Obama, McCain Take A Break From Fighting For Memorial Day

This Memorial Day weekend, Obama extended what has been seen as a temporary olive branch to Republican rival John McCain after a week of tough fighting over foreign policy. The two are spending their holiday weekend visiting with veterans, and both men will be in New Mexico today.

On Sunday, Obama struck a conciliatory note with McCain, whom he had been hammering for days, and urged unity in service of a greater good in a speech to university graduates.

Obama was filling in for U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor last week and had planned to deliver the graduation address at Wesleyan University. Kennedy has endorsed Obama over Clinton and has campaigned for him.

"We may disagree as Americans on certain issues and positions, but I believe we can be unified in service to a greater good. I intend to make it a cause of my presidency, and I believe with all my heart that this generation is ready and eager and up to the challenge," Obama told the graduating class of 2008.

Yesterday, McCain supporter Lindsey Graham had another interesting idea that advocated for a calming of the foreign policy battle between McCain and Obama: a joint trip to Iraq.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday suggested that presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) and Democratic front-runner Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) should visit Iraq together ahead of the election.

"I think it would be good for the country because the next president is going to have to deal with Iraq," Graham said on CBS's "Face the Nation."

Comments

[KarenKaren]

McCain...you there?...you think we didn't notice your opposition to the GI bill on the grounds that it was too expensive?

You think we didn't notice the Congressional Budget Office's prediction that shows Webb's bill would have no net loss (16% increase in attrition, 16% new enrollment) due to an increase in benefits ?

You think that those of us with family members serving in the military agree to waiting 12 years before being eligible to maximum benefits under your and Graham's bill?

You think that we don't know about transferability of benefits under Webb's bill?

You think we didn't notice that you had no bill to offer until days before Memorial Day?

You think increasing Americans' competitive edge by equipping them with an education isn't a good investment economic investment?

Oh, that's right, the economy isn't your thing (your words)--except when it comes to catching a piece of for yourself from the failed savings and loan institutions.

And lastly, you don't really think we have confidence in you handling the war, do you?

[poles]

Sure lets think about vetrans on Memorial Day but forget about the the rest of the year. This country NEEDS to take care of the vetrans. Without vetrans we would not have a country. The need to think about Vetrans all year.

[thecanadian]

May we timidly interject here. Isn't this supposed to be about the Troops. We are all guilty of forgetting in this endless campaign retoric.

Thank you to the Troops of every war.

[Bobrobert]

Roflmao...

Polls are good for one thing... scrap paper.

:-)

People are a little upset with insiders - McDoodoo is an insider.

Insider translate to loser come November - take your polls and recite them... :-)

[slobodaneee]

Shpjohns,

You are of course free to express your opinions but I think your view is twisted. most service people enter to serve or for benefits or for both. I served in the Army during the 80's and most of the soldiers I knew were not some sort of Hollywood hype want to be killing machines. This country just needs a real commander-in-chief. that man will be Obama.

[WTFbush]

Sorry Lindsey....there are too many Blackwater employees there whose jobs are in danger when Senator Obama becomes President Obama.

Why don't you go there yourself and let some kid come home for the summer.....what a shithead.

[Daisy1111]

Obama supports groups like Blackwater in Iraq. Check his Senate votes.

Also check his corporate donators - I beleive you'll find blackwater there.

[AnnieinOR]

I wonder if John McCain and Hillary Clinton have even stopped to pray for the souls of the dead soldiers that were sent to their deaths by these two.

I wonder if their families have made any contributions to their contributions?

[KarateKid]

Yeah, Lindsey. Hillary would love for both of them to go together, for obvious reasons. Assassination? IUD? Suicide bomber? We know she's thinking it.........

[dill]

And probably what Lindsey is thinking too, minus McBush.

[dndobson]

Obama should go, though not with McCain. They should never be in the same place at the same time, but he should go. He should go and explain to them how he honors their service but regrets the the war - that he will bring them home while making every effort to preserve what gains they have fought and died - if they can be preserved. McCain can go there and tell them how he's going to keep sending them back for 100 years, or till 2013, which ever is more politically expedient.

[ldaniel65]

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Sunday suggested that presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) and Democratic front-runner Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) should visit Iraq together ahead of the election.
"I think it would be good for the country because the next president is going to have to deal with Iraq," Graham said on CBS's "Face the Nation."
not a bad idea

[suntzu]

Sen. Graham's idea of McCain and Obama making a joint trip to Iraq is pure fantasy. The Secret Service would never permit the two candidates to be touring together: the chances for catastrophe far outweigh any benefits. I don't know how Sen. Graham, who should know better, could suggest this idea.

[Daly]

How did we elect these clowns, it is not a big deal for Obama to go to Iraq should he want to before the elections and I am sure that he will do just that after the elections but why in all that is America would he want to go anywhere with McCain?

That means bringing McCain's pal Joe. Graham I know that the soldiers are busy and blackwater and their ilk are spending $ as fast as possible paying off both sides in a iraqi civil war; So exactly what sort of protections do you think would be in existance. Besides the iraqi goverment is busy too planning their month long out of country vacations.

Graham you are not thinking... tell you what, you go there with McCain, see if you can at least get the same red carpet treatment that Iraqi leaders gave Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23429996/

Take Hagee too in case Ahmadinejad pops up they have lots of racist common ground.

[harriscrl3]

I wasnt sure if this was permitted but thats the first thing that ran through my mind what if somethng happened this is not a good idea to have both presumptive nominees traveling together.

Carol

[ChiGuy]

Obama and McCain take a break?
Well. That's gonna make this one boring thread.
Bye.

[marla219]

It's a clear attempt to get some positive media coverage for McCain. Obama draws crowds and interest wherever he goes, while McCain is no longer the media darling he used to be. Joint trips, joint campaigning, joint townhalls: the Republicans keep suggesting events that will bring McCain into the spotlight, trying to suck the air from the Obama campaign. Seems a little desperate, though I suppose Repubs will try to say it shows bipartisanship. Ha!

[thecanadian]

You forgot the word desperation. They have to hang on Obama's coat tail or cling to him.They won't get any coverage - lots of people kind of coverage! And how about the FREE Publicity? Free coverage for McCain who has money problems.

New Idea - Send McCain and Hillary baby together and give them LOTS of free publicity from Fox and CNN before they go. Oh Great - FREE Coverage.

[shpjohns]

I just don't know. With all due respect to those who have volunteered for a ridiculously difficult job--that of the military--I do not worship at the altar of the military. Many of our public figures compete for the award of most gracious to the troops. Yet, all this talk of honor and so forth, makes me uncomfortable. There is no honor in killing and causing undue suffering. I'm sorry, but I don't want to thank a soldier.

[Daisy1111]

shjohns:

You are an example of the tone-deafness progressives have when it comes to the US military.

If you're an example of a typical Obama supporter you will guarantee he's labelled a left wing extremist by the GOP.

You are the reason why liberals of any race never win the presidency.

[AnnieinOR]

hope you have taken time from your hectic schedule on behave of the war twins to pray for the DEAD soldiers who lost their lives when they were sent to their deaths by HILLARY and McSame

[shpjohns]

Wow, I was not going to respond to my own comment, but I feel compelled to do so because of the vitriol of some of these replies here. I'm not surprised. People get very defensive when we actually turn a critical lens on some of the militaristic discourse prevalent in the United States. Issues of life and death are loaded with emotion, and the emotion expressed here is both palpable and completely understandable. Nevertheless, and I will state this with conviction and respect, don't fight for me.

I am not the person who will protest war or show up at military funerals and disrespect those who grieve. I understand the sacrifice, but I don't want it. And, I don't want to pretend to want it or ask for it. Call me richard head or whatever. Yell at me and say if it weren't for our veterans, civilization itself would crumble. Fine. I respect that, but to be honest, I don't want your sacrifice. Don't fight for me.

[CyberGal619]

Don't worry about the vitriol -- it's just the tr0lls collecting their McLame points. Just ignore 'em. They're so focused on getting that box o' wine for their next level they're not paying attention to anything like facts.

[apoyo]

Yes, it takes honor and integrity to serve and protect your right to speak your mind.

You are judging thru the prism of today.

Memorial Day is to remember everyone who risked and gave their life for their country.
I have family who served in WWII and Korea. My teenage friends ended up in Vietnam because they were unlucky enough to have their number drawn.

[MrRavini]

You are missing the point about Memorial Day -- when you write that "with all due respect" about those that have served (and died) in the U.S. military, that's is EXACTLY what this day is all about. Wars are about death and destruction -- and no reasonable person would advocate entering into another without great pause and reflection. The fact that the right wing has hijacked the subject should not make us the naive and wishful handwringers that have crippled the left and made us look foolish. Honoring the men and women who have given their lives for this country -- rightly or wrongly -- should not become the subject of derision and disrespect. Get a little history -- particularly about WWII, the last actual declared war -- before you start getting your panties in a twist about honoring people who, willingly or unwillingly (remember something called "the draft"?), for this country. We're not celebrating the profiteers or chicken-hawks like Cheney and Bush here. Get a clue.

[KarateKid]

Many of us did not serve voluntarily, numb nuts. I guess you are too young to remember the draft. It's richard heads like you that make me wish there still WAS a draft.

You are not an American. You have the luck of merely being born here. Since you don't serve in any way, you are merely taking up space.

My dad fought in WWII while his family languished in camps. I fought in 'Nam. I can't believe any soldiers served and fought .... for pricks like you, but we did. Kiss me where the sun don't shine, boy.

[dndobson]

You have to serve to be an America? I didn't read that in my copy of the constitution.