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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC Political Researcher



Clinton at VFW

Posted: Monday, August 20, 2007 4:34 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:

From NBC's Lauren Appelbaum
Hillary Clinton
was the first presidential candidate to address hundreds of members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars during this year's national convention in Kansas City, Mo. In a policy-heavy speech, Clinton outlined her plans to help veterans and highlighted her bi-partisan efforts to do so in the past. She waited until the end of her speech to address Iraq. Placing a hand upon her chest, Clinton acknowledged that some people will disagree with her for saying the best way to honor the troops is "beginning to bring them home."
 
"I think it is unacceptable for our troops to be caught in the crossfire of a sectarian civil war while the Iraqi government is on vacation," Clinton said. "I think it is time that the Iraqi government took responsibility for themselves and their country. Because the American people and our American military cannot want freedom and stability for the Iraqis more than they want it for themselves." 
 
Clinton spent most of her time speaking on her policy, which is five-fold and stems from the idea of having "secretary for veterans" instead of "a secretary of veterans affairs." She called for (1) mandatory funding for veterans' healthcare; (2) a new GI Bill of Rights that accounts for educational possibilities; chances to buy, build, and improve veterans' homes; and micro-lending programs for veterans to start their own businesses; (3) a seamless career transition assistance program; (4) a transformation of bureaucracy to create 21st century system with a high level veteran reporting directly to her on healthcare, educational, and career programs for veterans; and (5) ending the prohibition on concurrent receipt for disabled veterans.
 
Clinton did attempt some humor in an effort to connect with the veterans by talking about her late father, a WWII veteran. "I imagine he is looking down, and saying I never thought I would see my daughter addressing the VFW," she said, "and I am sure many of you didn't either."

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Comments

What, no boos Chuck? I guess the VFW is smarter and more civil than you thought.
Let's hope George Bush doesn't 'fool' her into attacking Iran !!
You gotta watch out for Slick George !!
He's really tricky !!

She wanted to bring the troops home AFTER she decided to send them !!
But, she's ALWAYS supported the troops !!
Hillary Clinton, 'experienced' Foreign Policy 'expert'

Hillary Clinton
It's NOT her fault !!
Gimme a break ...  sounds like an increase in our taxes is on its way if we elect Hillary
I'm glad our next president got to go first.
She says she is against the war. Now we'll see if she votes to cut funding.

It depends on what your definition of "is" is.
I guess it was ladies first.  She wants to a Veteran secretary instead of veterans affairs secretary, guess she wants to take the word "affairs" out of the wording.  Probably too many bad thoughts about the word "affairs".
No jerry it was first lady was first.
Oh Goody are you referring to veterans health care if so we can only hope so. The republicans give a lot of lip service support to the troops and then cut veterans health care.
Not a big fan of Hillary, but she is far and away better than anything the "stay the course" repubs have to offer! Especially the old fool gasbag mccain! With the exception of Ron Paul, they are all the same old BS. And if you want to know what the definition of "is" is - just ask flip flop romney, he will tell you whatever you want to hear!
Some one at the head of the VFW sh!t in their mess kit! To let this supproting draft dogger, anti-American stand before our living defenders of all armed forces, serve up her self serving agenda is an insult to the VFW and the membership!


You put a Painted up clown on stage and you get a  ""CLOWN ACT""
Mr.Rove just announced "" I shall bring back America"" ,, He has shocked everyone!!  I'll vote Yes!
Politicians and talk radio host are silly. If the so called fiscal conservatives and patriotic god fearing right wingers cared about the country, they would want to pay their fair share of taxes. In fact, they would spend more time overseeing the actions of the government and their investment. Yes, I said investment. If we were to have it the conservative way, the country would have the most powerful military weapons in the world and the richest corporate bank accounts. Yet, we would not maintain the nation's infrastructure. In fact, we would probably spend more the nation's wealth abroad paying for friendship (allies). If you won't to be a true conservative and be patriotic, help out the Government Accounting Office (GAO) monitor spending and the return on your investment. The best segment of news that I've heard or seen was the ABC News segment "Your Money."
For the so called liberals, you are not off the hook in your attempt to manage the country’s business. You can not continue to throw money at every domestic problem. Sometimes you need a bit of tough love to teach individuals a lesson. The immigration problem did not develop overnight, so it can not be solved overnight. Be willing to adjust your strategy to accomplish something in Congress. Stop squandering the country's money on silly hearings and investigations. As far as the war in Iraq goes, we are in the midst of this war whether you like it or not. Offer real solutions to bring that country under control. I’m no republican, but clearly anyone can see what would happen if America abandon its obligation. Stop the nonsense! Soldiers know that freedom isn’t free. It has always been paid by the sacrifice. The best thing that you (the politician) could do for a soldier is not to remove him/her from the battle in Iraq, but to encourage and praise him/her for the effort. The effort to solve the mess that you (the politician) created. Whether you know it or not, conservatives are correct about losing faith in thy own military. You may feel that you’re helping them by pulling them out, but that is the opinion of common citizens. They have been trained to fight the nation’s battle; respect their capability. Do not attempt to tell them how to fight and they will not tell you how to manage the country. Oh, I have served and who the President (republican or democrat) is really transparent to the soldier fighting. For he/she can not afford to be distracted by Washington’s bureaucrats, they’re busy taking care of business.  You should get down to business! You were not elected to office to settle personal vendettas. The American public has charged you with assisting the other branches of the government in looking out for the welfare of this nation. If you can not handle the task, please understand this cliché. LEAD, FOLLOW, or GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY!
She was for it.....before she was against it. Right around election time. Sound familiar? Nah...it couldn't possibly work twice for the Republicans.
Vote OBAMA!!!
Do those who criticize Mrs. Clinton support the idea of the Iraqi parliment taking a month off while our service men and women are in harm's way?  Where is their outrage?  Is waving a flag and licking the boots of our delusional president and vice president the only way they know how to show patriotism?
I wonder if anyone of these wannabe president know that there are tiny islands in the south pacific that has more GIs per capita than any state in the U.S. A visit from Madam or Mr. President would be awesome. Need direct line to new Veterans Secretary.
In the LA Times a month or so ago a high-ranking official of the Iraqi government said that 90% of suicide bombing attacks are committed by foreigners.  Yet Democrats keep perpetuating the myth that Iraq is in the midst of a civil war.

Why do Democrats lie so much?  
Actually a sophisticated speech. What, is First Read disappointed? Sorry to let you guys down, but she is on the ball and she does know what she is talking about!
Exaclioto, Quasimodo; Clinton is right---we seem to want the Iraqi's freedom more than they do.  And it is ALWAYS bad policy to fight for a people who don't give a damn about you or their freedom.  We learned that in Vietnam, and then forgot the lesson thirty years late.
I wonder if some of the folks in the VFW audience were among those Hillary required to wear civies in the White House because their SERVICE UNIFORMS made her UNCOMFORTABLE?  
Then if you want everybody to pay their fair share of taxes, the the fair tax is the way to go.
Someone called her draft-dodger.  How can she be a draft dodger if women were never subjected to the draft?
All you guys out there.Do not let your egos get in the way of electing a fine woman for president(Hillary).She has all the attributes required to make an outstanding leader.Several Europian countries and Asians have already elected a woman to run their countries with excellent results.They call it forward and innovative thinking to try something never done before.The U. S. needs a fresh start after the disastrous Bush-Cheney years.Hillary can give us new ideas (health care for everyone without breaking the bank)and renewed respect from world leaders.
Hillary Clinton is a fraud. And anyone who hasn't discovered this yet was viewing the world in the 1990's through the bars of their baby crib.
Straight Up/AZ, are you talking about John McCain again?


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