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McCain's 'Mission Accomplished' Misstep

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May 01, 2008 7:25 PM

ABC News' Teddy Davis and Talal Alkhatib Report: Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said Thursday that he believed five years ago that the "Mission Accomplished" banner was wrong.

"To state the obvious, I thought it was wrong at the time," said McCain. "I thought phrases like 'a few dead-enders,' 'last throes,' all of those comments contributed over time to the frustration and sorrow of Americans because those statements and comments did not comport with the facts on the ground."

The veracity of McCain's claim about how he felt regarding the banner, which appeared behind President Bush on the deck of the USS Lincoln on May 1, 2003, was challenged Thursday when the Democratic National Committee unearthed video of McCain talking approvingly of the banner in a June 11, 2003 Fox News interview.

In that interview, McCain pointed to the banner to bolster his contention that major conflict had ended in Iraq and that it was appropriate for the Senate Armed Services Committee to hold post-conflict hearings.

"Why was there a banner that said mission accomplished on the aircraft carrier?" McCain asked Neil Cavuto after the Fox News Channel anchor said "many argue the conflict isn't over."

McCain went on to say in his 2003 interview that reconstruction of Iraq would be a "long, long, difficult process" while maintaining that the "the major conflict is over, the regime change has been accomplished" and that it's "very appropriate" for the Senate Armed Services Committee to hold post-conflict hearings.

"I remain confident that we will find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq," he added.

Watch today's comments Here.

Watch the 2003 comments HERE.

May 1, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan | Permalink | User Comments (86)

User Comments

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you democrats that say you'll vote for this man because you don't want to vote for a black man. Seriously. You have to take a reality check and understand that integration is not going away.

Posted by: Louis | May 1, 2008 7:31:20 PM

Agree with Louis, and this proves that McCain is just as dumb as Bush. If the Democrats can get their heads out of their.... they'll win in a '72 landslide.

Posted by: Blog | May 1, 2008 7:39:56 PM

mccain is just more of the same bush stupidity. vote democrat and when they win we can repair all the damage bush has done.

Posted by: tom | May 1, 2008 7:58:57 PM

Louis, i have been on many blogs, and i have not found people saying that they wont vote for obama because he is black. they say they wont vote for him because he is a liar, fraud, inexperienced, racist, hate monger but not because he is black.

Posted by: jimt | May 1, 2008 7:59:05 PM

If Hillary is nominated, I will vote for mcCain just to purnish the Clintons for their bad deeds in this election.

She wants to hide under the presidency from a potenctial imprisonment in connection with alleged election fraud with Peter Paul.

Posted by: Gillis | May 1, 2008 8:02:39 PM

"liar, fraud, inexperienced, racist, hate monger" these are lame excuses. one of which have any truth to them, all innuedo, assumption and supposition. He's got 20 years experience in civil service. You want to call anything he's said a lie then you have to give "I landed under sniper fire" Clinton the same hit. Shoe me an incidence of racism on his part or hate mongering that is not tied to rev. wright (who is not on the ballot).

Posted by: Louis | May 1, 2008 8:07:25 PM

Per K - "I wont vote for Obama because he is a liar, fraud, inexperienced, racist, hate monger but not because he is black."

I agree. Obama is not getting my vote. Period. The guy is ridiculous.

Posted by: Julia | May 1, 2008 8:24:07 PM

Louis, i have been on many blogs, and i have not found people saying that they wont vote for obama because he is black. they say they wont vote for him because he is a liar, fraud, inexperienced, racist, hate monger but not because he is black.
Posted by: jimt

Excuses, excuses, excuses. Get real. Did you expect them to admit their racist?

Posted by: jpmbz | May 1, 2008 8:24:32 PM

Just so you know, Hillary picked up 5 new superdelagates today. The news is not reporting it.
Posted by: shaw, CA


I think you have your numbers crossed.
Hillary took a BIG HIT TODAY.

DNC Chairman Under Clinton Switches To Obama ... Read Why He Switched ... Says Clintons Destroying Party ... Today's Superdel Tally: Obama 5, Clinton 1

Posted by: jpmbz | May 1, 2008 8:27:39 PM

Special to the Las Vegas Tribune by Sam Campbell
In the upcoming months, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will be tumbling neck and neck desparately trying to get to the finish line with neither breaking the ribbon. They will have run the race but came up short. When the Democratic Convention convenes this August in Denver, Colorado there will be a deadlock.

As we approach the convention and even during the convention, we can expect that everything and anything will be said including incredible promises and allegations during the candidates last ditch attempt to advance their somber case for nomination. The reality is neither is the answer and John McCain, who is salivating, waiting to pick up the pieces, is also not the answer. The scuttlebutt within the powerful broker Democrats and the hardcore super delegates is "let them knock each other out" and then bring forth at the convention before the eyes of the world, a candidate, a true leader with the answers to the problems that are facing America. A candidate who the American people believe can lead this country through the worst financial crisis since the Depression and into the Promised Land.

Are there answers to the multiple and extraordinary problems that are threatening and in the process of crippling the quality of life within the American Way? Yes, just ask the "SIXTEEN".

A poll was taken across America and the result of this poll tells the real story. Given the four candidates; Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John McCain and a fourth candidate who is a Democrat,neither liberal nor conservative, with sincere charismatic leadership qualitites, trusted and not beholding to special interests.
The result of the poll was:

OBAMA 17%, CLINTON 18%, MCCAIN 23%, MR. X 32%, None of these Choices 10%

The leaders of the Democratic Party acknowledge this, with conversations heating up behind every closed door. The question is, who is this "Prince in waiting?"

How many ballots will it take at the convention before the candidates release their delegates? This will become the stage for one of the greatest dramas unfolding before your eyes.

The 1952 Democratic national Convention held in Chicago, Illinois was the last convention for either major party that needed more than one ballot to select a Presidential nominee.

There were six declared candidates prior to the opening of the convention. Governor Adlai Stevenson of Illinios was asked to give the welcoming address to the delegates. Stevenson had stated before his speech that he was not a candidate for the Presidency. After meeting with the "boss" of the Illinois delegation before the first ballot Stevenson finally agreed to enter his name as a candidate for nomination. On the third ballot after political maneuvering by the then President of the United States Harry Truman, Adlai Stevenson was nominated as the Democratic Candidate for President. Adlai Stevenson and his running mate John Sparkman lost the election to Dwight D. Eisenhower and his running mate Richard M. Nixon.

Posted by: Dave | May 1, 2008 8:29:37 PM

Folks, the "mission" was accomplished when we invaded Afghanistan.

That mission was to lure the US into at least one war in Muslim countries, knowing the expenses of deploying all our technology and forces, and their relative constraints. By comparison, it is very cheap to arm one man with a death wish.

The result: we are more deeply in debt than ever, our military is strained to the point of breaking, the country is deeply divided over the war and this administration. Mission accomplished, indeed.

Posted by: Ben | May 1, 2008 8:46:05 PM

The idea that Major Combat Operations Was Over WAS clear then and it IS clear now. Our sons and daughters fought the most successful invasion and defeated the Iraqi Army in magnificent fashion. Then the Occupation began. I am disappointed the Democrats stood up against our military and have used enemy fed propaganda against our war effort. It is my opinion that many Democrats committed Treason against our country by aiding and comforting the enemy. I thank God that Bush decided to rid the world of Saddam and I am grateful that the war against Al-Quada is being foulght on foreign soil, Not Ours. Who among you would rather have al-Quada attacking us in the USA than in Iraq?

Posted by: Bill | May 1, 2008 8:52:13 PM

Bill, you are aware that there was no al-Qaeda in Iraq until we invaded?

Posted by: Ben | May 1, 2008 8:58:52 PM

If think a foolish man like McCain is bad, wait untill a really smart and clever woman like Hillary fools with your mind. Oh, she is already fooling with your mind.

Posted by: Gillis | May 1, 2008 9:08:15 PM

At Least she has a mind!

Posted by: K Heaton | May 1, 2008 9:12:26 PM

His wife must be like 30 some years younger than him.

Posted by: hi | May 1, 2008 9:24:42 PM

K Heaton: Good come back. I like that. I'm on your side.

Posted by: hi | May 1, 2008 9:26:39 PM

"because you don't want to vote for a black man." Louis, you're so damn racist. You make me sick, you racist jerk. We won't vote for Obama because Obama is a dirty, scoundrel like you!

Posted by: Drew | May 1, 2008 9:29:40 PM

Oh, yeah. Hillary mis-speaks. McCain mis-steps. And Obama is held accountable for the actions of every person he has ever had any association with going back 20, 30 and 40 years!
Can main stream media be any more obvious?

Posted by: foxisms | May 1, 2008 9:30:25 PM

wait till another nation rises above this country called America and their will be no more pride to bear on being from a free country. You have the chance to tell the world that you are free and open minded to truth and healing, but you want to remain in your comfort zones drawn by racial lines authored by your leaders! Only in America have found the greatest men of all time and also in America have the world found the most coward set of people who hide under racial lines. Shame on you and God bless America.

Posted by: Can Americans shape the world? | May 1, 2008 9:38:52 PM

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