Edwards says he'll vote against $87 billion Iraq package
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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Edwards, of North Carolina.
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U.S. President George W. Bush is fending off criticism of his administration's handling of post-war Iraq. CNN's Suzanne Malveaux reports (October 14)
Senate Democrats are attacking President Bush's post-war policy while Republicans say progress is being made in Iraq (October 13)
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said Tuesday he will vote against President Bush's $87 billion request for Iraq, saying it's time somebody "stand up to him and say no."
The North Carolina senator, who last fall backed the congressional resolution authorizing the war, said Bush needs to change his policies to win his vote.
"I believe we have a responsibility to support our troops in Iraq. I believe we have a responsibility to help rebuilt Iraq. But our troops will not be safer and this mission will never be successful unless the president dramatically changes course," Edwards said in an interview with The Associated Press.
He said Bush needs a plan to rebuild Iraq, work more closely with allies and take steps to make sure the money is not exploited by Bush's political allies.
"It is clear to me President Bush is not going to change direction unless somebody stands up to him and say no," Edwards said. "And for that reason, I plan to vote against" the president's plan.
Edwards' rival John Kerry said Sunday he is inclined to vote against the $87 billion request for military operations and reconstruction there and in Afghanistan. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, another Democratic presidential candidate, also plans to oppose the package.
Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, a strong proponent of the war, said he would vote for the package, saying, "We have 135,000 troops over there. We have to give them every dollar in support and get them home in peace."
At a town hall meeting in Oklahoma City, Lieberman called it an "infuriating vote," arguing that "this administration has messed up postwar Iraq."
Another rival from the congressional ranks, Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri, also will have to vote on the package this week.
Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, the front-running candidate, has no vote in Congress but told the AP he would oppose the $87 billion unless Bush pays for it by repealing a portion of his tax cuts.
"We should support our troops," he said. "If the president doesn't have a sufficient commitment to this operation to get rid of the $87 billion in tax cuts then we should vote no."
