I would like to remind everyone that Moveon was formed to
defend Bill Clinton during the impeachment proceedings against him in the late nineties. These are Clintonian Democrats by an large. They were formed before the net roots movement came into being. Anyway here are the cold hard facts as represented in her statements on
"Meet the Press Late Edition"
MR. RUSSERT: Let me show you an ad that has caused a lot of controversy in this debate about Iraq. MoveOn.org took this ad out, “General Petraeus or General Betray Us?: Cooking the Books for the White House.” Do you believe that General David Petraeus has betrayed the American people?
SEN. CLINTON: Absolutely not. He is a man of great honor and distinction who has served admirably. I don’t condone anything like that, and I have voted against those who would impugn the patriotism and the service of the people who wear the uniform of our country. I don’t believe that that should be said about General Petraeus, and I condemn that. I didn't’t think it should’ve been said about Senator Cleland or Senator Kerry. I think it’s important that we end this kind of attacks on the patriotism of those who serve our country......
MR. RUSSERT: Is it fair to--(clears throat) excuse me—is it fair to say, then, that this ad was an unhelpful distraction to the real debate about the war, and you wish that MoveOn.org had not taken it?
SEN. CLINTON: Well, when I voted for Senator Boxer’s resolution, that was certainly clear. I do not condone, and I do condemn any effort to impugn the patriotism and the service of anyone who’s worn the uniform of our country. I think it should be across the board because, as you certainly know well, many people who have served with distinction, like Senator Kerry or Senator Cleland, have been the subject of extraordinary attacks. Let’s end this, and let’s focus on what we do to support our troops. I believe the best way to support our troops is to begin to bring them home.
MR. RUSSERT: And MoveOn.org should refrain from similar ads in the future?
SEN. CLINTON: Everyone should, Tim. Everyone should.
She also reiterated her support for a residual presence(read permanent military bases)
Clinton said she recognized “there will be remaining missions” for American forces in Iraq, but she said they would not require the roughly 100,000 troops expected to be in Iraq when the next president takes office. She listed counterterrorism, protecting U.S. personnel and training Iraqi forces as the other missions.
“That’s the right way to go because that is a much clearer definition of what we’re trying to accomplish than what we face today,” Clinton said.
I really don't understand how any politician can be so unappreciative to the people they owe their success to. It must be very depressing to be a Clinton supporter. To compare criticism of Petraus, a man who has lied to America to the smears against Kerry by Swiftboat veterans is just unbelievable. If Generals of off-limits for criticism, even when they lie, we are heading down the path of military dictatorship.
Then she repeated her attacks on Fox News with Chris Wallace
WALLACE: President Bush said that you and other Democrats are more afraid — his word — afraid of irritating the left wing and MoveOn than you are about insulting the American military. Does he have a point?
H. CLINTON: No, he doesn't’t. But I think it’s clear I don’t condone attacks on anyone who has served our country with distinction and with honor, and I have been very vocal in my support of and admiration for General Petraeus.
I did vote for a resolution that made it clear I do not condone and do condemn attacks on any American, impugning their patriotism, and that includes people like Senator Max Cleland and Senator John Kerry.
I think we need to call a halt to any kind of attacks, from wherever they come, that would go after anyone based on their service to America.
WALLACE: (snip) So let me ask you specifically. Do you repudiate the MoveOn.org ad?
H. CLINTON: I have said, and I have voted for, condemning anyone who goes after the patriotism and service of any American.
But let’s put this in a broader context. You know, there are many people who have assaulted over the years the patriotism and service of other Americans. I think it’s time to end all of that.
And what I voted for in the Senate did that. It was balanced and it said, very clearly, we condemn attacks on anyone who has served honorably in our country’s uniform. And I am absolutely of the mind that this should not be part of our debate.
The question is, "How much abuse are you going to take?"