McCain On Bringing Back Draft: "I Don't Disagree"

Today at a townhall meeting, an audience member praised Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for his vow to "follow bin Laden to the gates of hell." After a long question about veterans' care, the questioner said she believed we needed to reinstate the draft, to which McCain seemed to readily agree:

QUESTIONER: If we don't reenact the draft, I don't think we'll have anyone to chase Bin Laden to the gates of hell.

[Appaluse]

MCCAIN: Ma'am, let me say that I don't disagree with anything you said.

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Comments

[RealHRCFansVoteObama]

I did not spend 36 hours in labor to have my boys turned into cannon fodder for the next war of choice. If they want to go in the military on their own accord, I would be 100% behind them, but they do NOT belong to John McCain.

[JoeBlough]

A draft in this country would never fly. Young people have been raised in the "age of entitlement". Most young people feel they have rights to things they have never earned.
The idea that today's youth will let themselves be dragged out of their homes and sent to die for oil contracts is silly.

[WayneTobin]

Okay lefties, Big Bad John saber rattles against Iran and Russia and does not disagree with the idea of a draft. What do you think is happening folks? How are we going to fight these wars without an official draft? [I agree that we already have a de facto poverty draft and a revolving door draft]. Russia is flexing its muscle in its backyard again. Of course, NATO thinks East Europe is its frontyard. If our volunteer army is pinned down in the mid-east, Russia has no incentive to "behave." Russia may strike when our troop levels are the thinnest. Further, we already have a treaty obligation to defend Poland. If Russia strikes Poland over the missile defense system it could be World War III. What does this mean lefties? Get your panties unbundled about FISA and off-shore drilling and vote for Barack. Barack is smart enough not to awake a sleeping Russian bear and will end the war in Iraq. This will free up our military. By having plenty of troops available, Russia and Iran will have more incentive to "behave." That's the key to peace. McCain's saber rattling when our army is stretched thin can only lead to war and that will lead to a draft.

[Ramirez]

The "Threat of the Draft" is a story that appears in election years. It is designed to frighten small children and low-information voters. The reality is that the military, the President, the Republicans, John McCain, and the American people stand together in opposition to this idea.

[Soothsayer08]

I don't believe that. In order to fight all of the military occupations, wars etc the US needs man power. Where are they going to get it? If not a draft?

[LynnDee]

Well I question why anyone would be surprised by this. I watched this clip last night on TV and let me say only about a 1/4 of the audience clapped the rest looked a little stunned.

The first time I posted on Huffpo I asked how he planned to keep us in Iraq for the next 50 to 100 years? Smells like draft to me. He has said on many occasions that he thinks people should be in service to their country, but used the words volunteerism with the Peace corp etc..... Oh and the age ranges he would like for the service to country? That would be 18 to 42 men and women.

Another great way to take the country down send off all of the middle class and productive workers. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm.

[mnash]

What is he talking about? We have a draft!!!! They won't allows the troops to come home. They make them stay 3 and 4 cycles. Sick guy.

[Willow712]

Of course everybody would be against a draft. However, once we are IN a war, it would be logical that he could start a draft to protect us from the evil empire he's fighting. Once we are protecting ourselves from someone else, the draft would be the next logical conclusion. If a big bomb drops somewhere in the US, the war is on. And MCGoldwater will be happily winning his NEXT war (f only we could figure out what war he won first).

[jupitor]

Mccains big draft dreams! Hello, Canada for 99% who listening!

[Ramirez]

Try Holland. Everything is free there and no one has to work.

[necer65]

What war...ther­e isn't a war. There were no Weapons of Mass Destruction. Iraq wasn't a threat. Bin Laden was the threat.

[DaOne]

If Americans elect this warmonger, they get what they deserve. And it should also be those same voters who should be first in any draft, irrespective of age.

[JenMI]

Why is this story not on the front page? Why is the media not covering this? What's the reaction from the McCain camp or Obama camp?

[merle7]

Because the MSM fears what he would say. They know the possible consequences it would bring and they are hell bent on protecting him from himself. It needs to be address if McCain is really serious or was just pandering to that voter;s comment. I said it a long time ago McCain would have to reinstae the draft to fight all his wars. This would be in line in wanting to stay occupied in Iraq continue to fight the Afagani wars and start a war with Russia. If McCain would have to use prisioners,death row inmates, excons, young americans or anybody as long as he builds his military to fight his wars. The sad thing it seems like Americans don't care. I doubt very much even if McCain would admit he would reinstate the draft it would not affect his poll numbers. The fact he is white therfore is right and should be trusted, and yet america is scared of Obama(what a joke)
So sad for America !!!!!!

[kristycu]

The only person I heard talking about this- is Keith Oberman- every body else is to conserned with VP S***t

[mnash]

Because it is MC!!!!! We can't question his patriotism because he is a hero!!!!! Yeah? K Obermann brought it up last night on his show. And besides, why would anyone question this guy's foreign policy when his lobbist make policy for him and our country

[DFutureIsNow]

John McCain bumper sticker: Vote for me today... die for me tomorrow!

[SMP]

Perfect sticker...­..........­..........­.......Oba­ma camp and those that oppose the draft NEED to make a HUGE deal out of this.... Seniors need to remember when servicing your country wasnt a choice.

[bigironal25]

How about this bumper sticker? Vote for me today...DI­E for big oil tomorrow!

[necer65]

That is a great reply!!!

[Smirk]

Well of course! He'll need a bigger army for all the wars he'll start. Of course, he'll probably try to get the new GI bill repealed. Gotta be fiscally conservative. (But only when it comes to taking care of wounded veterans or giving them the equipment they need in the first place. There's endless money for companies like Blackwater, KBR, and Halliburton, though.)

[keikomocha]

Somebody PLEASE put this in the headlines!!!!!

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

I hope they add this story on the front page of the HP..... and the question now is... with equal rights -- do we draft men and women? Let the debates begin.

[Smirk]

At this point, I don't see why a military draft should be limited to men. Imagine the shame some regimes would experience if they knew the pilots bombing them were women. Better yet, maybe fewer people would vote for leaders who can't wait to go to war.

[JoanAustinblack]

Come on Obama staffers let's do an ad about the draft and how McCain is willing to do it.
McCain has produced ads that are blatantly false about Obama and they are working. Let's stick it back to him. We need two commercials running right now. One about the draft and how McCain agreed to the womans' suggestion of it, and one how he plagarized his cross in the sand story at the Saddleback forum. ( Or the Saddleback Folly where McCain and the right wingers hoodwinked America into their Christian snare) Beware the wolf in sheep's clothing, and that is exactly who McCain is the wolf in sheep's clothing. Come on bloggers and U tubers let's do some fun commercials about John McCains draft plans for American and how he stole his story about the cross in the sand. If I knew how to do that UTUBE stuff I would do it myself.

[jfb151]

Why is this not getting a higher profile spot in the Huffpo?

[Ramirez]

Because it is stupid?

[merle7]

Because it was McCain who started it . If Obama had stated the talking point he would no doubt be hung to dry even by the ones that would support reinstating the draft. I would definately be used against him.

[Ramirez]

It takes an act of Congress to reinstate the draft. The draft has been proposed twice during this war. Both bills were sponsored by Democrats who only supported the draft because they hoped it would undermine the war effort. The then Republican­-controlle­d House brought them up for vote in order to embarrass the Dems who sponsored the bills. Both bills were voted down almost unanimously.

No one wants a draft; not the military, not the president, not the congress, and certainly not the nation. This "Gonna Be A DRAFT" meme appeared in the 2004 election and it appears again now. This meme is designed to frighten and influence low-information voters.

[pmag88]

Asked about the draft last September, McCain said, “I might consider it, I don’t think it’s necessary, but I might consider it if you could design a draft where everybody equally could serve.”

I agree with McCain, but think we should be willing to go an extra step. It should be mandatory for everyone, regardless of their current occupation, etc, and they should raise the age limit to 55. People age 55 can still drive trucks and fire weapons and do some of the work that needs to be done in order to serve, even in a combat situation.

If we did this it wouldn't take long before we'd find other options to war and war would only be used as a last resort.

[Dewtrell]

At least Keith, good ole Keith, is reporting on this.

[vsign]

McCain is framing the conversation. Obama will come out for the draft soon.

O is a pied piper of the young and of the pacifists and of blacks in this country. He will step out of the way just in time before those who follow fall off the cliff.

[getoffmedz]

vsign - call us when you land.

[Heavy]

What's happening medz? Fighting the good fight I see.

[Heavy]

McCain just did which will galvanize even more younger votes to come out in droves for O.

[AntonBursch]

you forgot, the 'elite' educated professionals.

[emmaspeaks]

doubt it. In fact there is talk that Mc wasn't paying attention and just agreed with the woman. It will cost him many votes. People do not want a draft.