CALIFORNIA YANKEE

Hillary To Move To Deauthorize The War

Senator Clinton will introduce legislation to end authority for the war in Iraq.

From Senator Clinton's remarks on the Senate floor:

SENATOR CLINTON: Madam President, I rise to join my colleague and friend, Senator Byrd, to announce our intention to introduce legislation which proposes that October 11, 2007 -- the five year anniversary of the original resolution authorizing the use of force in Iraq -- as the expiration date for that resolution.

[. . .]

I believe this fall is the time to review the Iraq war authorization and to have a full national debate so the people can be heard. I supported the Byrd amendment on October 10, 2002, which would have limited the original authorization to one year and I believe a full reconsideration of the terms and conditions of that authorization is overdue. This bill would require the president to do just that.

Now, assuming such a bad idea can get sufficient votes, she just has to convince President Bush to sign it. Then all we need is for our terrorist enemies to deauthorize the war they are waging against us. It sounds so easy.

Also posted at Examining Presidential Politics.

W, Hillary Most Admired

President Bush and Senator Clinton are mentioned most often when Gallup asks the public which man and woman they admire the most.

Likely presidential candidate, Illinois Senator Barack Obama joined the list for the first time, coming in fourth behind Presidents Bush, Clinton, and Carter.

Most Admired Man

1 George W. Bush
2 Bill Clinton
3 Jimmy Carter
4 Barack Obama
5 (Reverend) Billy Graham
6 Colin Powell
7 Pope Benedict XVI
8 Nelson Mandela
9 George H.W. Bush
10 Bill Gates

I was surprised to see President Bush at the top of the list given his approval ratings, but presidents usually are the most admired men, having won the top honor 49 of the 60 times Gallup has posed the question.

President. Bush earned the distinction of most admired man with almost no assistance from Democrats. Less than one-half of one percent of Democrats mentioned him.

The poll is bad news for Senator McCain, who fell out of the top ten this year.

Most Admired Woman

1 Hillary Clinton
2 Oprah Winfrey
3 Condoleezza Rice
4 Laura Bush
5 Margaret Thatcher
6 Angelina Jolie
7 Nancy Pelosi
8 Madeleine Albright
9 Barbara Bush
10 Maya Angelou

This is the eleventh time Senator Clinton's finished as the most admired woman. She finished second in 1995 and 1996 (to Mother Teresa) and 2001 (to Laura Bush).

Hillary's first place finish won't hurt her presidential campaign, But Obama's fourth place finish must give her pause.

Hillary Runs Toward President Bush's Energy Policy

After voting against nationwide use of ethanol in gasoline last year, Senator Clinton today echoed President Bush's advanced energy initiative, calling for tax credits, private investment and new research in order to cut the consumption of foreign oil.

According to the Associated Press, Clinton called for a massive expansion of corn-based ethanol, a corn-based fuel additive and substitute, a position sure to be more popular in Iowa, which holds the first caucus of the presidential campaign, than Hilary's vote against ethanol last year.

President Bush has strongly supported ethanol. Under President Bush we have extended the 51-cent-per-gallon tax credit for ethanol suppliers; created a new 10-cent-per-gallon tax credit to provide extra help to small ethanol producers and farmers; provided about $85 million in loans or grants for ethanol business ventures; and signed into law a Renewable Fuels Standard that will nearly double the amount of ethanol in our fuel supply over the next six years.

As result, the ethanol Industry is booming. Last year, America used a record 4 billion gallons of ethanol - more than double the level when the President took office. There are now 97 ethanol refineries in our country. Nine of those are expanding, and 35 more are under construction.

Hillary: Build A Wall Then Legalize

Senator Hillary Clinton told the New York Daily News she wants U.S. borders secured with a wall or fence. She favors a legalization process for the millions of illegal aliens already here.

Clinton envisions a two-stage plan in which border security is beefed up, followed by legalization efforts in a year or two.

"A physical structure is obviously important," the New York Democrat and possible presidential contender said. "A wall in certain areas would be appropriate," she said, endorsing a high-tech "smart fence" that could spot people approaching from 200 or 300 yards.

Embracing both conservative and liberal goals, Clinton said she backs citizenship rather than amnesty for illegal immigrants, as long as it's "earned."

At the same time, she welcomed tougher enforcement of federal laws punishing employers who hire illegal immigrants.

Here is something the New York Senator and I can agree on, build a wall to secure the border first, then we can debate what to do with the 12 million illegals already here. The wall should be substantial and effective, like Israel's 25 foot high wall, not one the illegal aliens have no problem crossing.

Schroeder Endorses Hillary

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, a founding member of "Axis of Weasels," endorses Hillary's not so stealthy presidential campaign.

"I'd be very pleased if Hillary Clinton would become the next American president," Schroeder said to applause from a largely Saudi audience at the Jeddah Economic Forum, which opened here Saturday. "But don't quote me too loud. I hope I'm not harming her by saying that."

Should the "applause" be interpreted as a Saudi endorsement?

In Case There Was Any Doubt

According to USNews' Washington Whispers, Hillary's in:

You don't have to take it from us about Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton 's desire to run for president. Her brothers, Hugh and Tony Rodham, say it's true. Friends tell us that the two are cheering Sis on and say she's making all the moves to get ready for the race--presuming she is re-elected by New Yorkers in 2006.

What a surprise!

Thanks to Taegan Goddard's Political Wire for the tip.