Hillary Answers 'Attack' by John Edwards

Sen. Hillary Clinton has launched her first direct attack on a potential Democratic presidential rival, ripping John Edwards for criticizing her stance on the Iraq war.

Hillary’s jab at Edwards came after the former senator and 2004 vice presidential candidate spoke in New York on Sunday.

Although he didn’t mention Clinton by name, his reference was clear when he condemned those who fail to "speak out” against the war, the New York Post reported.

"Silence is betrayal, and I believe it is a betrayal not to speak out against the escalation of the war in Iraq," Edwards told a crowd at Manhattan's Riverside Church.

"If you're in Congress and you know that this war is going in the wrong direction . . . it is no longer O.K. to study your options and keep your own private counsel.

"Silence is betrayal. Speak out and stop this escalation now."

Clinton responded through her adviser Howard Wolfson: "In 2004, John Edwards used to constantly brag about running a positive campaign. Today, he has unfortunately chosen to open his campaign with political attacks on Democrats who are fighting the Bush administration's Iraq policy.”

Edwards has recanted his 2002 vote for the resolution authorizing the Iraq war. Clinton also voted for the resolution, and while she has been critical of the Bush administration's handling of the war, she has disappointed the anti-war left by failing to denounce the war itself.

Clinton's quick response to Edwards indicates that her team considers him a "top-tier threat,” according to the Post.

"Clinton now faces a double-barreled threat from two charismatic contenders, Edwards and Sen. Barack Obama.”