Political Punch

Why don't you Americans wake up? Look at France that has 70% of their electricity produced by nuclear plants and still counting. They even export electricity to other countries. It seems that the American public does not investigate much around the world, just re-chew the same old political rhetorics every four years.

McCain really shows his insight and he is not an empty suit.

you know what i am soo tired of hearing about the same crab every single four years. get of oil. alternitive energy. health care for all. for the past 30yrs. we've been hearing that. it does'nt change from either side. every politition says what is needed to be said, just to get elected. quite frankley I am soo tired of hearing it. Only one person tried to make a difference. Hillary at least on Health care. You know i have a feeling that the next 20yrs i'll be hearing about foriegn oil. And alternitive energy. Or maybe we will destroy Alaska to get our own oil, which will take another 30yrs. to be productive,to payoff...It really depends on who is paying attention. And if they really want to make a difference. Not lie to the public. You know the king has a gold suit on.. greg

What I am getting from these responses is that many don't read the article. Saddam was a tyrant. The UN in their infinite wisdom was about ready to remove all of Iraq's sanctions from the preceeding Gulf War. Saddam was friends with Syria where a North Korean Nuclear Reactor was discovered being built. Fact is many of the Democrats agreed to go to war. Fact is the information provided to all political parties was inaccurate because of previous Adminstrations (Clinton?) removed counter-intelligence gathering capabilities - real smart. Wars have always been fought for resources or security reasons, to think differently someone must be born yesterday. Is the US getting the Iraqi Oil, nope, Western Europe and Turkey are. Do we think a Democratic Nation will start in Iraq, no way, they are intolerant of all religions except Islam. We have provided a training ground for future terrorists, yet have kept them busy in Iraq murdering eachother instead of letting them in the US. But is that worse then the gang violence that goes on in every inner city. Complain about all the soldiers killed but there are more people killed every year on US highways by illegals than in the whole Iraq War - something the media fails to publish. People need to read before they understand the total picture.

We have the Three Stooges running for President. Take your pick but remember it is the Senate that runs the country, the President is only the Spokesperson.

To marian - what exactly is "qualified" to be president. Let's see, Bush had no federal experience, Clinton was an unknown governor, Bush 41 is the ONLY president in recent history with executive office experience as the VP, Carter was an unknown governor, even Reagan was a governor, no federal experience. There is NO Candidate that has had to make that 3:00 AM decision or declare war elect judges, etc.

And let's not start on the guilt by association thing. All 3 have someone they would rather have not know in their background, with Clinton having the most.

Question: what's Barrack Hussein's energy policy? Answer: He doesn't have one, he's an empty suit without the required experience to handle the job!

Finally the truth, its all about oil, but look what happened we have $120 per bbl ($3 a gallon) oil! A "war" premimum of about $70 a bbl. A real energy policy is easy:
1. Import low cost Brazilian ethanol.
2. Purchase exisitng oil fields for future uses.
3. Develop oil shale/coal on Mexican border (their side) for emergency production.
4. Bill Saudi Arabia for our security services -- payable in cheap oil.
5. Sell Iraqi oil to USA for cheap prices as payback of missing revenues and cost of "freedom".
6. Provide $15,000 tax credit over three years for hybrid and alt. cars.

Is the truth of our (lack of an) energy policy become that obvious, even to McCain ? Sorry to say, but Nixon wanted to end our imported oil habit 35 years ago. Too bad no one listened to his one good idea.

What in Obama's resume makes him qualified to be President? Obama has a very scant background as a junior senator and has not reached across the aisle to work with any GOP Senator on any major legislation. So his mantra of "hope" and "change" are just a bunch of empty words. If Obama was anyone else, his long time and deep associations with the corrupt Tony Rezko, the racist Jeremiah Wright, the terrorist group Hamas, or the unrepentant bomber, William Ayers, would have meant the end of his run for President by now. So again, what makes you think Obama has any qualifications to be President? Please name just one that has any substance.

Here's a brief analysis (with statistical data) of global oil production vs. global oil comsumption which shows why McCain's claims regarding independence from Middle East oil are an impossibility:

Is McCain deliberately telling falsehoods, or is it that he truly doesn't understand? Of course the answer is: it doesn't matter! He's obviously wrong and just like Bush will never allow the facts to divert his attention from his fixed ideas and hare-brained schemes. His plan is to march steadfastly into disaster and oblivion, taking all of America with him.

Sorry; he's clearly not the man for the job.

It's unfortunate McCain states he "will have an energy policy", indicates to me he doesn't have one. Clinton says she has one but hasn't defined it. Not only has Senator Obama had one since announcing for the Presidency, he has also introduced more legislation regarding energy policy than any other Senator. Just to name a fes:S-2984, May 23rd, 2006 The Fill Up Act, S-115, Jan. 4, 2006, The Oil Sense Act: S-2045, Nov. 17, 2005, Healthcare for Hybrid Act: S-3694, June 21, 2006, The Alternative Diesel Standard Act: S-23, Jan 24, 2007, The Biofuels Security Act. There are more, need I go on. You'll find no such legislation by either of the other two candidates and you'll note many of these bills were introduced prior to Senator Obama announcing for the Presidency. Use your head folks!!

It's rather unfortunate I think that McCain states that he "will have an energy policy", indicating he doesn't have one as of yet, and Clinton speaks of having one, , while Senator Obama has not only had one for over a year, but also has legislation on the Senate floor or in committee on energy policies since his entry into the Senate. Just to name a few: S-2984,Fill Up Act introduced May 23, 2006: S-115, The Oil Sense Act, introduced Jan 4, 2007: S-2045, The Healthcare for Hybrids Act, introduced Nov. 17, 2005: S-3694, The Fuel Economy Reform Act, introduced July 19, 2006: S-3554, The Alternative Diesel Standard Act of 2006, introduced, July 19, 2006: S-23, The Biofuels Security Act, introduced Jan. 24, 2007: S-133, The American Fuels Act, introduced Jan 4, 2007: There are more. Need I go on. A number of these bills you will note were introduced before Senator Obama announced for the Presidency. There hasn't been anyone as prolific about the energy crisis in the Senate as Senator Obama. Try to find similar legislation introduced by McCain or Clinton. You won't. Use your head folks!

We must get serious about our dependence on oil and gas. We need to put the focus on countries that supply us with oil aside and start focusing on alternative forms of energy and conserving energy. Also, I am baffled as to the mindset in drilling for oil at the north pole because we can now get there because of global warming. What is wrong with our thinking? Let's focus on conserving and alternative forms of energy. Let's start walking, running, riding bikes, carpooling and taking public transportation. Let's hang our clothes on a clothesline or racks and air dry them instead of drying them in a dryer. Let's remember to turn lights off when we're not in a room. Let's recycle, recycle, recycle. And remember by doing all this you're putting extra money in your pockets. Can you get along without an air conditioner? There are other ways to keep cool. Let's turn that heat back, just add an extra blanket or two at night. Dress in layers during the day. Which candidate is the environmental candidate?

Did you guys know the united states is the saudia arabia of coal ?

I have no idea why we refuse to build more dams. We could damn the entire mississippi river and have enough electricity to run the united states -and run electric cars to boot.

Ok, anybody correct me if I'm wrong. George Bush said the war in Iraq was to introduce democracy into Iraq and free them from dictorship of Sadam. We knew Sadam never had WMD(Bush knew about that),the 9/11 terrorist were not from Iraq(as a matter of fact, Iraq hated terrorists and were killing them). Now McCain is saying we went there because of Oil, but since we invaded Iraq gas prices have been rising. We've been spending billions on Iraq since. So what's the real benefit here? We defintely need someone who never voted for the war in the White House as Gov. Ventura and Rep. Ron Paul suggested. $875 BILLION for the Iraq war and I can't even pay my college tuition without working my butt off?
PLEASE LISTEN TO REP. RON PAUL(Republican) AND GOV. VENTURA(Independent) and vote OBAMA or someone who never voted for this Iraq war.

McCain teleprompter probably had been sabotaged! Actually Ron Paul mentioned in one of the debates that it was all about oil. Since he speaks truth, I believed him then and I believe Ron now.

Had the same people that are now running for office did what the President wanted, we wouldnt be in the fix we are now. He warned about using to much corn for bifuels, an not enough for the food supply. He also asked for drilling in ANWAR, but was turned down. If they would only do what he suggested the other day, oil prices would come down, an then the cost of goods will follow. I wonder why all of this down turn started after the 2006 Elections. The Congress has the power, the President is very limited. Why don't these 3 Senators go back to Washington an do something right now, instead of making false promises they cannot keep. If .18 cents a gallon will not save us much, as Obama has said, then why is the high cost of Gas hurting the little man so much?? We need to fill our Reserves from our own oil, not purchasing it fromt he Saudi's. Also, why is it that only those folks that can afford these high prices, are not doing anything to help the little man??

PLEASE SNAP OUT OF YOUR BRAINWASHED MODES...BOTH REPUBS AND DEMOS ARE CORRUPT!!! WHAT'S MORE, ALL 3 OF THESE "FRONTRUNNERS" HAVE VOTED TO INVADE IRAN (BEFORE ANY TALKS), AND ONCE THAT'S DONE, THERE WILL BE A DRAFT (WHICH THEY ALL HAVE VOTED FOR ALSO)!!!

Anyone hear of peak oil? The rate at which oil is extracted from the ground is now being outstipped by the rate at which is being consumed.

What's up with McCain?

What is the difference between spam and an opinion? I was saying that by McCain implying the war was about oil, he may have been on the dot.

Where anyone got the idea that the Democrats are going to play cozy with Alqueda and Iran is not informed. On Obama's websites, he says that A) He will leave troops to guard the embassy, B) he will first try to negotiate with Iran to stop weapons of nuclear destruction and if that doesn't work, he's willing to wage war. That is ditto for if the middle eastern countries try to obliterate Israel. He absolutely is FOR Israel to exist.

The question is if the US withdraws from Iraq what will be the likely outcome? Some on these posts think that Iran and Al Qaeda will be emboldened and their cause will be advanced which includes the dominates of the Middle East and this makes the US and the West more vulnerable to attack. Others, think, that we are engaged in an unjust war in Iraq and although the outcome of a withdrawal is risky, it is the right thing to do no matter what the outcome. My problem is the folks in Iraq that have been on our side will be at great risk for their lives if we abandon them. I am just not comfortable with this and it would be a great injustice for us to leave them at the mercy of Al Qaeda. Question is will the people who are so much in favor of withdrawing from Iraq be able to live with themselves if there is a bloodbath and a lot of our allies in Iraq are murdered by Al Qaeda?

I will not become a monster or justify injustice out of fear.
If you are suggesting I will die for that - so be it, at least I will die free, rather than blinded with hatred and fear.

You go fight them if that's your passion, your cause is not mine.

I think he made an excellent statement.
In fact, what Mc Cain said is what everyone knows already.

Get off foreign oil, and we wont be scrapping in the middle east anymore.

The World tried to coexist with Hitler and got WWII. Does anyone really think Al Qaeda ,Iran and all the other fanatic Islamic followers will be any different and suddenly lay down their arms and "coexist" with us if we just retreat from Iraq? Think not. Reality is if the USA retreats in Iraq who will be there to defend the West when all hell breaks loose in the Middle East and beyond? You think Obama and Clinton will? Obama sat in a church for twenty years whose Pastor went to Syria with Farrakan and Obama never said a peep. I guess that's one way of coexisting, never standing up to evil even in your own backyard. Clinton's claim she was dodging rocket fire in Bosnia turned out to be a lie. If that's the extent of Clinton's war time experience, God help us all. Face up to it, our only hope is McCain.

fear is a good thing if it is based on real fear. al qaeda is real. al qaeda attacked the us on 9/11 and would do it again in a heart beat. iran is real. iran hates the west and calls the us "the great satan". if iran gets nukes, watch out. question is, will a retreat from iraq make al qaeda go away and induce iran to stop developing nukes? don't think so.

I explained, ad naseum, and in great deal this little piece of information to the White House over seven years ago. Why do these politicians fail to listen and then, when their brains do start working, act like it is new information? It is a no-brainer, if we don't need their oil products, we no longer have to kiss their butts and have a presence in the Middle East.

Sorry - 'jr' was just being sarcastic.
War sucks, and avoiding it with war is possible, but - sucks.
Ya think if we fed the world rather than burning our food there would be less war? Less starvation?

coexist

Some are saying the world thinks Bush is a fool. Why than are conservatives that support Bush being elected in France, Germany and England? Perhaps the West is starting to see that Al Qaeda, Iran, Syria, Hammas, et. al, are true threats to the West and our way of life and perhaps President Bush is doing the right thing in Iraq. Think about it, Al Qaeda is much weaker now. North Korea is starting to stand down and as to Iran, if the US retreats from Iraq as Obama and Clinton propose, than what? My guess is Iran will not even bother to talk to us they just build their nukes, hand them over to Al Qaeda, and yes, "think WWIII

We were the first to ask about McCain's level of education, his IQ and his ability to think. This man does not think at all, a real WBush senior, meaning a WBush at 71 years of age. God save America from old McCain and his follower Hillary Clinton the Bosnian General. After 8 years of W let us hope that God will put Obama in the White House because the world depends on America's leadership which has been lacking for the past 16 years. God bless America and God bless Obama. OBAMA08.

I agree with Erin, the truth is Saddam kicked out the UN inspectors and did not adhere to UN resolution 1441 and was thus invaded. Al Qaeda is in Iraq and if Al Qaeda has access to Iraq's vast oil reserves Al Qaeda will turn into a real threat for the US and the West. Iran is a threat to the US and the West and if Obama or Clinton get their way and retreat from Iraq, Iran will think the US is a bunch of yellow cowards and not think twice about building their nukes and attacking the "Great Satan" the US. The truth is we live in a dangerous world and retreating from Iraq will solve nothing only make another 9/11 more likely. By the way, the US has not been attacked since 9/11 so despite all of the negative Bush propaganda from the left, Bush must be doing something right. If you all feel safer with Obama or Clinton in charge and think withdrawing from Iraq will make Al Qaeda go away and Iran will stand down, be my guess and vote for them. I just think you all are dead wrong and are putting the lives of all of us at risk.

yeah Erin

THIS MAN IS TERRIFYING! IF HILLARY WINS THE NOMINATION AND THEN LOOSES TO THIS IDIOT WHICH SHE WILL THEN G.D. AMERICA AND THE MEDIA FOR GIVING US THIS MORON AS OUR PRESIDENT...THERE SHOULD BE A COMPREHENSION TEST BEFORE ANY AMERICAN IS ALLOWED TO VOTE.

WE ARE AN EMABRRASSMENT TO THE WORLD...LIKE THE COCKY JOCK THAT EVERYONE HATES BEHIND HIS BACK BECAUSE THEY ARE SO AFRAID OF GETTING HURT IF THEY TELL HIM THE TRUTH. DOES THAT MAKE YOU PROUD? HAVE YOU EVEN LEFT THE COUNTRY TO KNOW WHAT THE REALITY OF PERECPTION IS?

ITS THE STUPID MORONS WHO FALL FOR POLITICAL TRICKS THAT HAVE DONE THIS. YOU ARE TRAITORS TO AMERICA AND YOU SHOULD FIND SOME WHERE ELSE TO GO.

Erin,
You honestly think the U.N. Resolution was the reason we attacked Iraq? Boy!! If you recall the U.N. insisted on allowing weapons inspections to continue and given due process. But this President attacked Iraq for the sake of his own financial gain and not to enforce some U.N. Resolution. This Administration has lied from the very beginning and will continue to lie. I hope our next President has the wisdom and courage to get our troops out of Iraq. Better yet if you support these Administration policies, then join the military and let our troops who have served multiple tours have a break. Now, let’s address the issue of Al Qaeda and so called insurgency, protect the BOARDER!! I guess they wouldn’t be there if our President didn’t attack a sovereign nation regardless if we disliked their leader. If other nations in that region haven’t taken a stronger position in securing or helping with Iraq, what makes you think we need to continue this illegal occupation? Arrogance!! Ignorance!!

McCain confused and misspeaks again. Senility?

Rumsfeld was the last washed old fighter pilot taht led our war effort. McCain is the same as Rumsfeld.

McCain cannot be expected to maintain the lies of the last 8 years.
I'm not a McCain backer, but at least someone is starting to tell the truth. Once the air is cleared maybe we could learn from our mistakes.
Gosh, the king dropped his drawers 6 years ago - sleep much.

hear hear

Despite what our "leaders" tell us, I think most people know that if it weren't for oil, we wouldn't give a damn about that part of the world.

What's funny is this, I hear all of you waiting for politicians to solve your problems, but what are you during? Are you driving less, are you conserving your energy at home better. The only way out of this, is for us to all make sacrifices, and I mean serious sacrifices. Get rid of your big SUV'S, quit buyings big houses that require alot of energy. The problem here is that we are all spoiled, and all we do is complain, but we don't want to make any sacrifices.

What's funny is this, I hear all of you waiting for politicians to solve your problems, but what are you during? Are you driving less, are you conserving your energy at home better. The only way out of this, is for us to all make sacrifices, and I mean serious sacrifices. Get rid of your big SUV'S, quit buyings big houses that require alot of energy. The problem here is that we are all spoiled, and all we do is complain, but we don't want to make any sacrifices.

What's funny is this, I hear all of you waiting for politicians to solve your problems, but what are you during? Are you driving less, are you conserving your energy at home better. The only way out of this, is for us to all make sacrifices, and I mean serious sacrifices. Get rid of your big SUV'S, quit buyings big houses that require alot of energy. The problem here is that we are all spoiled, and all we do is complain, but we don't want to make any sacrifices.

Keith - Get thee from my home thou destroyer of unity. If truly you are upset with current policies, only unity will affect a change.
Seems more likely you are a ultra conservative 'swift boat' vet.

jock59801 - Biofuels are the answer but the implemention of this changeover is as more terrifying than the implementation of the war in Iraq.

Jatropha or similar plants ar about 7x more efficient in the production of ethanol than corn and grows in arid climates. It has been used to prevent desertification in Africa. Using this source would not drain our already depleted aquifers or displace food production.

Of course the motto 'plug it in plug it in' should also be addressed. building a coal fired power plant and sending kids to war so you can plug it in to eliminate the stench of your own home is ludicrous. Sorry - I'm one of the 'bitter' ones...

The price of gas is all about supply and demand. China and the rest of the world are competing with the USA for oil and OPEC is controlling the supply so prices go up. If Obama and Clinton were for the USA drilling for oil in Alaska, building new refineries and nuclear power plants, I might think they were really interested reducing our dependence on the Middle East for oil and lowering the price of gas and food for blue collar workers and the middle class. Fact is Obama and Clinton are in the tank with the green loons who will do anything to stop the USA from getting the energy the people need at lower prices. Instead both Obama and Clinton lie to the people about the so called pipe dreams of alternative energy like bio fuels that are causing food prices to go sky high and starving people in developing Nations.

Obama and Clinton are false prophets who hold out empty promises of a Utopian world run and ruled by them. Problem is their vision of a Utopian world will put us all into the poor house while the State worker, politicians and Rezko types are laughing all the way to the bank with the people's money lining pockets.

Point is Obama believes government is the answer to all the Nation's problems when it is the people who makes the Nation what it is. Reality is government uses a stick to take from the people and than uses the dead hand of government to decide who gets what back if anything. If the people are allowed to keep what they have than the carrot of the free market will prevail and everyone will have a chance to prosper. Given Obama's choice of a Pastor, who he let his kids listen to for the past twenty years, I would not trust Obama with two cents of anyones hard earned money.

gasoline and oil as a fuel for public transportation is FOOLISH and IRRESPONSIBLE AT BEST. It is down right fatal to the existence of our future generations. Oil serves a purpose in this earth. We extract it by the billions of barrels without question. Just as we killed off the once vast herds of buffalo that sustained the native Americans, our greed is now repeating itself but in a far more wide sweeping and fatally devastating way not only for us, but life on this earth. Building upon an old and failed technology is NOT PROGRESS!

So that means that the straight talk express was not being straight with us when he said that the war in Iraq that he pushed for was not about oil.

Lets face it, without oil from the Middle East the US might as well go back to the horse and buggy era and start burning wood in a fire place to heat our homes. Also, despite the hype alternative energy sources cannot provide enough energy meet the US demands for energy and, in the case of biofuels, are causing food shortages in developing Nations and raising food prices here. Further,even the most ardent global warming advocates (such as Teddy Kennedy) are objecting to wind turbines in their back yards because they are so unsightly. Obama and Clinton's solution to solving the US energy dependence on the Middle East is to raise the taxes of the oil corporations. This tactic was tried by another Democrat Carter and caused oil shortages, higher gas prices and long lines at the gas stations. As the saying goes, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. McCain is a least trying to propose some common sense solutions to the US dependence on Middle East Oil. The fact is the best way to ease our dependence on Middle East Oil is to take advantage of the oil, coal and natural gas we have here at home. Obama and Clinton are very much against this making it more likely that the US will continue to be dependent on the Middle East for oil, as again, alternative energy cannot meet the USA's current needs for energy for all kinds of reasons and in many cases, ie. biofuels, are a bad idea anyway.

The fact that w/out crude we come to a hault. So be it, than you restart. These band-aids are getting dirty and people are becomming, (our own people) unhealthy in several ways. A break-down should equal re-establish, in a manner that is the American ways, not this BS each leader or soon to be is dancing. We need better balance even while we are at war. Survival is at the stake.

Yep. War for oil. Made worse by the fact we didn't GET ANY.

zoom - Corn-based ethanol is indeed a bad idea, but it is not the only alternative to MidEast oil. We just have to be smarter about it.

If we don't get off oil (no matter the source) we will see wars for food and water in the future due to global warming and environmental destruction. Having said that, oil is not the only concern. Many experts agree that if there was ever a WW3, one of the most likely sparks would be some event involving Jersalem's Dome of the Rock / Temple Mount. And yet we have spent 7 years doing nothing trying to bring about peace between the Palestinians and Israelis. And Bush thinks a deal can be done in a few months? Without involving Hamas? With Israelis continuing to grab Palestinian land? There's your next one.

McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the other presidential candidates.

Mike - WA - Considering the number of times he has had to ask his advisors what his "position" is, he apparently doesn't know himself.

What is this guys position on issues? He seems to change them with every audience he talks to.

The funny thing is, even with this bold face lying by McCain, the media will still focus on the democrats fighting and Obamas ex-preacher. If this had been Obama that flip flopped his story and said something this stupid you would never-ever hear the end of it. People lets just make sure we make our voices heard this November! And it is so funny to hear McLie talk about how he plans to get the troops out when just a couple weeks ago it was WE CAN BE IN IRAQ FOR ANOTHER 100 YEARS...Lets not forget that. NOW THIS IS PANDERING AT ITS BEST!...OR WORST BECAUSE HE CAN'T EVEN KEEP HIS STORY STRAIGHT FOR 24 HOURS!

Independence from foreign oil is a myth, just like WMD. Please people - coexist - don't burn your food out of resentment.
Reactionary ethanol policies poorly implemented will kill many more than the Iraq debacle.

The US needs to build new nuclear power plants, speed the pace of clean coal technology, build new refineries, and drill where-ever possible (ANWR) for domestic oil production - we need to do it soon. Relieving our dependence on foreign oil (some money from which winds up funding terrorists), and reducing carbon emissions that feed global warming by switching over to nuclear power is a no brainer, conservation would help as well. Problems with waste containment/disposal can be figured out as our technology improves in the future.

Bitter - damn right and ashamed, and at the same time I know Saddam needed to go, but bad intelligence (i.e. stupidity) cannot be blamed or used to justify anything while maintaining one iota of integrity. I will not tolerate an administration a group of leaders of the greatest free nation earth has ever known to tarnish the image of America, of Freedom. God its hard to watch it happen.

You know, anymore, I'm not sure if these times are the beginning of VERY bad times, or the beginning of VERY good times. Millions of us have now noticed that the KING HAS NO PANTS in spite of what he has been telling us. This may signal the beginning of good times to come ONLY IF WE TAKE ACTION AND GET RID OF THE KING! You and I must take a stand and flex our collective strength in a show of denial this November! This nation must NEVER go to war again if possible... and I DO MEAN IF AT ALL POSSIBLE! Bush and Cheney have almost destroyed this nation, quite literally destroyed us. The very fact that we allow them to preside over us (because of some B.S. loop hole law) is INSANE! If we do not take a stand TODAY, RIGHT NOW, then we set the example for this sheep-like mentality that surrounds us to do the same! WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND DEMAND IMPEACHMENT!

Like it or not, the reality is that a lot of geopolitics centers around who controls the stratgic resources like oil. You can talk about "No war for oil" all day long but the simple reality is that without a reliable supply of crude, our country will come to a screeching halt. That won't just hurt Exxon, that will jeopardize everyone's livelihood....everyone's. That's not a defense of invading Iraq. That was a mistake on so many levels. That being said, McCain speaks the truth. Becoming independent of foreign oil, especially from the Middle East, is the single greatest thing we could do for our national security. We'll never have a rational Middle East policy until the Arab states stop having an economic gun to our head.

Mary - hypocricy it is not. Unfortunately we as a country, democrat or republican are stuck in Iraq for the long term. Not because we want to be, but because of a terrible policy justified with lies.
Because of travesty on top of travesty that completely destroy an honorable, successful implementation of this misguided policy. Specifically understaffing the military to enable the funneling of dollars to subcontractors like Blackwater resulting in the deaths of US soldiers. I was one, and resent the fact that our troops, paid about 20k a year are used to protect these subcontractors making 200k a year.
The torture campaign on top of that is terrible. I will not become a monster or justify injustice out of fear.

He hit the nail on the head. We invaded Iraq to secure the oil reserves to put the into American friendly hands. To provide valuable leases for US and UK oil companies and huge contracts for oil industry companies, like Halliburton.

Its not oil independene we need as much as INDEPENDENCE from OIL.

Is this just me, or does anyone else read into this that McCain just ADMITTED that the MAIN reason we went to war and our sons and daughters died in Iraq was for OIL?

I love McCain. When he becomes president in November he will be ready to write the 3rd chapter of the great book: "Idiot American Presidents". Bush is wrapping up the first 2 chapters.
-Billo

Now this is straight talk. Well done Sen. McSame. You make me proud. Old people tend to let the truth out once in a while (even politician). At 72 years old you will let the truth out eventually. Believe me I know. I am 69 years old and I have a hard time trying not to let my true feelings out.
-Billo

100 years of war in Iraq? Maybe because there is only 100 years worth of oil in Iraq

McCain can backtrack all he wants but the remark about never having to send our troops to the Middle East again (because of the need to defend oil supplies) was actually a freudian slip and he just forgot to lie. After all, he's getting on in years and keeping all the lies straight becomes ever harder as one gets older and the brain works less efficiently. So he just told the truth that we all know and the Bush and fellow felons have tried to window dress behind the guise of 'democracy' (even though we have no democracy even here at home). I hope McCain commits more freudian slips. That way we inadvertently have access to the truth from the mouth of a professional politician, on rare occasions. They can't fool all the people all the time.

McCain said exactly what everybody knew all along. Bush & Cheney wanted the Iraq oil. Bushco pushed for the Iraq War 2 to create choas and steal both Oil and loot the United States. Bushco accomplished its mission.

McCain "Straight talk"?

DOUBLE TALK! Out both sides of his mouth!!!!!

Neither the Gulf War nor the Iraq War would have happened if it was not for BIG OIL. And both Bush and Cheney has millions invested in stocks of the 'no bid' companies that are now engaged in Iraq. Invasion of Iraq was certainly wrong and not worth the costs. Lives lost or forever damaged and the trillion $ cost are not worth it in any form.

To JTS, We will be in iraq no matter what.

Candidates Clinton and Obama have said they will have u.s troops guarding our embassy.

Candidates Clinton and Obama have said they will leave them to go after al queda.

Candidate Clinton has said she will leave them as a buffer to Iran.

It is the utter height of hypocricy for the dems to have it both ways and pretend somehow they won't have a presence there. You will need supply lines to the embassy. You will need to keep the airport underu .s control to ferry them back and forth to the airport.

Time for the dems to be honest with the public.

Well I guess a republican can tell the truth.Since the war is not keeping our prices down then it must be lining the pockets of the neocons,like Bush/Cheney
McSame just confirmed what was known a long time ago, esp when no WMD were found and after the death of Saddam,the war never ended. The US continued presence their just brought on more and more hostility. The price of oil is extremely high when paid for with human lives.

The ad says nothing about being in Iraq during combat. The point of the "100 years" ad is entirely legitimate. Consider the following about McCain's statement:

1-he is comfortable being in Iraq long term during peace
2-he thinks it is possible for US to station troops in Iraq peacefully
3-he is hurting US interests in the Middle East by saying this.

Regarding 1, the American public does not want to be in Iraq peacefully or not. This is fair and important for people to know that it would be "fine" with McCain. Regarding 2, how incrediby naive to think that long term presence without violence is at all possible. The ad shows that he does not appreciate the nature of Iraq. It also shows that the self-proclaiming foreign-policy guru knows nothing about Middle East history, and in particular post WW1 Iraq and the anarchy, insurgency, violence, and insurrection that British presence provoked and could not quell. The Iraqis would never tolerate long term infidel/crusader presence in their country.

Regarding 3, consider the harm that McCain's stupid thoughts could cause for US soldiers in Iraq today. Many Iraqis already believe the worst of our presence, that we are there for oil and we are crusaders etc. A statement like McCain's from a would-be president is fans the flames of insurgency in Iraq.

McCain's statement was assinine, and he has not backed down from it. He has only complained about the "context". Boo frickin hoo!

Oh, and before someone slams me on the Wright thing, I was just talking about the Obama "message" in political terms.

@Mary:

Whether you like him or not, the reason Obama's message resonates is because it is a very Christian message - not Islamic. He plays up hope & redemption quite a bit. Again, it doesn't matter whether you believe him or not - it is a message tai