Obama On McCain's Iraq Gaffe: "Anyone Running For Commander-In-Chief Should Know Better"

The last 24 hours have not been good for John McCain when it comes to talking about Iraq. He not only made a factually incorrect statement about Iraq in which he said American troops were down to pre-surge levels, but then refused to acknowledge he misspoke.

Seizing on McCain's gaffes, Obama is now forcefully questioning the Republican nominee's grasp of the situation in Iraq. Mark Halperin has his remarks, to be delivered in Montana at a rally tonight:

"But that's not what John McCain's been talking about the last few days. He's been proposing a joint trip to Iraq that's nothing more than a political stunt. He's even been using it to raise a few dollars for his campaign. But it seems like Senator McCain's a lot more interested in my travel plans than the facts, because yesterday - in his continued effort to put the best light on a failed policy - he stood up in Wisconsin and said, "We have drawn down to pre-surge levels" in Iraq.

"That's not true, and anyone running for Commander-in-Chief should know better. As the saying goes, you're entitled to your own view, but not your own facts. We've got around 150,000 troops in Iraq - 20,000 more than we had before the surge. We have plans to get down to around 140,000 later this summer - that's still more troops than we had in Iraq before the surge. And today, Senator McCain refused to correct his mistake. Just like George Bush, when he was presented with the truth, he just dug in and refused to admit his mistake. His campaign said it amounts to "nitpicking."

Comments

[Raymondf]

We will be out of Iraq before October. with the exception of non-military advisers.

[damnadamson]

ya right ! we're there until iran 'supposedly' does something to hurt US interests then it's bomb bomb bomb .... bomb bomb Iran ... if McBush gets in that is. Are you living on another planet ... oil is what all this sickness is about man.

[pdsimdars]

And that's Obama's best quality - a strong, balanced mind It is a joy. He doesn't react to their taunts. They are like water on a duck's back. But when they tie themselves in knots, he is right there to point it out.
Most democrats wear themselves out responding to all the neocon's nonsense. But when they have them dead to rights, they sit on their hands as if they are afraid to confront them with the obvious blunder. That's what gives us confidence, someone who isn't overshadowed by any situation or circumstance. That is a true Commander in Chief.

[marinemomof3]

I just so happy that when he speaks, I can understand him.
Listening to Bush in the last 7 1/2 years, I would say "did you understand what he just said'?
Now McSame, talking in circles and making absolutely NO SENSE.....

I have noticed MSM is REAL easy on the ol man.....
Thank God for Youtube!!!

[Binx101]

Indeed ... you both made good points. We wrote about today. This is about Obama's leadership and it isn't restricted to the candidate himself. He's built a team that has a plan and operates as a cohesive unit.

They practice a Positive Mentality that many misconstrue as weakness. The corporate media graffiti artists were going nuts when he wouldn't start punching. They wanted blood. Obama sits back and let's them choke on their own hubris.

It is very impressive - from both the Hillary and McCain perspectives. We also think of them as Hillary McCain.

Binx101
The Almost Daily Binx
http://binx101.wordpress.com

[barackobama4prez]

get 'em barack! the repugnates are done! the party is over!

[turkeyfish]

McCane's statements are consistent with his position. Its just he's using republican "new math" so that he can continue to champion, "change", namely having our our troops out of Iraq in 4 years, instead of the 100 years as originally promised.

Its all part of the new philosophical shift in republican party circles. McCane is building toward compromise on the role of religious fundamentalists in government, a political necessity to move toward the perceived political "center". Republican are now only asking for the 9 commandments to be posted in public schools and other public places, since they no longer beleive in the commandment "Thou shall not bear false witness". Obviously, its a deft ballancing act, and "new math" is central to his new "reformed" concept of "straight talk". Of course that doesn't mean he is abandoning the ultra-conservative fundamentalist wing of his party completely. He still firmly maintains his belief that "republicans will never be for raising taxes", only in "raising prices" as they make empty promises to appeal to voters that they know they can't afford to keep.

Its all about "new math". That way he can count brain cells and vigor that are no longer there, insist that the economy is just great, that we are "winning" in Iraq, and that the number of lobbyists running his campaign is "way down". This is what McCane means when he says he is the candidate for "change". You just have to learn how to do this new republican math.

[Raymondf]

The fat lady hadn't sung yet.

[NoLove4HillaryAnymore]

Go ahead spank him!!

[ResearchGuy]

Whatever ignorant, ill-informed, confused remark John McCain might make, he will get a free pass in the press. And he will go on making unfounded, arrogant, condescending, and deceptive claims about Senator Obama. This is not a level playing field. McCain has an undeserved reputation for candor and expertise, and will work it to death. He will probably get away with rhetorical mayhem in a debate because he is so brazen in his ignorance and deception. He is positively Bushian.

[barackobama4prez]

Not if Americans have anything to do with it. We as americans can help Senator Obama. We can start small and grow large. Let's start calling the media on their B.S. I for one plan to do my part all the way through November, to keep harassing the media for NOT questioning John McWar on his "gaffes". Hell they gave HIllary passes on alot of stuff...but they HAMMERED her on the gas pandering and Bosnia "mispeaks". McWar is NOT free from having to explain his mistakes and errors in his judgement.

NOT THIS TIME.

We want the right kind of leader during this time of crisis. McWar is NOT competent and not capable.

Senator Obamaaaaaaa.....KEEP pushing McWar. Keep using his blunders as ammunition. Keep poking at his old ass until the mask slips and we can get a recent glimpse of his terrible temper. Let's DO this.

[sherbug]

No, we are going to throw the kitchen sink at McCain and something is going to stick. He's been in Washington too long not to have a bunch of skeletons in his closet.

[pdsimdars]

Yes, this is true. Please, I urge everyone who watches any TV news show to write them and call them on these things. I am always very offended when some hack refers to me as a latte swilling, volvo driving liberal, or whatever their latest slur is. Also, whenever they use the term "Democrat" party. I immediately write the news organization and tell them how offended I am as an American to be called names on their network on this show. I ask them if they really think that is in the best interest of their network or the country. I also remind them that the group they are slapping in the face is the largest and strongest group to emerge in decades. I tell them that if they think this is a good strategy, I would advise them to talk to their people in marketing, some grown up with a bigger perspective and a little common sense. Thank you very much.
And I think I have noticed some changes.

[southernsepia]

Love it !!!!

This is why Obama is the nominee - Hillary having voted for the war would not be able to make these criticisms. McCain would simply respond, you supported it too.

Though the media refuses to acknowledge it McCain is getting his ass handed to him by Obama.

[ElPerro]

Obama's going to wipe the floor with this clown

[newunderground]

I think you meant assclown, or maybe asshat.

[timetorevolt]

McSame has a nervous chuckle when questioned about his lack of knowledge. As if to imply, you can't believe I don't really know what I'm talking about. And guess what? A lot of the MSM journalist, the same ass holes who did not question Bush on the war, are making excuses for him.

I have heard these excuses on CNN by Blitzer and Co. Some of the journalist favorite line on McSame behalf is,he didn't mean that we sould be fighting in Iraq for 100 years..he meant we would have troops there like we don in Korea... Then why didn't McSame say that?..and how does the journalist know what he meant? And why don't they know what Obama meant when he says something wrong?

[jeffp26]

I guess republicans think that if they raped and pillaged for 8 years with a first class moron in charge, they can follow up with a brain dead old warmonger.

Good luck with that in November.

[NHGranite]

Fly much?

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_11_16/ai_61361646/pg_1

[WeMustChange]

Coming soon! www.wemustchange.org

[BOb4BO]

It is stories like this about McCain that make me understand when Senator Clinton is so upset about her loss. McCain is an easy target and once the never ending fight for the nomination is over Obama is going to light him up.

[jcwtts1]

so right so right. The dem wins no matter who it is. That is why she is hanging on. The problem of course is that the down ticket races, we are leading in a Mississippi senate race for the love of mike. The rality is we could win 10 senate races, maybe even 11. But she has to get out and we need to start sending money to people.

J

[jimmy2001]

Very good points from both of you (jcwtts1 and BOb4BO) i couldn't agree more.

[pfc1369]

You libs just don't get it, do you?

Don't you understand we need to spend trillions more for the very latest submarines and war planes and all to fight those terrorists who have box cutters and god knows what all, and to flush them out of their caves?

You probably want to waste all our money on vet's benefits, health care, crumbling roads, and all other commie schemes and all like that, don't you.

[christianhypocrites]

:-)

[Repub4Obama]

Sorta like when we spent millions developing a pen that would write in space and the Russians just decided to use pencils.

[SpoxLogic]

I think I just split my sides on that one!! :-)

[TimmySlagle]

Obama has a lot of gall.

Especially since he said that the Arabic translators in Iraq would be better used in Afghanistan (where they don't speak Arabic).

[Boris]

Yes, they speak Pashtu(/) but the Al Qaeda operatives in southern Afghanistan STILL speak Arabic.

[TimmySlagle]

"Al Qaeda operatives in southern Afghanistan STILL speak Arabic.'

Not in front of the US military they don't. Unless they want to identify themselves as Al Qaeda. Which is not a really good idea if your trying to be covert.

Arabic translators in Afghanistan make as much sense as a fallen hero in the audience.

[PatCroft]

Go Barack! These conservative religious facist wacko neocons will try to spin any of their lies into the truth but we know the real truth is going to be painful.

[DanoS]

McCain is building a second narrative to accompany his already damaging "4 more years of Bush policy" which is now finally starting to stick. It's his continual lack of knowledge and facts regarding foreign policy. It"s undeniable at this point. Issue after issue Obama continues to exposing and hammering away at it. This is McCain so called strong area? The GOP's best defense is "he mispoke"?

At this rate, there should be a book's worth information exposing his lack of grasp on issues. It's amazing - for all his so called experience, it really shows he is out of touch and a weak candidate.

His condescending and arrogant defense will further sink him. We've had a president that got it wrong for 8 years. The damage will take 20 years to fix.