Using Hillary as an example, given her shifting and conflicting statements on the WoT how do you have any confidence that you know what she really believes and would do in office?

Principles matter, THAT’s what I vote on. Why? Because you never know what the challenges of the future will be, so, you have to vote for someone who you believe will react well (according to your definition) to the unforseen.

I voted for GWB in 2000 because his character and displayed principles led me to believe he would be the better choice if the doo doo hit the fan.

I didn’t forsee 9/11, but I’m damn glad we didn’t have Al Gore in the White House.

What are Hillaries principles? What has she demonstrated of her character?

To me she, as well as many others, comes across as an amoral, power hungry pol who can not be counted on to react in any way other that the way which improves her personal power and position.

Find me a person of character and principles that they will run on.

Thank you for the clarification. I re-read your initial post and noted you used the word silly to describe Hillary’s anti-war stance.

I don’t understand, however, why you would sympathize with someone who is emboldening the enemy or (as you think)saying things she doesn’t really believe on the most important issue of the day.

You are obviously more generous than me. I’ll reserve my sympathy for those fighting the enemy with this kind of support.

I don’t support withdrawal at all and never said I did. I also don’t agree with Hillary Clinton.

So Michael Totten your support for Hillary is incoherent but nice job on Juan Cole in your latest post on your blog.

I don’t “support” Hillary Clinton, I sympathize with her predicament and think she should pick her battles very carefully or the netroots will destroy her. I don’t like the situation. It just is.

And, given that she opposes the surge and is demanding unconditional withdrawal, the astute voter will not let her get away with saying she was right all along.

Soldier’s Dad, you know a lot more about this than I do, but, don’t you think 90 days is somewhat optimistic?

Then the 34th ID’s 120 day extension will expire and the numbers of troops deployed will begin to drop.

In Baghdad we have Clearing Forces, Embedded Joint Security Forces(holding forces), Quick Reaction Forces and Mitt’s.

One would think that once the Clearing has been done, and the “Holding Forces” are in place, one wouldn’t need the “Clearing Forces” anymore.

A thorough “Spring Cleaning” is a lot of work, but maintaining the house after it has been thoroughly cleaned is no where near as difficult.

As much as I dislike the Hildebeast, and her pal Mouth Murtha, I doubt they are very far off the mark of what will happen.

No. It will only imprress those who don’t understand that what happens in U.S. politics and MSM generated public opinion affects the insurgency.

By demanding withdrawal she is giving aid and comfort to the enemy.

Sasha, all of us would look good if we had the virtually unquestioming support of the major media.

I repeat, if the surge is successful, Hillary’s toast.

Here’s point 1 of the plan:

1. U.S. troops are to be gradually pulled back from all Iraqi cities and towns and sent to seal the borders with Iran and Syria. The real insurgency is not indigenous to Iraq, but being pumped in through Iran and Syria.

If this plan is for real — and Hillary knows about it — does that sound close enough to a withdrawal/phased redeployment to make her look pretty darn good to most Americans? Other than the Kos crowd, of course.

Let Hillary shift and dance and trot; by the election, she will be so caught up in her various positions she may well find herself twisting in the image of the ultimate flip flopper: Lieutenant John Kerry “reporting for duty.”

Hawkish about what? The next big test is preventing Iran from developing nukes. If she doesn’t have the skill or courage to lead her party to finish the mission in Iraq of what possible use is she going to be as President?

It’s beyond my comprehension, Michael Totten, how anyone who claims to understand the importance of winning in Iraq would be taking positions-deadlines for withdrawal- that embolden the enemy.

And it’s not even smart politics. If the surge fails there is plenty of time for her to propose another course. If the surge works Hillary’s toast (and deservedly so) whether or not she’s the Democrat nominee. If she were smart she would be supporrting the surge while telling everyone it would not even be necessary if she had been in charge the last four years.

She thinks the public is too stupid to remember her support for this war – right up to the point when the Iraqis really stepped up, as they are now doing.

So Michael Totten your support for Hillary is incoherent but nice job on Juan Cole in your latest post on your blog.