From The Road
April 8, 2008 9:33 AM

Clinton Ready for Petraeus Hearing

By
Fernando Suarez
Topics
Hillary Clinton
(CBS)
From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

WASHINGTON -- Hillary Clinton takes time out from the campaign trail to question the country's top general in Iraq, at a scheduled hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee today. A senior aide tells CBS News that Clinton will "really press" Gen.l David Petraeus and Amb. Ryan Crocker who are "both good men in tough jobs, defending bad policy."

Clinton, who faces criticism from voters and members of her own party for voting in favor of the war in Iraq, has an important opportunity during today's hearing to potentially showcase her knowledge of the current situation in Iraq and discuss how she plans on ending the war.

The last time Gen. Petraeus appeared before the Senate committee nearly seven months ago, Clinton's questioning of Petraeus was highly criticized when she came close to almost calling Petraeus a liar. Clinton said the four-star General's Iraq report required a "willing suspension of disbelief."

Clinton's approach will be more measured this time. The campaign source says Clinton will argue that "One year after the president said we needed the surge to give the Iraqi's some room to improve their political situation, it hasn't. The troops have done everything asked of them, but the policy has failed." Clinton will also emphasize her desire to end the war.

One issue Clinton has been bringing up on the campaign trail is the Bush Administration's desire to form a long term security pact with the Iraqi government, without the consent of Congress. The campaign source says Clinton will also press Petraeus and Crocker on this matter.

The topic over Clinton's Iraq vote has recently come to light as Clinton was asked about her vote twice in two days during visits in Oregon and Montana last week. For months, the issue seemed moot, but it is clear the war remains on the minds of voters. Clinton, who has not apologized for her vote, recently said, "I'm very comfortable that I made a sincere vote based on my best assessment at the time, and I am more than willing to be held accountable for it."

Clinton will join John McCain, who is the ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee, at this morning's hearing. Barack Obama will have his own chance to grill Petraeus and Crocker this afternoon when they appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Add a Comment
by michael0004 April 9, 2008 1:55 PM EDT
If there was any doubt about the media''''s mysogynistic bias against Senator Hillary Clinton, the following youtube video should dispel all doubt (except for those who are so blinded by their own prejudices or brainwashed by the media):

http://www.youtube.com/result
s?search_query=Hillary+Mad as Hell&search_type=

(You can also type in "Hillary mad as hell" in the youtube search field to retrieve this video.)
Reply to this comment
by pepperwood2 April 8, 2008 3:31 PM EDT
OK its official now Hillary is going to go on record trying to look presidential claiming to be one of the first, ahead of Obama ???? of course to suggest that Bush skip the Olympic introductions.

It was alright for her & Bill to receive illegal contributions from China and vote for "favorite trade nation status" while the Genocide of a million Rwandans was being carried out in the 90''''s.

Let''''s see now. I was for China''''s free trade nation status" before the illegal contributions were discovered. The Rwandans were just Poor Black Folk. It was easy to look the other way. Just show me the money! SO SAD!

What is wrong with this Hillary? She was against NAFTA before she voted for it. She was against the War before she voted for it.

I actually started criticizing the War in Iraq before he did. Look would I lie? Says Clinton so there I rest my case.

What is it with this Hillary? Another phony Pa. Ad. She certainly has a lot of Pa. Horses coming out to her rescue, take her by the hand, spoon feed her do her talking again. Only here in Pa. we know these Horses and which part of the Horse this talk is coming from.
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by mattcat25 April 8, 2008 3:18 PM EDT
The Republicans have charged the American People top dollar for their perceived National Defense of our Country. $12 Billion Dollars per month could be compared to a top of the line Mercedes Benz Automotive, but what the Free Market Republicans have provided for this top dollar price is only a 1966 Volkswagon.
Reply to this comment
by oicur2pid April 8, 2008 1:08 PM EDT
Suarez says, Clinton...showcase her knowledge of the current situation in Iraq and discuss how she plans on ending the war.

She should have demonstrated her so-called "experience" by at least reading the intelligence prior to voting to authorize the Iraq war.
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