Chris Matthews 'Sympathizes' with Bringing Troops Home Now

July 17th, 2007 5:55 PM

While interviewing far-left antiwar activist Cindy Sheehan, "Hardball" host Chris Matthews said he sympathized with her point of view that enough money should be appropriated to bring the troops home and end the war in Iraq. Video of the exchange is available here.

CHRIS MATTHEWS: Let's imagine you are a member of congress, where you are the speaker yourself. How would you actually end the war? What parliamentary, legal moves would you make? These people up on the hill are putting their sleeping bags out, they have their cots out, all the theatrics, and tomorrow morning, we'll still have a war. Do you have an actual legislative plan to end the war, Cindy Sheehan?
CINDY SHEEHAN: They need to shut off George Bush's funds. They need appropriate enough money to bring our troops home. As General Odum said, as quickly and as safely as possible and we need to appropriate enough money for the people of Iraq ,for our soldiers and veterans to take care of them. But just give him enough money to bring the troops home. That's what they have -- they have the power of the purse strings.
MATTHEWS: And what happens --
SHEEHAN: -- and they should use the power of the purse string.
MATTHEWS: Hey Cindy, I sympathize with that point of view, but what happens on the other side?