Obama takes aim at Clinton during his visit to Austin
Iraq pullout goal touted, would fight on in Afghanistan
By R.G. RATCLIFFE
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau
AUSTIN — Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama repeatedly criticized front-runner Hillary Clinton on Saturday while rallying about 3,500 supporters at an outdoor music venue in Bee Cave.
Obama never mentioned Clinton by name but hammered on themes that he has used against her previously in the campaign: that she was wrong for voting to give the president war powers that led to the invasion of Iraq and that she is too closely tied to lobbyists in the nation's capital.
"I'm tired of Democrats thinking that the only way to look tough on national security is to act and talk and vote like George Bush Republicans," Obama said. "When I am the Democratic Party nominee, my opponent won't be able to say I voted for this war, because I opposed it."
As members of the U.S. Senate, Clinton and Democratic presidential contender John Edwards voted for the resolution that empowered President Bush to explore military options against Iraq and essentially authorized the invasion to overthrow Saddam Hussein.
Obama promised as president to end the war in Iraq and bring the troops home within 16 months. He promised to end the use of torture but vowed to continue fighting al-Qaida in Afghanistan.
Obama also said the nation has talked about reforming the health care system for too long and promised to do it in his first term if elected. Clinton led a failed health care reform effort during her husband's first year as president in 1993.
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