McCain Gaffe: "Common Knowledge" That Iran Is Training Al-Qaida

*** UPDATES BELOW ***

Sen. John McCain is taking this week to travel the Middle East (as well as stop of in London for a fundraiser). Today in Jordan, he falsely claimed that the predominantly Sunni terrorist organization Al-Qaida was receiving training from predominantly Shia Iran:

Speaking to reporters in Amman, the Jordanian capital, McCain said he and two Senate colleagues traveling with him continue to be concerned about Iranian operatives "taking al-Qaeda into Iran, training them and sending them back."

Pressed to elaborate, McCain said it was "common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al-Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training and are coming back into Iraq from Iran, that's well known. And it's unfortunate." A few moments later, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, standing just behind McCain, stepped forward and whispered in the presidential candidate's ear. McCain then said: "I'm sorry, the Iranians are training extremists, not al-Qaeda."

Continue reading here.

UPDATE: McCain made these statements yesterday on Hugh Hewitt's radio show:

As you know, there are Al Qaeda operatives that are taken back into Iran, given training as leaders, and they're moving back into Iraq.

Listen to the audio here.

UPDATE: The McCain campaign has offered a statement acknowledging the mistake, and saying Democrats are making mountains out of molehills:

"In a press conference today, John McCain misspoke and immediately corrected himself by stating that Iran is in fact supporting radical Islamic extremists in Iraq, not Al Qaeda -- as the transcript shows. Democrats have launched political attacks today because they know the American people have deep concerns about their candidates' judgment and readiness to lead as commander in chief."

The statement does not address his mistake from yesterday.

UPDATE: The DNC Communications Director Karen Finney released this statement:

"After eight years of the Bush Administration's incompetence in Iraq, McCain's comments don't give the American people a reason to believe that he can be trusted to offer a clear way forward. Not only is Senator McCain wrong on Iraq once again, but he showed he either doesn't understand the challenges facing Iraq and the region or is willing to ignore the facts on the ground."

Comments

[Tankan]

That's what he gets for listening to Joe Soap!

[OutragedInColorado]

In the case of John McCain, I do not believe you can blame all of his gaffes on senility. The guy was never the brightest bulb in the shed. After arriving at the Naval Academy as a major legacy, he managed a class rank of 894 out of 899. He also got blown out of the sky in Viet Nam because he failed to heed warnings from his base.

On another note, how pathetic is the racism that emenates from so many on this site. Look in the mirror people.

[pzdoff]

It is common knowledge that Dick Cheney took a chimpanzee under his wing, trained him and sent him out to become president of the United States.

[speakingtruth2power]

PLEASE FLAG reasonablethought BELOW!

[DASM]

"Mountains out of molehills"- the Republican smear & attack method to destroy anyone else.

[Birdman]

Sounds like Bush all over again, will america screw up yet again and vote a war mongering moron to the whitehouse? We shall see in November as far as I'm concerend there are so many lapping at the republican trough that McCain has it sewn up, and that is a very sad statement about this great country.

[ErikW65]

First time I ever thought, "thank goodness Joe Lieberman was there to add a voice of sanity."

[meatlightning]

but... but... him and the HRC passed the TEST!..

they PASSED.

no do-overs. no fair!

[savertime]

Who would think a campaign on 100 more years of war, a win in Iraq, and Al Qaeda, Al Qaeda, Al Qaeda, would be successfull in a country with almost seventy percent of the people wanting an end to the war in Iraq?

[iPolitics]

When will the DNC start to define McCain? What are they waiting for? Now is the time to make sure every American knows of his zero knowledge on the economy, 100 years in Iraq, and war in Iran among other negatives.

[afgail]

The DNC doesn't need to. McCain is the sacrifical lamb chosen by default. The rest of the Republican field were such abject losers that McCain looked good enough. Which means that the Democratic primary will in fact be choosing the next president. Everything hinges on Florida and Michigan. States Hillary won.

[Rickter]

WTF. This guy's will be wearing adult diapers and drinking out of a sippy cup long before his first term is up... I'm not a republican, but honest to god.. is this really the best they have? - and I swear, if this old coot mutters " well my friends" one more time, I'm gonna put my boot thru the tv.

[klondiker]

Leave the poor guy alone. He's probably just confused. Someone direct him back to his room at the seniors home, so we can get on with business.

[mcnary]

The" Queen of Diamonds" strikes again

[kdaddy]

John McCain for Polident of the United States!

[nyboomer]

NO! For The Right Dishonorable states of the GOP.

[langstonhughesfan]

Wait a second...??? McCain says he's not great at the economy, but he's really solid in foreign policy?? And now this?? What IS HE GOOD AT??? I can't believe this clown actually wants to represent this country abroad!!! Thank God for Obama!!! YES WE CAN!!!

[IndieGirl]

The poor old man can't even remember what day it is.