March 24, 2008
McCain: Petraeus, bin Laden And I Have Something In Common
PALM SPRINGS, CA – Usually the political response to a new message from Osama bin Laden is one of universal condemnation, but at a VFW hall in Chula Vista here this afternoon John McCain announced his support of bin Laden's most recent message.
"General Petraeus is correct when he says that the central battleground in the struggle against Al Qaeda is Iraq, and Osama bin Laden just confirmed that again with his comments last week," McCain said before quoting a line from a recent audio recording of bin Laden calling for support of the Mujahadeen in Iraq.
McCain told reporters after his town hall, "General Petraeus and I and Osama bin Laden are in agreement. It is hard to understand why Senator Clinton and Senator Obama do not understand that [Iraq is the central battleground]. I don't know if it is naiveté or what the problem is, but it's obvious that they're dead wrong, and they're wrong when they say that we should leave Iraq immediately. … And it's time that they acknowledge that the surge is succeeding and the benefits of success in Iraq will spread throughout the entire Middle East."
Although his sentiment not new, McCain selected for himself some new, strange bedfellows. And much like his statement that American troops could be in Iraq for more than 100 years, this sound bite seems ripe for Democratic criticism.
While calling on Clinton and Obama to acknowledge the importance of the battle in Iraq, McCain also suggested Clinton apologize for saying last year that to believe the surge was succeeding would require a "willing suspension of disbelief."
"I don't think I would change the strategy [in Iraq] now unless General Petraeus recommended it," McCain added. "But I would also argue that when Senator Clinton said that you'd have to suspend – a willing suspension of disbelief in order to believe that the surge was succeeding, I'm wondering when she's going to apologize for that statement. I'm wondering when they're going to stop advocating a date for withdrawal when we are succeeding in Iraq."
(NBC/NJ's ADAM AIGNER-TREWORGY)
Posted at 08:51 PM
Comments
Oy who is in charge of McCain's message? because that guy needs fired, BADLY
Iraq for 100 years
John McCain, I'm like Petreus and bin Laden
Your jobs are gone and they ain't comin' back
there's gonna be more wars
If this is just McCain shooting off his mouth, then his staff needs to find a muzzle.
Seth | 03.24.08 11:10 PM
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But it's true. McCain, the commander in chief and the commander on the ground thinks Iraq is the central front against Al-Qaeda. The enemy's leader also thinks Iraq is the central front of the war.
The only people who thinks Iraq has nothing to do with Al-Qaeda are Clinton and Obama.
Why?
Roy Mustang | 03.24.08 11:49 PM
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Anyone who applies bigger strategy interests to the war instead of short sighted emotions will see that we called them out over there and we are nearly completing a demoralizing victory over them that will have ripple effects around the world. Or visa versa.
Sandy | 03.25.08 02:26 AM
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I have to say that I agree with President McCain on this one for sure.
manny | 03.25.08 05:42 AM
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McCain is right. When Iraq succeeds, we'll have military forces based there for a century as a force in being to preempt attacks and generally keep the lid on the region. That kept the peace in Germany, Japan, and South Korea, and it will keep the peace in Iraq.
McCain is right about Iraq being the main battlefield against Al Qaeda, too. Where else are we actively engaged with jihads every day? This should be a no brainer, even for the liberals. Iraq is like a bug zapper for jihadis. They come from all over the Middle East to die in Iraq. Their failure has crushed Al Qaeda morale and diminished its reputation.
I'd much rather engage Al Qaeda in Iraq with heavily armed and armored troops than with stewardesses in First Class on airliners over America.
Tantor | 03.25.08 11:07 AM
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I am starting to like McCain more and more every day. He is dead on and petraeus and bin laden prove it....We can and will win this war! If I were Obama I would be sweating right now for sure....if bin laden could vote I gaurantee he would be casting it for Obama.....
matt | 03.25.08 11:53 AM
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I am starting to like McCain more and more every day. He is dead on and petraeus and bin laden prove it....We can and will win this war! If I were Obama I would be sweating right now for sure....if bin laden could vote I gaurantee he would be casting it for Obama.....
matt | 03.25.08 11:54 AM
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