McCain Backs Away From Toughest Hit On Obama ... Or Maybe Not! [Updated]

***UPDATED BELOW***

Earlier this week, when John McCain said "it seems to me that Senator Obama would rather lose a war in order to win a political campaign," Time's Joe Klein called the political hit "as intemperate a personal attack as I've ever heard a major-party candidate make in a presidential campaign."

In response, Obama himself told NBC's Brian Williams:

Yeah, I-- I was disappointed by that language. You know, John McCain and I disagree on policy. You know, we disagreed on going into the war in Iraq. We disagreed, until recently, about the need to get more troops into Afghanistan. But I've never questioned-- that he wants to make America safer. And for him to suggest that I don't-- for him to suggest that somehow -- I'm less concerned about the safety of my wife and daughter-- than he is I think -- was -- was unfortunate.

So is McCain now backing away from directly impugning Obama's desire to keep America safe? Judging from prepared remarks emailed to reporters ahead of the Arizona Republican's speech to the American GI forum Friday afternoon, it would appear so. The closest his speech comes to that previous line of attack is when it declares: "He [Obama] would choose to lose in Iraq in hopes of winning in Afghanistan. But had his position been adopted, we would have lost both wars."

Of course it's unlikely that Obama would see his preference to re-focus on Afghanistan as choosing to "lose" in Iraq. But at least McCain is now framing Obama's position as a balance of priorities as opposed to an out and out desire to fail the country as a way to reap some political benefit. So while McCain is still prepared to go after Obama's symbolic vote to cut off troop funding and his stated opposition to the surge, it appears he may have realized that a frontal assault on Obama's wish for America to succeed is counter-productive.

2:05 PM UPDATE: Perhaps we spoke too soon. CNN reports that John McCain defended his previous attack on Obama during an interview with Wolf Blitzer that will air later this afternoon.

"I am accusing, I am stating the facts. The facts are that I don't question Sen. Obama's patriotism. I'm sure that he's a very patriotic American," he said in an interview from Denver, Colorado, where is making a speech and will later meet with the Dalai Lama.

"I question his judgment because he lacks experience and knowledge, and I questioned his judgment. ... Sen. Obama just views this war as another political issue, which he can change positions," McCain said.

Stay tuned.

Comments

[oogabooga]

The Republic Party types like Rove and McCain, Cheney, ad nauseum, are such vile slimewads, it's just breathtaking.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

Well, there's no doubt mc-lame would tell ANY lie necessary - to win an election.

[azcamp]

McCain is learning that he can not draw Obama into a reckless fire fight. Senator Obama used a reasonable tone and clear statement to point out that McCain was just being crabby.

Age should not be an issue in this election. There are lots of 70-year old men who can think clearly, speak rationally and lead with competence. McCain is proving that he is not one of them.

[joeyp404]

O responds to questions in a parental tone. It's actuall off-putting in it's own perfect way.

[american2008]

Hey numb-nut, re-read your post, after you stop laughing at how stupid you sound, leave.

[schicklett3]

John McCain is NOT backing down from his comment - just watch his interview on the situation room with wolf blitzer Friday afternoon on CNN. McCain clearly states and upholds his comment and goes on to say that Obama is basically incompetent.

John McCain is demented.

[AFPISCES]

Who better to spot incompetence than the incompetent?

[DWP]

How can someone who cannot define win or lose accuse someone of wanting to lose. What does that even mean? It not only sounds mean and beneath McCain, but it also sounds like someone who does not have a grasp of program management. For example, define your terms.

[PumaAnn]

Obama bought this criticism fair and square. He made his anti-war speech, which nobody can find, the centerpiece of his primary campaign.

He has to answer now.

[faretheewell]

It is unfortunate that McCain is going to allow his pathetic attempt to become president to sully what has fundamentally been an honorable life of public service. While I have frequently disagreed with him on policy, I have always thought him a person of character. He is undermining that assumption on a daily basis of late.

[patrickgarret]

Blind patriotism. Ahhh isn't it wonderful. 10 billion a month or more sinking our economy, enraging the middle East, losing site of Afghanistan. What a success. And 8 years of Republican economics. Once again, middle America having no clue. Why your states fail economically as well. Always voting against your best interests! Good job!

[Mayoyo]

He knows thre are a lot veterans for Obama...
He may worry about questions reagrding this comment at the forum if any.

[ohnoyoudidnot!]

Rather than allowing the press to view his medical records in a very short amt of time, I would want McCain (Obama, too - why not?) Submit to an exam by a doctor qualified to diagnose Alzheimer's.

Seriously, don't we get to kick the tires before we buy?

[4wehttam]

If somehow McWorse wins this thing, it will be a sad sad sad day in America. It will go to show that we'd rather have a 3rd term Bush then elect an intelligent, new, young black man. McBush has made to many foreign and domestic gaffes to be taken seriously.

[4President]

Alas, He double downs on the statement just this morning! How can you have a decent debate with people who would call you a traitor for taking a different position than them on a matter such as the IRAQ WAR? As if those who'd like to see it's end are unpatriotic. Oh, wait, Sen. McCain wants it to end too. Just when no one is clear, especially himself.

[Killjoy]

I almost feel sorry for McHUH? He has no one in his party that have a scrap of common sense to aid him. The shameful part about it is common sense is suppose to be common to everyone.

[gladys46]

I had that fleeting pity thought too ... that's gone!! Not only has Mc run a very meanspirited campaign, he's used some stinky, dirty tricks!!

Now, his operatives attempt to incite public suspicion of O's 20 yr old college thesis!!! BTW, O's prof. gave him an "A"!!

Mc doesn't know where he's going ... nor where he's been ... his cognitive skills are dimed!

[mesmerize]

I was thinking the same thing this morning. There are so many book smart people, but if you do not have any commonsense what's the use.

[the964kid]

McCain's criticism would mean more if the Bush administration and the Iraqi government did not AGREE WITH OBAMA - but they do. Obama's 16 month timeline is now the official policy as adapted by Al Malaki and Bush. Furthermore the plan to send more troops to Afghanistan is Obama's idea that now, again, Bush and McCain have finally come around to.

[shel3364]

He's obviously getting frustrated and its showing. If he can't handle the pressures of a campaign, its doubtful he could handle the pressures of the Oval Office.


How these folks run their respective campaigns and conduct themselves through the election process is as telling as their position on the issues. There's so much more to being presidential than standing next to some big shot.

O has impressed me beyond words in this capacity.