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

[DXM]

And if Grandpa McCain becomes President, how long will it be before he publicly slips and discloses something that threatens national security (I mean really does... not the usual BS reason used by the present Administration to cover their political and/or legal misdeeds or missteps)?

[kevenseven]

Plame has already been outed.

[kevenseven]

I'll happily donate a buckiet of piss to pour on the PUMAs and their bitter little parade.

You know, if Hill had decided to actually contest the caucuses, she might be the nominee rather than Ob ama.

Might.

[Wulfstan]

Well, I guess McCain is just hoping that Obama gets bumped off by a terrorist attack.

[kevenseven]

I that was Hill's schtick.

[ChescoMom]

Hey, they were taking notes during the Dems fight--time to put 'em to use! Presidential candidates aren't gonna a$$assinate themselves, ya know!

[ChescoMom]

That was sarcasm, folks, no death threats. :-)

[WWJD2]

Obama is not the POTUS yet. He's putting the cart before the horse. No big deal in giving out his schedule. I loved the German chancellor's refusal of not letting the Messiah speak in front of the Brandenburg gate. He just wants a photo-op.

[dct1999]

Yes, you're right. It is not a big deal to give out the schedule of a US senator who is traveling to a war zone. Do you still have the itinerary for Great Grandpa McCain's trip to the Iraqi market?

[Scarllatti]

No, he has one for Czechoslovakia!!! There are a lot of cows to milk over there but G-Gpapa is still in bed. And he is snoring out so loud. Going in to check what's wrong with him.
Gimme a minute.

[Scarllatti]

When last did you take your meds?

[DrittesReich]

You are a just STUPID! Yes, we can smell the rat in you! A McBush-azz-kisser!

[MadMoll]

And, McCain does not? Will McCain's camp publish the time and date of his leaving for Afghanistan? As a father with a son in Iraq, one would have presumed that he would understand the nature of keeping Sen.Obama's trip info close to the vest. but then, he plays CRAPS, and is looking for a PASS. Far from being a pu blicity stunt, I guess you also forgot, that there are AMERICANS, voting Americans in harm's way. Or, do you think they should only vote Republican?

[Scarllatti]

The last "messiah" you voted for is still occupying the White House and doing a heck of a job.
Talking about "messiahs". When you get tired of displaying your folly and hatred on this blog, please do us all a favor, END IT ALL.

[Plowboy]

Like Hillary said, things happen. Robert K. was assassinated. And anything can happen. One mustn't lose hope!!

[IndependentMeans]

Dementia, dementia, these are not ALL gaffes ............ the man is seriously unfit to be President.

[WWJD2]

Yes--you are right. Obama is unfit to be Pres.

[ebanks84]

No truer words have been spoken!

[9liberal]

Why is the so called liberal media giving JMac such a pass on everything. He makes one gaffe after the next and the only places you hear about it are the Huffington Post, Rachel Maddow, and Countdown with my man Keith, and we know the people who need to be reading, listening, and watching the real news are sitting at home watching fixed noise or listening to Rush. The main media outlests, ABC, NBC, and CBS really need to get on the ball with all this. JMac can't keep getting by so easily.

[DXM]

Because the "Liberal Media" is largely a right wing myth perpetuated to explain away any criticism of neocon policies to the masses of "low information" voters who blindly vote Republican at every election. The MSM is firmly in the pocket of big business interests.

[LittleSanityLeft]

No, it's because the media is interested in keeping the race close. No one finds a early blow out entertaining whether it's sports or politics. The money is in a close race and corporate media is all about the money.

[4President]

Argh, John McCain is an American Hero! Argh!

[MizLiz]

Just because you get caught and beaten up does not make you a "hero". I'm sick of this myth built up around him. Take a look at how he treated his wife. No hero.

[LiberTLover]

Then why won't he let us see his great POW record that he is running on? Curious, eh?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFM1xqqTX_g

[brighterside]

NO such thing really as the liberal media. Except maybe for democracy now. I don't even consider Keith Oberman liberal.

The rightwing controlled opinion media is the reason why McSame is getting away with everything. They hide his gaffes and paint it as a pretty picture of courage and patriotism. Yet they constantly scrutinize and talk down about O'bama.

The term liberal media is such a small minority in the MSM that I don't think they hold much power really. Thats too bad. More than 70% are considered liberal, left leaning voters. But the MSM speaks only to a smaller conservative minority as if it represents the majority. Fascism is coming to America-- and its wrapped in a flag bearing the cross.

[MaeScott]

McSame keeps taking moves out ot HRC's playbook.

Do you think hes a socialist, Barack Obama?" Helling asks. McCain responds with a with a shrug, "I don't know." Now we drop hints breaching security courtesies....reminiscent of comments made in May.

Negative campaigning drove up undesirables on both candidates, but more for the one doing the trashing. Hasn't learned that either.
Tsk, tsk.

Obama 08

[marymansour]

Who is that old fool cluing in with those details? Don't trust him as far as I can toss him.

[watcher269]

Just another republican traitor. If someone did this to his campaign they would be arrested on terrorists charges.

[booker52]

McCain is just mad because all three networks made the trip with Obama. Pissed just doesn't quiet cover it.

[IkeChicago]

Obama was in Kuwait, I think he might have changed plans and went instead to Afghanistan because of the leak. There has been a news blackout on Obama since Thursday and no one knew where he was, it turns out that he departed the US on Thursday.

Way to go Straight Talking John, leak Obama's info to the terrorist.

[SpoxLogic]

Exactly. McCain knows better. Unforgiveable!

[gladys46]

This is serious!! I'm really amazed at MSM giving McFloppedFool a senior citizen's pass on such an important event in America's history ... the election of a much needed, competent POTUS!

I'm not about abusing the elderly, however, there comes a time when one must take the keys of the auto away ... in the best interest of America!!

[HopeandChange]

Why does Obama need security, I thought everyone loves him?

[VOTER]

MCCAIN = BUSH

They may NOT LOOK ALIKE

BUT

They DO "THINK" AND "TALK" ALIKE.

VOTE FOR OBAMA!

[LMT]

Just another example, in a very long line of recent examples, of how McBush does not have the judgment to be president and how the Doubletalk Express has an ongoing double standard!

[ThunderclapNewman]

Double standards are very mavericky, aren't they?

[LMT]

Well...double the pleasure, double the fun.

McBush is so fun I can hardly stand it!

[Daly]

been flying like that every since that impressive 5th from bottom of class landed his silly Arse in his own 5 planes above more qualified men.