Flashback: McCain Was "Outspoken" Musharraf Supporter

Reacting to news of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's resignation on Monday, John McCain put out a statement that described the breaking news development as "a step toward moving Pakistan onto a more stable political footing."

The tepid-sounding nature of those comments stems from the fact that McCain was never eager to see Musharraf fall.

As recently as February, the Washington Post described McCain as an "outspoken" supporter of the "legitimately elected" leader of Pakistan. In December 2007, just before the Iowa caucuses, McCain said, "I continue to believe Musharraf has done a pretty good job, done a lot of the things that we wanted him to do." Those remarks came on the heels of the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, after which presidential candidate Gov. Bill Richardson expressed the opinion that Pakistan's president should step down.

While Barack Obama did not go as far as Richardson during primary season, his statement Monday on Musharraf's resignation reflects his historically tougher stand on issues related to Pakistan.

"President Musharraf has made the right decision to step down as President of Pakistan," Obama said, adding: "A year ago, I advocated that the US move from a 'Musharraf policy' to a 'Pakistan policy.'"

What's interesting -- especially in light of the conventional wisdom that emerged during the recent Georgia-Russia crisis -- is that Obama has often been more aggressive on Pakistan than McCain. Back in February, McCain criticized Obama's stated willingness to attack known Al Qaeda targets in remote Pakistani provinces as "naive." Unlike McCain and the Georgia crisis, however, Obama has yet to reap a mountain of press coverage touting his commander in chief bona fides for taking a clear, early stand that the Bush administration itself appears to have followed.

Comments

[SEQUOIABISON]

09:20 AM on 08/19/2008

The man bounces around like a pinball.

His judgment about anything cannot be trusted.

He loves war and prefers to bully nations instead of diplomacy, a perfect successor to W.

Do we really want another purveyor of war or are we finally ready for a president who promotes peace?

Obama/Clark

For a return to sanity in government.

[PioneerKing]

12:04 AM on 08/19/2008

Flip-flop, flip-flop, flip-flop McCain.
McCain has been very busy flip-flopping and ripping off Wikipedia and Solzhenitsyn and just being everything except a maverick who is strong on national security and foreign policy.
When is the real John McCain going to appear?

[keepemhonest]

10:24 PM on 08/18/2008

John McCain says Cindy hurt her wrist while shaking hands ... Cindy is in a cast. Last I checked casts are for broken bones.

How did Cindy McCain break her arm - it sure wasn't by shaking hands. Did she reach for those prescriptions she stole from that children's charity, fall and break her arm?

For some reason McCain is lying about Cindy's arm.

[mnash]

06:45 AM on 08/19/2008

I agree but what's knew. At least it puts the spotlight on him and his barbie

[JUSTME]

06:52 AM on 08/19/2008

I think Cindy Lou bears all the hallmarks of an abused wife. And I think John McCain is an abusive prick. She is terrified of him, of making a mistake. Just look at the way she shadows him, dogs his every step, and acts as though she's on a very short leash.

Cindy McCain is a huge clue as to who her husband really is.

John McCain's weakness is the quality of his character. Sure wish the media were paying more attention to that.

[RatgurlSD]

08:06 PM on 08/18/2008

Please please PLEASE find a MSM talking head that will read this story on the air!!!!!!!

[mnash]

06:45 AM on 08/19/2008

Try some of the unions, looks like they maybe doing something. On one of the post there is an article saying 9 of the members are starting something to do with foreclosures around the country.

[Whinger]

06:56 PM on 08/18/2008

Ooooooo! I wonder if one day that, you'll say that, you care
If you say you love me madly, I'll gladly, be there
Like a puppet on a string.........!

[Biracial1]

04:04 PM on 08/18/2008

The press gives McCain a pass because he was a POW.

[barackobama4prez]

04:00 PM on 08/18/2008

Whichever way the wind blows...that's the way he'll go.

[NWGuy]

04:00 PM on 08/18/2008

McCain has flipped flopped repeatedly and on numerous topics. He goes where he (or his handlers) think the votes are.

1) This wishy washiness is not characteristic of a strong leader that he keeps trying to portray himself as

2) Since he seems so willing to change his opinions that I fully expect that the same people who have been pulling the strings on the current POTUS will easily be able to continue doing so with McCain.

[sandiegoconservative]

03:57 PM on 08/18/2008

It's ok for Obama to have a change of position, but not McCain. That's what it comes down to on this site.

[barackobama4prez]

04:00 PM on 08/18/2008

flipping on over 60 issues is not changing ones mind.

[RatgurlSD]

08:05 PM on 08/18/2008

You're right. I believe the term commonly used is "pandering".

[avalanch112]

04:11 PM on 08/18/2008

its one thing to change ones mind, based on good information, or becuase a core belife has changed, its quite another thing to change ones mind due to political expediency.

[Charmed]

03:47 PM on 08/18/2008

The Press couldn't bring themselves to report the truth because they have to keep the double standards alive. Obama was right about Iraq, Afganistan and Pakistan.....but the press just seems to ignoring all of that in favor of McCain the FakeAss Maverick.

[barackobama4prez]

04:01 PM on 08/18/2008

yup

[08politicaljunkie]

04:17 PM on 08/18/2008

... "the FakeAss Maverick" who walks in whichever direction his lobbyists tell him.