Opinion: Watch out for those little words

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Ted Koppel had an intriguing analysis of the Iraq war and Democratic presidential politics on NPR the other day. He noted that all of the Democratic candidates were competing over who would bring home our troops faster.

But as a longtime diplomatic correspondent schooled in the tricky byways of language nuance, he was struck by the past records of the candidates, especially Hillary Clinton, who has said previously that an American troop presence in Iraq would be required for some time. And, he pointedly noted, all the talk is about bringing our troops home. They do not use the word ‘all.’

Koppel recently talked with a longtime source who advises Clinton at times. The source said that privately she has said that if she is elected and then re-elected, American troops would still be in Iraq under her successor. That doesn’t sound like an immediate withdrawal.

‘When,’ Koppel asked about the ongoing campaigns, ‘will we get the brutal truth instead of vapid and misleading campaign applause lines?’

When indeed.

--Andrew Malcolm