Richardson: Iraq is a civil war. Seven Americans killed today. We need to deauthorize.
Wolf: What about genocide?
Richardson: No residual forces. I would keep troops in Kuwait where they are not wanted. Our troops are a target. They’ve done a fantastic job.
Gravel: It’s Bush’s war? It was facilitated by the Democrats. It’s the Democrats’ war
You remember Vietnam, all the dominoes are gonna fall. How do we know what’s gonna happen.
Kucinich is having trouble hearing the question. Honor those who serve. Those who sent those soldiers were wrong. War was based on lies. We could have a productive evening if everyone agreed to stop the funding. There’s a teachable moment here: This war is the property of the Democratic party because they were given control of Congress.
Biden: Last thing we Democrats need to do is lie to the American people. We have 50 votes in the Senate. Less majority in the House. You’re gonna end . You need 67 votes to override the veto! We’re funding the safety of those troops!
Wolf hits Hillary on reading the NIE?
Hillary: I was thoroughly briefed. I knew what DoD, CIA were saying. We can argue about the past. Our troops did what they were told to do. It is the Iraqis who have not taken advantage of the opportunity they were given.
Edwards: I was on intel committee. I got direct intel information from that. I read the summary. I had the info I needed. The difference is, I know I was wrong. Obama deserves credit for being against this war from the beginning. I was wrong. The next president has to be honest with the country.
Obama: I don’t think voting for war is disqualifying. Bob Graham cited that specifically one of the reasons he voted against the war. I appreciate John’s compliment. What I saw was a weak case on part of this administration. Fearmongering. This war is an enormous distraction from war on terror.
Gravel: Can next president have voted for war? Not at all. Shrum in his book – these people knew two sets of intelligence at the same time. More Americans died in this war, because of what they did, than on 9/11. They don’t have moral judgmnet.
Clinton: Recites standard, I voted for inspectors. President misused his authority.
Richardson is asked about how giving legal status to 12 million is not amnesty. Richardson: I’m a border governor. I deal with this issue every day. I would not support legislation that would divide families. I would not build Berlin wall between two countries. Penalize employers.
Wolf reiterates the question, since Richardson didn’t answer it.
Richardson: You don’t immediately get citizenship. It takes about 13 years.