"Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have changed their positions (on the Iraq war withdrawal) to follow Chris Dodd."
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Iraq claim questionable
Here's the full quote: "Chris Dodd has been challenging the other candidates to support the Feingold-Reid-Dodd amendment to end our involvement in Iraq's civil war. It worked. Now Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have changed their positions to follow Chris Dodd."
Dodd is correct that his fellow candidates backed an amendment he co-sponsored. And it's likely that they felt some pressure from liberal Democrats -- including Dodd -- who strongly favor withdrawal.
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But Dodd exaggerates his role. He is just one of nine co-sponsors of the amendment widely called the Feingold-Reid amendment, usually without Dodd's name attached. And both Clinton and Obama have advocated other troop withdrawl proposals before endorsing this one. There's no evidence that Dodd had any influence on Obama and Clinton.
Our Sources
The Associated Press, "Obama challenges opponents to speak out on war, March 3, 2003
Chicago Defender, "Opposition to war mounts," September 26, 2002
Interviews with Mo Elleithee, Clinton campaign; Bill Burton, Obama campaign; Christy Setzer, Dodd campaign.
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Iraq claim questionable
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