McCain, Obama Battle Over Pakistan

"Sen. John McCain of Arizona, close to clinching the GOP nomination, called Sen. Barack Obama 'naive' today and...blasted him for advocating a bombing of Al Qaeda hide-outs in Pakistan," the Los Angeles Times reports.

"The best idea is not to broadcast what you're going to do, that's naive," said McCain, who also questioned the very notion of "bombing Pakistan without their permission." ...

In a conference call with reporters to respond, Obama foreign policy advisor Susan Rice said that McCain was "misrepresenting and distorting Barack Obama's positions" and argued that the Democrat "never suggested bombing an ally."

"McCain promises more war in Iraq," she said. "Obama will end the war in Iraq and focus on terrorists in Afghanistan."

TNR: McCain Is Lying: Jonathan Chait writes for The New Republic:

Last night John McCain accused Barack Obama of, among other things, having "once suggested bombing our ally, Pakistan." This is a lie. ... There is nothing in Obama's speech, or any other Obama speech, about "bombing" Pakistan. Both implicitly and explicitly, he called for small, Special Operations-type incursions. ...

Meanwhile, you know who is coming closer to "bombing an ally"? The Bush administration, whose determined prosecution of the war on terror McCain continues to tout. The Washington Post reported -- as it happens, the same day McCain made his smear -- that the CIA launched Hellfire missiles at an al Qaeda operative in Pakistan. As the Post noted, "Having requested the Pakistani government's official permission for such strikes on previous occasions, only to be put off or turned down, this time the U.S. spy agency did not seek approval."

So, to review: Obama did not call for bombing Pakistan, ever. Meanwhile the Bush administration is undertaking air attacks against targets in Pakistan. Is this wildly irresponsible? I suppose you could make that case. But McCain isn't interested in an argument about the merits of striking al Qaeda against the costs of undermining Pervez Musharraf. He's just interested in lying about what Obama said in order to portray him as a foreign policy novice.

Matthew Yglesias has much more from the Obama campaign call with Susan Rice:

[O]n experience there's a three-pronged attack. First, Obama does have experience, with Rice citing the fact that he authored "crucial legislation to secure the United States from the threat of loose nuclear materials" and serves on committees and subcommittees dealing with foreign relations, veterans affairs, and homeland security. Second, this means that Obama has actually "acquired more traditional washington foreign policy experience" than most presidents including Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter (Carter in fact served on a nuclear sub and I'm told this gave him a better understanding of nuclear issues than presidents before or after).

Third, there's more to life than being a prisoner of DC conventional wisdom -- "McCain, like Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney may have years of Washington experience" but they've all made "flawed judgments and as a consequence we're less safe." In a crucial point, Rice observed (emphasis added) that a McCain administration would be "very much a continuation and intensification of the failed Bush policy, remaining in Iraq indefinitely not investing adequately in Afghanistan."

Time's Joe Klein asks, "McCain -- Soft on Al Qaeda?"

Comments

[zitlight73]

The Pepugs have two more aces up their sleeve Diebold voting machines and National Security Presidential Directive-51 that Bush quietly signed last May which states that under a national emergency vaguely defined, which could include an epidemic(bird flu) natural disaster hurricanes, earthquakes etc, terrorist attacks the President controls all government from federal on down to tribal and city which would also allow him to suspend elections. Scary stuff that Congress the courts or the media will even acknowledge.

[JohnFromCensornati]

I did not have sex with that woman!

[mamacat]

I seem to recall that 8 years ago McCain's campaigning was on a higher plain. Perhaps all the dirty tricks Rove used on him to keep him from getting the nomination back then have now rubbed off on him, and he no longer knows how talk about issues? Is this what we can expect from him until November, meaningless accusations? Really, Sen. McCain, are we going to get nothing but silly, non-substantive mudslinging from you?

[DMcD]

Although I can agree that its good to keep your plans close to the vest , I seem to recall hearing 'somebody' on 9/12 , saying that we will attack terrorists no matter where they are hiding (or words to that effect) --- now who said that ? hmmm; Oh , Bush; thats who. If Osama is in Pakistan , so be it. Whatever it takes --- short of declaring war on the wrong country (Iraq). Preferably via a special forces police-action instead of all-out bombing or war.

Additionally , McCain 'must' be aware that someday , some way, bombing Pakistan is inevitable -- thanks to Cheney having enabled Pakistan to acquire the bomb during the Reagan years.

With all the maniacal fanatics within his border , Pakistan's President Musharaff is the only thing seperating Osama from the bomb -- once they succeed in assasinating Musharraf (& they will) , Osama is free to be "Democratically elected" into office and have full access to the 'red button'. Comforting thought -- not. Hence , bombing becomes inevitable --- McCain 'has' to know that (as does Bush) -- I'd hope.

[mediamarv]

Exactly... when has bombing Pakistan been a problem for anyone, especially righties??? So, McCain has now set himself up to NOT bomb Pakistan, now that the CIA is doing more covert ops???

Serious lack of dot connecting going on here.

[Gary47]

Among psychotherapists this is known as a classic case of projection. McCain is the one who wants to bomb bomb bomb foreign countries. But he can't face that evil impulse within himself and so attributes it others. Very simple, very sad.

[starboymikey]

And the Macster wants to "bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran."

Boy, ain't it ironic that John McCain is dissing Barack Obama for being some kind of warmonger.

If this is the best he's got, Obama will wipe the floor with him.

[teahead]

PWNED!


McWar has been SERVED!

[dragonfly142]

It would seem after McCain mentioned about Obama wanting to bomb Pakistan to get Al-Qaeda without Pakistan's permission and Bush said he would do the same...aligning Obama with Bush McCain's saying also Obama was woefully inexprerienced...also Obama broke his promise on public funding after saying he would if McCain would .all of the above being true and the Pakistan thing came from Obamas mouth..On the heels of that all of a sudden McCCain is bombarded with infidelity headlines. Looks like Obama doesn't want anyone to know he is the good ol boy washington politician just like the rest and plays pretty dirty politics as well

[dragonfly142]

It would seem after McCain mentioned about Obama wanting to bomb Pakistan to get Al-Qaeda without Pakistan's permission and Bush said he would do the same...aligning Obama with Bush McCain's saying also Obama was woefully inexprerienced...also Obama broke his promise on public funding after saying he would if McCain would .all of the above being true and the Pakistan thing came from Obamas mouth..On the heels of that all of a sudden McCCain is bombarded with infidelity headlines. Looks like Obama doesn't want anyone to know he is the good ol washington politician just like the rest and plays pretty dirty as well

[teahead]

Man you sound desperatley pathetic.

[yasou11]

i hope Obama can really have some action!

[yasou11]

Obama is a good man,but i surpport Cliton! You would not believe that you have many fans on ~~~SeniorWoo . com~~~ It's a site for successful senior singles to mingle. Also lots of sexy men and women show up on that site most of the time. I'm sure you will not miss it. Right?

[SteveCox]

The Teamsters also backed Ronald Reagan. So that means a lot. Maybe Baraks connection to the Chicago "machine" has something to do with that. I wonder if Rezko know's any of those guys.

[mamacat]

The Teamster's endorsement may not make a lot of noise, but it does mean a lot. They have a pretty smart, effective leadership, like it or not.

[Marlowe22]

Whoops! McCain just criticized Obama for saying that he would bomb terrorists in Pakistan without getting the o.k. from Pakistan. Isn't this just what the Admin. did successfully? Now what is McCain going to say or who will he criticize?

[XYZ]

It's funny these paper tigers the GOP is now there own worst enemy...

[Denemator]

Mcpain in the proverbial ass has totally lost it, actually he may never have had it in the first place that senile old codger.

[LAcarlito]

Looks like McCain may be (or have been) involved in a sex scandal with a lobbyist (per NYTimes, as reported on Countdown/MSNBC). Anything to get the youth vote!

This should take the focus off Clinton/Obama for 24 hrs.

[NewFrontier]

McLame is in his 70s. They'd better watch pushing this scandal from the past too strongly. It might work to revive his standing among the youthful and verile.