I recently sent this to the New York Times in response to Patrick Healy's article, February 18:
Hillary Clinton, Political Strategist
In response to Patrick Healy’s article “Clinton Gives War Critics New Answer” it is becoming clear that Mrs. Clinton is nothing more than a brilliant political strategist, and indeed her brilliance may come into question with this last decision. She is beginning to look as stubborn as George W. Bush in insisting that she was not wrong to vote to go to war in Iraq.
We should remember that 23 senators voted against the resolution to go to war and 156 members of Congress voted no. They had the same information that Mrs. Clinton had, but like many people all over the world, had a deep distrust of this administration’s motives for war. Whether Mrs. Clinton wants to own up to it or not, the simple fact is that if she now believes she was fooled, then her vote was wrong. To admit she was fooled is to say that regardless of her experience in politics, she made a bad decision that affected and continues to adversely affect the lives of people in this country, in Iraq, and also in the countries that are now hosting the refugees of that war.
This should be a pivotal point in Mrs. Clinton’s candidacy for President. Voters are correct to remain focused on it. We are paying a hefty price for the disastrous decisions of our current President. We cannot afford to elect another president who is too stubborn to admit mistakes, nor can we elect a political strategist in place of an American who acts on personal principle.
Diane Tayeby
Brattleboro, Vermont
