McCain calls bringing troops home 'not too important'
By Steve Benen Tuesday Jun 10, 2008 11:00amAfter over a year of campaigning, you’d think John McCain would have a sense about how to talk about the war in Iraq. His support for the president’s policy, and his deeply held desire to stay the course, is, after all, his signature campaign issue.
And yet, McCain still doesn’t get it.
To be sure, McCain has made comments like these before, most notably in response to questions about his stated willingness to keep U.S. troops in Iraq for 100 years. He frequently emphasizes his belief that as long as Americans are not being killed or seriously injured in Iraq, he doesn’t much care when we leave.
But he’s usually not this clumsy and politically tone deaf. Bringing the troops home is “not too important”? For thousands of Americans in uniform and their families, nothing is more important.
In fact, everything about McCain’s bizarre worldview is misguided. First, as recently as Monday, McCain reiterated his support for an indefinite war in Iraq. Coupled with this morning’s remarks, McCain believes the U.S. presence in Iraq has no end in sight, and bringing the troops home is “not too important.”
Second, his repeated comparisons to Germany, Japan, and Korea are not just foolish, they’re bordering on absurd. The more McCain makes the argument, the dumber it sounds. (Indeed, McCain himself has said his own comparison doesn’t apply well to Iraq.)
And third, there’s the pesky detail of the growing number of Iraqi officials who used to support a long-term U.S. security presence, but who are now ready to see Americans leave.
Officials in Prime Minister Nouri Maliki’s ruling coalition are questioning whether Iraq needs a U.S. military presence even as the two countries press forward with high-pressure negotiations to determine how long American forces will remain. […]
A Western official who works closely with the Iraqi government said the wave of offensives had encouraged Maliki’s advisors to dismiss U.S. demands as not worth the price.
“When faced with the question, ‘Do we need the Americans?’ they are inclined to say, ‘No, what do we need them for? We can do just fine,’ ” said the official, who was not authorized to speak to reporters.
Haider al-Abadi, a parliament member from Maliki’s Dawa party, told the WaPo, “Maybe the Iraqi government will say: ‘Hey, the security situation is better. We don’t need any more troops in Iraq.’”
And yet, there’s John McCain, absolutely convinced that the withdrawal of U.S. troops is “not too important.”
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid issued a statement shortly after this morning’s interview: “McCain’s statement today that withdrawing troops doesn’t matter is a crystal clear indicator that he just doesn’t get the grave national-security consequences of staying the course – Osama bin Laden is freely plotting attacks, our efforts in Afghanistan are undermanned, and our military readiness has been dangerously diminished. We need a smart change in strategy to make America more secure, not a commitment to indefinitely keep our troops in an intractable civil war.”
Expect other Dems to weigh in with similar criticism throughout the day. For that matter, expect to hear more about McCain’s latest comments for the next five months.
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McGrampa will recant his statement and blame the MSM for taking him out of context (Tm) in 5....4....3....2....1....
his job is defined by his ability to maintain high defense spending. his masters require war for maximum profitability.
halliburton, GE, and carlyle group profit margins are on the line here.
if thousands more working class kids and iraqi families get ground up in the process...oh well.
i wish you guys would get your priorities straight!!!
he should follow up this comment by agreeing with Bush that finding Osama bin Laden just isn't that big a deal.
McSame, please continue to stick your foot in your big mouth. At this rate the November election will be such a rout, the Repugs won't see the daylight for the next sixteen years. I love it!
Would a prez mccain entice the troops into his car with a promise they're going to an ice-cream store
And then abandon them on the side of the road in a forlorn field?
marko @ 2:
Exactly. Bodies for bucks.
[Deleted. No where near on topic-Sitemonitor]
Translated: "They can stay there till hell freezes over as long as they don't get hurt. If they get hurt, I am in trouble politically and they'll come crying for adequate medical care and (God forbid) disability benefits."
This guy is unreal.
McCain needs the troops and new bases in Iraq to stage the upcoming Iran war. If the troops come home, they will just be shipped back to fight the next war. I wonder how many new inductees he can get then?
McCain is toast.
Who do you think raised his campaign from the dead last year?
John W. McCain is in deep, most likely to some damn shady donors, not including his (2nd) wife.
Under scrutiny, his campaign has no legs. He's become a vessel to carry parasites that are the neocons.
they have no intentions of leaving and they never did to me that was obvious this is a quick read check it out
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/revealed-secret-plan...
It really bothers me that Obama is only tied with McCain in the polls.
What's happening here?
HA! Right, the corporate media are going to report this!?
In Bushspeak, "sacrificing" means the same as "supporting."
http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/39179-mccain-s-youtube-problem-just-became...
Chris Gamble @ 12:
early and hillary just got out.....also right wing talking heads working very hard to smear obama and they just got started........it's going to get very dirty
How many American troops in Japan and Germany today face snipers, IEDs, grenade launchers, rockets, and other active military action?
Likening soldiers in Japan and Germany to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan is ridiculous.
See what happens when he's let out without
his self-appointed-vice-presidential pickhandlerSenator Joe Lieberman? I think Joe should resign his Senate seat so that he can follow Grampy McSame around and tell the press "what John meant to say was..."Matt Liar is a joke....like he really gives a shit.
Didn't he say two weeks ago that the war would be won and troops could start coming home by 2013....or the end of his first term?
You can run a 5 minute commercial with John McCain debating himself. This guy is on ALL sides of every issue depending on the day of the week.
http://therealnews.com/t/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&It...
check it out
Check this out, from a German Newspaper group.
Die Welt, German
Poll: What is Your Opinion
of George W. Bush? WHAT IS YOUR
Translated By Ron Argentati
June 9th, 2009
German - Die Welt - Original Article (German)
Ongoing Poll
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF GEORGE W. BUSH?
He’s dangerous and not especially smart -------- 68%
He made mistakes, but also achieved notable successes ------- 30%
He’s an outstanding president ------- 1%
CLICK HERE FOR ORIGINAL VERSION
Now they should do one on what they think of the two choices coming up
I'm sure (according to the feel I get over here) it would be Obama is favored.
I'm glad C&L is monitoring the idiocy of McCain. But with the sheer volumes of stupidity, you almost have to create a new website solely for this purpose so we can keep a close eye on this administrations last minute maneuvers.
Chris Gamble @ 13:
The polls I've seen after Clinton's concession speech show Obama pulling away.
This quote needs to play every goddamned day until the election. ANYONE in the military that votes for this buffoon is, well, insane.
Mark @ 18:
Not to mention that US troops were largely welcomed by the general populace in Germany and Japan. American troops are not welcomed in the Middle East. They are considered "an insult". So be it....why would anyone go where they are not wanted or welcomed?
Why the hell should Obama be in a hurry to debate McDead from the neck up? This "contest" will become sad as time progresses. From his own crusty old mouth, McDumb fuck helps progressives. Maybe he is a maverick after all.
fiver @ 25:
Don't worry, Faux will go out of their way to manufacturer another non-story at an attempt to bring down Obama's poll numbers.
Mister Anderson @ 21:
If anyone knows how to photoshop, it sure would be hilarious to see a split screen of McCain saying one thing, and coming back with another. Great idea!
http://therealnews.com/t/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&It...
It's so painfully obvious who'll vote for McSame (sponsored by GE, AT&T, Halliburton, and Blackwater) and why: The sloped-foreheaded, mouth-breathing Appalachian/Southern Ohio/Kentucky-Tennessee trailer trash crowd & flat-earth, Intelligent Design bible-thumpers, who just don't like the "Brown" people; and the bloodlusting, war profiteering scum.
If you're not in that crowd and still vote for McSame, then car keys are too sharp of an object to be in your possession.
Don't know who said it above, but they are right ... McCain could debate himself. He disagrees with himself every other day.
Dr. (terrorist fit jab) Matt @ 29:
Perhaps, but can they keep up with McCain shooting himself in the foot almost daily. :)
Chris Gamble @ 13:
Polls schmolls!!!! Don't believe that BS!
Not too important to whom???
He should take another one of his vaunted photo-op tours of the Green Zone in Baghdad and ask the folks there if they think it's important. I suspect that they would have different answer.
This is just another plank in McCain's starkly negative platform. Can our soldiers come home soon? NOPE!
Get your John McCain - NOPE t-shirts & stickers to spread the word that should be most closely associated with his candidacy.
Well Senator McCain, if we didn't have troops in Iraq, there wouldn't be casualties. But we do have them there and they are getting injured and killed, so what are you gonna do about that?
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 35:
The polls are done on Land-Lines, most of the young voters don't have Land-Lines, just Cell phones and they can't be polled.
How do you even spin that? I can't wait to see what his mistress, Joe Lieberman, has to say about this
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ in Chiang Mai @ 38:
Exactly! How ya doin good sir?
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ in Chiang Mai @ 23:
George Bush is there, voting for himself again.
It's almost like he was talked out of running for president by his wife, but after it was too late.
So he said 'No worries, honey... watch this... I'll get us out of this...'
Austin @ 39:
LOL Lieberman is a JAP (jewish american princess)?
This is good. Let him keep saying stupid things.
Austin,
Love that mistress joke.
Dr. (terrorist fit jab) Matt @ 1:
Actually, he'll claim he looked inside his heart and will flip his position....then the MSM will fall all over themselves writing about McSame's honesty and maverick-ness.
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 40:
Fine, doing fine ... Getting ready for bed and another good sleep on a rainy night.
Three people in the race for the white house. There's Senator Obama, Senator McCain today and Senator McCain tomorrow.
Pawn @ 30 -
I've been trying to write the Obama campaign for a month that they should just buy national TV time with a series of commercials with "Maverick McCain" debating "Republican Nominee McCain" on the most important issues. It'd be like the VOTE MILLER commercials when that guy was debating the Budweiser horse.
Dr. (terrorist fit jab) Matt
you have me in stitches with the 'terrorist fist jab'.....
Mister Anderson @ 48:
THAT would make a great AD. Send that in to them or maybe the DNC.
Pawn @ 24 says:
I’m glad C&L is monitoring the idiocy of McCain. But with the sheer volumes of stupidity, you almost have to create a new website solely for this purpose so we can keep a close eye on this administrations last minute maneuvers.
Check out www.exposeobama.com - is there something silimar for McCain (except truthful) or do we just depend on C&L etc?
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ in Chiang Mai @ 46:
I hear ya. We're still waitin for some real rain here in south florida...it's SUPPOSED to be rainy season....PAH!
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ in Chiang Mai @ 50:
I agree! That would be friggin awesome!
I am reading Vincent Bugliosi's The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder, and he makes the case that American soldiers are dying for bush, cheeeeeeney, and rove...nothing more.
It's painful to read that some family survivors still think their loved ones were slaughtered "for freedom", and that they fought them there so that they wouldn't have to fight them here.
Those same people will vote for McSame so that somebody else's kid can die "for freedom".
Words cannot adequately express how monstrous and evil are these neo-cons. They will stoop to anything, including using this shell of a man, this paper "war hero", to prove their opportunistic patriotism.
It sounds like he plans to be the next 'Decider'.
I guess it's not too important for McCain to get elected either.
Whether or not he meant it wasn't important as to whether he had an estimate of when the troops can come home is not the point.
What's alarming is he doesn't foresee the harm making such statements would cause to his campaign. Do we want this guy conducting foreign affairs?
Samson- @ 49:
Gracias. Glad you enjoyed it. :)
You read it first here: Alzheimer's.
"American presence isn't the problem"
REALLY, Mr McCain, so you're happy to have US bases indefinitely in Iraq ? .... hmmm what happened last time the US decided to leave military bases on holy land ? oh yeh this
ass-matt liar with this shithead.
it's a real test for the limits of toleration.
Good night all you good progressive peeps.
Make noise, write letters, Blog, put out signs, get the pigs out of our government.
BB
Uh, excuse me, Senator? The troops in South Korea or Germany are allowed to, you know, COME HOME after their enlistment is up. Not so in Iraq or Afghanistan, you stupid prick! If the Democrats don't seize on this sound bite and feature it in every goddamn campaign ad between now and November, well, they don't deserve to win.
McCain's comments not only bring down military morale but also pose a strategic problem as well. Given that the U.S. military ground forces are stretched to the limits, any additional occupation of Iraq will further reduce their capabilities to respond elsewhere if needed. Then, his comparing the current occupation of Iraq to the long term occupations of Germany and Japan has that all to familiar colonial smell to it. To the world, McCain sounds more like an Emperor or King of old than he does a modern President.
Kilgore Trout @ 59:
That's not true, I've read that many times before. I'm just not sure where...
pissed off patricia @ 47:
It's really amazing that McGrampa is allowed to so easily flip-flop on just about every statement and issue without the librul MSM even blinking a eye.
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 52:
I hear that!! Two days of thunder all around and not one drop here.
McSenile can't keep track of what he says from one day to the next.
You gotta be really stupid to vote for someone whose memory is gone.
8/07: McCain said South Korea was a good model for Iraq
11/07: McCain changed mind and said South Korea not a good model for Iraq
6/08: South Korea is a good model for Iraq
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/11/28/mccain-korea-withdrawal/
Is this even being broadcast on MSM? I just got home shopping, and I haven't heard a peep! I guess Big media will do anything to help elect Saint Mccain.
Before I leave, I thought I should give you something VERY interesting to read from the perspective of the people of the UAE.
Dawn of a new era in America
By Abdullah Alshayji, Special to Gulf News
Published: June 08, 2008, 23:39
With that, I leave you all to ponder.
Whats important is bringing the beer home ...
I don't think he'll backtrack on this one. I think he really believes that having a huge occupying force there is OK as long as fewer are being killed.
Pawn @ 24:
That's a sad truth.
I believe the sheer volume of scandals/problems plaguing the bush admin. is EXACTLY what allowed them to escape any kind of accountability.
After a while people tune out because they 1) don't know where to even *start* & 2) they don't have time to fully investigate something before some new matter needs investigating.
And the pathetic media has proven they have no interest in truth OR justice OR even in NEWS... they're only worried about the ratings game & their own profits.
After a while people will start believing McCain is some kind of victim of the 'left'.... just like they tell themselves poor bush was.
You have to remember what the plan is. Reread the docs at Project for a New American Centruy (PNAC) at www.newamericancentury.org
OMFG... the site is down and looks like its down for good... When did that happen? I have been sending people there for years. I have to find a mirrored archive link so you can read their plans for Iraq right at the source.
1) To understand the "Iraq war" it is vital that you understand that it's all about bases and hegemony. The Turks don't want us using Incerlik Air Force Base or their boarder to invade and subjugate their neighbors any more now that the cold war is over, so we must have a base of operations. That is the main justification for the continued occupation of Iraq according to the pnac docs. Continuing our occupation of Iraw IS like basing huge forces in Germany during the cold war and its totally justified if your on the side of "American Empire" and interventionism and the Bush doctrine of "preemptive invasion". Iraq's military was in terrible shape after 20 years of war, sanctions, nofly zones and embargoes of parts and such. This made the neocons think that we could just waltz in and take the place over forever with very little resistance or resources and that would give us a friendly client state government and the bases we need to have further adventures in the region.
2) The big future event is the fall of the house of Saud. When most of the PNAC plans for invading Iraq were being put together in the late 1990's the Saudi ruling family looked much weaker and vulnerable than they do now. But some day the people of Saudi Arabia are going to rise up and take back their country from these monarchs and "we have to be prepared to manage that inevitability" say the docs from pnac. It isn't until later (2002-2005) that the people writing the pnac docs start fantasizing and planing for operations in Iran (or Syria).
3) So today, the bush admin is stalling so that all the investment in the bases and our quarter million man presence (half mercenaries) in the region can be continued. McCain is the one hope the neocons have of maintaining the occupation, hegemony and forces in the region to be available for future operations in the region.
So, from that perspective, withdrawal of the troops is completely "unimportant". What McCain is hoping is that we can control and subvert the violence in Iraq so that the continued occupation and building of bases can continue without too much opposition from the American people. His hope is that we will be ready to invade the Saudis or someone else when the time comes. He has drunk the cool-aid and plans to continue to station troops in Iraq for 100 years so that we can continue to dominate the region and so that we have bases from which to threaten any government that doesn't do what we want them to do.
Oil, Terrorism, democracy, wmd's, and all the other publicly stated reasons for invading and occupying iraq were just a pretext and justification while the real reason we are there and spending all that money and blood is to have bases from which we can use to control the region and "protect our interests".
"I really dont agree with what the majority of Americans think."
-McSame-
howzacome mccain's smile is so effin' menacing?
the man has a complete inability to come across as warm and genuine, the only time he appears to be genuinely happy is when he jokes about launching more wars of choice.
fastfeat @ 67
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 52:
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ in Chiang Mai @ 46:
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 40:
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ in Chiang Mai @ 38:
Exactly! How ya doin good sir?
Fine, doing fine … Getting ready for bed and another good sleep on a rainy night.
I hear ya. We’re still waitin for some real rain here in south florida…it’s SUPPOSED to be rainy season….PAH!
I hear that!! Two days of thunder all around and not one drop here.
>> We had a pretty good soaking in downtown Ft Lauderdale about an hour ago.
♠Bangkok-Bob♠ in Chiang Mai @ 71:
That is very good news my friend! Very encouraging indeed!!
Bush Threatens the Lives of Our GIs, While Continuing to Fund Blackwater and Other Mercenary Corporations
Submitted by meg on Tue, 06/10/2008 - 2:48pm. Alerts
A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT
by Meg White
Brandon Friedman didn't listen to President George W. Bush's weekly radio address last weekend, but after receiving a "do you believe what this guy is saying?" e-mail, he sat down with the transcript.
"The first time I read it, I thought, 'This is what bank robbers do. This is what carjackers do,'" he said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "It's very unbecoming of the commander-in-chief."
Friedman is the vice chairman of VoteVets.org, a group dedicated to getting veterans elected, as well as the editor of VetVoice.com, an online network for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Having served in both wars, Friedman was shocked by what he considered thinly veiled threats voiced by Bush in his radio address Saturday.
Bush called on Congress to pass a military appropriations bill without amendments, several of which have been tacked on to the bill by Democratic congressmen. The amendments range from a new G.I. bill to a timetable for ending the war. Friedman said Bush, in urging Congress to act, threatened harm and reduced pay for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. From Bush's Saturday radio address:
www.newamericancentury.org...account has been suspended???
#75, very interesting.
*sing song voice* La-dee-da, everything thing is great. Facts on the ground. La-dee-da, surge is working.....
For the Senator from Arizona. If president he would keep American forces in Iraq indefinately as long as our troops aren't getting killed.
Well Senator McCain, it is a long road of improvised roadside bombs and religious strife. HOW DO YOU GET THE PEACE IN IRAQ THAT OUR TROOPS AREN'T GETTING KILLED?
As a so called Reaganite, he surely must understand what Reagan learned from deploying troops in Lebennon?
McCain never says what the purpose of having our troops deployed forever in Iraq is to accomplish.
McCain doesn't have any regard for Iraqi's that are killed in the hundreds by the month.
McCain has not spoke to the hunting down Al Qaeda. PS, their not in Iraq.
How does McCain pay for this occupation to continue? (Taxes, borrow, or perhaps donations?)
Investing American tax dollars in America seems foriegn to Senator McCain. His plan seems to continue borrow and tax to fund the occupation and support these no bid contractors that do not even reside in America as a corporation.
He doesn't even address how or what our forces are going to bring Bush's democracy to the Iraqi people if he had his way by keeping our troops in Iraq for 50 to 100 years?
Not to mention the drain on Americas resources to hunt the 9/11 culprit.
How does Iraq now make America more secure?
As President Bush back-peddling once said, " the world is better off without the bad Saddam dictator". The world? What of our national security and its 9/11 implications by Al Qaeda?
Dr. Acula @ 78:
It rained like hell for about 20 minutes, in one neighborhood...of course it was the neighborhood where the boat was that I was working on...and 20 minutes after that...it was like it never rained...except that the no-see-ums came out in force!
Lollimom @ 81:
That is interesting...and distrubing...what are they up to I wonder?
Good thing the oldamericancentury.org is still kickin names and takin ass!
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 85:
It could be that the site was hacked. I certainly hope so...revenge is sweet.
Well at least he didn't lie.To the Hillary people who are going to vote for this man. Think.
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 85:
Old news folks
At least they can't hide from the WayBack Machine
liberalHUSSEINmoderation @ 84:
Only good