Clinton, seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. president, praised the work that soldiers have done in Iraq but described the Iraqi government as "on vacation," leaving American troops in the middle of a sectarian war.

She spoke to hundreds of members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a group that is holding its annual convention in Kansas City. Later Monday, Republican Sen. John McCain was scheduled to address the crowd. So was Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq, who will deliver a progress report to Congress in September.

On Tuesday, Democratic candidate Barack Obama and Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson are scheduled to speak. President George W. Bush arrives Wednesday.

The hall can seat 6,000 people, and Clinton drew about half that for her late-morning speech. The crowd was mostly friendly and offered polite applause throughout the speech.

Clinton said she wanted to restore America's image abroad.

"People have to root for America," she said. "They have to want to be on our side."

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