Put it in the file marked '2012'

Republican opposition researchers just got another arrow in their quiver against Sen. Ben Cardin, who joined two dozen of his colleagues in voting against funding the Iraq war yesterday.

If they look back to October 29, 2006, they'd find video of
Cardin replying with a flat "No" to Tim Russert's asking whether he "would vote to cut off funding for our troops while the war's going on?"

It gets worse when the Senator follows up with "I will never support turning our backs on our troops. And I've supported the appropriation bills, in order to make it clear that our troops who are in harm's way have everything they need to be safe."

But when the Iraq war is in 'Year 10,' will troop funding really be the issue?

Full exchange below:

MR. RUSSERT: From the Baltimore Sun, “‘What I hope would happen is that the leadership of Congress will work on a constructive course in Iraq, recognizing that public opinion is on the side of change,’ said Cardin. ... If that does not work, however, Cardin said he’d be willing to vote to cut off funding for the war. ‘If Democrats could present it in the right way, I would clearly support it.’” You would vote to cut off funding for our troops while the war’s going on?

REP. CARDIN: No. I will never support turning our backs on our troops. And I’ve supported the appropriation bills, in order to make it clear that our troops who are in harm’s way have everything they need to be safe. What, what I think Congress needs to do is consider all options. And Congress needs to use every option they can, so the president presents, presents a plan. My objective is to get a plan from this administration that has its — gives us the best chance to achieve U.S. objectives.

MR. RUSSERT: But do you stand by your comment, you would consider cutting off funding?

REP. CARDIN: There’s a lot of different options that Congress can consider, including contingencies of funds. There’s options that we can consider. And if the Democrats get back control of the United States Senate, then the amendments can be presented in a way that could be constructive in getting the president to submit a new plan.

MR. RUSSERT: But you would consider cutter off — cutting off funding for the war.

REP. CARDIN: I would consider using the appropriation process, I will not support putting our troops at risk.