Obama separates himself from senators who voted for Iraq war in 2002

Barack Obama is drawing a distinction between himself and the Democratic senators who voted to authorize the president's use of force against Iraq in 2002.

Those senators he has in mind are of course Hillary Clinton and John Edwards. Oh, for what it's worth, Joe Biden too.

From the Manchester Union-Leader:

Speaking with reporters after introducing himself and detailing his positions on many issues to 125 people at a house party, the newly announced presidential candidate said all senators who voted to authorize the war should "make their own assessment on how they would do things differently or not."

Fellow Democratic hopefuls New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and former Sen. John Edwards were members of the Senate when the historic vote was taken and voted in favor of the war authorization resolution.

Edwards has apologized for his vote. Clinton has not, but says her vote an expression of support for sending weapons inspectors into Iraq, not a vote for "pre-emptive war."

"All the decisions we make in Washington have consequences," Obama said. "Obviously if the senators (had) voted down the authorization, we wouldn’t be in the situation we’re in now."

It's pretty clear to me. Obama is setting himself as the Howard Dean anti-war candidate for this upcoming round.

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