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McCain Campaign Insinuates Biden is a Liar
October 01, 2008 7:08 AM
"Joe Biden has always had a penchant for stretching the truth, but his made-up stories of being ‘shot at’ in Baghdad and his helicopter being ‘forced down’ in Afghanistan raise serious questions about his credibility," said McCain spox Ben Porritt. "Senator Clinton was forced to come clean after her ‘sniper fire’ remarks, and Joe Biden should hold himself to the same standard. How can Joe Biden lead if he can’t even be straight with the American people?”
Pushing for Biden to get the same scrutiny that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is currently getting, Porritt was referring to a couple incidents recently mentioned in a Fox News column suggesting that there's a double standard for Biden than there was for Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY.
The first, which we covered last week, was when Biden recently told a gathering of National Guardsmen and -women, "If you want to know where Al Qaeda lives, you want to know where Bin Laden is, come back to Afghanistan with me. Come back to the area where my helicopter was forced down, with a three-star general and three senators at 10,500 feet in the middle of those mountains. I can tell you where they are."
Biden's chopper was indeed forced down, but it was by bad weather, which may not have been the impression given.
The McCain campaign reached back to 2007 for the second incident.
At the July 2007 CNN/Youtube debate Biden said the following about Iraq:
"Number one, there is not a single military man in this audience who will tell this senator he can get those troops out in six months if the order goes today. Let's start telling the truth. Number one, you take all the troops out. You better have helicopters ready to take those 3,000 civilians inside the Green Zone where I have been seven times and shot at. You better make sure you have protection for them, or let them die, number one.
"So we can't leave them there. And it's going to take a minimum 5,000 troops to 10,000 just to protect our civilians. So while you're taking them out, Governor, take everybody out. That may be necessary. Number three, the idea that we all voted -- except for me -- for that appropriation. That man's son is dead. For all I know, it was an IED. Seventy percent of all the deaths occurred have been those roadside bombs. We have money in that bill to begin to build and send immediately mine-resistant vehicles that increase by 80 percent the likelihood none of your cadets will die, General. And they all voted against it. How in good conscience can you vote not to send those vehicles over there as long as there's one single, solitary troop there?"
At issue was Biden's reference to his being "shot at" in the Green Zone in Iraq.
The Hill's Susan Crabtree followed up and reported that "Biden described three incidents on two separate Iraq trips in which he felt that he was shot at or might have been shot at. Only one of them took place inside the Green Zone, he said, and involved a 'shot' landing outside the building where he and other senators were staying. He added that the vehicle he was traveling in the day before might also have been hit.
"Biden said the incident happened in the morning while he and at least one other senator were shaving. Although he said it shook the building, he wasn't rattled enough to duck and cover.
"'No one got up and ran from the room—it wasn't that kind of thing,' he said. '…It's not like I had someone holding a gun to my head.'
"Thinking about it now, he said, a more accurate comment would have been: 'I was near where a shot landed.'"
Crabtree reported that Biden's aides told her about an early morning in the Green Zone in December 2005 when mortars shook the trailers and buildings where Biden and his aides were getting ready for the day. "A soldier came by to explain what happened and said if the mortar fire continued, they would need to proceed to a shelter," aides said.
During the same trip, Biden's helicopter narrowly avoided a bullet as he flew to the Baghdad airport from the Green Zone.
In December 2004, Biden was on board a C-130 cargo airplane when its anti-missile system was triggered after it had been fired upon by a surface-to-air missile.
"When mortars are fired into the Green Zone or surface-to-air missiles are fired at a plane, they don't have names or addresses on them," Biden spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander told Crabtree. "The nuance of being shot at or shot near means nothing in a war zone. The point Sen. Biden was making is that Iraq is a dangerous place — for our troops, for Iraqis, for everyone."
- jpt
October 1, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (61)
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Have any of you all actually read the white papers on these candidates or are you soley relaying on the media to teach you. It is our responsibility as Americans to do our own home work. It is name calling and idle gossip regarding rumors that cause these problems in the first place. Say something of value not just more garbage.
Posted by: Bob | Oct 5, 2008 10:39:21 AM
The Senate has just completed a Constitutionally illegal vote in their attempt to shove this Bailout down our throats. The Constitution requires that Bill originate in the House of Representatives, be voted on and passed, then sent to the Senate, where it may be voted on. The Senate, in their attempt side step the Constitutional requirement, they illegally are trying to originate the bill in the Senate attach it to a non related bill and pass it illegally to the House of Representatives. All hope is not lost. There are two possible cures. The House of Representatives may refuse to be a party to the illegality and vote it down or there is always the Constitutional challenge. For the time being, keep the pressure on your representatives. Emails, faxes,and phone calls. Both Obama and McCain turned their backs on VOTERS.Neither deserve your vote.Perhaps it is time for the Fabled NONE OF THE ABOVE slot on the ballot.
Posted by: Sean Michael | Oct 2, 2008 1:30:47 AM
Weapons of Mass Destruction. Need I say more.
Posted by: Paula Lacey | Oct 2, 2008 12:28:37 AM
Who are the Republicans to call anyone a liar. The synonym for liar is Republican.
Posted by: Paula Lacey | Oct 2, 2008 12:26:17 AM
All politicians are liars. At least he can name a Supreme COurt decision other than Roe verses Wade. Sometimes I wonder if Palin is really an AMerican. SHe doesn't seem to know much about the country in which she is a citizen.
Posted by: Paula Lacey | Oct 2, 2008 12:24:29 AM
Why men get a pass when we lie? It's in our gene to do it and to accept it from other men. We don't accept women's lies since we expect them to be honest so that we don't have to worry about our home front when we go out hunting for food even though sometimes while hunting we also look for some extra stuff which our wives might not approve of. So, women should listen to what men say, but not look at what men do. OK?
Posted by: Obama-Yah-Wright | Oct 1, 2008 5:27:40 PM
Obama campaign said Bill Ayers kids and Obama's kids went to school together ... everyone knows how true that is ...
Posted by: ObamaHatesTruth | Oct 1, 2008 4:56:12 PM
Woman for Truth - Sometimes, to understand the truth, you have to look at the situation from several angles. You claim to be for "truth" yet your posts contain nothing but sound bites and half truths.
Posted by: Me Again | Oct 1, 2008 4:50:52 PM
Obama is a pathalogical liar ...
He is the gateway to deceit and lies
Posted by: ObamatheLiar | Oct 1, 2008 4:50:15 PM
Random thoughts: Biden maybe vetted for the past 20 years, but what % of votes were for Biden as President in the Primaries? He can be vetted all you want, but it's pretty obvious that nobody wanted him in the first place. With Biden as the VP pick, where's the 'change' BO speaks about? Looks like the same old song and dance. "Everyday gaffes", if not corrected, are lies.
Posted by: midwest | Oct 1, 2008 3:55:55 PM
MCCAIN PICKS A WOMAN WHO IS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ABUSE OF AUTHORITY AS HIS VICE PRESIDENT. HE PROCEEDS TO CREATE ABOUT 3 COMMERCIALS OF LIES OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. PALIN SWINDLED THOUSANDS OF ALASKAN TAXPAYER MONEY PAYING HERSELF PER DIEMS WHICH ARE ONLY AWARDED WHEN TRAVELING AWAY OVERNIGHT, EXCEPT SHE WAS HOME. AFTER THE MCCAIN CAMPAIGN VISITS ALASKA, SEVEN WITNESSES BACK OUT OF TESTIFYING. PALIN AND THE DUDE HER HUSBAND ALSO REFUSE TO CORRECT WITH AUTHORITIES. MCCAIN THE IGNORANT IDIOT BLAMES OBAMA FOR PALIN'S ILLEGAL ACTS, AND YOU ARE CALLING BIDEN A LIAR.
MCCAIN AND ABC MUST HAVE BUMPED THEIR HEADS. THAT MAN AND THE PEOPLE RUNNING HIS CAMPAIGN AND BUSH PUT THIS COUNTRY IN A CRISIS. WE WOULD BE IDIOTS TO LET OR EVEN THINK ABOUT LETTING HIM GET IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
Posted by: Woman for Truth | Oct 1, 2008 3:54:38 PM
MCCAIN'S PICTURE IS UNDER THE DEFINITION OF LIAR. HE, OF ALL PEOPLE, NOR HIS CROOKED LYING LOBBYISTS CAMPAIGN PALS CAN CALL ANYONE A LIAR. YOU GOT THE CAMPAIGN MANAGER, TELLING LIES ABOUT OBAMA AND FANNIE MAE, WHILE RECEIVING $15,000.00 A MONTH FROM FANNIE MAE UP TO LAST MONTH TOTALLING $2,000,000.00 AND MCCAIN SPOUTING THAT RICK DAVIS HAS STOPPED LOBBYING AND TAKING MONEY 3 YEARS AGO. IT WOULD TAKE A WEEK TO LIST ALL OF MCCAIN'S LIES IN A DAY. WHEN THEY GOT CAUGHT YOU DID NOT CALL MCCAIN A LIAR. YOU SIMPLY POSTED THAT RICK DAVIS DID ACCEPT THIS MONEY. THE ONLY REASON WHY YOU, MEANING ABC PRINTED ANYTHING, WAS BECAUSE THE NEW YORK TIMES BROKE THE STORY.
Posted by: Woman For Change | Oct 1, 2008 3:45:54 PM
Biden used material in a speech and had always told where it came from, but when making a speech one time neglected to mention it. When it was over some wondered if it would be mentioned. It was. McCain is not sharp in his thinking and does not demonstrate any kind of concern about middle class Americans. He wants people to think that he puts country first. If he did, he would have chosen a more experienced VP candidate. John McCain and is always patting himself on the back and attacking others. Kind of like a child.
Posted by: Karen | Oct 1, 2008 3:11:59 PM
AP POLL SHOWS 26% OF ANGRY HILLARY VOTERS WHO WERE SCREWED BY THE DEMOCRATS....WILL NOW VOTE FOR MCCAIN/PALIN.....THAT'S A GIGANTIC 5 MILLION VOTES!...
SINCE ELECTIONS CAN BE DECIDED BY LESS THAN 1,000 VOTES....THESE HILLARY 5,000,000 VOTES WILL MAKE MCCAAIN/PALIN WIN THE ELECTION.
Posted by: John Pen | Oct 1, 2008 2:56:35 PM
I don't understand why this isn't a much bigger story. When Hillary misspoke about a similar incident, the media couldn't let it go - she was mocked and ridiculed. When Palin says something deemed "stupid" or a stretch of the truth, she's mocked and ridiculed - by everyone from Tina Fey, Bill Maher and others who make fun of people for a living. Where are mockers and ridiculers on this this one?
Posted by: Just my two-cents | Oct 1, 2008 1:03:44 PM
McCain should not bring up truths as he is the all time king of lies. He lied about Palin's qualifications, ie bridge support, plane sold on e-bay (lies) her record as gov. she allowed a road to nowhere (earmarks she said she does not take) each one has been disproved and he still talks about it....what a fool he is making himself out. Now, he plans to exploit Palin's daughter's marriage in early Nov. (why this date?) and has lined up photo ops right before the election. This wedding should be for family only...no photographers unless they are seeking publicity. He use to he a man of honor...not now.
Posted by: Pat Napolitano Marietta. Ga. | Oct 1, 2008 12:58:05 PM
A) This is a weak argument, since it doesn't appear to be a lie. Regarding Biden's gaffes, at last count he had done 100 interviews since becoming the VP nominee - yep, the FDR line was cringeworthy, but Joe is constantly talking.
B) The Lies from Palin & McCain are well documented, and are outright lies. The Bridge to nowhere. Obama's zero laws. Obama never reaching out to work with repubs. Her view of Russia. Selling the Jet on EBay. Never discussing her brother's workers compensation claim. Now THOSE are lies.
Posted by: billthomson | Oct 1, 2008 11:08:49 AM
If this is the best crap McCain can scrape up, he might as well concede the election. It's not like he has ever stretched the truth. He vetted Palin. LIE--If he really had he would never have picked her. He accused Obama of caliing Palin a pig. LIE--he later said that he knew he didn't. He is pro-regulation. LIE--look at his 26 year record. He has proof to back up all the Obama ads Factcheck have debunked. LIE--he has been asked to provide it and has not. Maybe if he straightalk express hadn't crashed, the race might be closer.
Posted by: Ginna | Oct 1, 2008 10:33:06 AM
McCain called Biden a liar. Saying Palin is ready to lead this nation is lying.It wont be the same if McCain and Palin win. It will be worse and God forbid if Palin acually sat in the Oval Office one day. Come on voters. Do what is best for this country as its needed now more than ever.
Posted by: CW | Oct 1, 2008 10:24:20 AM
Senator Biden is one of two things, a liar or an idiot. I am undecided.
Posted by: huerfano | Oct 1, 2008 10:24:12 AM
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