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| McCain says he and Obama should visit Iraq together |
| 2008-05-27 |
| Republican John McCain on Monday sharply criticized Democratic rival Barack Obama for not having been to Iraq since 2006, and said they should visit the war zone together. "Look at what happened in the last two years since Senator Obama visited and declared the war lost," the GOP presidential nominee-in-waiting told The Associated Press in an interview, noting that the Illinois senator's last trip to Iraq came before the military buildup that is credited with curbing violence. "He really has no experience or knowledge or judgment about the issue of Iraq and he has wanted to surrender for a long time," the Arizona senator added. "If there was any other issue before the American people, and you hadn't had anything to do with it in a couple of years, I think the American people would judge that very harshly." McCain, a Navy veteran and Vietnam prisoner of war, frequently argues that he's the most qualified candidate to be a wartime commander in chief. In recent weeks, he has sought portray Obama, a first-term senator, as naive on foreign policy and not experienced enough to lead the military. The Iraq war, which polls have shown that most of the country opposes, is shaping up to be a defining issue in the November presidential election. McCain, who wrapped up the GOP nomination in March, supports continued military presence in Iraq though he recently said he envisions victory with most U.S. troops coming home by January 2013 if he's elected. Obama, who has all but clinched the Democratic nomination, says he will remove U.S. combat troops within 16 months of taking office, though sometimes he shortens it to 11 months. "For him to talk about dates for withdrawal, which basically is surrender in Iraq after we're succeeding so well is, I think, really inexcusable," said McCain, who has been to Iraq eight times, most recently in March. Obama spokesman Bill Burton declined to respond directly to McCain, saying only: "Senator Obama thinks Memorial Day is a day to honor our nation's veterans, not a day for political posturing." Sounds like the words of a man with nothing to say. I'll bet Bill didn't serve, either. Over the weekend, Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of McCain's top surrogates, laid the groundwork for McCain's criticism in a television interview in which he noted Obama's absence from Iraq and floated the idea that Obama and McCain should go together to be briefed by Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Asked whether he'd be willing to take such a trip, McCain told the AP: "Sure. It would be fine." "Maybe Junior can make himself useful by carrying my Silver Star or something." "I go back every few months because things are changing in Iraq," he said. McCain questioned whether Obama has ever been briefed by Petraeus. "I would also seize that opportunity to educate Senator Obama along the way." "The left shoe goes on the left foot, and the remaining shoe goes on the other." Both McCain and Obama spent part of Memorial Day in New Mexico, a general election battleground that was decided by razor-thin margins in 2000, for Democrat Al Gore, and in 2004, for Republican President Bush. But Obama's presence should in no way be viewed as trying to politicize Memorial Day. Nosiree. He just happened to be there. Obama addressed veterans Monday in Las Cruces while McCain used a speech at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial in Albuquerque to press his case against withdrawing troops from Iraq, saying they must continue their mission even though he's "sick at heart" by mistakes at the outset of the war. I'm sure you would have done much better against an unknown foe who eat their own and call it a victory. McCain also defended his opposition to Senate-passed legislation that would provide additional college financial aid to veterans, a measure Obama supports. You mean like offering a free ride to college after three years service or something like that? It would be nice, but wouldn't retain vital skills long enough to get the most out of them. You just wait, Barack. That will eventually bubble to the surface and you'll have plenty of backpedaling or explaining to do. The Republican made no direct mention of the Democrat but seemed to poke at him nonetheless. His "positions" are all over the place. It's hard to miss. McCain said his opposition to the bill was the right rather than the politically expedient position, suggesting Obama was on the wrong side of the measure sponsored by Democratic Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia and approved by the Democratic-controlled Senate. Lawmakers blocked a more limited version that McCain supported. Again, Barack's supporters are prohibited from believing that his support of the bill is in any way motivated by politics or cluelessness. "I am running for the office of commander in chief. That is the highest privilege in this country, and it imposes the greatest responsibilities. And this is why I am committed to our bill, despite the support Senator Webb's bill has received," McCain said. "It would be easier, much easier politically for me to have joined Senator Webb in offering his legislation." You mean like Barack? Who isn't motivated by political convenience to support the bill in any way, no matter what it looks like? However, McCain said he opposed Webb's measure because it would give everyone the same benefit regardless of how many times they enlist. He said he feared that would depress reenlistments by those wanting to attend college after only a few years in uniform. Rather, McCain said the bill he favored would have increased scholarships based on length of service. Makes sense to me. But then again, I'm not politically motivated so I might not understand the "finer" points of this legislation. McCain spent the early part of the holiday weekend at his retreat in Sedona, Ariz., where he entertained some two dozen guests, including three fellow Republicans who have been mentioned as possible vice presidential running mates: Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. "It really was just a social occasion," McCain told the AP. Asked whether he did any vetting of the three, McCain said: "None. Zero. There is plenty of time for that kind of thing." Too simple. Like something W might say. He must be lying. /sarc |
| Posted by:gorb |
| #4 how many of the veterans in his circle would bother to correct his misconceptions? There are veterans in Obama's circle. Chief among them is that general that ran for president last time, can't remember (don't want to) his name. Of course, that man may not know the difference, either. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2008-05-27 15:29 |
| #3 He speaks from ignorance, OldSpook, I'm sure. After all, how many of the veterans in his circle would bother to correct his misconceptions? |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2008-05-27 11:54 |
| #2 Memorial Day is to honor the fallen. Veterans Day is to honor the Veterans. Yet another Obama distortion/stupidity. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-05-27 10:10 |
| #1 Obama spokesman |
| Posted by: Excalibur 2008-05-27 09:16 |