Sheehan hits Hilary Clinton on her support for war

ALBANY, N.Y. – Cindy Sheehan, who became the face of anti-war sentiment after her son died in Iraq, urged foes of the war to thwart Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's political aspirations unless the New York Democrat opposes the conflict.

"I believe that any candidate who supports the war should not receive our support," Sheehan said today in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "It doesn't matter if they're Senator Clinton or whoever."

Sheehan has become a de facto leader of the anti-war movement since she camped out near President Bush's Texas ranch while he vacationed there in August, requesting a meeting with the president. Her son Casey was killed last year in an ambush in Sadr City, Iraq.

The former first lady, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voted in 2002 for the congressional resolution authorizing the president to use military force in Iraq. Clinton has supported troop-level expansions even while criticizing Bush's handling of Iraq.

Clinton is up for re-election next year and leads national polls of the party's potential 2008 presidential candidates.

Sheehan met with Clinton in Washington last month to discuss the war.

"After she met with me, she said she has to make sure our sons didn't die in vain," Sheehan said. "That is a totally Republican talking point."

Clinton campaign spokeswoman Ann Lewis declined to comment on Sheehan's criticism.

Sheehan is in Washington this week to continue her protests. Her public criticism of Clinton surfaced earlier this month with a message posted on anti-war filmmaker Michael Moore's Web site in which she wrote: "I would love to support Hillary for president if she would come out against the travesty in Iraq. But I don't think she can speak out against the occupation because she supports it."