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Jake Tapper is ABC News' Senior White House Correspondent based in the network's Washington bureau. He writes about politics and popular culture and covers a range of national stories.
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Obama's Surge Problem
September 07, 2008 9:51 AM
One particular part of Bill O'Reilly's interview with Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has been getting a great deal of attention: Obama's new language that the surge of US troops in Iraq "succeed(ed) beyond our wildest dreams."
Here's the full exchange: LINK O’REILLY: I think you were desperately wrong on the surge, and I think you should admit it to the nation that now we have defeated the terrorists in Iraq, and the Al Qaeda came there after we invaded, as you know. We defeated them.
OBAMA: Right.
O’REILLY: If we didn't, they would have used it as a staging ground. We've also inhibited Iran from controlling the southern part of Iraq by the surge, which you did not support. So why won’t you say, "I was right in the beginning. I was wrong about that"?
OBAMA: If you listen to what I've said, and I'll repeat it right here on this show, I think that there’s no doubt that the violence is down. I believe that that is a testimony to the troops that were sent and General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker. I think that the surge has succeeded in ways that nobody anticipated, by the way, including President Bush and the other supporters. It has gone very well, partly because of the Anbar situation and the Sunni awakening, partly because of the Shia military. Look…
O’REILLY: But if it were up to you, there wouldn’t have been a surge.
OBAMA: Look…
O’REILLY: No, no, no, no.
OBAMA: No, no, no…
O’REILLY: If it were up to you, there wouldn’t have been a surge.
OBAMA: No, no, no.
O’REILLY: You and Joe Biden, no surge.
OBAMA: Hold on a second, Bill. If you look at the debate that was taking place, we had gone through five years of mismanagement of this war that I thought was disastrous. And the president wanted to double down and continue on an open-ended policy that did not create the kinds of pressure on the Iraqis to take responsibility and reconcile.
O’REILLY: But it worked. It worked. Come on.
OBAMA: Bill, what I've said is - I've already said it succeed beyond our wildest dreams.
O’REILLY: Why can't you say, "I was right in the beginning, and I was wrong about the surge"?
OBAMA: Because there's an underlying problem where what have we done. We have reduced the violence.
O’REILLY: Yes.
OBAMA: But the Iraqis still haven't taken responsibility, and we still don’t have the kind of political reconciliation. We are still spending, Bill, $10 to $12 billion a month.
In Cedarburg, Wisc., on Friday, as ABC News' Imtiyaz Delawala and Bret Hovell reported, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin took on Obama's response.
"Just last night, Sen. Obama finally broke, and brought himself to admit what all the rest of us have known for quite some time, and that’s, thanks to the skill and valor of our troops, the surge in Iraq has succeeded," Palin said. "I guess when you turn out to be profoundly wrong on a vital national security issue, maybe it's comforting to pretend that everyone was wrong, too. But I remember it a little differently. It seems to me there was one leader in Washington who did predict success, who refused to call retreat, and risked his own career for the sake of the surge and victory in Iraq, and ladies and gentlemen, that man is standing right next to me -- Sen. John McCain."
The new Obama language and new McCain attack come as a new Democratic poll from Stan Greenberg et al indicates that the traditional advantage Republicans have with voters on national security issues has return.
Forty nine percent of those surveyed think Republicans were better on national security compared to 35% for Democrats. And 53% of those polled believe the surge has produced real positive results, 39% say it has failed.
- jpt
September 7, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (87)
"
Sen. Barack Obama will never admit he was wrong. He would rather admit that Bush and everyone else was wrong and not him. If the US would have listen to Biden and Obama in Iraq, the US would have had its second major loss (Vietnam and Iraq) in recent history.
"
Wow...it seems every post I read on here is extremely idiotic. Heres the difference between Iraq and Vietnam- about 55,000 lives. Vietnam was only a major loss because of the loss of life. Don't even get me started in the bull between communism and capitalism...fighting over economic ideals?
Iraq is not a major loss...it shouldnt even be considered a win or a loss because its just as bullcrappy as Vietnam in terms of why we are fighting it.
----
Back on topic though, as far as I'm concerned, from what I read in this article, If McCain-Palin get into office, I have a feeling they will restrict the freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Seems to me they are afraid of the media. I also hope when Charlie Gibson does interview Palin, he confronts her on this very issue because it seems to me she is afraid of the media.
Posted by: Squall | Sep 10, 2008 5:30:53 PM
Sen. Barack Obama will never admit he was wrong. He would rather admit that Bush and everyone else was wrong and not him. If the US would have listen to Biden and Obama in Iraq, the US would have had its second major loss (Vietnam and Iraq) in recent history.
Posted by: Dr Hubert, Lt Col, USAF, Retired (2005) | Sep 8, 2008 5:09:35 PM
And the "surge" only appears to be working because we are giving money and arms to the Sunnis, who until recently were placing IEDS and shooting at U.S. soldiers. Arming your enemies and paying them a salary never works unless you plan on doing those for 100+ years like McCain wants to. Once we stop giving the Sunnis money, they will go right back to being insurgents against us, the Shias and anyone else. Wake up people, the Iraq fair is a colossal blunder that had no military relevancy and has only fanned the flames of the already existing civil war. We should never have been involved.
Posted by: miles1967 | Sep 8, 2008 4:41:02 PM
With all the talk about the "Success" of the surge, we seem to have forgotten that McCain's original vote in support of a war that by all accounts was a disaster and engaged in for wrong and misguided reasons resulted in the death of over 4 thousand Americans and countless Iraqis. If the Bush administration had not misled the country into a war that McCain, and not Obama, supported, thousands of families would still be in tact. Why aren't we talking about this ?
Posted by: JimL | Sep 8, 2008 10:33:24 AM
Just some general comments. Of course Obama has been vetted, every moment of his life has been looked at. To think otherwise is just plain silly,,,sorry but it is.
As for his judgement, when the pressure was the most, he voted against the war....he did not cave in.....O' course he was right, even the republican know this now.
As for being the next president. We all have a duty, as Americans to get the facts, the facts now on the two running for office. We live in an age that we can vet both men and make an intelligent decision.
I for one feel that Obama is a man of great vision, can rally America, and move us back to where were 8 years ago, when the world looked up to us. He already proved he has no problem meeting with world leaders and they were impressed with him.
He is a man of great faith but he doesn't let it rule him (with Palin I don't think we can say the same).
McCain is a man that has always had the best interest of America in his thoughts and should be commended for that. But right now, this time he is not the right person.
We need be change. Not someone that is always one step behind Obama.
But that is just my opinion. I trust you all will do your American duty and your homework, and vote for who you feel will take this country forward, who will protect us, who will be a true leader and make the hard choices.
Posted by: letsgetreal | Sep 8, 2008 1:38:01 AM
Yes the surge worked. It worked because the Iraqi people were tired of being killed by terrorists. Sorry to disappoint a lot of you folks but most of the Iraqi's killed have been killed by the terrorists or sectarian violence not by US action. No, the Iraqis are siding with US forces to weed out the terrorists. To quote one Iraqi official, "there are no more safe houses that are safe for them." The surge has provided the security umbrella needed for the Iraqis to come forth with information.
Now the Iraqi politicians have to do their job. Much has already been done but much more needs to be done. It does look as though they are going to get the job done though. At least they are headed in the right direction. It would be a shame to pull out now and turn the country and all of its oil over to Iran. Iran is rapidly running out of oil so in about 10 years they won't have the money to keep their nuclear program going. They want and need Iraqi oil.
Posted by: Curious Jack | Sep 8, 2008 12:31:12 AM
Firstly, focusing on how 'successful' the surge has been ignores a few incovenient facts: there never should have been an invasion of Iraq, and it's been a total disaster strategically and eocnomically. Secondly, Bush and McCain have been WRONG about everything: WMDs, links between Iraq and 9-11, that we'd be greeted with flowers, the war would pay more itself, mission accomplished, the insurgents were nothin but a few dead-enders, the war would be over in weeks, the Iraqis would take to democracy like a duck to water, that the war could be fought on the cheap with less than 100,000 troops. Just because Bush gets lucky on the surge doesn't absolve him from the complete failure of the prosecution of the war, and misleading us into it. If you want to talk judgement, I'll compare Obama's to Bush/McCain's anyday and it's clear who comes out on top - Obama.
Posted by: geenie | Sep 7, 2008 8:12:01 PM
Peaches, you know, I would love BHO to win just for you to see what a miserable failure he would be. But alas, have to put Country 1st, so go McCain / Palin!
Besides who would the far-lefties blame and hate for the next 8 years? You guys need this hatred to keep you going....think about it!
Posted by: Beckie | Sep 7, 2008 7:26:09 PM
Obama's answer to the question was "uh uh uh uh humuna humuna humuna humuna BS BS BS BS"
Obama's answer that "it succeeded beyond our wildest dreams..." referred to his dreams only. It was not surprising to McCain that the surge succeeded, since McCain actually knows something about war.
Posted by: David H | Sep 7, 2008 7:21:17 PM
Cooday is right "America has the attention span of a 30 second commercial"
Posted by: Annie | Sep 7, 2008 6:46:19 PM
Over 2,000,000 Iraq people have left their country in fear. Over 250,000 of them killed.
Over 4,155 Americans killed and over 30,324 Americans wounded.
American has the attention span of a 30 second commercial.
We all remember the neo-conservatives beating the drum's of war.
We all have family that have served 3 tours or more. Now we have family getting ready
to leave for Iraq and Afghanistan.
Now the Media proudly points to the Surge as a Victory less then 8 weeks before the election.
Lets see if we can trip up Obama and the majority of America people on this? The headlines on these type of interviews last what 48 hours? While families seeing their loved ones or waiting for family to return lasts months and few tours then its years years. Is this Victory?
Voters can have their own victory November Fourth by voting for Change we can believe in
Obama/Biden '08
Posted by: Cooday | Sep 7, 2008 6:41:43 PM
Iraq, Saturday 6 September 2008: 29 dead
Baghdad: car bomb kills Sahwa member, Saidiya; 2 bodies found.
Tal Afar: suicide bomber blows up car, kills 6.
Mosul: policeman dies when bomb stuck on his car explodes.
Bani Zaid: roadside bomb kills 2.
Baquba: roadside bomb kills 1.
South of Baquba: roadside bomb kills 3 family members.
Iskandariya: gunmen kill 1.
Mahnawiya: 1 body found.
Falluja: gunmen kill 2 policeman at checkpoint.
Saqlawiya: 9 bodies found.
Posted by: Thank you, John McSame | Sep 7, 2008 6:31:39 PM
Go tell the families of the 4,155 Americans who were killed in Iraq about the greatness of the surge.
Or the tens of thousands of Americans who were wounded there in combat.
Or the families of the more than 1 million Iraqi casualties as a result of the American attack, invasion and occupation.
Posted by: Lincoln | Sep 7, 2008 6:25:25 PM
"I'll vote for McCain/Palin" (Katie)
I will not vote for McCain/Palin.
Posted by: Ludmila | Sep 7, 2008 6:21:59 PM
I voted for Hillary. Now I'll vote for McCain/Palin
Posted by: Katie | Sep 7, 2008 5:55:01 PM
The surge...Spare me the stupidity. So because there is a decrease in violence because of the so-called surge we should now claim the effort is a success? How utterly stupid and pathetic is that? Clearly the definition of success for Republicans is far LOWER than that of Democrats. The Iraqi conflict will never be considered a success until our true are home and the Iraqi government stands on its own two feet. Everything else is semantics and NONSENSE. The surge worked? Gimme a break..(lol)
Posted by: Dems | Sep 7, 2008 5:06:22 PM
lolol Paint a huge "L" on Obama's forehead, LOSER!! LOLOLOL
Posted by: Mary Anne | Sep 7, 2008 4:32:24 PM
Obama doesn't have a "surge problem". He has said similar things many times in the past. His point is that the talk of the surge completely misses the point (and I blame the media for eating up McCain's talking points). In reality the surge was only a minor cause in the reduction of violence. The MAJOR causes was the "success" of ethnic cleansing in Iraq, the Anbar awakening, and al-Sadr's unilateral cease fire. These weren't the surge. And Obama is right, there still hasn't been the sort of long term political reconciliation, in fact we have set into motion events that will almost certainly blow up in violence later--arming Sunni militias, and ignoring the 4.5 million Iraqi refugees.
But if we want to talk about JUDGMENT, why does the media play McCain's game by making it all about the surge, why do we never talk about the REAL test of judgment which was whether or not to invade in the first place?? THAT was the real test, and McCain and Bush were dead WRONG, and they still haven't figured it out. Let's talk judgment, but let's cut the crap.
Posted by: TPIP | Sep 7, 2008 4:20:01 PM
Obama is such a respectable human being, let alone candidate for president---especially when compared to those on the right. He fearlessly faces evangelicals who opposes him on the controversial topic of abortion, he graciously deems Bristol Palin as "off limits", he admits his answer to Rick Warren on abortion was a bit "flippant", and he concedes that the surge worked. There is no way on planet earth the Repblicans would concede anything--EVER. Obama bravely faced the evangelicals, but lately we can't get Palin to face anybody. She painted herself as a big, bad, tough pit bull, so why is she in hiding? Why isn't she taking quiestions from the Sunday morning talking heads? She's afraid, that's why. It was easy to get up and read a speech written by the Bush crew, but it's a whole other game to go out and defend her views, beliefs, and record with hard-hitting commentators and reporters. Anybody can throw a punch and run. Come out of hiding Sarah, we're waiting for you!
Posted by: GeorgiaforObama | Sep 7, 2008 3:44:35 PM
The Iraqis haven't taken responsibility. That's all that matters.
Posted by: vet | Sep 7, 2008 3:43:22 PM
Gen. David Petraeus advised George W. Bush last week to stop withdrawing troops from Iraq because the situation is so fragile. There were suicide bombings in Baghdad and Iraq last week and there are ominous political signs on the horizon that indicate Iraq will eventually destruct. So, I don't think the surge was a success by any measure, except for the small part it played in temporarily bringing down violence. Before the election, we may very well see war with the insurgency or civil war breakout in Iraq. Then, the G.O.P. spin meisters will have another problem on their hands. Obama/Biden 2008!!!
Posted by: caliguy55 | Sep 7, 2008 3:12:34 PM
Obama says anything to get himself elected. The problem is most Americans don't see it and the media don't care about it.
Posted by: Canadien | Sep 7, 2008 3:06:29 PM
O'Reilly complimented Obama on his position of not invading Iraq. A couple months ago, George Stephanopoulos asked McCain if knowing what we know about Iraq would he still have invaded Iraq. McCain said yes.
Why isn't McCain getting media coverage for saying he still thinks the invasion of Iraq was the correct thing to do? McCain started doing the rounds with the media and comedy shows the day after 9/11. McCain was also pushing war with Iran.
O'Reilly was a bully as usual, interrupting nonstop with his preconceived version of the truth. There are many articles proving the other actions helped make the surge successful. Obama has explained it many times, but the media does not listen
How can anyone believe Palin is being picked on by the media when they will not even do their job at researching all facts in regard to Obama.
The media would rather talk about flag pins and whether someone is arrogant.
Posted by: Julie | Sep 7, 2008 1:55:11 PM
NOT OBAMA's SURGE PROBLEM...latest news.
Bob Woodward's book cites inside sources as saying other factor contiriuted 85% or more to reduction of troop violence. McCain wants to keep a complex problem simple...and it is not. And it is not about the "SURGE".
Sorry for copying your post BG, but I read this too and I'm glad that someone is putting it out there. Not that republicans care to read anything that doesn't support their position, but maybe there are a few open minded independents left on these boards.
Posted by: lying liars | Sep 7, 2008 1:29:26 PM
maggie
Actually Obama is saying precisely what General Petraeus is saying;
"You will not find any military leader who will say this ... all we can say is Al Qaeda is still dangerous...There are many missions that have not been achieved ... Any person who replaces me and who is honest with himself must admit these facts," Petraeus said.
"What works in Mosul today, may not work in Tikrit today. In fact, it may not work in Mosul tomorrow".
That is far from saying the surge is a success.
Posted by: Lou | Sep 7, 2008 1:23:32 PM
NOT OBAMA's SURGE PROBLEM...latest news.
Bob Woodward's book cites inside sources as saying other factor contiriuted 85% or more to reduction of troop violence. McCain wants to keep a complex problem simple...and it is not. And it is not about the "SURGE".
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/04/warwithin.html?hpid=topnews
Posted by: bg | Sep 7, 2008 1:16:05 PM
If it were the Iraqi troops surge and if this surge were paid for by the Iraqi government then it would be a strategic success. So Obama is RIGHT -- while violence against American troops is successfully curtailed by the American troops surge, the Iraqi government remains impotent. So the bottom line is, the Iraqi national security problem again remains costly unresolved. I say, the American administration should stop babysitting the Iraqi government.
Posted by: Ludmila | Sep 7, 2008 1:15:45 PM
That's nothing -- Obama is for it WHILE he is against it. LOL
Posted by: maggie | Sep 7, 2008 12:51:45 PM
How well did the media vet Barack H Obama? Did they do the spade work digging into every aspect of OHB's life from birth until today? Did they investigate the political views of his mother and father and his white grandparent's who raised him (says something about his own mother and father's parenting skills)? Did they vet his school days in Indonesia, Hawaii and his time at Columbia with teams of on the spot investigators? What was his GPA at Columbia? Did they investigate fully his confession of being a druggie and when he stopped using drugs? The sound of silence is deafening.
All the concern voiced about Governor Sarah Palin's lack of experience is surely intended to mask Senator Barak H. Obama's executive experience which is a blank page unless his time as Chairman of the Chicago based Annenberg Project run actually by former Weather Underground leader and unrepentant terrorist bomber Bill Ayers is included. Together Obama/Ayers are reported to have invested $100,000,000 in the Annenberg Project. What did they accomplsh? To date this period of his work experience has been written in invisible ink. And the BHO campaign is going to extreme efforts to insure that the records of this phase of his executive experience are buried and remain invisible.
What else is buried about BHO's past, besides Ayers,Wright, Rezco? Could it be the identity of "Frank' his mentor for a period of time in Hawaii?
The secrecy surrounding BHO's past belies his attempt tp portray himself as a 'new' and 'different' politician. And his speech filled with a litany of 'to dos' is the same old same old liberal/socialist agenda tax, tax, spend, spend on more and more government programs so the American people become dependent on the government for everything, the new USSA , United Socialist States of America.
Posted by: Patrick49 | Sep 7, 2008 12:46:17 PM
The better voters get to know Obama, his background and his political know how, the more we know he is not fit to be president. Voters would not want his definition of change unless they are looking for a socialist handout. It's was not the intent of the Constitution or Bill of Rights. He is more supportive of irresponsible than self reliant people. He does not tell the truth.
McCain/Palen in November.
Posted by: Mary | Sep 7, 2008 12:32:59 PM
Patrick49
McCain was for drilling for oil before he was against it and McCain was for immigration reform before he was against it.
Posted by: Lou | Sep 7, 2008 12:22:39 PM
Obama is correct in what he is saying about the surge, unless, of course General Petraeus is wrong and Sarah Palin is correct.
Posted by: Lou | Sep 7, 2008 12:20:58 PM
Please educate yourself about the
Obama--ACORN connection.
Something else the MSM ignores.
Posted by: riley | Sep 7, 2008 12:19:50 PM
On July 28th of this year, General Petraeus said about the surge:
"What works in Mosul today, may not work in Tikrit today. In fact, it may not work in Mosul tomorrow".
That is far from saying the surge is a success.
Unless, of course, Sarah Palin knows more than Petraeus does, that is.
Posted by: Lou | Sep 7, 2008 12:08:56 PM
I just can't see Obama as president up against a powerful leader like Putin.
Obama looks weak, unsure, and easily led even against O'Reilly.
He stutters, stammers, changes the subject and eventually is talked into going against his original stance.
Even on the stump he acts immature, silly, not very presidential.
God help us all...
Posted by: riley | Sep 7, 2008 12:07:33 PM
The democrats have a lock on the Olympic year flip-flop competition. Kerry was the 2004 flip-flop gold medal winner and Obama apparently has a lock on the 2008 competition with"I think that the surge has succeeded in ways that nobody anticipated,..." followed by his squirrelly effort to make it appear that the President didn't have faith in the surge and that other factors were responsible for the surge's success illustrate his meager grasp of military matters and a complete lack of reasoned judgment. A dangerous combination in a Commander-in-Chief.
Posted by: Patrick49 | Sep 7, 2008 12:02:29 PM
Strange thing about Biden.
1. He twice slips and says he is running for President of the US.
2. He says if he had more hair he wouldn't be screwing around with the VP slot.
3. He goes on and on praising McCain with personal memoirs.
Who is Biden for anyway?????
Obama really blew it with this pick.
_____________________________________
Yes, I noticed that too especially the one where he said he was running for president. Obama should have picked Hillary. It is very clear now. Biden conducted that interview as though Obama did not exist. Apparently Obama did not want to be out done by Hillary. The problem is with Obama's lack of experience anyone would be stronger as a VP than he would be as a president.
Obama never should have been the DNC nominee. I am a Hillary supporter who is voting for McCain.
Posted by: Samantha | Sep 7, 2008 12:01:30 PM
The Iraq War is bull!! We should have never been there. Folks it is all about OIL. SURGE??? Did it work?? Why did it work?? That verdict is still out. Iraq has surplus in their pockets, but still taking money from America who has worst debt in entire US history. Republicans don't want you to talk about facts why America even went. Why America's debt is largest ever!!! Republicans won't tell you about all the US questionable and secretive oil contracts. Pull out of troops is now questionable as Iraq and US government are playing more games.
I am shocked.
Posted by: Sharonklim | Sep 7, 2008 12:01:13 PM
Obama looked like a kid in the principle's office on O'Reilly. Even his uh, uh, ums were what one would expect of a kid caught off guard by an authority figure. He's toast, plain and simple. He suffers from great overexposure and now he is finally receiving some of the scrutiny that is long overdue and he doesn't look good under a microscope. Couple that with an abysmal choice for VP who no one is even paying attention to anymore. Poor Joe couldn't even get himself arrested these days. The McCain team has knocked Obama totally off his game if he even had one to begin with. Ever since the "celebrity" ads came out, he has been off kilter and Palin has now pushed him over the edge. The American public is seeing that not only does the would be emporer have no clothes, they are seeing that his dangerous Marxist ideology would destroy this country as we know it. Stick a fork in him, Uh-bama is done.
Posted by: Joanne600 | Sep 7, 2008 11:50:40 AM
Strange thing about Biden.
1. He twice slips and says he is running for President of the US.
2. He says if he had more hair he wouldn't be screwing around with the VP slot.
3. He goes on and on praising McCain with personal memoirs.
Who is Biden for anyway?????
Obama really blew it with this pick.
Posted by: ja | Sep 7, 2008 11:48:27 AM
"If Obama was President, we wouldn't be in Iraq. He was right from day 1."
We don't know that, because he knew nothing. Just like now.
Posted by: drjohn | Sep 7, 2008 11:46:38 AM
"Bill, what I've said is - I've already said it succeed beyond our wildest dreams."
No he didn't.
He has a tendency to say these things. The problem is that they're not true.
Posted by: drjohn | Sep 7, 2008 11:45:41 AM
If Obama was President, we wouldn't be in Iraq. He was right from day 1.
Posted by: AkaDad | Sep 7, 2008 11:45:00 AM
Obama is as smart as a hog. He was opposed to the surge and yet admits it succeeded. If you were applying a math expression you could show it as follows:
Obama = no surge.
Success = surge
Obama = no success
I'm still going to vote for him just because of who the Democrats will appoint to the Supreme Court, but I'm not wild about the idea. I will not feel badly if John McCain wins because McCain = surge and McCain = success. Sorry, that's the way I see it.
Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | Sep 7, 2008 11:44:33 AM
Why does Obama have this recurrent problem of being unable to admit he was wrong? It drags on for weeks or even months until his pride finally gives way and he admits he was wrong (only, of course, with many qualifications).
This is the sign of a poor leader - someone unwilling to take responsibility for his words and actions.
He is just now admitting the surged was successful? Hm, maybe he'll come around some time to admitting WW2 is over and we won. LOL!!
Posted by: ja | Sep 7, 2008 11:43:01 AM
Peace Are we talking about the same McCain who when Bush popped his head into a meeting he was at in the White House and said we were going into Iraq.
that McCain turned around when he left
and said " Can you believe this guy is the President"? The same McCain who didn't even vote for George W? The McCain who called Rumsfeld the worst Secretary of Defense in US history?
The same McCain who called Cheney an idiot? The same McCain who told a townhall that we HAVE to deal with our oil dependency so that no young man/woman will ever be sent to war in the Middle East again. What did Obama say on the floor of the Senate about Iraq in his first two years? Nothing, until he decided to run for President.
Posted by: alpaig52 | Sep 7, 2008 11:36:10 AM
The Surge may have worked but,that still doesn't bring back all of the people that we have lost. When it's all said and done,I would rather have my loved ones.I guess that's life!
Posted by: Lee08 | Sep 7, 2008 11:35:28 AM
Does Biden even want the job as VP?
No. Biden has already said he shouldn't be "screwing around" with the VP job.
Posted by: geevill | Sep 7, 2008 11:33:24 AM
Hang in there, Øbama, Hillery is on the way and she's wearing a hoop skirt.
Posted by: Red | Sep 7, 2008 11:26:12 AM
The biggest voice promoting the invasion of Iraq was John McCain. A war based on a lie. He does not have the judgment to lead.
I voted for McCain in 2000. But when I saw the bombs fall on Baghdad, I left the party. I am so disappointed in him. Not just pushing for war in Iraq but for what he has become in this campaign.
Posted by: cincyr | Sep 7, 2008 11:21:27 AM
Does anyone know where I can find a clip of the Debra Bartshevich ad? The woman who the DNC stripped as a delegate because she was for Hillary but now is voting for McCain... Her ads have been pulled.
Posted by: Samantha | Sep 7, 2008 11:19:25 AM
Does Biden even want the job as VP? On meet the press he looks like hes sleepwalking. Zero enthusiam.
Posted by: Samantha | Sep 7, 2008 11:14:39 AM
Many of us will presume Palin took on Obama's response with a teleprompter. The last time she made an interview response on the war was , " I don't know that much about Iraq."
Posted by: kat | Sep 7, 2008 11:05:27 AM
Al Sadr and the Sunni princes fell in line when it became obvious the Democrat attempt to get Bush to surrender failed.
Posted by: Mike | Sep 7, 2008 10:57:09 AM
YOU PEOPLE ARE REAL CRAZY TO VOTE FOR REPUBLICAN AGAIN, LOOK AT THE WORLD NOW. DO YOU REALLY THINK THE REBUBLICAN GOING TO DO SOMETHING FOR TO GET US OUT OF THIS MESS WE IN NOW, WHEN THEY MAKE IT LIKE THIS. STOP AND THINK PEOPLE.
Posted by: peaches | Sep 7, 2008 10:55:40 AM
Barrack made light of a bad situation. He didn't support the war in Iraq in the first place, which he made clear long ago.
I'd just like to point out that if America decides to vote in McCain the world will once again be dumbfounded.
Posted by: mike | Sep 7, 2008 10:51:01 AM
lol I can't even dignify that idiot with a response. truly pitiful.
Posted by: bc46 | Sep 7, 2008 10:46:22 AM
Right Effie, and so are you, full of complete bs.
lol you people truly ARE ignorant.
So sad for this country. The entire world is amazed. But I believe they now understand how dumb and racist this country is.
Pitiful.
Posted by: bc46 | Sep 7, 2008 10:45:32 AM
Sorry JULIE, but picking a leader who we know, who has proven his intelligence, over one that has only proven they can pop out kids and study intermittently (6 yrs, 6 diff schools to complete a 4 yr degree) is picking the right leader.
You picking a leader that has proven they know how to lie is really stupid.
Picking an idiot, and expecting the country to progess, is truly ridiculous and borderline suicide.
Posted by: bc46 | Sep 7, 2008 10:43:49 AM
Obama is a person who promises many things but never delivers. Take a look at Chicago.
Posted by: Samantha | Sep 7, 2008 10:40:47 AM
This is Obama's version of "it depends on the definition of the word 'is'". Admit you made a mistake and go on from there. That's being a man. But, he persists in being this man-child of the "me" generation who cannot and will never admit he's ever made a mistake. Because in his mind, rock stars don't make mistakes. What an arrogant, condescending example of a man. People can respect someone who has made a mistake and humbly admits it - it's hard to accept someone who goes on and on about changing situations and splice the meaning of words...
Posted by: Gina | Sep 7, 2008 10:40:30 AM
The flag story was made up by FOX news reporter Carl Cameron. Fox news issued an apology "Carl Cameron made a stupid mistake which he regrets"
Posted by: doug | Sep 7, 2008 10:40:14 AM
I cannot tell you how relieved I am to have McCain and Palin as a choice. I cannot support Obama or Biden. I do not have the same exact stance on every issue as McCain and Palin, but it is enough- with them I feel they actually care about regular people.
With Obama, excuse my language, but I feel deep down that he is full of b.s.
Thank you,
Effie
Posted by: Effie | Sep 7, 2008 10:39:37 AM
jackie: "As usual, there is no report at all in ABC, CNN, or MSNBC on Democrats tossing away 12,000 American flags in the garbage. Do I call this a 'cover-up'?"
Everyone's heard about it, and the only people who care are the ones who still think President Bush is doing a great job. There is also a doubt about the story - there have been legitimate claims that the flags were bundled to be sent out for reuse at smaller campaign events (they were intended to be placed in bags and then out on the loading dock to be picked up).
Personally, I don't care even if a bunch of individual sized flags were thrown out after use. Happens after most 4th of July parades and only bothers those who treat the flag as a religious icon. The reason there isn't a big flag controversy is that:
1. Most people don't think the Republican version of events is a big deal.
2. Based on their history of lying and slander this election cycle (Obama is Muslim! His birth certificate is a fake! Michelle is on video ranting about whitie! etc.), a good number of people don't believe their version of events over the Democrat's entirely benign version of events (and it makes sense they'd try to save the flags for reuse - big and small rallys are a trademark of Obama).
If you run a campaign on whining and slander rather than policies and facts, don't whine when people stop believing you.
Posted by: jhw539 | Sep 7, 2008 10:38:41 AM
I'm embarassed for the democratic party (to which I once belonged). I keep stratching my head wondering how dumb can they be for selecting this idiot.
Posted by: JULIE | Sep 7, 2008 10:36:11 AM
Sure Concerned, IF in fact you ARE wrong. But if you're not, don't say your're wrong just for the sake of saying it. It has to be true.
And THAT is an issue the republicans have, they have a problem with the truth.
Posted by: bc46 | Sep 7, 2008 10:35:27 AM
McCain and Bush created the mess in Iraq. They should not claim to be praised by cleaning up the mess using the surge!
Posted by: Peace | Sep 7, 2008 10:32:28 AM
I'd think a minimum qualification for being President is being able to admit when you're wrong.
Posted by: Concerned in OH | Sep 7, 2008 10:31:16 AM
No Paul, its not poor judgment on Obama's part. All this proves is just how STUPID the american public truly is.
You guys continue to pound Obama as being wrong on the surge. But he's right, that's not the important issue. The issue is whats REALLY going on STILL in Iraq.
Everyone is so distracted and intent on saying oh he was wrong. No he wasn't wrong, he's dead on target!
Obama has the right experience, the right judgment, the right temperment to take on this countries issues.
But the american public is just too stupid to see that, blinded by racial issues. This country will continue to go down hill with the republican agenda. But just as in the past, they will continue to blame any and all in their self-righteous path.
Bottom line: the american public is stupid, period. If you think things are bad now...wait, there is more to come.
Posted by: bc46 | Sep 7, 2008 10:28:33 AM
"what we have known for a long time"
Define "long time" Gov. Palin.
Gov. Palin when asked about her opinion regarding the surge said something akin to not knowing anything other than what she saw on television, and that she hoped we had a plan to get out.
Posted by: Up is down, black is white | Sep 7, 2008 10:26:58 AM
Unlike Jake I remember which politician supported Bush full heartedly in the disastrous decision to go into Iraq in the first place: McCain. He has the blood of 4000 Americans and a hundred thousand Iraquis on his hands.
Posted by: t | Sep 7, 2008 10:25:58 AM
jackie:
While I agree with you about the other networks ignoring the "flag" controversy, I believe CNN is where I first heard the story yesterday.
However, I haven't heard much on CNN since that first report.
Posted by: Lee | Sep 7, 2008 10:23:55 AM
"Does the surge decrease gas prices?"
Maybe not overnight, but I do believe a stable, democratic Iraq will help in the long run to lower the price of gas.
Posted by: Lee | Sep 7, 2008 10:20:30 AM
Hey Mark, guess what - had the surge not worked, or worse, had we followed the Democras and surrndered, Iran would insure that gas prices would be a ton higher than they are right now. The Dems have blocked our ability to get away from foreign oil which is EXACTLY why we are where we are - Also here is a news flash, My oldest son fought two hard tours in Anbar and my youngest is entering the Navy as I write this - Here is one American who cares deeply and is hugely thankful that the surge worked and very thankful that the Dems were not allowed to run away and make this situation far worse than it was. God Bless America and Semper FI.
Posted by: Johnr | Sep 7, 2008 10:20:27 AM
Obama was stupid to not choose Clinton. He would not be in this mess of looking like such an inexperienced loser if he had listened to the people and not his huge ego.
Posted by: bill | Sep 7, 2008 10:20:16 AM
I like Sarah Palin's public speaking ability. I think she is fun to look at, certainly the hottest vice presidential candidate in history. But I looked up some facts. The United States has 10,000 nuclear weapons, 100 aircraft carriers, 3,000,000 people in the armed forces, and ten trillion dollars of debt.
I am now hearing from the Karl Roves of the world that having a 17-year-old daughter pregnant out of wedlock will make Palin sympathetic to millions of Americans who know the pain of that situation. But my question is WHERE WAS THE ADVICE? Do we want a president who cannot communicate to their own child that possibly having a baby a year after you get your driver's license is not the smartest thing to do? Is this the new way for women to break the glass ceiling? To have their daughters throw their babies at it? I want my president to control their children, then they can tell the Navy what to do.
Posted by: Katrina | Sep 7, 2008 10:19:17 AM
Obama is like the popular guy in high school, who after school is over, works at the car wash. Not so cool anymore.
Posted by: mark | Sep 7, 2008 10:18:39 AM
As usual, there is no report at all in ABC, CNN, or MSNBC on Democrats tossing away 12,000 American flags in the garbage. Do I call this a 'cover-up'?
Posted by: jackie | Sep 7, 2008 10:17:50 AM
McCain vetted Palin like he vetted the Iraq War.
He didn't.