To jump on the bandwagon of Hillary Clinton diaries, I wish to explain that I oppose Hillary Clinton as the Democratic Nomineee. Why? Because
anybody who still supports the Iraq Debacle has not demonstrated the necessary level of common sense to be president of the United States. Hillary voted for it, and, as far as I am aware, she has not recanted her position. Until she does, she doesn't get my vote. Cindy Sheehan asked for this standard in holding our leaders to account for the Iraq War, and I certainly intend to follow it when it comes time to vote for a Democratic Nominee. Movement Conservatives sometimes say to "get right with God." Well, as a Democrat I say, "Get Right With Iraq...or Get Out" of the race for the presidency.
Now, maybe others have make or break issues with Hillary on other subjects. But, for me, whoever is going to be the Nominee representing the Democratic Party, had damn well better be right on the signature issue of our times: the Iraq War. I want a nominee who will recognize that in Iraq, at this point, there
there are no good options. I want someone who recognizes that the Bush Doctrine of Preemptive War is a
flawed, immoral, and illegal doctrine. Do I demand complete pacifism? Certainly not. But I do demand that our foreign adventures be based on the law of nations and justice. I do demand that anytime we invade to overthrow dictators and democratize a country, that we don't build permanent bases there. I do demand that when we go in we do the job right: rebuild and get out. If we are a nation bent on conquest, then we are a nation bent on the pursuit of evil. And, I do demand that when we must act preemptively that the evidence for the threat is compelling enough to get U.N. or
real support from our allies, not half-hearted and so-called ad hoc coalitions that leave us shouldering the burden and give not one shred of legitimacy.
Until Hillary Clinton recants her support for the Iraq War, I have no evidence that she has come to understand these things. And until that understanding happens, she has no business being President, and I will not vote for her. I don't care how great her health care plan is. I don't give a damn how pro-choice she is. I could care less what she will do with the tax code, military spending, or any other host of issues. We can talk about all those other issues later, but first and foremost, we must talk about Iraq. If she (or any other Democrat running) doesn't get right with Iraq, then she doesn't get my vote. Period.