McCain: World War III Would Justify Draft

John McCain said last night during a campaign tele-conference that he would bring back a military draft in the United States only in the case of a 'World War III' scenario.

Reuters reported:

Many Americans are fearful the U.S. government will be forced to reinstitute the draft given the prolonged Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Asked about that possibility by a potential voter in Florida during a telephone "town hall meeting," McCain said: "I don't know what would make a draft happen unless we were in an all-out World War III." ...

McCain, a Vietnam veteran, said the draft during that conflict weighed most heavily on lower-income Americans, and that this should not be repeated.

But McCain may be more open to the draft than it seems. During a July 2006 interview on CNN, McCain was asked about the following statement by Newt Gingrich: "We're in the early stages of what I would describes as the Third World War and, frankly, our bureaucracies aren't responding fast enough." Asked whether he agreed, McCain said:

"I do to some extent. I think it's important to recognize that we have terrorist organizations which -- who are dangerous by themselves, are now being supported by radical Islamic governments, i.e., the Iranians, which makes them incredibly more dangerous because they are trained, equipped, motivated and assisted in every way by the Iranians."

Also, as ThinkProgress noted, "Last October, President Bush himself warned of a coming 'World War III' with Iran. 'I've told people that if you're interested in avoiding World War III,' said the President. 'It seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from have the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon.'"

Comments

[NotWaldo]

If you are selling security,

you have to make sure people feel insecure.

[peterdangit]

If you are selling security, you better have people buying it

[MajorKong]

A real World War III would have to be fought between the "great powers". Such a conflict would likely go nuclear in a matter of days. It would all be over (and in a very bad way) long before a draft ever got started.

[JimR]

Not necessarily. The concept of mutually assured destruction might prevail.

[MajorKong]

Every major exercise I ever took part in went nuclear on day 2 or 3.

As soon as one side started losing it would be very hard to resist the temptation to use nuclear weapons.

[midtown]

Please. Bring on the draft. Right now. As soon as you can. And make it apply to men and women from 18 to 45.

Then watch this populace rise up against these warmongers. Gingrich and McCain better buy Apple laptops ASAP and learn what they're up against.

Gingrich: "We're in the early stages of what I would describes as the Third World War and, frankly, our bureaucracies aren't responding fast enough."

What effing planet is he on? He stills thinks like some 20th C pol who thinks his baton can change the world.

If you want to get a grasp on this new world, read Huffington Post contributor Al Giordano's latest today about this changing world-view -- and how Alinsky influenced both Clinton and Obama -- on Giordano's The Field site here:
http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/

[Trittydi]

Regarding your query on Gingrich? Yes.
*

[kameleon75515]

Just found the clip of him saying it.

I am struck by the fact that he is the only candidate who is emphasizing the importance of national service whereas the other candidates have been talking about community volunteering.

There is a difference between the two. Community volunteering does not involve military service and l do not trust McCain.

There is always a possibility that he could turn this into the draft.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NQjTWyUTFI&feature=related

[Scalie]

McCain is scary, spooky and shocking in his thought process in the direction he wants to take America. He's talking WWIII, and Americans are talking foreclosure, our jobs, oil prices, wounded soilders, etc. This man is not about progression but recession.

[truthynesslover]

The republican know everything is going down the tubes so they need to get as many young men over seas as possible to keep the revolt from ever happening.Just a thought!

[Trittydi]

Thanks for this. Sent it to my kids - told them to pass it on.
*

[Ray46]

If we go to war with Iran we will need to draft about 1 million people to get the 625,000 combat troops that will be needed.

Iraq costs 500 million dollars per day.
Iran has 2.5 times the population of Iraq. A war with Iran would require an additional (2.5x500 million dollars/day)=1.250 Billion dollars/day. 2.5x(250,000 combat troops in Iraq)= 625,000 additional combat troops for Iran. We will probably need to draft 625,000 to 1,000,000 troops not to mention the new hardware we will need for supporting these additional troops.

I suspect a war with Iran in addition to the existing Iraq, and Afghanistan wars would break the US economy.
Gas increases to over $8/gallon
Dollar falls to 3 or more U.S. dollars = 1 Euro
Much higher potential retaliatory nuclear attack on US troops in the Middle East or a nuclear attack on the US using bombs sneaked into this country or on ships located in US harbors.

[Garvagh]

If the Bush administration is so foolish as to encourage an Israeli air-strike on Iran, and Iran reacts by closing the Straight of Hormuz, oil will go to $250 a barrel or even $ 300, thus producing a global economic crisis approaching the first dimension.

Wouldn't it make more sense for Israel to end the occupation of the West Bank and the Golan Heights? How many trillions of dollars should the US taxpayer fork out, to allow Zionist expansionism to go unchecked?

[jneems]

Back in 2005, the U.S. military was already using between 10 million and 11 million barrels of fuel each month to sustain operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere. I read that it was the 3rd largest cost of this war. The price and scarcity of oil is going to overwhelm the system there as more troops are brought in. And then there is the whole process of registering and training and outfitting and housing and feeding and medical care for so many new soldiers. A lot of bases near me have been closed for decades. Where will the money come from to rebuild them?

McCain is talking about a WORLD WAR. I say, nonsense. Pure fear-mongering. In such a case, it wouldn't be so much Iraq or Iran, but China and Russia we would need to worry about. Together, these countries have the ability to crush us economically without firing a shot.

If our fragile economy doesn't collapse on its own, first.

[JackG]

You're wrong
We will "accomplish the mission" in no time, with very little loss of life, the Iranians will greet us as liberators, shower us with flowers, Iran will become an instant democracy and the rest of the middle east will follow the example. The oil revenues will more than pay the cost of the war and balance our budget, proving the effectiveness of supply-side economics. We will finally eliminate Al-Quada, which was in league with Iran on 9/11. And it will all have been accomplished in consultation with God.

[Scalie]

AMEN!!! And we, Americans bought it then and will buy it again if scary old Cane wins the presidency.

[nastyvirus]

Hmmm....that sounds mighty familiar!

[truthynesslover]

But isnt that what thry want?They dont believe in social security or medicare and the baby boomers are about to retire.They dont believe in workers rights or pensions.They like their new BFFs china where they can pollute and abuse the workers without any prissy laws getting in their way.Thats their new economic dream.They have sold out this country and their not looking back!

[Sarastro]

A mandatory 'national service' period of two years after high school serves several purposes. It readies young people for college with some maturing experiences. It creates a sense of enfranchisement in their country. If it crosses all divisions - race, gender, religion, money - it unifies us in purpose and identity as a nation. This is a no-brainer method to really compete in the global economy and work toward resolving many other issues.

[RealityBeatsDenial]

Uhhhh ..... You fail to specify what tasks that "national service period" would entail.

Those specifics are kind of important in determining what values are being applied as "it unifies us in purpose and identity as a nation."

Going to war upon direction of crazy, warmongering, profiteering leaders? NO THANKS.

[SwamiBarmi]

"A mandatory 'national service' period of two years "

is slavery. Screw you, McCain, and anyone else who advocates this abomination against liberty.

[scornflakes]

Well, at least we know when WWIII is going to happen. Great seats are still available!

[only1Demvoter]

I gotta check the noon news for local fire updates.


Back in a few. -ralph

[kameleon75515]

I knew it!

During his 2013 speech in which he was trying to envision what the US and foreign relations would be like under his command he emphasised the importance of national service. That more young people need to volunteer for the good of their country.

He delivered the speech in such a way that it could easily fly under the radar and most people would not notice.

If he is made president, he will ensure that the draft is brought back in order to make sure that there is victory in Iraq and or Iran by 2013.

Anyone who criticises him, he will accuse them of not loving their country. Probably throw them in jail.

[JohnTalbutt]

Right on! But I don't think he can get to 2013 without the fascism you envision. Make no mistake the NeoCons are trying to get us there as fast as their tiny conniving brains can work.

[novowel4me]

Whew, evidently this isn't a war for our survival after all. When does McCain propose to fire the mercenaries since we do not need them?

[Researchguy66]

Ooooooh...be afraid. Be very afraid! Forget that the Dems were the only ones in the recent past to support a draft (Char'lie Ra-ngle). Oooooh...the bogeyman, ooooohhh!

[WLA]

Know why?

[VolvoBirkenstock]

Researchguy never does research.

[soupson52]

Yes. Do you? Everyone has to go who is of the right age. No exceptions based on income or more important priorities.

[tchristin]

Rather than a draft... a mandatory 2 years of public service either through military, peace corps or americorps. It would do our country a world of good to force our citizens to participate. Those who have money need to see those who don't and those who don't need to contribute in some way. There is nothing wrong with public or military service. A draft with loopholes for rich kids.. no.

[libertyreturns]

Our country is founded on the principles of FREEDOM not force. It's hard to believe people actually think the way you do.

[JimR]

Ever hear the expression "freedom ain't free"?

[Jason357]

It's sad that government has to babysit people who refuse to contribute any effort, but still lap up all the goodies. There is no freedom to freeload.

[lornejl]

There are still millions of people around the world that haven't given up on the U.S.
Lets put an end to that.
McThirdTerm / 08

[RealityBeatsDenial]

(OK HuffPo Mods ..... WHAT is going on today? Crazy kickbacks and stuff lost into the ethers!! This one is for THIS story!)

Don't think for a minute that the young people of this country (may include those up to the age of 50, the way things have been going) - or the sane majority - are going to stand for that one!

"Anti-war protests" and "conscientious objectors" wouldn't begin to describe the outpouring into the streets and the ensuing melee.

The government and law enforcement officers would have to be commandeering Hummers from housewives to run down all the protesters on the streets. (Hmm - importing more from China than baby food?) And hell – all the National Guard are in Iraq.

Yep - a revolution in the 21st Century to stand out in the history books.

Use your sense .... Vote Obama '08 ..... Skip the continuation of all this craziness .... and "inquire" of your DC reps how this can be averted now (since November - or January - aren't here yet!).

[WLA]

Perhaps they will wait until they roll out that gear they now have to microwave protesters.

[MemphisBuffalo]

We have a draft already in use. It is called Stop Loss. No need to draft when you can buy soldiers from Black Water.