This week we watched a vote pass on the Lieberman/Kyl "Sense of the Senate" bill which is essentially giving Bush authorization to attack Iran without Congressional approval.
Although a "Sense of the "Senate bill has no legal authorization, it does give Bush and those desiring a war with Iran a wink of approval once he makes that move. This bill wasn't even debated, but swiftly introduced and voted on.
What is interesting to note that one of the Democrats voting in support of this bill was Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Hillary has often said she will end the war in Iraq if she is elected President. Her vote on this "Sense of the Senate" bill tells otherwise.
During the Democratic debate this week the vote on Iran was a hot topic. John Edwards stood out of the mix by taking Hillary on for her vote on this issue. This response gives clear reason why Edwards should be heavily considered;
I voted for this war in Iraq, and I was wrong to vote for this war. And I accept responsibility for that. Senator Clinton also voted for this war.
We learned a very different lesson from that. I have no intention of giving George Bush the authority to take the first step on a road to war with Iran.
And I think that vote today, which Senator Biden and Senator Dodd voted against, and they were correct to vote against it, is a clear indication of the approach that all of us would take with the situation in Iran because what I learned in my vote on Iraq was you cannot give this president the authority and you can't even give him the first step in that authority because he cannot be trusted.
Edwards articulated an important difference he has with Clinton, and it's a difference that all voters, not just Democrats, should grasp. This commanding debate performance and that answer in particular, Edwards solidified his status as Clinton's main challenger.
One of the most important things in life is to learn from our mistakes and strive to not make them again. Hillary has shown by her "Sense of the Senate" vote that she took no lesson from the Iraq war.
I voted for this war in Iraq, and I was wrong to vote for this war. And I accept responsibility for that. Senator Clinton also voted for this war.
We learned a very different lesson from that. I have no intention of giving George Bush the authority to take the first step on a road to war with Iran.
John Edwards
September 26, 2007
John Edwards learned that lesson and the mark of a great leader is to not repeat the same disastrous mistakes over again. John Edwards gave Hillary and the world a real "Sense of the Senate" with his stance on Iran.
