Early Fund Restriction," The Associated Press, 5/7/07)

"[Clinton] Declined To Say What Restrictions Should Be Included In New Stopgap Legislation To Pay For The Troops, But Made Clear She Supports Providing The Money Needed." (Mike Glover, "Clinton Won't Set Early Fund Restriction," The Associated Press, 5/7/07)

Clinton And Obama Pandered To The Left To Retain The Support Of Ultra-Liberal Anti-War Groups:

MoveOn.org Threatened Democrats Who Did Not Vote Against The War Funding Bill: "MoveOn.org, a leading antiwar group, rallied its 3.2 million members in an e-mail alert ... that declared that 'every single Democrat must oppose this bill.' The group warned that it would consider backing primary challengers to Democrats who vote yes. Other organizations issued similar angry threats." (Shailagh Murray, "Antiwar Groups Press Democrats To Vote Against Iraq Bill," The Washington Post, 5/24/07)

The Democrat Candidates Are Trying To "Outmaneuver" Each Other For Left-Wing Endorsements. "[C]linton and Obama as well as former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina have sought for months to outmaneuver one another in showcasing opposition to the war in hopes of gaining the support of groups such as MoveOn.org." (David Espo, "Senate's Iraq Vote Likely To Test Clinton, Obama," The Associated Press, 5/15/07)