John Edwards: War on terror is a “bumper sticker” slogan (MORE: EDWARDS THEN VS. NOW)

This ought to play really well with the hardcore anti-war Dem base, which I believe is what Edwards is shooting for to try and gain more traction in the polls:

NEW YORK — Democrat John Edwards Wednesday repudiated the notion that there is a “global war on terror,” calling it an ideological doctrine advanced by the Bush administration that has strained American military resources and emboldened terrorists.

In a defense policy speech he planned to deliver at the Council on Foreign Relations, Edwards called the war on terror a “bumper sticker” slogan Bush had used to justify everything from abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison to the invasion of Iraq.

“We need a post-Bush, post-9/11, post-Iraq military that is mission focused on protecting Americans from 21st century threats, not misused for discredited ideological purposes,” Edwards said in remarks prepared for delivery. “By framing this as a war, we have walked right into the trap the terrorists have set _ that we are engaged in some kind of clash of civilizations and a war on Islam.”

In the first presidential debate last month in South Carolina, Edwards was one of four Democrats _ including Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel _ who said they did not believe there was a global war on terror. Front-runners Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama indicated that they did.

The RNC has pushed back hard against Edwards’ politicizing and profiting off of the backs of our troops with his anti-war messages:

Edwards’ Military Policy Has Turned Ending The War In Iraq Into A Money-Making Campaign Scheme:

The Politico’s Ben Smith: “Edwards Supporters, For Instance, Are Regularly Informed That They Should Stop The War By Making Out A Check To John Edwards For President.” (Ben Smith, “War And Politics In Obama’s Canvass,” The Politico’s “Democrats ‘08 Blog,” www.politico.com, 5/19/07)

The Edwards Campaign Is Selling T-Shirts And Bumper Stickers To Help “End The War.” David Bonior, Edwards’ Campaign Manager: “I remember when it seemed like there was nothing we as individuals could do to help bring an end to the war in Iraq. But times have changed. … First you can order a free ‘Support the troops. End the war.’ bumper sticker. … Or, if you’re able to chip in $20 to cover production, shipping and handling, we’ll also send you a ‘Support the troops. End the war.’ t-shirt.” (John Edwards For President, “Show Your Patriotism Proudly,” Press Release, 5/17/07)

Click Here To View The John Edwards T-Shirts And Bumper Stickers For Sale To “End The War.”

The Edwards Campaign Has Also Asked Supporters To Help End The War By Paying For Its TV Ads. “This is the moment of truth on Iraq. … I asked my staff to create an emergency television ad that would bring the people’s voice directly to Congress. … But I need your help: We need to raise $100,000 in 24 hours to air this ad. … [I] need you to chip in whatever you can afford right now …” (John Edwards For President, “Emergency Ad To End The War,” Press Release, 5/2/07)

And Its Newspaper Ads: “This is the critical moment in our effort to end the war. … Last night, my staff put the [petition] signatures into a full page ad for The Washington Post and now we need to raise $29,559 to rush it into print and keep the pressure on. We need 1,000 people to contribute $29.56 to make it happen. Can you chip in your $29.56 today?” (John Edwards For President, “Every Desk And Doorstep In D.C.,” Press Release, 5/10/07)

It’s not exactly surprising to see that Edwards would stoop so low as to solicit money to help him ’stop’ the war in order to ’support’ the troops, especially when you consider that he was willing to use his wife’s announcement that her cancer had returned as a fundraising tool, too, in spite of making a plea to the American people not to vote for him over it.

He really is a despicable snake – and that’s putting it mildly.

Stick to your $400 hair cuts and salon visits, Senator, and let the grown-ups go about the business of protecting the country.

Update: Here’s video of Edwards pledging and calling for unity in the WOT shortly after the 9-11 attacks. Good catch.

Prior this week:

• Edwards calls for “mandatory service” so it’s not just “the poor” who serve