So say the Republicans.

Washington (AP) Republicans are dismissing presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton’s claim that Democrats can do a better job of providing troop benefits. They say it’s nothing more than campaign posturing.

In a speech to a Washington think tank today, Clinton said she would piece together several proposals that would ensure troops have all the equipment they need when they’re deployed. She says they’d also have better health benefits.

She also said that if President Bush doesn’t “take responsibility” for improving troop benefits, “the next president will.”

I think the Republicans have Hillary nailed on this one.  Long time SA readers will remember Hillary’s concern with troop body armor a year ago.  An issue she was so concerned about that she actually skipped committee meetings about it.

But then again, pretty much all of this Democrat belly-aching about Walter Reed is just political opportunism.  And it’s kind of funny too.  When it comes to ordering around the military in Iraq the Democrats are eager to be hands on, proposing all sorts of resolutions and oversight and investigations.  But when it comes to something like Walter Reed the Democrat position suddenly changes.  They claim that the scandal is totally the President’s fault due to his lack of oversight, etc.

If the Democrats were consistent they would recognize that they, too, are leaders of our government and have a responsibility along with the President to oversee military issues like Walter Reed and military health care.  If the President is to blame for Walter Reed then why aren’t the member of the Congressional veterans and military committees also to blame?