ABOUT FIRST READ

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



Dem supers demand end to Iraq war

Posted: Thursday, May 01, 2008 11:32 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: , ,

From NBC's Lauren Appelbaum
On the fifth anniversary of President Bush's "Mission Accomplished" aircraft carrier landing, antiwar superdelegates -- supporting Clinton, Obama, or who remain uncommitted -- held a conference call with reporters calling for language to be adopted at August's Democratic convention for ending the Iraq war.

On the conference call, sponsored by the left-leaning group Win Without War, these superdelegates said their purpose is to ensure neither Democratic candidate -- should he/she win the presidency -- wavers on their support for ending the Iraq war fully. Rep. Barbara Lee, an Obama supporter, stressed the importance of the grassroots effort on the part of Democrats to show their support for the presidential candidates' plans to end the war.

"We need to make sure there isn't any fuzzy language," Rep. Jim McGovern, a Clinton supporter, added. "We have to demonstrate the Democratic Party gets it."

The campaign hopes to get more superdelegates to sign a petition for the Democratic National Platform to include a full withdrawal from Iraq with no permanent military bases behind; negotiations in the Middle East, including with the Iranian government, per recommendations by the Iraq Study Group, and an end to torture and closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison.

And in one sign that at least some Democrats are starting to come together, Rep. Lynn Woolsey -- a Clinton supporter -- said on the call she now also believes Obama will be able to successfully end the Iraq War. "From the beginning, I had full confidence in Hillary Clinton's commitment and strength to bring troops home," she said." Over time, I am also gaining confidence that Barack Obama will be able to do the same with the experience that he will gain."

MAIN PAGE

Email this EMAIL THIS

Comments

Hillary's supporters are saying she can end the war. Obviously, they missed her statements in the PA debate that she planned to obliterate Iran and retaliate aganist any middle easter country that invades another country. In addition, she voted for the war without reading the intelligence report. How does this make her a strong candidate to end the war? If actions speak louder than words according to Clinton, then based on her vote for the war and the aforementioned comments about Iran she is not ready to lead this country on day one. She is beginning to sound like Bush, but then again she is a closeted republican.
Barack is the end the war candidate without any baggage.

Mission Accomplished will go down as one of the stupidest things ever uttered by a sitting US president...right up there with "you're doing a heckava job Brownie" and oil will be cheap right after our occupation of Iraq
With all of her experience, Hillary made the grave error of voting to authorize this war. What good did her experience serve her if she went along with one of the greatest foreign policy blunders in our nation's history. I have no confidence in Hillary.
Hillary Clintons general election message:

"I voted FOR the war before I voted AGAINST the war..."


Lets not make the same mistake twice--Dems UNITE!
Barack Obama won here in the 6th District -- Lynn Woolsey's District. We live in the same time. I've emailed her over a hundred times and she's never replied to me.

That's funny because the Governors of Wyoming and West Virginia were able to make the time for me.

Woolsey, you aren't getting my vote again in the future, first of all.

Second of all, you should listen to Joe Andrew and make a principled switch. Obama won here by 55% and 47% by county respectively, in case you seemed to have forgot.
Barack Obama wants peace and Hillary is already making threats to Iran, which they are taking seriously. No more war people..... the loss of lives and $ is to the point of VERY SERIOUS! Bin Laden wanted to bleed America financialy ... ask yourself, is he getting his way?
HRC is not in the White House and she already has a foreign policy blunder.  She wanted to appear tough, but now she appears to have egg in her face.  That's what happens when you talk or act without considering all the consequences.  Bad judgement! In return, Iran is probably going to increase its support of terrorists in Iraq.

MSNBC, report what the others are reporting not just Wright.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/01/clinton.iran/index.html

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/04/30/iran-condemns-clinton-for-threatening-to-attack/

Paul v. Clinton, MSNBC where is it?

HRC’s ties to black revolutionaries while at Yale, MSNBC where is it?

HCR criticizes Indiana plant closings which Bill approved while in office, MSNBC where is it?

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4757257&page=1
Nice. Put McCain on his heels.

Change the narrative yourselves if the media, and Hillary won't. Keep making conference calls about the war, health care, gas prices, and the economy coming several times per day.  
How could these supers possibly support Clinton on this issue when the headlines around the world today are "Iran makes UN Complaint over Clinton's 'obliterate' comment". Her comments are irresponsible and don't reflect the anti-war sentiments of this group.
Obama has been criticized for not possessing the precise qualities that lead to unnecessary wars. If our recent presidents had possessed Obama's qualities, we would be enjoying, not only peace, but prosperity. Prosperity comes when our nation's resources are not funneled into the increasing spiral of war.
I don't want a "fighter" in the White House, I want a "leader".  I want the President to be THE most intelligent person in the room.  I want one who understands the economy and is willing to make the tough decisions to get this country moving in the right direction.  

No matter how the "values" voters vote, the gay population will still be 5-10% of the population and they will be living among us as tax paying productive members of society.

No matter how the "values" voters vote, abortion will still be available, for the poor it will be "back alley" and risky, for the rich it will be overseas.  The goal is to make it rare by sensibly teaching prevention along with morals.  

No matter how the "liberal" voters vote, prayer will still be said in school, especially before tests and sporting events.

No matter how the "liberal" voters vote, the second amendment will still allow lawful gun ownership.

So this time, Vote with your head, vote for the economy, vote for the environment, vote for jobs.

Vote Democratic 2008 -- don't let the corporations and their Republican stooges win again.  
The Superdelegates need to show the American people that they too, "get it" by endorsing a candidate before Hillary completely tears the Party apart! Time to heal now folks so we can take on McFossil in the fall!
Let the healing begin!!
I'll take common sense, and street creds, over Hillary's "faux experience", any day.  

Besides, she needs some R&R.  Poor thing is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome - from her tour in Bosnia.
Oh yeah...that war thingy. Only 46 kIA this month. The Surge is working!
Yawn. These nutcases are why the Democrats will lose again this fall. Rather then in in perpetual protest mode, maybe these gasbags should pass a bill once in a while?
WOW I don't know what to think about this!! Sounds like blackmail or is it a bribe?
Just keep Mr. McDraft out of the oval office and the Dem will end the war.

Bob, Chicago  
All the democrats would have to do now is stop funding the war... and show their true colors...instead of doing all this showmanship, which will lead to nothing but talk..
Is McFossil now on his "Mission Accomplished Tour"?
I'm surprised this got covered.

These superdelegates must be out to lunch, coming together to discuss issues rather than the tabloid-version of the horse race. What were they thinking? Hey, maybe that question should be put to Rev Wright. And Monica Lewinsky.

In fact, what a show concept! MSNBC could put Wright and Lewinsky together as moderators for an hour of daily campaign analysis, called the Oral Exam.
Now this sounds promising.  The people against this probably has some kind of financial stake in the middle east.
It is difficult to imagine Hillary Clinton taking a principled position, rather than an expedient one, on any issue. This was also the case with Bill, even though his positions were usually more appropriate than those of the Bush presidencies before and after him.

They are not demanding an end to the war.
They are demanding we stop action on our side of the war.
Are the 'supers' demanding that the Mulims stop killing us? Or targeting our society?
We could pull every soldier out of Iraq and Afganistan and WE WOULD STILL BE AT WAR !
Americans, Christians or not, had better pull their heads out of the perverbial sand.
The Muslim nation is on the rise. Period.
This is a religious war, wether we wish it or not.
America's political correctness of not making a religious issue out of the war has blinded us to their way of thinking.
The death of a free thinking, non muslim based society is not only acceptable to the Muslim religion it is required.
Even the nice ones next door...
So when these "supers" start demanding something, how about they demand something that does not leave them practicing Shia law in court.
WOW ANOTHER BIG LIE FROM CLINTON,
CLINTON 2 BIG LIES, OBAMA 0


http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4757257&page=1
ABC News reported Hillary lied about Indiana company Magnequench.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4757257&page=1

When will MSNBC cover this expanding story?
Ending Bush's contrived misadventure should be number one on the democrats list.  The economy is critical, but in large part it's dismal state is due to "W"'s dreams of glorious war.  Vote Obama Indiana and North Carolina for a leader who can and will get us out.  Mrs. Clinton's irresponsible remarks about nuclear use against Iran should make anyone wonder about her judgement.  I'm a vet and anyone who mistakes flowers for bullets won't get my vote.
So what I've been saying all along!! Most people in this country want someone with experience and I'm not talking YEARS of legistlation but years advocating for working class american.  We need a President for all of America and I think the choices that Obama has made in his life have proven that he will be divisive.  If you don't subscribe to black separatism then whey on earth would you be a member of a black separatist church?  That would be like me saying I've attended KKK meetings for 20 years but I don't support everything they say.  That just doesn't ring true with most people.  I think it's more likely that Wrights explanation (the guy who's known him for 20 years verses his supporters who've only been acquainted with him for a little over a year) hit the nail on the head when he said that Obama said what he said denouncing Wright's comments because he is a politican and says what he says to get elected.  That makes sense a lot more then his denunciation ONLY after being personally affected.  
In other words, Clinton SD's are 'starting to see the light' or 'the writing on the wall'
Letter to MSNBC (This letter is also being forwarded to anyone who places an ad on your site as well)

Enough is Enough!

I'm now forced to watch CNN in the mornings and at night because they aren't driveling Wright's name every three seconds. We had the deadliest month in Iraq, over 80,000 jobs lost last month, inflation, etc., not counting Hillary's pastor molests a seven year old girl and you would rather waist our time with race baiting rather then worried about our kids? Get over yourselves.

Being I work for a media based company with over five thousand domain names, I understand ratings, I have to do reports on them... I will be forwarding this email to every friend and Obama group I can find. So, pay attention to your ratings as my intent is now a kitchen sink strategy.

Enough is Enough
Barack has already shown the JUDGEMENT to lead our country through these times.  From the war in Iraq, to the Gas Tax debacle, it is Barack who stands above all other candidates.  I prefer judgement over political rhetoric.
Here is the real truth. Read this on ABC, I wonder why MSM is not reporting on this.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/comments?type=story&id=4757257
So, the way I read it, the Democratics want to completely abandon Iraq and any strategic value it will have in the future, they want to end torture that isn't happening, if it ever did, they want to close Guantanamo, which has fewer and fewer detainees every day and is headed that direction anyway, and they want to sit down with Ahmadinejad and ask what we can do for him and the country that rejected us in 1979 by taking U.S. citizens hostage in an embassy protected by international law and holding them for 444 days with, worst of all, never even apologizing for it.

Maybe we could just reprogram a couple of nukes to target Israel and give the Iranians the code and authority to launch them.  Or maybe Hamas, for that matter.  That would take care of the Israel problem and eliminate the need for the Iranian nuclear facility at the same time.  The only question to remain is whether they would then love us or just make us next on the list.

I also like the line "In one sign that at least some Democrats are coming together . . ."  

Well, that's all well and good, what about the rest of them?

Seriously, though, I do relish the thought of a fight at the convention to "McGovernize" the current Democrat party.
Let's not have confidence in the person who voted to send our young men and women to war without reading the intelligence reports.  Let's not have confidence in someone who stood up and applauded George Bush three times on his resolution to go to war.  Her judgement has already been demonstrated.
Please, let's bring our young men and women home, carefully with the advice of our military leaders as Obama has suggested.
Obama 08
Hillary's remark about "obliterating" Iran is undefensable. This is not a foreign policy that I want to see American take moving forward. Why isn't this given front page news? Iran filed a formal protest with the United Nations, this is news.
Hillary's remark about "obliterating" Iran is undefensable. This is not a foreign policy that I want to see American take moving forward. Why isn't this given front page news? Iran filed a formal protest with the United Nations, this is news.
I have my fingers crossed but they sang the same song in 2004.Look how well that went.Pelosis husband,cheneysRice and hundreds of others are making too much money and they just cannot give all those bucks up.AThey gave you 300 dollars now shut up and go away.
Could not have said it better Joe Andrew.
cool
To All Democrats:

I  _______________  am an American and a democrat.  I chose freely to be a democrat because I believe in the democratic principles as guided by the constituition of the United States.  I believe all human beings have inalienable rights, and that we all stand together under the umbrella of brother and sister hood together.  To care for one another in time of sickness and in need. We believe in peace, and the principle that we are never to negotiate out of fear, but never fear to negotiate.  We will stand together this November no matter whom is selected as the nominee, we will unite our party and our country to undue the inflicted wounds of the past eight years and to meet the challenges that lie ahead; together.

Sincerely,

Fellow Democrat.  

On the fifth anniversary of President Bush's "Mission Accomplished".......

What a joke.  If we can't defeat John W. McCain, there's a real problem.  
Thanks god for that!
From Dailykos

Cheers and Jeers: Thursday
by Bill in Portland Maine
Thu May 01, 2008 at 04:38:57 AM PDT

From the GREAT STATE OF MAINE...

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

You probably think my headline is a snarky prelude to a post ridiculing President Bush for his aircraft carrier photo-op that took place five years ago today:

   Peter Jennings: It is a very special feeling to land on a carrier, and it is from there tonight that the president is going to make what amounts to an end-of-the-war-in-Iraq speech. ... Tonight the president is going to describe how the war has essentially, if not officially, ended.

Nah---his legacy as a huge failure is sealed in amber for all time. Instead, let's remind ourselves of how ridiculous America's traditional media was on or around May 1, 2003. Exhibit A: Chris Matthews...

   "[T]he president deserves everything he's doing tonight in terms of his leadership. He won the war. He was an effective commander. Everybody recognizes that, I believe, except a few critics.  ... Here's a president who's really nonverbal. He's like Eisenhower. He looks great in a military uniform."

Brian Williams...

   And two immutable truths about the president that the Democrats can't change: He's a youthful guy. He looked terrific and full of energy in a flight suit. He is a former pilot, so it's not a foreign art farm -- art form to him. Not all presidents could have pulled this scene off today.

Not even Millard Fillmore? Puh-leez. The New York Times says...

   Never before has a president landed aboard a carrier at sea, much less taken the controls of the aircraft. His decision to sleep aboard the ship this evening in the captain's quarters conjured images of the presidency at sea not seen since Franklin D. Roosevelt used to sail to summit meetings.

   Mr. Bush was clearly reliving his days as a pilot in the Texas Air National Guard, more than three decades ago.

I assume they're talking about his non-AWOL days. Joe Klein...

   "Well, that was probably the coolest presidential image since Bill Pullman played the jet fighter pilot in the movie Independence Day. That was the first thing that came to mind for me."

Laura Ingraham...

   "Speaking as a woman, and listening to the women who called into my radio show, seeing President Bush get out of that plane, carrying his helmet, he is a real man. He stands by his word. That was a very powerful moment."

She added, "I do declay-uh, he done gave me thuh vapuhs!"

And I really can't bring myself to point out that Wolf Blitzer referred to Bush as "a one-time Fighter Dog." Really. I just can't.

But I don’t want to beat up on the media too bad. So I'll give Chris Matthews the final word. He said this three days ago after watching footage of Bush clowning around at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner:

   "It’s one thing to gather for events like this in Washington.  It‘s another one to laugh and applaud and be charmed when the president puts on a little show.  It‘s harmless stuff, except that the people yucking it up in that scene are the people who are professionally committed to calling it when the people in power get it wrong."
The only candidate that they should be worried about wavering is Sen. Clinton if she's nominated. Afterall, she did vote for the war to begin with, in addition to all the other lies that she tells and flip-flops that she does, how can anyone trust her???
This issue should be crystal clear to everybody in Washington. Bring our troops home now!


SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=967185

First Read e-mail alerts


Sign up for First Read alerts
The first place for key political news and analysis

Syndicate This Site

Add First Read to your news reader:
live.com xml
myyahoo msn
bloglines newsgator
google