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McCain Accuses Obama of Pandering on Iraq
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ShareJuly 25, 2008 2:33 PM
ABC News' David Wright reports: Addressing a group of Hispanic veterans, including his former roommate from the US Naval Academy, John McCain today accused rival Barack Obama of telling Americans "what they wanted to hear" on Iraq, whereas he "told you the truth."
All week long, McCain has been pushing hard on the notion the current surge strategy in Iraq was a crucial test in judgment.
In 2007, McCain said, "We both knew the safe political choice was to support some sort of retreat."
"Many observers said my approach would end my hopes of becoming President," he said. "My choice was not smart politics. It didn't test well in focus groups. It ignored all the polls. It also didn't matter."
McCain says history proved him right.
"In Iraq, we are no longer on the doorstep of defeat but instead are on the road to victory," McCain said.
The Obama campaign dismissed McCain's criticism as "angry, false accusations."
"Barack Obama and John McCain may differ over our strategy in Iraq, but they are united in their support for our brave troops and their desire to protect this nation. Senator McCain's constant suggestion otherwise is not worthy of the campaign he claimed he would run or the magnitude of the challenges this nation faces," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton in a statement.
McCain himself resisted the impulse to criticize Obama for the decision to cancel a planned visit to wounded servicemen at Lanstuhl Military Hospital in Germany.
But McCain's campaign staff is hitting that issue hard, accusing the Obama campaign of changing its story on why the visit was cancelled and challenging any suggestion that the McCain campaign made such a trip any more difficult for Obama to make.
McCain's speech today took place in the city where the Democrats will open their national convention in one month's time. Polls show Colorado to be one of several key battleground states where the race is tightening.
July 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (385)
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How about the truth that we shouldn't invade sovereign nations that pose little threat to us, especially when the oversees adventure is funded by China with us paying for the interest for decades to come.
Posted by: Ben Straub | Jul 25, 2008 2:47:24 PM
Crying like a big old baby is not Presidential ..... try something new McClone
Posted by: Omentum | Jul 25, 2008 2:49:37 PM
When are the Anti War protestors going to protest Obama for wanting to invade Pakistan and continue the occupation of Afghanistan. It was the Democrats and Obama's main theme to bring all troops home with a timeline.
Posted by: whiner | Jul 25, 2008 2:50:18 PM
You were right McCain
Your choice was not smart (stop there)
Posted by: Omentum | Jul 25, 2008 2:52:48 PM
What is victory McCain? Rebuild them into a country like Japan or Germany? Who is going to pay for this? We shouldn't be there. The founders warned us about such things.
Posted by: Huh | Jul 25, 2008 2:52:55 PM
I'm not surprised McCain is complaining AGAIN. That's all he does these days - anyone know where HE stands on the issues? I think it would have been much more productive for him to stick to his message (whatever it is) and deal with the issues. This constant complaining and sniping at the Obama camp have reduced mccain to a doddering old crank. The more mccain speaks, the less inclined I'll be to vote for him.
Posted by: Julie | Jul 25, 2008 2:53:26 PM
Doesn't McCain have anything to say? All he does is whine and complain about Obama, the media, etc. He isn't looking or sounding very presidential (and not just because he was photographed in front a sausage house and a cheese case over the last couple of days).
Posted by: mary | Jul 25, 2008 2:54:28 PM
whiner - I hear ya. Tne troops should be coming home. Obama has gone back on his words. Only Ron Paul was steadfast amongst the candidates.
Posted by: Ben Straub | Jul 25, 2008 2:54:40 PM
Give me the million dollar defintion please!!!!!!! Someone please!!!!
Win the war in Iraq is defined as .....
Posted by: Omentum | Jul 25, 2008 2:58:32 PM
Of course Obama is pandering. It's the one thing he does really well!
Posted by: Soetoro No! | Jul 25, 2008 3:02:09 PM
John McCain never listened to his mom when she said, " if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing."
He appears to have nothing nice to say about himself, thus the Obama bashing.
This guy wants to lead the free world?
A fourth grader has less spite within him.
Posted by: DAVID NH | Jul 25, 2008 3:02:43 PM
MCCAIN you have some nerve to talk about pandering all the pandering you have done so far throughout this campaign you sir are a whiney jealous old man!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: angie | Jul 25, 2008 3:08:09 PM
BEN STRAUB...
ok, you may have a point. just like eveyone else who says that every 10 seconds does. WE GET IT. MOST AMERICANS REALIZE IT WASNT A GOOD DECISION TO GO THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE... jeez. thats not what this is about! this is about standing up for what you believe in, regardless of the implications it may have on your political career, and sticking to your guns. now it's turning out that the surge is working. and obama has no other choice (after being pressured and FINALLY going over there to see it first hand) but to admit this. and he wants to take credit for this?! AND he's starting to talk about sending more troops to afghanistan?! oh my, MORE troops off to war?! how dare he??!! listen, im not a big fan of john mccain, but you people are STILL going to stick by this guy??!!
Posted by: tim | Jul 25, 2008 3:08:20 PM
Also give me a definition of Obama = Kennedy.
Kennedy took the U.S. deep into a quagmire of Vietnam.
Posted by: 0mentum | Jul 25, 2008 3:09:04 PM
McCain is running a campaign of the past, a campaign of reaction. This doesn't win over any sizable amount of voters.
Posted by: matthew | Jul 25, 2008 3:09:15 PM
JFK had become involved in Vietnam long before his presidency
Just like Obama and Afghanistan or Pakistan.
Posted by: 0mentum | Jul 25, 2008 3:10:26 PM
So for those of you that want the troops to come home i guess you dont want to fight the terriost in afghanistan and go after the taliban and just let them gain strenght plan more attacks and possibly follow through wow glad to see you love your country!!!!!!!!
Posted by: angie | Jul 25, 2008 3:12:05 PM
Like Kennedy in Vietnam, Obama will misunderstand the situation in Iraq.
Oh i see now why Obama is like Kennedy the drunken bum
Posted by: 0mentum | Jul 25, 2008 3:12:05 PM
Lets protest Obama for wanting to Occupy Afghanistan. The country has never done anything to United States. Whats next on the Obama bus. Invade Israel so Obama can declare peace finally in the middle east
Posted by: angie. | Jul 25, 2008 3:13:47 PM
Speaking of complaining, is Obama still whining about the New Yorker cover? I heard he wouldn't allow a New Yorker writer on the plane.
What a wussy. Grow a pair, Obama and take it like everyone else.
Speaking of taking it like a man, John Edwards in huge trouble now. A security guard has confirmed that it was Edwards he escorted out the hotel. The story is on Fox News. I guess the rest of the Edwards loving MSM will ignore the story now that involves criminal complaint reports.
Posted by: Jo | Jul 25, 2008 3:14:25 PM
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