McCain: Hagel "Wrong" On Iraq But I'm Glad He's Going With Obama

McCain was peppered with questions about Hagel while campaigning in Nebraska Wednesday evening.

Speaking to reporters after meeting workers a trucking company, McCain again called it "remarkable" that Obama would give a major policy speech on Iraq and Afghanistan without first traveling to those countries or consulting with Gen. David Petraeus.

The presumptive nominee said he is "pleased" that Obama will be accompanied by Hagel, "who has military experience, who has knowledge of these issues."

"Senator Hagel is wrong," McCain said. But, he added: "Senator Hagel has visited Iraq. Senator Hagel has made an informed decision. Senator Hagel, although I disagree with some of his conclusions, the fact is that Senator Obama has never examined the issue carefully, at least from the standpoint of sitting down and discussing the situation with the commanding officer on the ground."

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[luvangelHussein330]

Chuck Hagle is ours Mcflightsuit....you can't have em'!

[Edmonsky]

It is most telling that McCain could make snide remarks about Senator Hegel; a man that is intellectually superior to him in logic and depth. It goes to validate the reason why McCain graduated from the Navy Academy near the bottom of his class.

If John McCain were to have gravitas on foreign policy as being bandied around, he would have reconciled in his mind why US has always refused to contribute troops to peace-keeping operation in the Middle-East after 1983 Marine barrack bombing in Beirut, Lebanon.

[LittleSanityLeft]

The presumptive nominee said he is "pleased" that Obama will be accompanied by Hagel, "who has military experience, who has knowledge of these issues."

Ok, that doesn't make any sense. Obama is wrong on his foriegn policy decision as far as Iraq goes because he hasn't talked to folks on the ground. Yet McCain says Hagel is well informed on these same issues, though completely wrong on the issues. Ergo, according to McCain whether Obama goes to Iraq or not he's wrong on the issues, unless he comes back and agrees with McCain, in which case it's a flip-flop.

Why isn't such political slight of hand called out for exactly what it is? Is the MSM so simple that they can't see it for what it is or are they just plain old cowards unwilling to call McCain on on his flim-flam artistry. I'm guessing it's a fine mix of both.

[GuyFawkes]

The real question is: what's McCain doing campaigning in Nebraska???

[inthenitemare]

Why hasn't HuffPost posted my comment to JackND yet? There was absolutely nothing wrong with it!

It's quite annoying, and it happens alot!

[rabbi79]

"John McCain said he's pleased Chuck Hagel is accompanying Barack Obama to the Middle East because the Nebraska senator " although "wrong" on Iraq " has military experience and has made "an informed decision" about the war."

It would have been great if McCain would have made an "informed decision" before voting for us to ignore bin laden and invade Iraq. Wasn't there an intelligence report released before the Iraq vote saying Iraq didn't have WMDs and was not a threat to us (i could be mistaken)?

[TrueIndy08]

its funny that Obama has never been to Afghanistan but he said a long long time ago... when all of the GOP idiots were saying the Taliban was gone forever...

that the Taliban was stronger than ever bc we neglected Afghanistan and instead went to into an illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq...

Thats funny Sen McCain... how do you explain that??? First you said Afghanistan was not falling to pieces... but now you want one up Obama and send 3 brigades there??? WHY????

[luvangelHussein330]

Obama has been to Afghanistan.....get your factrs straight...it was his first year in the senate

[Viper]

Obama has been to iraq, just not recently.


Does McCain think his scripted tours with an armed force and a guarded trip to the Green Zone is meaningful? really?

Regards

[lincat]

How many times can you say that McCain is an idiot. I guess every day until the election.

[jeffp26]

McCloneBush is the one who is wrong on iraq, and all wars. I wish we were trading him for prisoners in Afghanistan.

[mnash]

Wow!!!! McCain thinks Hagel is wrong but glad he is going with Obama??? Perhaps McCain should take Hagel with him when he talks about countries that no longer exist???? I have no idea why McCain escapes with all the blunders he is making. I think everyone should be scared as hell if this guy is our next president!!!!

[independent32955]

In this age of modern technology, video conferencing, et al, mr. mccain seems to think the ONLY way one can stay informed about a situation is to physically go to the place.

That said, when was the last time BUSH went to Iraq? Mr. bush is responsible for ALL the decisions that are being made and he's made what 3 trips to the region? all of which were photo-ops over holidays to show his solidarity for the troops? Mccain should apply his standard equally and if so, I think he'll realize that bush is the most uninformed CiC in our modern history.

But alas, one CAN be informed and well informed it seems using technology , unfortunately the presumptive GOP candidate doesn't GET technology ... a very scary proposition for a president in the 21st century.

[Zhonni]

Nice post. You need to post your first sentence(only) again with video conferencing in caps. Quite frankly, I never really thought about it in those terms.

McCain and his camp also keep spewing the lie that Obama hasn't talked to Gen. Petraeus, well, he has.

[Daly]

Bingo

[SKonnery]

That is because John McBush takes pride in the fact that he doesn't know how to turn on a computer.

[margotb822]

And, I would add that McCain's visits were hardly representative of the situation in Iraq, given that he had a company of Marines plus two helos escorting him to the market. Ha! He could barely see Iraq through the throngs of soldiers protecting him. So, his two days in country somehow make him an expert?

Not a chance! I would rather see a CIC who knows how to use the chain of command and modern technology.

[marymansour]

I am delighted that the the true 'maverick' in the Republican party is going to accompany Obama to Iraq. I have a lot of respect for Chuck Hagel and know he must see much in the marvelous Obama to be admired. I, for one, think this overseas junket is going to be a success beyond belief. I can't wait.

[crossoverwriter]

Go Obama and Hagel,
and godspeed.
Obama '08

[Tom95134]

Is Chuck Hagel on Obama's "short list"? He has nothing to loose since he's not standing for re-election.

My, wouldn't that shake up the Republicans?

[luvangelHussein330]

Shake up is putting it mildly...they are shaken up over this job interview...eh..I mean...overseas tour. The GOP heads along with the right wing talking pundits heads will explode should Obama chose him as VP.... Some dems might froth at the mouth, but they will get over it

[mannemalon]

Someone please eviscerate this laughable argument by the GOP. "Since you don't know the conditions on the ground, you can't define the overall strategy, which has little to do with conditions on the ground". Obama's position is a winner. He says he wants to end the war, but will not do so precipitously, and will listen to commanders on the ground to execute that task.

You don't listen to commanders on the ground to define your military strategy. That's why they call you Commander In Chief. Someone inform these idiots that the so-called Military party (GOP) is letting Generals define their strategy ... and tell the public that this exposes why these fools are NOT fit to be Commander in Chief. CIC sets the overarching strategy, Commanders execute it.

[SKonnery]

Generals only get to define the strategy if it's the one that they agree with. Look at all the generals that are no longer active duty because of this policy. We might not be in this mess if they listened to the generals.

[macintoshsauce]

McCain wishes he was as intelligent as Hagel.

[Mayoyo]

Can someone shut McSame up.
Hagel: you're the man!!!