capitol hill

Clinton Stumps In Iowa
by The Associated Press

Posted: January 28, 2007 - 11:00 am ET

(Des Moines, Iowa) New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton blamed President Bush on Saturday for misusing authority given him by Congress to act in Iraq, but conceded "I take responsibility" for her role in allowing that to happen.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Clinton also said she would not cede black votes to Barack Obama and that she had proven as a U.S. senator that gender is irrelevant.

Of her husband, the former president, she said he would have a role in the campaign but "I'm the one running for president."

Clinton was making her first campaign swing through this early nominating state, which twice voted for Bill Clinton for president.

She met with key activists and held a raucous town hall meeting with 1,500 cheering backers and hundreds of journalists.

"I have said clearly and consistently for quite some time that I regret the way the president misused the authority," said Clinton. "He misled Congress and the country on what he was seeking and what he intended to do."

The responsibility Clinton said she accepts was helping clear the way for Bush's path in Iraq.

"I take responsibility for having voted to give him that authority," she said. "My focus is on what we do now. That is the proper debate."

Clinton said she expected to attract black votes even though Obama, the freshman Illinois senator, has caught fire. "I'm going to be asking for the votes of all Americans," she said.

Her husband will play a key role in her campaign, though she'll make it clear she's the candidate.

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