John McCain today responded to John Edwards' criticism yesterday by invoking Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton and attacking John Edwards.
John Edwards replied that McCain was wrong about the war but right about one thing: "Congress should use its funding authority to end this war and bring our troops home."
Game, set, and match to John Edwards.
More details, after the fold.
Yesterday, John Edwards criticized the McCain doctrine:
John McCain said today that we should seek the "judgment of history" rather than the "small politics of the day." But the people playing politics with Iraq are Senator McCain and President Bush, and they should be ashamed of themselves.
"McCain and Bush are brazenly trying to claim that Congress is failing to provide our soldiers the resources they need. Nothing could be further from the truth. Congress funded the troops. If the President vetoes that funding, he's the only one responsible for blocking funding for the troops. And John McCain knows that.
"I have urged Congress to stand up to the President's veto threat, rather than back down in a false game of chicken. If he does veto funding for our troops, Congress should send the same bill right back to him. And they should do this again and again, until the President finally understands that he cannot reject the will of the overwhelming majority American people.
"We must end the conflict in Iraq, and force the Iraqis and their neighbors to find a political solution to the conflict. The plan I announced months ago would cap funding at 100,000 troops to stop the McCain Doctrine of escalation and force an immediate withdrawal of 40-50,000 troops followed by a complete withdrawal in 12-18 months. Under my plan, complete withdrawal is not just a goal it is a requirement backed by Congress' funding power."
http://johnedwards.com/...
Today, McCain, through a spokesman, fired his best shot back at John Edwards, but clearly was wide of the mark:
"If John Edwards believes America can't win the war in Iraq, he should convince his Democratic counterparts, including Sens. Obama and Clinton to immediately cut off funding for the war and bring the troops home," Danny Diaz, a spokesman for McCain told CNN. Diaz was speaking about Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-New York. McCain, Clinton, Edwards and Obama are all running for president.
CNN
Well, you knew John Edwards would not just sit there and take that from McCain. He responded quickly and responded hard.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Senator John Edwards released the following statement today in response to criticism from the McCain campaign about his policy on ending the war in Iraq.
"The McCain Doctrine of escalation has failed, and the bombing of the Iraqi parliament within the green zone makes that all too clear.
"John McCain is just wrong; it is time for America to start leaving Iraq.
"But he's right about one thing - Congress should use its funding authority to end this war and bring our troops home."
The Surge has failed
Damn, McCain was right on something. Even a blind pig finds an acorn once in while. I hope Senators Obama and Clinton are listening: Congress should use its funding authority to end this war and bring our troops home.
Peace Now!!!