Reply #58: I hope you don't vote for Hillary in the general election because I hope you have the chance to vote

[Czolgosz]

for Gore, Edwards, Clark, Kucinich, Dodd, or Obama.

If, however, you are stuck with a choice among Hillary, Rudy McRomney, or a third-party protest vote, I urge you to see where the candidates stand and cast your vote in a manner that will be least likely to result in the escalation of the war and most likely to result in an end to the war. There is no question that Hillary sucks on this issue, but she sucks less than any of the likely Repubs:



Hillary:

OPPOSED TO TROOP INCREASE
I will be introducing legislation that I think offers a better alternative. First, my legislation will cap the number of troops in Iraq as of January 1, and will require the Administration to seek Congressional authorization for any additional troops.
-- February 7, 2007

PHASED REDEPLOYMENT
I've been in favor of phased redeployment of our troops, bringing them home as quickly as possible, but based on a comprehensive strategy that looked at the diplomatic, political, and economic challenges and, frankly, exerted some leverage on the Iraqis who have to take these actions if any possible salvage can be made of this situation.
-- January 18, 2007



McCain:

IN FAVOR OF TROOP INCREASE
A substantial and sustained increase in U.S. forces in Baghdad and Anbar province is necessary to bring down the toxic levels of violence there. The presence of additional coalition forces would allow the Iraqi government to do what it cannot accomplish today on its own - impose its rule throughout the country.
-- January 12, 2007

MAINTAIN TROOP LEVELS
If we walk away from Iraq, we will be back - possibly in the context of a wider war in the world's most volatile region. I believe that those who disagree with this new policy should indicate what they would propose to do if we withdraw and Iraq descends into chaos.
-- January 12, 2007


Giuliani:

IN FAVOR OF TROOP INCREASE
I support what the president asked for support to do and what General Petraeus has asked for support to do, not because there's any guarantee it's going to work. There's never any guarantee at war. But if we can come out with a correct solution or a better solution in Iraq, it's going to make the whole war on terror go better.
-- February 6, 2007

MAINTAIN TROOP LEVELS
I always believed, during the 2004 election, that John Kerry really wanted to pull out of Iraq, and he just didn't say it. And I think a lot of the Democratic party is in that mindset, that we have to pull out of Iraq. And I think that would be a terrible mistake, to cut and run.
-- August 18, 2006


Romney:

IN FAVOR OF TROOP INCREASE
I believe that so long as there is a reasonable prospect of success, our wisest course is to seek stability in Iraq, with additional troops endeavoring to secure the civilian population.
-- February 13, 2007

MAINTAIN TROOP LEVELS
Our desire to bring our troops home, safely and soon, is met with our recognition that if Iraq descends into all-out civil war, millions could die...the possible implications for America and for American interests from such developments could be devastating.
-- February 13, 2007