Lieberman: Obama Couldn't Go To Iraq If It Wasn't For McCain

ABC News:

"Look, the fact is that if Barack Obama's policy on Iraq had been implemented, Barack Obama couldn't go to Iraq today, it wouldn't be safe," Sen. Joe Lieberman, Ind-Conn., told Chris Wallace this morning on "Fox News Sunday."

"Barack Obama, John McCain saw the same difficulty in Iraq," Lieberman argued, "John McCain had the guts to argue against public opinion, to put his whole campaign on the line because, as he says, he'd rather lose an election than lose a war that he thinks is this important to the United States..."

Lieberman continued: "Sen. McCain and I and others want us out of Iraq, sooner rather than later, but want us out in a way that does not compromise all the gains that American and Iraqi forces have made in Iraq ... And frankly, we want to stay there to a victory, because we don't want all those who have served in the American uniform there to have served, or in some cases died, in vain. Remember this, Chris, we wouldn't be having this discussion about how to get out unless the surge, which John McCain courageously fought for, taking on the president of his own party, popular opinion, risking his campaign, and which Sen. Obama opposed, worked. So, that's the good news."

Read the whole story: ABC News

Comments

[SouthpawSass]

By Faiz on Aug 20th, 2007 at 10:32 am

With victory in Iraq all but certain, U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman said Tuesday the United States should use what he called “very aggressive diplomacy” to handle Syria and other countries suspected of harboring terrorists.

“I certainly hope military action won’t be necessary against Syria,” Lieberman said. “I would guess that it will not be, and part of the reason it will not be is because we were willing to use our power in Iraq and made a very strong point there.” [AP, 4/15/03]

UPDATE: A McClatchy analysis demonstrates that Syria is not a major exporter of violence to Iraq. Looking at the origins of the suicide bombers in Iraq since 2003, only 8 came from Syria, compared to 53 from Saudi Arabia.


http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/20/lieberman-syria-iraq/

[lapdogs]

Is this the same GI JOE who said everything was great in Iraq and how he could walk down the streets with no fear - because he had about one hundred soldiers surrounding him, snipers on the rooftops and cobra / blackhawk helicopters flying overhead???

That GI Joe??

[MizLiz]

When is this nasty turncoat going to be kicked out of the Democratic party?

[TrevorAlan]

Does he just feel painted into a corner by his past support or does he not see he is bailing water on the Titantic?

[WFV]

And to think I used to like this guy. It is amazing what happens to people, isn't it?

[tellinya]

...but now I really feel good hating him. It sorta feels natural.

[Ariadne]

A new slogan: No mo Joe

[Wood]

Ditto!

[jinjinpinti]

Or: No mo Joe and No to McFoMo!

[JustDealWithIt]

Ok, for the sake of argument, let's agree that McCain was correct on the surge strategy (although he was not responsible for the development and implementation of the strategy- hardly an original thinker- check out this blog post from last week http://www.huffingtonpost.com/janet-ritz/credit-where-it-is-due-hr_b_113202.html)

When was the last time McCain was in Afghanistan to check out the conditions on the ground there since we are all now in agreement (suddenly) that the fight against Al- Qaeda in Afghanistan has been mishandled and largely ignored? Shouldn't he be taking his own advice about assessing the situation up close before developing strategy?

[SeanGardner]

"...if Barack Obama's policy on Iraq had been implemented, Barack Obama couldn't go to Iraq today, it wouldn't be safe,"

Very curious language from good ole' Joe. He had the word "if" in his declaration.

Ok, so he wants to play the "if" game. Cool.

(1) "IF" McCain and LIeberman had not voted for the war in the first place, we wouldn't be over in Iraq

(2) "IF" McCain and Lieberman had listened to Obama when he was a candidate for the U.S> Senate, we might not be in this mess right now. Click here for Obama's riveting October 2002 addreess about Iraq that gets it right on all counts: http://www.barackobama.com/2002/10/02/remarks_of_illinois_state_sen.php

We can IF, and IF, and IF our way into to eternity.

The fact remains: McCain is the wrong candidate, and Barack is the right candidate.

[BBackSoon]

‘IF’ my aunt had balls she would be my uncle.

[Cedman]

Can we send him on a fact finding mission in the mountains of Pakistan? The Dems need yo kick his azz to the curb yesterday.

[Triciann]

Lieberman is desperate. He is just left with the surge. It has certainly done some good BUT other plans of action may have proved equally or even more successful. We will never know. Not going to Iraq in the first place still remains the obvious choice. When Barack Obama takes office in January he will know exactly what he wants from his commanders on the ground. Their input will be extrememly useful but of course they will each be concentrating on their bit of the war on terror (mainly Iraq versus Afghanistan). Obama with his cabinet will have to, and should, direct the overall policy.

[wbwbruce]

Someone should bring up the fact that the US is paying off the Sunni Militias and that Sadr has called a cease fire if not for that, this surge would have accomplished SQUAT.

[Cy08]

WHAT? WHAT? ..........­..........­......... Joe go home.

[HadEnoughCrap]

Yeah and if Lieberman knew what he was talking about he'd be the presumptive nominee right now. Always remember that this man could've been running for president - that's the one and only good thing about Gore losing. Lieberman showed his colors during the Florida vote count and hasn't changed since.