Hillary waffles on immigration

[jefferson_dem]

Hillary waffles on immigration
October 31, 2007
BY LYNN SWEET Sun-Times Columnist

PHILADELPHIA -- Near the end of a Democratic debate Tuesday where she deflected most darts aimed at her by her rivals, White House hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) just would not say whether she backed a proposal by New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

Clinton protested to NBC's Tim Russert, "This is where everybody plays gotcha.'' Her refusal to be pinned down allowed former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) to accuse her of double-talk and let Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) question her candor.

"Unless I missed something, Senator Clinton said two different things in the course of about two minutes just a few minutes ago, and I think this is a real issue for the country," said Edwards. "I mean, America is looking for a president who will say the same thing, who will be consistent, who will be straight with them."

Obama said, "Well, I was confused on Senator Clinton's answer. I can't tell whether she was for it or against it."

Rare Clinton misstep

The exchange was a rare Clinton debate misstep because the dust-up would not have happened if she did not jump in for a second try on the question. Russert had noted Clinton told a New Hampshire newspaper she backed the controversial Spitzer plan.

"I did not say that it should be done, but I certainly recognize why Governor Spitzer is trying to do it," Clinton said.

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http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/627844,CST-NWS-sweet31.article