Clinton: Bush won’t change

RENO -- Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton told about 3,500 cheering supporters here Sunday that Americans should not expect President Bush to change his mind about the need to stay in Iraq.

The best the country can hope for, she said, is to gain Republican support in Congress to keep Bush and his policies in check until his term runs out in January 2009.

"I believe we should start redeploying our combat troops immediately and take them out of this sectarian civil war," Clinton said. "But in the interest of truth-telling, I think it is going to be very difficult to get this president to change course.

"I wish I could tell you that he's going to start listening to the will of the American people," she said. "I wish I could tell you that he will change direction, but I think we're going to have a very difficult time because he is convinced he's right."

Bush believes history will judge him to be right, she said, but she believes he is "woefully mistaken."

The crowd applauded when someone in the audience shouted: "Bring them home."

Clinton said she would do just that if elected president.

"I keep worrying that we don't know half the damage that's been done," she said.

The U.S. senator from New York and former first lady spoke for about 50 minutes at a campaign stop at Hug High School.

Her speech took a little less than half an hour, and she then answered questions from the audience for 25 minutes. The event was billed as a town hall-style "Conversation with Nevadans."

It was Clinton's first campaign stop in Reno since becoming an official candidate for president.

She has campaigned more recently in Las Vegas and Carson City.

Outside, about 25 pro-GOP protesters staged their own event. One sign read "Keep Nevada Red," referring to the color-designation for Republicans.

Clinton arrived in Reno from Los Angeles and headed back there later.

In response to a question about attempting to remove both Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney from office, Clinton said there was no appetite in Congress to initiate impeachment proceedings against either or both.

"I believe that many people are very anxious to turn a page on this administration," she said, adding that the only answer at this point appeared to be working to get more support from Republicans in Congress to keep the Bush administration in check and keep "more things from happening."

Clinton said that as president, she would mend relationships with foreign governments strained as a result of the Iraq conflict.

"We've got to get back to making alliances with people instead of alienating them," she said. "Every problem we face, we've got to have friends and allies."

She said her domestic agenda includes plans for instituting universal health care, making college affordable and lessening America's dependence on foreign oil by taking away oil company subsidies and using the money to promote alternative energy.

Alternative energies are good for the environment, she said, adding, "I am tired of sending billions of dollars to countries who turn around and use that money against us."

Clinton said the federal No Child Left Behind Act is an unfunded mandate that needs to be fixed.

The best way to ensure improved student achievement, she said, is to listen to teachers.

Clinton's visit came just days after the U.S. Senate voted 51-46 to send an Iraq funding bill to Bush with a timetable for withdrawal of troops. Bush has promised to veto the measure.

Clinton praised Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., for his efforts to get troops out of Iraq. The comment drew sustained applause.

Republicans have criticized the legislation and the recent comment by Reid that "the war is lost."

The Republican National Committee has purchased advertising time to air a new radio ad, "Our Troops Deserve Better," on Las Vegas and Reno radio stations, criticizing the comment.

Clinton's visit to Nevada is just one of many expected from Democratic and Republican candidates over the next several months.

Both parties have set presidential caucuses for Jan. 19, making the state one of the earliest to weigh in on the candidates.