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McCain to Obama: 'Al Qaeda Is In Iraq'
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ShareFebruary 27, 2008 2:09 PM
ABC News' Bret Hovell and Sunlen Miller Report: Senator John McCain started campaigning Wednesday with derision for a remark Senator Barack Obama made in Tuesday night's Democratic debate.
"I am not embarrassed to tell you that I did not watch the Democrat debate last night," McCain said at the beginning of a town hall meeting in Tyler, Texas.
"But I am told that Senator Obama made the statement that if Al Qaeda came back to Iraq after he withdraws, after American troops are withdrawn, then he would send military troops back if Al Qaeda established a base in Iraq."
McCain, R-Ariz., paused for a beat before continuing on with a hint of sarcasm.
"I have some news," he said. "Al Qaeda is in Iraq! It's called Al Qaeda in Iraq."
He continued, "If we left, they wouldn't be establishing a base. They wouldn't be establishing a base, they'd be taking a country. And I am not going to let that happen, my friends."
Watch McCain's comment HERE.
During last night's debate, Obama responded to a question by moderator Tim Russert who asked him a hypothetical question about whether he would go back into Iraq after withdrawing a sizeable amount of troops to quell insurrection or civil war.
As part of his answer Obama responded," As commander in chief, I will always reserve the right to make sure that we are looking out for American interests. And if al Qaeda is forming a base in Iraq, then we will have to act in a way that secures the American homeland and our interests abroad."
Speaking with reporters after the town hall meeting today, McCain would not expand on his criticism of Obama to include a general naivete on foreign policy.
"I don't make that judgment," he said. "I just question as strongly as possible the premise that somehow you could leave Iraq and defeat the entire purpose of this strategy we're not employing, which is now succeeding, and then say that you would go back."
At a rally in Columbus, Ohio today, Senator Obama responded to McCain's comments: "I said well I would always reserve the right to go in and strike against al Qaeda if they were in Iraq, so ya know, this is how politics works. McCain thought that he could make a clever point by saying 'well let me give you some news Barack, al Qaeda IS in Iraq,' like I wasn't reading the papers, like I -- like I didn't know what was going on," Obama said.
He then launched into a strong retort, "Well, first of all, I DO know that al Qaeda is in Iraq, that's€™s why I've said we should continue to strike al Qaeda targets. But I have some news for John McCain, and that is that there was no such thing as al Qaeda in Iraq until George Bush and John McCain decided to invade Iraq!" he said.
"I've got some news for John McCain: he took us into war along with George bush that should have never been authorized and should have never been waged."
Obama finished, "I've been paying attention, John McCain! That's the news. So John McCain may like to say he wants to follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell but so far all he's done is follow George Bush into a misguided war in Iraq that's cost us thousands of lives and billions of dollars," he said.
"I intend to bring [it] to an end so that we can actually start going after al Qaeda in Afghanistan and in the hills of Pakistan like we should have been doing in the first place!That's the news John McCain!"
February 27, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (113)
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What.Say.You? ... I know Al-Qaeda is in Pakistan, they are in every country! For BHO to say that he will strike them where ever they are, is not reasonable. You can't bomb sovereign countries and expect there not to be a backlash. That is Bush politics not democratic politics! BHO doesn't have a record to scrutinize. He hasn't voted on anything really unless you count the times he has voted "present", like that is change (?). We need a fighter to bring about change, not someone who is going to straddle the fence! So what he can give a good speech. He hasn't had an original thought in his life. HILLARY 2008!
Posted by: Heather | Feb 27, 2008 3:01:51 PM
Are you people on another planet? What allies in Afghanistan? It's only Britain, Canada, and America who are doing the heavy lifting over there, the other so called allies, the dutch, the germans, the french, and so on refuse to engage at all. This is what is really happening, today. That is what Obama, Hillary, or McCain will inherit, period. Deal with it.
Posted by: Mike | Feb 27, 2008 3:03:26 PM
Barack Obama was VERY vocal when he was campaigning about his opposition to the war in Iraq! If he were able to vote as in being in the senate he would of said NO. So don't sit here and say he didnt have a choice to make so that means he doesnt have a voice or opinion. Obviously a ton of people agreed with him and he won Illinois!
Posted by: M | Feb 27, 2008 3:03:48 PM
Obama is right, there was no Al Queda in Iraq before we invaded, and the one thing that all factions in Iraq can agree on is that they do NOT want Al Queda there, that will be the least of the problems in Iraq when we pull out. the Sunni alone will work Al Queda over with a hammer and tongs before they let them get a foothold. With attacks on Al Queda in Afghanistan, where they have gained ground in the last 5 years, and in Pakistan, I think they will be kept busy.
Posted by: Louis | Feb 27, 2008 3:04:05 PM
I can understand why McCain wants to stay in Iraq for 100 years or more.
Al Qaeda are not living in a convert. They are married and new ones are born every day. Unless he kills grown ups and young ones, to eliminate them completely is not an easy task.
Posted by: Peace | Feb 27, 2008 3:09:21 PM
Al Qaeda will be crushed by the shites or Sunni's when we leave. Al Qaeda main abode is Parkistan and the borders with Afghanistan
Posted by: james | Feb 27, 2008 3:12:03 PM
Al Qaeda in Iraq will be crushed by the shites or Sunni's when we leave Iraq. Al Qaeda main abode is Parkistan and the borders with Afghanistan
Posted by: jame | Feb 27, 2008 3:13:24 PM
I see that McCain plans on using the enhanced Clinton strategy. Plus, he might try to scare the bejesus out of a few hand-wringers - you know, the 30% who still support Bush.
Posted by: Jack | Feb 27, 2008 3:15:57 PM
Louis, Al Qaeda is in Iraq, NOW. It doesn't matter how correct Obama was, that does not change the facts on the ground, today, period. That is what He, or Hillary, or McCain will inherit, period. Furthermore, it is Iran who is the support structure behind the Iraq mess, and it is the Iranian backed militias who will win the day when Obama pulls out the troops. Then we will all face another Iranian fundamentalist regime with the oil money to back them up. Now what Obama? Your move.
Posted by: Wil | Feb 27, 2008 3:18:02 PM
By deposing Saddam, we allowed Al Qaida and other terror groups to move into Iraq. Saddam was a military dictator, which is about as anti-terrorist as anyone can get. He had killed off all the terrorists by the time we invaded. Unfortunately, he also had killed innocent people and religious rivals. We probably would be doing a lot better aginst terrorism if we had left Saddam in power but forced him to moderate his cruelty -- and sell us the oil which OPEC now is withholding in order to force prices higher and higher.
Posted by: John Williams | Feb 27, 2008 3:20:54 PM
McCain would be more of Bush-Mentality. Do we really want to continue down that path? Way to go Barack, it's time for McCain to retire anyway. Pilots have to retire at 60, maybe there should be an age limit on Presidents too. Obama 2008!
Posted by: pt | Feb 27, 2008 3:21:02 PM
Why doesn't the War Party just throw a huge bash to celebrate Al Qaeda in Iraq, Wil? I bet McCain could come up with another 99 reasons to tie us up in this failed war.
Posted by: Jack | Feb 27, 2008 3:23:08 PM
Hey, Jack, I'm only trying to deal with the facts on the ground that Hillary, or Obama, or McCain will inherit come November. That is a fact none of us can deny.
Posted by: Wil | Feb 27, 2008 3:27:16 PM
John Williams ... I totally agree. The irony is that Iraq was one of the only secular countries in the Middle East. Women also held a higher status in Iraq than many of the countries we call our allies. In my opinion, Hillary is the only candidate that can get us out of Iraq in a quick, responsible way. HILLARY 2008!
Posted by: Heather | Feb 27, 2008 3:28:35 PM
The worst ever in US history. I vote for Hillary, if she lose, I will vote for McCain.
One reason, I can sleep well.
I know this two people, Hillary and Mccain.
I don't know Obama, and I don't trust him at all. The more I watch his speech, the more I don't trust.
Posted by: larratta | Feb 27, 2008 3:29:20 PM
McCain would be 171 by the time he expects us out.
Posted by: Jack | Feb 27, 2008 3:31:10 PM
Correction: What.Say.You? my comment above was not directed at you, sorry, my apologies. It was directed at the author of the comment below yours. Again, sorry! Have a nice day! HILLARY 2008!
Posted by: Heather | Feb 27, 2008 3:33:16 PM
Hey, larratta, I'm a Hillary supporter and I will write her name in come November if we should lose, but I must take exception to your post. Obama is an American and he did not nor do I remotely think he'd murder six million Jews. Never. Please rethink what you wrote here. I beg you.
Posted by: Wil | Feb 27, 2008 3:35:34 PM
larratta ... I don't know that BHO is worse than Hilter or not, but I will say Hilter was an excellent speaker too. If you watch those old tapes, he could really get the crowd in a frenzy. So, I would like to make the point that good speakers, don't necessarily make good leaders. HILLARY 2008!
Posted by: Heather | Feb 27, 2008 3:36:36 PM
I have to agree with Wil. BHO is no where near as bad as Hilter! HILLARY 2008!
Posted by: Heather | Feb 27, 2008 3:38:54 PM
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