Clinton: Obama Not 'Dissing' McChrystal on Troops

Bill Clinton came to President Obama's defense today, saying on Meet the Press that the president isn't "dissing" Gen. Stanley McChrystal's request for more troops in Afghanistan. Both Clintons emphasized that settling the Afghan election is vital in determining whether the US has a legitimate partner in Hamid Karzai. Hillary Clinton said on Face the Nation, "We have to wait until it is resolved." The former first couple largely dominated a heavy-hitting Sunday lineup:

• The former president said that while a "virulent" right-wing conspiracy was still targeting Obama, it was largely weakened and wouldn't hit Democrats nearly as hard in midterm elections as in 1994.
• Hillary Clinton won't take Iran's word on its purported nuclear facility, saying the country should open its doors: "Prove it, don't assert it, prove it," said the secretary of state.
• Sen. Kit Bond, meanwhile, wasn't having any of the Clintons' wait-and-see attitude, saying McChrystal's report is "dithering" and "we need more troops now." Bond appeared on Fox News Sunday.
• Sen. John McCain said on ABC's This Week it was "never a realistic goal" to close Guantanamo this year because Obama didn't have a workable policy in place.

(More Bill Clinton stories.)