McCain Leaks Details Of Obama's Iraq Trip

Reuters reports that McCain shared details of Obama's trip to Iraq at a fundraiser:

Republican presidential candidate John McCain said on Friday that his Democratic opponent, Barack Obama, is likely to be in Iraq over the weekend.

The Obama campaign has tried to cloak the Illinois senator's trip in some measure of secrecy for security reasons. The White House, State Department and Pentagon do not announce senior officials' visits to Iraq in advance.

"I believe that either today or tomorrow -- and I'm not privy to his schedule -- Sen. Obama will be landing in Iraq with some other senators" who make up a congressional delegation, McCain told a campaign fund-raising luncheon.

Josh Marshall points out that there's something very wrong with this:

The Reuters piece hints at it. But if Obama is going to be in Iraq this weekend, this is a major breach on McCain's part. As a knowledgeable insider notes ...

"If it is true that Obama is going to Iraq this weekend, it is a very serious mistake for McCain to have disclosed it publicly. Even for run-of-the-mill CODELs the military gives guidance like, "Please strongly discourage Congressional offices from issuing press releases prior to their trips which mention their intent to travel to the AOR and/or the dates of that travel or their scheduled meetings. Such releases are a serious compromise to OPSEC." If Obama is going to Iraq this weekend, I can not begin to imagine how much this is complicating the security planning for the trip."

It's known that Obama is leaving on his foreign trip this weekend and the Journal OpEd page this morning said that Obama could arrive in Iraq "as early as this weekend." And with a slew of reporters in tow, it's not exactly highly classified information. But there is a reason definite information about these sorts of trips aren't released in advance.

Hypothetically, maybe McCain was just guessing. But even so it would still be a serious lapse of judgment on his part.

In fact, McCain was furious when the press reported on his son serving in Iraq -- he feared the coverage would make him a target.

Comments

[JonW]

Another senior moment or over aid to the terrorists?

[4wehttam]

So I guess he's not going to be taken to task for this one bit. The only person that brought this up on tv was Keith................surprise, surprise. The MSM is a joke!

[beboy]

I don't recall any secrecy about McCains last visit to Iraq. Maybe Sen. Obama is afraid the situation is as bad as he always says it is. Oh well, onward and upward into a bigger, better war in Afghanistan. Is it still too late to bring back a real anti-war candidate like Dennis Kucinich?

[azcamp]

Please let your son know how deeply we respect his service and that we pray for his safe return.

[soundfury]

Yes we respect the son, but the father leaves a lot to be desired. How can he be so lame-brained?

[FrictionSoul]

Because John McCain's dad was a military leader in Vietnam while John was a POW. There was nothing the senior McCain could do about his son. It's learned helplessness/cluelessness. The McCains refuse, generationally, to learn anything from their fathers.

[disgusted48]

You should extend that to prayer to every son and daughter in Iraq and Afganistan. There are no special sons and daughters by virtue of status or wealth, they are all special.

[JiminNC]

And tell us again, exactly where the lad is stationed?

[roshni]

And when he expects to be where? That's right, you had a blue fit when his plans were made public!

[WFV]

Maybe 'Mr. Experience' forgot how things work when someone's security is at risk.

[WWJD2]

I just mailed back Barry's campaign's request for a donation. Amount donated $0.
PUMA in 08 ! The movement is growing.

[Scarllatti]

At least it cost you a postage stamp to do that or at least you are "sensible" enough to remember to mail it back. That shows how intelligent you are. keep it up!!

PUMA= Pee Up My A$$$. You are indeed spending your money wisely. Eemm, what about your meds? Any chance of taking them soon?

[WWJD2]

No the envelope was prestamped by the Obama campaign. They ate the cost.

[WFV]

Pathetic. Grow up.

[beboy]

Postage paid envelope, I hope.

[wanj]

Your previous posts summarize you very well... you're a bitter and miserable person, online and in person.

[SpoxLogic]

And we should care...why?

[ClassyT]

It's is disappointing and sad that a former POW would stoop to such a level. For a person who is suppose to UNDERSTAND war and the effects of war, this didn't lend credibility to his ability to be commander in chief. Can't you just see him at a press conference giving the enemy details of the U.S plans while he is having yet another senior moment.

How can anyone in their right mind really be supporting him? THE POLLS LIE!!!!

[dora rice]

OUR SON JUST SHOOK OBAMA'S HAND IN AFGHANISTAN. OUR SON WAS IMPRESSED WHAT ENERIGY THIS GUY HAS AFTER HIS LONG TRIP. OTHER THAN THAT I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING. WTG OBAMA, MAYBE I HAVE TO CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT HIM, ONE THING IS SURE, THIS GUY HAS ENERGY .AND IS ON THE BALL.

[NickNas]

Hope your son gets home safe. I was very lucky. Mine is home now.

[jafahr]

i hope your son will soon return safely home. unless you really like the way things have been going the last 7.5 years, i hope that you will try to keep an open mind and evaluate the candidates critically.

[wanj]

I too wish your son well! He's a brave man... I hope he took a pic w/ Obama or are they not allowed to do that?

Obama '08

[gregjones]

Much Luv and thanks to your son. Hope he's home soon.

Greg J.
B4B

[ebanks84]

Bless your heart. So glad that your son is ok and was able to meet Obama. I hope he took pictures to bring you a real treat. I will pray for your son that he returns hom eto you in one piece. Keep the faith.

[wanj]

I might get a smacking for saying this but drudgereport to me is one of the few sites that have actually reported on this mcBigMouth leak. I bet you Drudge is a closet Obamacan.... you

[runnerin1]

I don't recall seeing it on Drudge.

[runnerin1]

Oops, Drudge reported it today.

[LiberTLover]

Since when did reporting the truth indicate a bias?

[Gezina]

This is unforgivable! This is another in a long and lengthening line of incorrect/indiscreet missteps by a man who is no longer in charge of all his abilities. Add this to his votes against Martin Luther King holiday, women's right to choose, GI bill etc and I will be shocked if this election isn't a landslide for Obama.

[LiberTLover]

Yes, the one thing McLooselips leaves out when telling AAs how he changed his mind on MLK's holiday in AZ was that they had lost hosting the Superbowl because of it, and wanted to host it and get all those Superbowl $$, so they passed it lickety split. Good on the NFL for holding their ground too! McLiar is so full of it.

[4President]

I don't expect Huff bloggers to be sympathizers and apologists for Mr. McCain:

A serious lapse in judgement?

I know the coverage has been minimal, but haven't you been paying attention to his campaign? This is par for the course. John McCain has horrible judgment - and I wouldn't be surprised if it were done purposely... it's only July, anything can happen between now and....!

[ebanks84]

Egads and gadzooks! Perish the thought, but I know both he and h illary might have the same hopes, but our hopes and prayers are stronger than their's I'm sure. Good hopes opens up a can of "whup a.ss" on evil hopes every time.

[BillN]

If it had been one of us who compromised Obama's security (he IS under Secret Service protection), we would be in jail right now - accidental or not.

[neesy08]

He must have gotten this report from the same people who said Saddam has WMD. Obama is in Afghanistan, in Kabul.

[dora rice]

OUR SON JUST SHOOK OBAMA'S HAND IN AFGHANISTAN. HE SAID THIS MAN HAS ENERGY. COMING FROM A LONG TRIP AND STILL GOING STRONG. THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY. MAYBE I HAVE TO CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT THE GUY. WOW. OUR SON SAID HE IS FRIENDLY TOO. WOW. WTG OBAMA.

[bish66]

Since it is known that Obama is in Afghanistan, it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that his next stop will be Iraq and that this will happen in a relatively short time.

To construct a gaffe or anything sinister out of McCain's statements is farfetched and ridiculous. Talk about silly season...

[NickNas]

If you were even CLOSE to correct I could agree with you BUT. As usual people mouth off without the FACTS!

He leaked the information BEFORE it was made PUBLIC Einstein!

[DShawn233]

LOL.. McGaffeAlot, he has discovered the theory of Winning Wars. He "Knows how to do that."

[Coinyer101]

i wonder how chuck hagel feels about mccain's threat to his security?

[Seattlelite]

"To construct a gaffe or anything sinister out of McCain's statements is farfetched and ridiculous".

Yep, that's exactly what he wanted you to think.

[Ibackobama]

What is riduculous is that you do not know he leaked this information 'before' whilst Sen O was in en route. And what is not confirmed is rumors that he was headed for Iraq first but they had to detour due to the leak. M Cain knows better!

A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

[cassiegirl]

Concerning this very troubling report I've just read one has to believe that Jane Fonda is an advisor. This is shameful.......................

[Joeblue]

I'm a Viet Vet and I forgave Jane along time ago, you should let it go.

[Heru1]

McBush would like to put Obama in harms way. Unfortunately for Cain, Obama outfoxed the old devil. Cain never imagined Obama would go to Afghanistan first LOL

[antworks]

There seems to be a lot of people acting as if they've experienced a moment of "lack of judgment" when it comes to this presidential candidate. Senator McCain should have known better, I agree. With all the legislative experience he has, Mr. McCain is well aware of the security needs of politicians when traveling abroad. Are these people thinking or just reacting? Beyond having said that, it's hard to place any real sinister intent upon his lapse. It only makes one wonder, "what's going on, here, dude?".

[ebanks84]

Lapse did you say? That lapse has turned into a lingering!