McCain: Obama Doesn't Have 'What it Takes' to Protect Nation

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McCain: Obama Doesn't Have 'What it Takes' to Protect Nation

October 29, 2008 4:47 PM

ABC News' Bret Hovell reports: With just over five days to go before the country votes, John McCain attempted to turn the storyline of the campaign to national security in a speech this afternoon in Tampa, Fla.

It was the harshest criticism of Barack Obama’s readiness for the office of president that McCain has leveled in the campaign.

“Barack Obama has displayed some impressive qualities,” McCain said of his rival for the White House. “But the question is whether this is a man who has what it takes to protect America from Osama bin Laden, al Qaeda, and other grave threats in the world. And he has given you no reason to answer in the affirmative.”

McCain’s acknowledged that much of the country has been distracted by the economy. His argument for refocusing the debate on national security was that the economic crisis the country is undergoing will pass, but the national security challenges will still be there.

“We're going to pull through these hard times -- and do it together, just as our country has done before,” McCain said. “But when that day arrives, and the worries of financial crisis have fallen away, we will find awaiting our country all of the same great challenges and dangers that were there all along. They mattered before the economic turmoil of the present. They will matter still when it has passed. And in a time of war, at a moment of danger for our country and the world, let it not be said of us that we lost sight of these challenges.”

His clear implication: when the economic mess is settled, will you still want Barack Obama to be president?

McCain cited the possibility of terrorist attacks in making his case for his candidacy over Obama’s.

“With terrorists still plotting new strikes across the world, millions of innocent lives are still at stake, including American lives,” McCain said. “Our enemies' violent ambitions must still be prevented -- by American vigilance, by diplomacy and cooperation with our partners, and by force of arms as a last resort.”

McCain cited the Joe Biden comments, in which the vice presidential nominee on the Democratic side said that Obama would be tested as president, and pointed to Obama’s desire to negotiate with counties with which the United States has tense relations.

“In each case, Senator Obama presents his plan for direct talks as if no one before had ever considered that,” McCain said. “He seems unaware that more talk has been tried many times to no avail and that our adversaries recognize such gestures as a sign of weakness.

He cited Congressman Barney Frank’s statement last week that he hoped to cut defense spending under the next administration.

“We're getting only a glimpse of what one-party rule would look like under Obama, Pelosi, and Reid,” McCain said. “Apparently it starts with lowering our defenses and raising our taxes.”

The Obama campaign responded with a statement e-mailed to reporters.

“As usual, John McCain made his stale case for continuing the Bush-Cheney-McCain foreign policy that has completely failed to defeat Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda, while Barack Obama will turn the page to restore our security and standing in the world,” said Maj. Gen. J. Scott Gration, on behalf of the Obama campaign.

McCain was flanked by a number of what the campaign described as his national security advisors, including Senators Lindsey Graham and Joe Lieberman, Governor Tom Ridge. McCain had met with a group of them before making his statement, in a national security roundtable. Lawrence Eagleburger and Jim Baker dialed into that meeting but were not there.

During his remarks, McCain cited as one of his advisors Dr. Henry Kissinger, and mentioned that Kissinger was one of the people who helped negotiate his own release from prison. McCain has dramatically increased the use of his personal biography on the stump in recent weeks.

October 29, 2008 in McCain, John, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (396)

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"What Obama doesn't have is a stupid VP candidate"
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Oh that Joe - #1,233,7999??
Who lost Lebanon?
FDR 1929 TV??
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Posted by: robert b | Oct 29, 2008 5:17:01 PM

Dear spencer

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

Look it up (heehee)

Posted by: monkeyboy | Oct 29, 2008 5:17:06 PM

John McCain and sarah p[alin

warmongering idiots.

what more can you say

same team
same tactics
9th year
'
...but "stupider"

lol

throw these idiots to the curb.

Posted by: dl | Oct 29, 2008 5:17:39 PM

SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE!!!

--- This message was paid for by The Sarah Palin Camp of the Bush/McCain/Palin campaign ticket and not necessarily endorsed by my "Make-Believe" Maverick running mate...

Posted by: targaray | Oct 29, 2008 5:17:53 PM

I'm so sick of hearing McCain and Palin's BS.

Posted by: John | Oct 29, 2008 5:18:26 PM

robert b - no doubt! these people deserve Obama - living life like a reality show...

Posted by: hummingbird | Oct 29, 2008 5:19:51 PM

But he thinks Palin does have what it takes. Palin defined the Republican Party of 2008, and everything that is wrong with America. ..............

http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/10/29/obamas-best-chance-palins-example/

Posted by: Ohg Rea Tone | Oct 29, 2008 5:20:06 PM

robert b
trying to call Biden stupid to defend the Palin ticket...and the guy who ...oy...CRS

and bottom of the class...

and crasher of numerous planes...not to mention cars...

and crazy old man trying to be president with a bunch of whacko actions in the face of economic panic...

yeah

now that is funny

hahahahahahahahahahah is right.

throw these bums to the curb and lets get on with the new chapter ...finally.

Posted by: dl | Oct 29, 2008 5:20:11 PM

Don't blame Palin, it's hard to stay on point when your being investigated for ethics violations everyday in Alaska.

Posted by: JR | Oct 29, 2008 5:20:41 PM

and the fraud won't protect you either

Posted by: dl | Oct 29, 2008 5:21:17 PM

Jake you are wrong Obama want to eliminate the capital gains tax totally. Not just cut it but eliminate capital gains tax. You are correct he also wants to eliminate Double taxation on business owners. With is a great thing!!!!

Posted by: Jess Ann | Oct 29, 2008 5:21:31 PM

"and pointed to Obama’s desire to negotiate with counties with which the United States has tense relations. "

Counties?....lol....which counties would those be?

Posted by: Jwench | Oct 29, 2008 5:22:24 PM

Usual old polotics traying to scare poeple. They have done it in the past election. wake up poeple. SAY NOT THIS TIME!!!

Posted by: mike | Oct 29, 2008 5:22:29 PM

Its pretty sad when the Republicans still try to use the fear card to get votes. Hey its worth a try right McCain if it worked for W why not you?

Posted by: Tucker | Oct 29, 2008 5:22:46 PM

It is just sickening how someone who has ZERO experience is nominated for President.

I looked up his Senate record. There is nothing there because he wasn't there.

What else did he do?

Just because liberals have hurt feelings over Bush, doesn't mean they should make a bigger mistake and elect Obama.

Posted by: Grapejuice | Oct 29, 2008 5:22:56 PM

Obama is protecting the nation from 4 more years of Bushism. That counts for something. A vote for McCain is a vote for anti-intellectualism. Let's get smart people!

Posted by: Membery | Oct 29, 2008 5:23:15 PM

DOES MCAIN EVER GIVE A SPEECH WITHOUT BRINGING WAR INTO IT?THATS ALL THATS ON HIS MIND.HE WANTS TO TAKE OUT HIS FRUSTRATIONS ON CONTINUEING WARS.WHO DOES HE THINK WILL PAY FOR THIS.YOU AND ME.WE DID GET RID OF THAT FOOL IN IRAQ AND NOW ITS TIME THAT WE GOT OUT.THEY HAVE BEEN FIGHTING OVER THERE FOR YEARS
AND WERE NOT GOING TO CHANGE THINGS

Posted by: REDMAN70 | Oct 29, 2008 5:23:26 PM

So McCain thinks Obama is not the man to find Osama? Really? This from the guy who supported the current president who basically gave up hunting Osama so he could fulfill some personal animosity against Saddam, versus actually waging war where it made sense? Really? Me thinks this old white guy is playing bait and switch again. Go figure.

Posted by: Mark | Oct 29, 2008 5:23:29 PM

Iam so tired of govern by fear, threats, and intimidation. 8 years is more than enough of that! If John McCain knows how to accomplish all the things he tells us he does, what to heck has he been waiting for! H is the one that's been in Washington all this time!

Posted by: Bob | Oct 29, 2008 5:23:31 PM

Its hard to find a more revered and loved American than Andy Griffith. When I think of a true American I think of him. Andy Griffith stands for truth and wisdom, and has been considered a faithful veteran, and someone who would never support communism. Andy grew up when the world was under attack by nationalism, and then he was a part of our national fight against communism. Often during his show, The Andy Griffith Show he would teach us lessons on right and wrong, and what the true American way is. His son in the show, famed director Ron Howard is also considered an American icon, and someone you can trust to do the right thng for America. Ron and Andy have put their support behind Barack Obama for President, because they believe he represents the BEST for America. They would NEVER support someone who didnt love this country as much as they do, nor would they support someone who was a threat to us all. Lets all be like Andy Griffith and vote for Barack Obama! Lets make America the America that Andy Griffith believes in! Obama/Biden, as American as apple pie!

Posted by: Fairfax | Oct 29, 2008 5:23:43 PM

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