This week brought yet more proof that John McCain's grasp of his signature issue -- the war in Iraq -- is less than firm. "I can look you in the eye and tell you [the surge] is succeeding," he told a town hall crowd. "We have drawn down to pre-surge levels." Only we haven't. There are currently 155,000 troops in Iraq; there were 130,000 before the surge. He also announced that Mosul is "quiet" -- even though earlier that day three suicide bombings rocked Mosul and a nearby town, leaving 23 dead. The day before, McCain mocked Obama for declining to accompany him on a trip to Iraq, saying: "We've got to show him the facts on the ground." Which facts are those, Senator -- the ones you're making up as you go?
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OFF TOPIC:
Arianna: Congrats on the CNBC piece.
Thanks for keeping your eye on the ball here: namely McCain. Once Dems get their act together we will be fighting the GE in force, but you are great to keep the heat on until we get there!
McCain really doesn't want Obama to accompany him to Iraq. Obama might ask McCain to go to that shopping bazaar that he supposedly went to unescorted last time and pick up a rug for Michelle. As I recall the Bazaar that McCain said one could go to unescorted was the one where he went with 200 GIs as an escort and a bevy of helicopters flying overhead. When are they going to admit that there never was any justification for that preemptive attack, withdraw our troops, try to make amends for the sorrow we have caused, and let the Iraqis solve their own problems.
It still puzzles me that we send fresh recruits after less than a year of training to Iraq to protect an Iraqi army we have been training for more than 4 years.
Perhaps Obama should arrange his own tour and invite McCain along to see the Real Iraq.
Mosul had 23 people killed in three explosions proving there's not much anyone can do about sneaks. For example, NOrleans brought in the State's National Guard to fight a horrific murderous crime wave. It somewhat lessened, yet crime continued in the city. Troops, like police with augmented Nat Gd help, can't be everywhere.
The one common thread running through McCain and Hillary, is they both apparently live in some sort of fantasy world.
That 'fantasy world' when explained in plain and simple language equates to lying. Hillary McCain John McClinton are very close in nature. They don't mind a whopper when it suits their immediate needs.
Are you goin' to believe me....or the lyin' facts???
Are they self deceiving? Or do they know they are lying? I think they know.
John McCain supports George W. Bush. Bush supports McCain. GWB is running at 27 % approval. What else can I say?
You could also mention that Hillary supports McCain over Obama, while Bush supports Hillary as the next-best thing to McCain. They're all working together against their common enemy: the working, tax-paying, voting people of this country.
Perhaps McCain can accompany Obama to a military field hospital in Iraq where they can both see the results of Bush's vanity, stubbornness and deceit.
Then they can stroll around the open market wearing helmets and Kevlar vests, with blackhawk helicopters overhead and a cadre of heavily armed personnel surrounding them.
Someone should tell McCain that when you have a military occupation propping up your puppets placed in a bogus election that's pretty much all you can do to thwart democracy in another country. The only way to keep the populace down after that is the Roman way, kill them all.
Let's see him come out for "Victory" on those terms and run on that.
No more free passes for McCain. Before getting to the Iraq war, let's ask him: (1) who was the hotdog Navy pilot who "wet started" his A-4 out of annoyance with the F4 waiting behind him on the Forrestal, sending 132 shipmates to their deaths; (2) tell us again what you say you learned from the Keating 5 crime.
Then tell us, in your own words--the video is out, John--in 2003 that we would be welcome as liberators in Iraq. Tell us how safe the marketplaces in Baghdad are. Tell us why you are unconcerned about American casualties, even your own kid. (No, that doesn't make you patriotic or heroic--it makes you something else).
We are just so pleased with McCain values, courageous experience, and grasp of the facts in iraq, and many other places.
I give up. Who was the hot dog pilot? If it was McCain, surely this will be investigated and/or swiftboated.
IMHO the corporate press has indeed swiftboated the matter; "Hundred Years War" McCain is a *hero.*
Didn't you get the memo?
Leland R. Erickson
Citizen
Personally, I think Senator Obama should call Senator McCain's bluff and go to Iraq, anyways.
He is. Just not on a joing photo op with McCain.
The corporate media require Obama to be responsible for the words of other people, but do not hold McCain accountable even for his own.
This has nothing to do with your political Sunday. We wanted to thank you for the GREEN addition to your site. We thank you, your world thanks you, the universe thanks you.
Just as being a secretary doesn't make one capable of being the company CEO, being in the military doen't make one capable of being Commander and Chief. This expeirence factor McCain touts is a farce. There is a big difference between taking orders as a naval pilot and being the head of all military forces. The only expierence candidate would be a president running for a second term. The truth is neither candidate is expierenced. Being in the Senate doesn't make one a President. Besides, the Republican party knew they were facing an uphill climb for the White House. John McCain is their "sacrificial lamb". But, this means he really has nothing to lose. He really isn't expected to win. McCain is playing with house money. This makes him a dangerous opponent.
Agreed - and it seems to be overlooked by McCain and too many others that the Commander-in-Chief is supposed to be a civilian as the Constitution intended (another book apparently not read by Bush). After the lies told to this country to invade Iraq, not much different than the fabricated Gulf of Tonkin attack, I prefer a non-military leader in charge. Our leader should require a great deal of convincing to send our troops into harms way.
My theory is that no one in the MSM goes after Beltway Johnny's hypocrisy because they want to believe the same thing he espouses -- that running the country is simple, and anyone can do it.
The man runs away from complexity. When are Americans going to learn that not everyone can be president, that it takes an exceptional mind?
Or, the MSM's just lazy and self-censored.
Why hasn't Obama been there in two years? What if there was progress? Would he be able to recognize it? I doubt it.
Have you been there in two years???
How many died in Iraq last month???
You don't know???
How many were wounded in Iraq last month???
You don't know???
How many military suicides were there last month???
You don't know???
Is there anything you do know???
Do you know when we will be able to bring our troops home.
Do you know when a democratic government will be able to function in Iraq???
Do you know why Iraq and Iran have very close diplomatic ties???
The question is not "What do you know???"
The question is "Do you CARE???"
Remember to vote all.
:-)
I'm not running for president.
My question was hypothetical. I wasn't implying that the war has been good for our country.
My question was whether Obama would be able to recognize gains IF there are any.
Because he is so against it, he has no objectivity.
Don't question my feelings for the troops. I'm a veteran. Are you?
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