McCain's New Anti-Obama Line Borrowed From Attack Ad

John McCain has gleefully pounded Barack Obama in recent days for having traveled to Iraq only once since he entered Congress. But his arguments virtually mirror those used in a new attack ad by an independent conservative group, adding to the perception that there is a coordinated effort between McCain and the outside groups that his campaign has sought distance from.

On Wednesday, McCain ripped into Obama during an appearance in Reno, Nevada, claiming the Illinois Democrat lacked the leadership to navigate international waters in times of war. The language he used was telling (emphasis added below).

"Senator Obama has been to Iraq once. A little over two years ago he went, and he has never seized the opportunity, except in a hearing, to meet with General Petraeus, with General Petraeus! My friends, this is about leadership and learning," McCain said. "Now, why is it that Senator Obama wants to sit down with the President of Iran, but hasn't yet sat down with General Petraeus - the leader of our troops in Iraq?"

Last Friday, the organization Vets for Freedom, a non-partisan pro-Iraq war organization, released an advertisement attacking Obama with the same language.

"Obama wasn't available to meet with us [combat veterans]," Sgt. Garrett Anderson (Ret.) of Illinois' Army National Guard says to the camera. "But we weren't surprised. Because he hasn't once, sat down one-on-one with our in Iraq, Gen. Petraeus. Worse, he hasn't been to Iraq in two-and-a-half years. He's unwilling to get the facts on Iraq, yet he is willing to travel to Iran to meet with their leader or anyone else who hates our country. The question for America is, if Barack Obama won't listen to us, who will he listen to?"

Message coordination between like-minded candidates and interest groups is hardly a novel concept in politics. In fact, around the same time as McCain's speech, the Republican National Committee started a clock tracking the number of days it has been since Obama visited Iraq.

But the Arizona Republican has positioned his campaign as a decidedly distinct entity from groups that dabble in attack politics. He has even implemented an internal campaign ethics policy that restricts campaign officials from collaborating or serving with these very organizations.

"No person with a McCain Campaign title or position may participate in a 527 or other independent entity that makes public communications that support or oppose any presidential candidate," the new policy reads.

Already there are questions about the firmness of that pledge. As the Huffington Post reported last week, Sens. Joseph Lieberman and Lindsey Graham, both of whom hold chairs for the McCain campaign, are also on the board of advisers of Vets for Freedom.

In response to the onslaught of attacks, the Obama campaign - taking the hook of former White House press secretary Scott McClellan's new book - shot back.

"On the day after the former White House press secretary conceded that the Bush administration used deception and propaganda to take us to war, it seems odd that Senator McCain, who bought the flawed rationale for war so readily, would be lecturing others on their depth of understanding about Iraq," said Obama press secretary Bill Burton in a statement. "Senator Obama challenged the President's rationale for the war from the start, warning that it would divert resources from Afghanistan and the pursuit of Al Qaeda and mire us in an endless civil war. Senator McCain stubbornly insists on pursuing the failed Bush policy..."

Comments

[Lindamae]

After reading the many comments about this organization made by those who did not take the time to visit their web site, I had to add this to my posting. It is the mission statement made by the Vets for freedom not the PAC. Visit the site to read more about the PAC. This is their mission statement.
"Vets for Freedom is a nonpartisan organization established by combat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Our mission is to educate the American public about the importance of achieving success in these conflicts by applying our first-hand knowledge to issues of American strategy and tactics in Iraq.

We support policymakers from both sides of the aisle who have stood behind our great generation of American warriors on the battlefield, and who have put long-term national security before short-term partisan political gain.

Vets for Freedom is the largest Iraq and Afghanistan veterans organization in America.'

[Lindamae]

How fascinating every post attacks McCain but few mention the information in the ad itself! Has anyone listened to it? If you did, and you believed the words of the soldier asking for help, then how can you defend Barack Obama? This man wants to be our President. He wants me and you to give him a blank check to lead the country in the direction he supports. I've read his comments. We are a Democracy, not a socialistic state he favors. Go to the ad. Watch it. Learn. I doubt that Lieberman and Graham were consulted in its preparation but I don't doubt that it reflects their point of view about Obama not being the man to lead our country. Watch the ad. This group wants America to know the realities of war and wants us to loudly voice our support for their efforts and promises for their future. It does not support a party, or a candidate.

[littlepuffycloud]

It's funny that McCant really doesn't realize how brilliant Senator Obama is. Next thing, McGramps will call Obama 'Chicken' to try and trick him into doing something like go to Iraq. That's the beauty of it; the Republicans have so underestimated Future President Barack Obama and the loyalty and NUMBERS of his supporters. They don't realize their old tricks aren't working! No matter what they throw at him, he remains calm, cool and focused.
Just get to the debate already; I want to see McBush implode right there on stage.

[rabprevent]

AMONG THE MANY, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS PARTLY WRONG WITH THE LITTLE MAN, ALL IS IDEAS CAME FROM SOMEONE ELSE, MOSTLY BUSH WHICH IS WHY HIS POLICY IS THE SAME...

ALL IS EXPERIENCE DID NOT STOP HIM FROM VOTING FOR THIS UNJUST WAR>
THIS IS A MAN WHO VOTED AGAINST EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN BY STATING THAT WOMEN NEEDS EDUCATION AND TRAINING, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SUE THEIR EMPLOYERS>
THIS IS A MAN WHO SAYS HE WANTS TO APPOINT JUDGES TO OVERTURN ROE VS. WADE>
THIS IS MAN WHO STANDS BEING GW KNOWING FULL WELL THAT BUSH LIED TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SO TO CREATE A LEGACY>
THIS IS A MAN WHO CLEARLY WILL REINSTITUTE A DRAFT SO TO SUPPORT HIS PERSONAL WAR>
THIS IS A MAN WHO DID NOT SHOW UP TO VOTE TO INCREASE EDUCATIONAL AND HEALTH BENEFITS FOR THE SOLDIERS BECAUSE HE BELIEVES THAT THEY WILL LEAVE THE MILITARY>
All the women willing to vote for this guy will deserve what they get when he does exactly just WHAT HE SAYS HE WILL DO. Remember, we made a mistake twice with GW, make the same with this tyrant, you will not be able to cry when he sends your sonS AND DAUGHTERS to war JUST BECAUSE HE WANTS TO.

[MarkyM]

BUSH is passing on BLOOD money to McCain! To all my Jewish friends...pass this on...http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/sep/25/usa.secondworldwar

Our new EXIT plan! Here is the last 2 minutes of a soldiers life Click here or Copy and paste the and pass it along to everyone in your address book! http://www.myspace.com/Craftymusic

[JXJASON]

I am a Vietnam vet and I WILL NOT VOTE FOR John McCain.

John McCain's " bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran" was the dumbest, most irresponsible thing I have heard from a politician in my whole life.

And John McCain's vote for the war in Iraq was the biggest foreign policy blunder in the last 25 years.

In a letter to me on May 23, 2006, Representative Paul Kanjorski D. PA. wrote "The decision to go to war in Iraq, in my opinion, will go down in history as a great mistake."

I want Senator Obama to be our next President. I have campaigned for Senator Obama and if you take the time to GOOGLE Senator Barack Obama you will learn more about Senator Obama's thoughts and ideas for a better future for all Americans.

OBAMA 08

[DaOne]

Some hero McCain is, allegedly gave info to his captors. How can we expect him to be loyal to his country when he apparantly wasn't loyal to his two former wives.

[RoSull]

I need to see Obama and McCain in a debate. It is important that they address these issues in the same room together. June 4th can't come fast enough, let's get this show on the road so that Senator Obama and Senator McCain can really talk policies and counter one another directly.

[elbzee]

As Petraeus has proved(by keeping his job & getting a promotion), he's just as much a propagandizing general as the Pentagon"s "experts" on TV. For that reason, I doubt he'd be very effective in presenting reality on the ground to a person intent on getting us out. I consider it wise NOT to seek out his advice.

[McChimp]

who cares how many times Obama's been to Iraq? I'd prefer he'd stay out of harm's way where more of my fellow Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Soldiers are being shot and killed.

And McCain can't seem to make up his damn mind about whether we'll be in Iraq 100 years, or we'll be out by 2013.

Not to mention opposing the new G.I. bill which PASSED with a bi-partisan majority, and using Memorial Day to reiterate why he opposed it, which is basically an insult to me and my fellow military members.

McCain is an insult to the whole entire military: exploiting his military status for political gain. Sorry McCain, just because you were in the military doesn't mean you've passed the commander in chief threshold. Obama knows more about foreign policy than you do simply because Obama is a pragmatist and sees the big picture, while you see the small picture of Iraq.

Iraq had NO ties to 9/11, and any Middle Eastern expert could have told you that Saddam and Al-Qaida had opposing ideologies, and could NEVER work together. Now, thanks to Bush, Iraq has become Al-Qaida's training ground, and Pakistan and Afghanistan are the countries where Al-Qaida continues to recruit terrorists.

Obama/Sebelius 08

[AMJordan]

I seem to remember Senator Obama sitting across a room from General Petraeus during a hearing and asking him questions. I guess, unless Petraeus and a full company of heavily armed soldiers give you a guided tour of a market, all the while being protected in the air by a batch of Blackhawks, it doesn't count.

With these statements, Vets for Freedom (a branch of the GOP BTW) and Senator McCain show exactly how fatuous they are.

Senator Obama, whatever you do, do not go to Iraq! There's too many opportunities for trouble and we cannot afford to lose you.

[Lindamae]

Actors, actresses, comedians and singers have all gone to Iraq to entertain our troops. As have countless politicians. Is Obama less brave? Or is it that he can't defy Nancy's party line to show anything positive happening in Iraq. We know that there are good things happening but they aren't covered. Dump Nancy.

[rollingdivision]

Is there some claim, if some group outside of the McCain campaign voices an argument against an Obama position, policy or statement then that argument is out of bounds for McCain to use for the campaign? Of course this question is off topic, addressing the inconsequential issue of common themes among like minded political activists who staff political campaigns, political parties, issue groups, blogs and 527's? The mock surprise is disingenuous, in that the everyone knows the purpose of all off the books political and issue groups is exactly to support political issues and politicians. Huffington Post actively supports a particular political pov and politicians, surprise.

This article does not address the issue raised by Obama's choice to meet personally and without precondition, during his first year, the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea and choosing not to meet more than once, over the last few years or in during the election campaign, with US troops, US military leaders and Iraqi leaders by visiting Iraq where Obama could gain first hand knowledge of the situation.

[MrKINOKO]

I have finally figured out your apparent disconnect with reality, after carefully analyzing the mish-mash of barely coherent theories and prose you have somehow strung together. You are comparing things Obama WANTS TO DO, such as meet with leaders of sovereign nations America has, for some reason unbeknownst to anyone outside of Bush's brain, labeled as enemies; inexplicably with things HE HAS NO REQUIREMENT TO DO as a US Senator. Although I don't understand the logic of it, I will chalk it up to the strange case of mass "Stockholm Syndrome" which seems to have spread thru Washington like the Andromeda Strain. McCain had it...hence the 32 "Hanoi Jane" propaganda tapes yet to be unclassified. He identified with his captors, as have the GOP, all of Hillary Clinton's Fanatics, and the good people of WV, PA, IN, and Kentucky....you all want to accept the wisdom and superiority of the captors who initially caught you slipping, and now hold the puppet strings trembling above you. Way to go.
Rollingdivision...why not stop trying to compare and contrast things Obama would think about implementing as President with things he has no authority to do, as of now, as a junior Senator? And how about, instead of meeting with troops, he simply brings them all home? How about that,huh? Or is that too Liberal or Socialist for you to grasp as a concept?

[Lindamae]

Gee, other politicians have made the trip. Senators. House members. Not to mention USO show casts. How can Obama comment on the war if he refuses to talk to everyone even those who support the troops efforts and effectiveness.

[pmob67]

I am sure the 2 groups are related. They are using the same mesage to attack Obama.

McClain only defense against Obama is his lack of visits to Iraq. I hope he has alot more than that in the upcoming election!!!!

-------------
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[nerakami]

This is to all Americans, ... Let us consider ourselves in the Iraqis shoes and another nation bombed and invaded our country with NO GOOD REASON. How would we feel?
Are we then surprised that the Arab world hate our guts? Knowing all we now know, it is with good reason.

I for one, would like to see a representation of America in the eyes of Iraqis and the rest of the world as diplomatic, understanding and having a heart.

We have much ground to make up after the Repugnants huge injustice to this nation on foreign policies.

[amazinggrace]

JXJASON, thank you for your comments and your service to our country. Those who did not live through the Vietnam era or have family members in war zones could never understand what war is all about.

Vietnam affected EVERYONE in this country. My then 19 year old brother was sent there and fortunately he returned. Many of my friends did not. The Vietnam memorial in DC is one of the most moving memorials ever. I was able to touch the names of friends of mine who died during this horrific war.

We must not be cavalier when speaking of war (a la John McCain) but cautionary in our words and deeds. You have brought back memories of lost friends........................................