At the GOP Debate on Thursday McCain said that setting a date for withdrawal will mean a victory for al Qaeda:
Download | Play 
Download | Play YouTube (h/t Democrats.org)
McCain: “If we do what Senator Clinton said that she wanted to do night before last, and that’s wave the white flag of surrender and set a date for withdrawal, then we will have expenses, my friends, in American blood and treasure, because Al Qaida will then have won.”
Yet, when we had a Democrat in the White House McCain repeatedly argued for bringing the troops home regardless of the consequences:
1994 — “The right course of action is to make preparations as quickly as possible to bring our people home. It does not mean as soon as order is restored to Haiti, it doesn’t mean as soon as Democracy is flourishing in Haiti, it doesn’t mean as soon as we’ve established a viable nation in Haiti, as soon as possible means as soon as we can get out of Haiti without losing any American lives.”
1993 — “Date certain, Mr. President, are not the criteria here. What’s the criteria and what should be the criteria is our immediate, orderly withdrawal from Somalia. And if we don’t do that, and other Americans die, other Americans are wounded, other Americans are captured, because we stayed too long, longer than necessary, then I would say that the responsibilities for that lie with the Congress of the United States who did not exercise their authority under the Constitution of the United States and mandate that they be brought home as quickly and safely as possible.”
There you have it. McCain’s newfound surrender-phobia is a partisan fabrication, or else it’s time to question his sanity, or possibly both. In any case, the US most certainly does not need to keep a military presence in Iraq for a 100 or 10,000 more years just so McCain won’t call the troops losers and try to figuratively pin a victory medal on a terrorist group. It’s past time we declare victory (didn’t we already?) and start bringing our troops home. And when we do al Qaeda will have won nada unless some partisan dissembler like McCain tries to declare different.
The wheels came off the Straight-Talk Express a long time ago, so it’s about time the msm began to notice. Even the Moonie Times has begun figuring out what we’ve known all along, that McCain’s so-called ‘straight-talk‘ is anything but.
Filed Under: Campaigns/Elections, Election 08, Iraq, John McCain, Republican Hypocrisy
No Trackbacks To “Who Stole McCain’s White Flag?“
madman mc cain is a surrender monkey
Somebody needs to ask the two questions that should been answered before initiating this debacle:
1. How will we know when and if we’ve won?
2. How will we know when and if we’ve lost?
Try to answer those questions honestly, and you’ll see what a stupid idea the Iraq invasion was from the outset.
He would probably argue that we face a “new kind of threat” or something along those lines. I think they have already won… It’s time to cut our loses. I mean, does anyone really think they’d be able to hijack a commercial airliner anymore? Or get they’re hands on a dirty bomb? I only see one way this is possible: Pakistan. All we are doing is engraving the roots of Anti-American sentiment in the region for the next 150 years, and that, my poor, ignorant friend John McCain, will have great consequences at some point.
Anyone find it convenient that violence in Iraq has gone down nicely in time for the elections ? McCainiac says it’s because of the surge,
The reason violence is down is because David Patreaus has bought off the sunni insurgency, this is a short term plan which will eventually back fire with bloody consequences.
He’s just pleasing the base. If he’d been president i strongly doubt he’d have invaded Iraq in the first place. He’d probably have read the pdb’s also. Not that I’d vote for him. Just goes to show what a disaster arbusto has been.
As to winning or losing, I think it was Sun Tzu, who said “When you do what your enemies want you to do you have lost”.
Oh, Snap!
That’s some journalistic pwnage. Kudos to whoever found that.
May McCain dine with Satan for an eternity.
CROOKS AND LIARS, Indeed!
Zorry’s (1970’s American Beachwear for Flip-flops.)
Sleepa’s (1970 - present Hawaii word for Flip-flops)
Thongs (1950 to Present American word for Flip Flops)
Jap-Flaps (1950’s PI word for Flip Flops)
F*ck-me-Flaps (1950 - 1960’s word for Flip-Flops)
Now we can call them McCains or maybe Romneys or Giulianni’s also.
911, 911
John McCain is a war criminal from his murder of innocent villagers in Vietnam, which included men, women, children, and elderly.
Didn’t McCain also while a POW give up American secrets as well? I do not want such a war criminal or an actual American traitor to ever be the president of the USA!!!!!
Now, there are so-called traitors due to political accisations and then real traitors to the country as in the case of John McCain. I am so tired of the free passes McCain receives and that he is some kind of “hero” or “maverick” when in truth he is the most angry and partisan types of all in the GOP.
When the hell is anyone in the media going to bring up McCain’s criminal involvement in the Keating Five scandal?
When the hell is anyone in the media going to bring up McCain’s family profiting off of the slave labor it had? Yes, McCain’s great-grandpa was a slave-owner. McCain’s families wealth was built on the backs of slave labor and people with black skin. Is there any doubt with McCain’s family history why he finds no problem killing dark skinned people in Vietnam, Iraq, and Iran? The man is a RACIST and I will hold to this no matter what anyone says different. McCain is an establishment pig from A-Z! And McCain is not an “American hero,” but a war criminal.
[refers to deleted post]
Please tell me you’re trying to be funny.
[refers to deleted post]
Get help for your paranoia….I hear the Bush administration is allowing free medication trials at the nearest psychiatric hospitals so dudes like you can get help for those awful voices heard in your mind. Thank the good Lord that your right wing pals are in the business of pharmaceuticals so they can treat paranoid thoughts that you have. I have compassion for people like yourself who live life with so much fear and discontent and love to name call out of that fear based reality that you have. Between now and the time that you take your first dose of psychiatric medications, perhaps, you can go and see what advice Reverend Ted Haggard has for you. If he is no help, then, perhaps, you can go watch the 700 Club so your fear-based reality will be in high gear when you meet your shrink this week.
[deleted - please see the commenting policy]
McCut-n-Runner.
Even the Moonie Times has begun figuring out what we’ve known all along.
Now, now. Just because the Wash Times says so, doesn’t make them right. It could just be a coincidence.
The only people that win are the Oil oligapolies, Some people might see a temporary boost from payoffs, but down the road every one will be expendible. You Military folks are being used, Everyone in Vietnam was used, and all the other wars we have been in has been for the fun of the elite.
I love this piece!
I have been saying for years that McCain is the biggest effin liar in congress! What a distinction!
The reason he is hated so much by his fellow Republicans, is that, even among sleazy, skanky whores, there is always one who stands out as the sleaziest, skankiest. When that slut carries a bible and tells the rest of em they’re going to hell, they hate her.
Case in point: torture. McCain raised holy hell about it, embarrassing the party no end. He got tons of fawning press attention, then - when push came to shove - he voted with the rest of his party. He almost always does.
He has pulled this same scam repeatedly, getting tons of praise from an adoring and uncritical media for “straight talk,” “independence,” “maverick” status, blah, blah, blah. There is never a follow up when he quietly sells out; nobody in the MSM calls him on his hypocrisy and outright lies. I have seen him do this over and over.
Many times progressive friends would wonder why my eyes would bulge out and my hair would stand on end when they said he “wasn’t too bad” or “was the one Republican they had respect for.” If they read this, they will know.
If McLiar does become the nominee, that’s what we will have to fight - his carefully crafted, media enhanced, image of reason, integrity and moderation. It won’t be easy. Well crafted lies have much more power in this society than simple truths - and he has spent decades polishing this facade, unchallenged by the media.
[refers to deleted post]
Could you tell me how it feels to have a mind controlled by the likes of Rush Limbaugh? Do you know that you are a tool used by big media and big corporations in their mind-controlled experiments? You are an easy mark in their eyes, and the thing is, you are so UNAWARE of how EASY they MANIPULATE your “Mind.” Man, are you a robotic tool for big corporations and big media and they do not even have to pay you to be their useful idiot!
Rush to War @ 18:
All those weapons being manufactured globally have to be field tested don’tcha know! Corporate wars for Corporate whores.
[deleted]
Rush Limbaugh fans are nothing but useful idiots who do not even know they are being used as props in mind-controlled experiments for the benefit of big media/big corporations.
I am not impressed when Rush Limbaugh’s fans show up on C&L to give all of us a “dose of reality.”
Again, Rush Limbaugh fans are being mind-controlled, but, are so UNAWARE of how EASY they can be MANIPULATED.
Why does John McCain hate America? Why does he want the turrrrsts to win?
It’s greed. He isn’t insane, just a pompous ass that is greedy and wants himself some of that there Presidential power.
steve @ 21:
Steve, get a brain that’s working and then come back. “Read Rush’s Book” Rush who got his deferrements for having anal cyst’s, hell, nobody can go in the service with a sore butt eh. What a poor tool you are. You probably also get your “news” from H&C also.
This site is for people who think for themselves and have the Patriotism to question authority, not sheep like your self.
Hope you get well soon, and try not to whine to much after your party loses.
[deleted - please see the commenting policy to see the real reason your comments were deleted. if you wish to have an intelligent conversation, try not to insult our intelligence.]
Dear C&L Staff:
Crooks and Liars is GREAT.
Much thanks to Logan Murphy, Nicole Belle, and without saying, John Amato. Also many thanks to anyone I did not mention, who provides all of us, with much information, to discuss here at C&L.
Thanks again.
Mr. XXXX
McCain will bring us more McGovernmentMcCorporateMcCainiaMcManiaMcInsania of, by, and for all the exalted consumers.
These need to be the kind of commercials democrats run on TV. The only thing Americans believe anymore is what they see with their own eyes. Why won’t they run these as commercials? Because they’re scared of hurting their rivals. Losers deserve to get trounced. Hopefully the democrats won’t play the losers this time round.
Sometimes wingnut hypocrisy just takes your breath. Hello 30 second add Mr. McCain.
[deleted - refers to deleted post.]
Mr. XXXX @ 27:
May, I also add, great many thanks to the Site Monitors who keep everyone on point.–Mr. XXXX
steve @ 26:
That you are childish? There is no such thing as an unbiased blog or website Steve. Did you just figure that out? C&L has NEVER stated they were unbiased and they are not publicly owned, so they can edit or delete anyone they want, regardless of your point of view. I think they do a great service and think it’s a great website.
Steve is most likely a person who would walk into a biker bar and insult them in one way, shape, or form. Steve would insult such a group, and then expect nothing to happen, after he starts such crap with them.
Yes, Steve seems like the type who likes to provoke, but then yells the loudest for help, when its obvious people are not going to go along with his antisocial antics.
This is a conversation I wanted to have with my super-republican uncle.
He was griping about ‘teh poor r killin teh ekonomies’ - and I calmly explained how much we spend *per day* in Iraq; and said if we left there, we might just be OK, especially since its a war we can’t win.
His response was “We already won!”
But at the time, being it was Christmas; I just said “ya know what, we drop it, its Christmas, we need to get a long.”
I should have said “If we won, why the hell are we still there?!”
What McCain conveniently neglects to mention is that these fearsome terrorists make up only 2 per cent of those who are fighting against U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq. McCain also does not state that al Qaeda is despised by both the Sunni and the Shia. People who have been suspected of belonging to al Qaeda have had burning tires placed around their necks by the Iraqi citizenry. It is often difficult to determine who engages more in fear mongering, Bush or McCain.
[deleted - great, you proved that you could anonymously insult people on a website and make them angry. you were deleted for being rude, not because of your point of view. We hope that helps your research.]
Steve I hear the church in the middle of your town is handing out free donuts and coffee this afternoon and there will be a bible reading on how to love your neighbor at 3:00 p.m. Tomorrow the church is gonna have a speaker talk about “how to love your enemies” and “turn the other cheek.” Although, I doubt Rush Limbaugh is going to be there, you may want to go there and learn something about love and tolerance of others.
Steve, I have compassion for you, but check out those psychatric medications that Bush’s favorite big pharma corporation pals are dispensing for free to individuals like yourself who suffer from awful bouts and episodes of deep paranoia and are easily mind-controlled.
steve @ 40:
Steve:
John McCain is a war criminal from his murder of innocent villagers in Vietnam, which included men, women, children, and elderly.
Didn’t McCain also while a POW give up American secrets as well? I do not want such a war criminal or an actual American traitor to ever be the president of the USA!!!!!
Now, there are so-called traitors due to political accisations and then real traitors to the country as in the case of John McCain. I am so tired of the free passes McCain receives and that he is some kind of “hero” or “maverick” when in truth he is the most angry and partisan types of all in the GOP.
When the hell is anyone in the media going to bring up McCain’s criminal involvement in the Keating Five scandal?
When the hell is anyone in the media going to bring up McCain’s family profiting off of the slave labor it had? Yes, McCain’s great-grandpa was a slave-owner. McCain’s families wealth was built on the backs of slave labor and people with black skin. Is there any doubt with McCain’s family history why he finds no problem killing dark skinned people in Vietnam, Iraq, and Iran? The man is a RACIST and I will hold to this no matter what anyone says different. McCain is an establishment pig from A-Z! And McCain is not an “American hero,” but a war criminal.
By the way, I do not stutter. Understand? What I said is what I mean about war criminal John McCain, whether you like it or not, Mister!
Another republican liar exposed. Not if they would expose the “surge” and how it is nothing but paying the terrorists not to attack you for half a billion dollars. Why is McCain never asked if he agrees with paying off terrorists in this fashion?
steve @ 38:
Any ways,……….back to the thread. Has anyone out there seen McCain’s White Wanky Hanky? I hear tell that he needs it. I blew my nose in somethin’ a moment ago but I threw it away. I got it from McDonald’s. I hope it wasn’t his.
another example of repubs seeing things their way,and only their way.When they want it.Regardless of the topic….it’s either their way or the highway.Cheney did the same thing.I’ts not really about what’s right or wrong.It’s about what can be used for political and financial gain.This is good that someone dug this up………..they must think we don’t pay attention.
steve @ 42:
Well when you are done your “thesis”, it will take you a few years to grow up and discover there is no black and white, only shades of gray. You prob don’t understand that yet, but you will when you are mature enough to.
[deleted - please find somewhere else to play, please.]
All the wingnuts like to brand opponents of withdrawal from Iraq as “surrendercrats”.
Methinks these people don’t understand what surrender means.
Scenario 1: Your troops occupy a city. An enemy army besieges the city. After months of blockade, with supplies exhausted and no hope of relied in sight, you surrender the city to the enemy.
Scenario 2: Your country is invaded by an enemy army. After repeated defeats, your army is wiped out and you no longer can repel the invasion. The enemy is occupying your country with overwhelming force. You surrender and acknowledge that you cannot prevent the invaders from taking over.
In both scenarios (I am sure there are others, but I didn’t want to make this too long), surrender happens when you give up something that you are holding by force or something that you believe belongs to you. This situation does not exist in Iraq. While we have an established military presence in Iraq, we can’t in any sense be considered as holding Iraq by force because we don’t really control the country. And Iraq does not belong to us.
So, if we withdraw from Iraq, we are not surrendering to the enemy. We are acknowledging that with the force level at our disposal, we cannot bring about the outcome that we (or at least the administration) want to achieve in Iraq and that it is no longer worth the manpower and resources we have devoted to it. Surrender and withdrawal are two different things.
I am a stand up guy for the troops. I am concerned about their mortality and fatigue. BUT! If they can last it out another 15 years, they will qualify for