ABC's George Stephanopoulos didn't waste any time Sunday in pressing This Week guest Hillary Clinton on her approach to fighting the Islamic State. When he asked the Democratic presidential frontrunner if it's time to declare war on ISIS, Clinton expressed hesitancy, talking about the legal process that would be involved.
"There are a lot [of legal experts] who say that we already have the authority we need to go after ISIS or any international terrorist network, including al Qaeda and anybody else in the [Authorization for Use of Military Force]," she said. "I think it is important, though, for the Congress to vote on behalf of the American people and to make sure that we are updating it to take into account the new authorities that that risks."
In discussing the threat posed by ISIS and other terrorist groups, Clinton declined — as she typically does — to use the term "radical Islam." Here's what she said when Stephanopoulos asked her why she avoids it:
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There are radicals, people who believe all kinds of things, in every religion in the world. I don't want to do that because, No. 1, it doesn't do justice to the vast numbers of Muslims in our own country and around the world who are peaceful people. No. 2, it helps to create this clash of civilizations that is actually a recruiting tool for ISIS and other radical jihadists who use this as a way of saying we're in a war against the West. You must join us. If you are a Muslim, you must join us. No. If you're a law-abiding, peace-loving Muslim, you need to be with us against those who are distorting Islam. [This Week]
Read a full transcript of Clinton's interview here.
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