Palin hits Obama on Iraq

Posted: Monday, September 08, 2008 1:44 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Security, Sarah Palin

From NBC/NJ's Matthew E. Berger and NBC's Mark Murray
LEE’S SUMMIT, MO -- Palin said here today that Obama “still can’t acknowledge the coming victory in Iraq.”

“He said he’s for change. But in Iraq, change happened, and that’s a great thing for America, senator,” Palin said at a rally with McCain at The Pavilion at John Knox Village, about 23 miles southeast of Kansas City.

Palin also repeated her line -- which fact-checkers mostly dispute -- that she stopped the infamous Bridge to Nowhere. “I told Congress ‘thanks but no thanks’ for that Bridge to Nowhere. If the state wanted to build a bridge, we’d build it ourselves.”

Later today, Palin will take her first solo flight -- without McCain -- but has no solo events scheduled. She is skipping a Chicago fundraiser McCain and is heading straight to Cincinnati, where she will attend events with McCain on Tuesday. Campaign aides said spending the time in Ohio was a better use of her time, but would not detail what she would be doing.

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Comments

why does the media let sarah palin get away with lie after lie, and now her major gaffe about fannie and freddie mac being government programs (she doesn't seem to realize they are private companies)?
if obama had made these blunders or outright knowingly lied, it would on the 24x7 news cycle and sean hannity would be drooling all over himself.
why the double standard? can we not hold her accountable because she is a woman, or what?? what is the reason for allowing such dishonesty?

Jordan, Oregon (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:52 PM)

Well if that is true MSNBC, and we know for a fact that the new top of the republican ticket "Palin" is "a liar"-- then why do you keep on allowing it to go unchallenged?

MSNBC = FOX Noise

Joe, St. Paul, MN (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:53 PM)

Do Americans really care about winning or losing in Iraq when they can't fill their gas tanks? I'll tell you what. Ten billion a month, you bet your ass we're losing in Iraq, and no amount of money spent will give us victory. The GOP are such fools if they believe this BS!

Obama / Biden 08 and 12

Chris F. Antioch, CA (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:53 PM)

But as our friends at Politifact put it: "In the fall of 2005, Congress removed the language specifically directing the money to the bridge, but it kept the money in place and left it up to Alaska to decide which transportation projects the state would like to spend it on. By the time Palin pulled the plug on the Gravina bridge project in September 2007, much of the federal funding for the bridge had already been diverted to other transportation projects."

---------------------------------

You forgot to mention how hard she campaigned in support of The Bridge to Nowhere when she was running for governor.

Remember, folks, ultimately, Alaska kept the money!

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:53 PM)

I think it stinks that Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews was fired. Now all we have are Republican views.

Marcy McGowan, Wilmington, DE (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:54 PM)

Click on the Politifact link within the article above. Enough said about Politico Barbie. LOL

Truly Eight Is Enough (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:54 PM)

Change happened in Iraq? Huh? Why are we in Iraq in the first place? Oh right I forgot, because it's God's mission. This woman is so full of it. She sounds more programmed than McCain, Bush and Cheney put together. Guess they got all those talking points drilled into her.

In terms of that Bridge to Nowhere. More lies and no one is calling her on it. I wonder if Gibson will ask her about it. Somehow I doubt it. I wonder if he'll ask her about why we are in Iraq in the first place. I'd love it if she said that she thought we were in Iraq because it was God's mission. Oh boy. Won't happen though. Gibson will just let her spout her preprogramed talking points.

Treena, NJ (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:55 PM)

Where is Obama at today? How was Clintons rally? I'm really sick of no other coverage besides Palin...

Sick of Palin (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:55 PM)

Would Obama be allowed to "hit back", or would that be seen as "sexism" by the small minded media types who just like to hype nonsense?

This is a silly thread. Palin has not said one word that means a damn thing to anyone except the right wing freaks that control the republican party.

Get Real MSNBC!

Joe, St. Paul, MN (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:55 PM)

There are no more victories to be had in Iraq, only a graceful exit as soon as possible. Didn't "Bush Hugger" McCain not declare victory in Iraq over 5 years ago? Just how many victories are there to be had from one needless war?

"Liar" Palin is still lying about her early support for the Bridge to Nowhere and why isn't the media asking her where's the money the feds sent for that bridge? When will she return that pork barrel earmark to prove that she is against earmarks?

I got a laugh out of her Lipstick joke. It reminds me of an older Lipstick joke: You can put Lipstick on a Pig but it still remains a Pig. "Piggy" Palin will always be a pig no matter how much lipstick she applies!

Go Obama/Biden 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:56 PM)

Campaign aides said spending the time in Ohio was a better use of her time, but would not detail what she would be doing.
************************************************
I'm sure spending more time with her tutors in GOP bootcamp learning the next talking points. Seems like this past week they've had her repeat the same speech every single time so I guess she's not a very quick learner.

Christine, hadley (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:56 PM)

Palin also repeated her line -- which fact-checkers mostly dispute -- that she stopped the infamous Bridge to Nowhere.
----------------------------------------

Why can't you call it what it is? A bald-faced lie. It's really sad that journalist no longer can distinguish lies from truth without a lot of mealy-mouthed shucking and jiving. If McCain wins, which I've always thought was more likely than not, it will because he was willing to lie.

BTW: Palin just made a HUGE gaffe on the mortgage crisis:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/08/palin-makes-her-first-gaf_n_124792.html

And McCain says he doesn't know much about the economy, so he'll leave it to his likely Treasury Secratary, Foreclosure Phil Gramm, the author of the Enron Loophole and the architect of the current mortgage debacle. A McCain administration will certainly be interesting times (in the sense meant by the old Chinese curse).

Houston (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:56 PM)

Palin said here today that Obama “still can’t acknowledge the coming victory in Iraq.”

“He said he’s for change. But in Iraq, change happened, and that’s a great thing for America, senator,” Palin said at a rally with McCain at The Pavilion at John Knox Village, about 23 miles southeast of Kansas City.

----------------------------------------

Well, since Gov. Palin has SOOOOOOOO much foreign policy experience, maybe she can answer what the Bush Administration and the McCain Campaign have never answered for us...

What does "victory" in Iraq look like?

*crickets*

You can't win an occupation. We invaded Iraq and have let bin Laden roam free. That is not "victory".

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:57 PM)

Change in Iraq happened? and that a great thing for America? wow! coming from the mouth of very smart annie oakley!! how about the over 4,000 american lives and hundred of thousand iraqis and coalition lives lost because of the unprovoked war her president started? is that a great thing for america? bin laden and zawahiri are still alive, laughing their butts off in their caves in afghanistan! is that a good thing for america?

Truth Be Told (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:57 PM)

"Palin also repeated her line -- which fact-checkers mostly dispute -- that she stopped the infamous Bridge to Nowhere."

Republicans consider shameless, straight-in-your-eyes, bald-faced lying to be an invaluable attribute. She also has that magic combination of ignorance and arrogance that we find in such rich abundance in the right wing.

Sinclair Lewis: Did you know McCain was a POW and Sarah knows the mind of God?

Citizen of Rome misses Caligula (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:58 PM)

Like that idiot Palin knows anything about anything outside of oil and Alaska. If the nation elects this woman it's just proof of how far education has fallen in this country.

Susan L., Redmond, WA (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:58 PM)

You can't win an occupation.

The only victory that can be achieved in Iraq is a political one.

Nick R., Chicago (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:58 PM)

It is a GREAT DAY in Obama Nation!

McCain is AHEAD in the polls, he has selected his VP, and FINALLY the media can ANYALYZE this so-called "Maverick".

Will the media FINALLY do their jobs and "vet" John McCain?

Analyze his JUDGEMENT, evaluate his POLICIES, verify the TRUTHFULNESS (or lack there of) of his claims.

We keep hearing that Senator McCain was a POW. But when will we hear about Senator McCain's role in the Keating Five? This was a MAJOR scandal, which led to a MAJOR financial crisis, and Senator McCain sided with the LOBBYISTS over the millions of AMERICAN people who lost their life savings.

How does the Senator who admits that he knows NOTHING about the economy, who has selected a running mate who has demonstrated VERY LITTLE knowledge about the economy (or anything else)propose to address the myriad problems facing the US economy?

McCain/Palin has offer ZERO new ideas for the economy - how will continuing the same failed policies help?

Let's FOCUS on JOHN McCAIN - he is our new FRONTRUNNER - so let it rip media and DO YOUR JOB!

ENOUGH of the lies - time for some "straight talk" from McCain-Palin.

Obama/Biden '08/'12

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:59 PM)

Thanks to the press, Sarah Palin has the chance to be the first stealth Vice President of the United States.

bill, ga (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 1:59 PM)

Isn't it funny that the Dumb and Dumber ticket both need to be coached by a former Democrat, "Traitor" Joe Lie-berman, on national security issues? Alaska's proximity to the rear end of Russia does not make someone an expert on foreign policy.

So funny that "Sinister" Sarah wasn't ready on day 1 to be a VP candidate. She showed no initiative to learn what a VP does, she just expects some man to tell her what to do and say.

Go Obama/Biden 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:00 PM)

Let her keep it up. Those I talk to are getting tired of her already.

Kari (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:01 PM)

Guess she didn't see the Obama - O'Reilly interview?

What about her knowledge of Fannie and Freddie being to expensive for taxpayers?

John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:02 PM)

Really? And I suppose her vast military experience gives her the grounds to define a victory? Even Bush has finally agreed to the logic of setting time tables for withdrawel. That doesn't mean defeat, it just means that an end is in sight. What exactly would be a victory there? McCain, with all his military experience, has never defined what "winning" looks like in Iraq. Sarah can't either.

sick of the lies and rhetoric (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:03 PM)

She REALLY should have watched MTP with Biden and took some notes from Biden. If you missed it - Take a look!

Libratine (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:03 PM)

People -- WAKE UP. The Republicans lie to you. They lied to you about Iraq and WMD. They lied to you about Hussein and his role in 9/11. And what did that do for YOU? More Americans killed in Iraq than killed on 9/11. Thousands more maimed for life. An economy in shreds. A loss in stature and credibility by the world.

And now? They are lying to you about Palin as the "reform" candidate. They're lying and obfiscating the truth about her hiring lobbyists and taking ear marks. They're desperately trying to hide her abuse of power and corruption and keep her from being truly vetted. John McCain lies to you EVERY day and you CHOOSE to believe him.

WHY do you want more of the same? The Republican bosses are counting on you to be stupid -- to believe any and everything they tell you at face value and to never EVER question the veracity of their candidates.

Are you willing to let the Republicans continue to grind the Constitution under the heels of Rovian politics? Do you not know how to do ANY critical thinking on your own??

Will you only be satisfied when Americans become oppressed by religion and threat of war?

What is wrong with you people???

For God's sake -- please. THINK.

sara, mesa, az (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:03 PM)

Palin neglects to mention that the war in Iraq was based on lies and deception - we should never have been there in the first place. What's the analogy? It's like setting a house on fire, putting the fire out, then praising the water.

MartiM, Plano, TX (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:03 PM)

I guess it boils down to what is your definition of "victory"!? Leaving a country with a disfunctional government that can bearly provide the basic infrastructure & necessities for its people is obvious a Big Victory! When are the Dems going to take this woman to task??? She's getting away with political murder and they're afraid to attack for fear of being called sexist!

Get Tough Obama/Biden, Irvine, CA (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:04 PM)

The media is scared of the Republicans. Just like Bush, when anyone spoke out against him they lost their jobs. This is censorship at its Republican Best.

Sarah Palin and John McCain are LIARS and there is not one news media outlet or journalist willing to call them on this. American Media is a pawn in the Republican game of politics.

She said 'thanks but no thanks' and kept the money for a state that receives more USA government money per capita than any other state in the country.

She was a member of AIP, which wanted to seperate from the USA.

She can not balance a budget. She left her town over $23 million in debt.

News Media is afraid of the Republicans! Once again, they win with FEAR and LIES. This is going to be a repeat of 2000/2004.

just watch on election day, the poor, innder city, rural and young votes are going to be challenged and denied by the Republicans.

No Respect for the USA media... you make us look awful to the rest of the world when we are always standing by our country's free press.

The Republicans are trying to take over our country and we will not stand for it.

Report the Real story on Ms. Palin! She is an liar, a cheater, and a real mean spirited person!

Marcia Major, Roanoke, VA (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:04 PM)

Okay, so:

-She was for the bridge to nowhere before she was against it (and regardless, kept the money)
-DIDN'T sell the jet on eBay, instead selling it at a loss
-Worked on Ted Stevens 527
-She bungled the building of a sports facility in a town of under 9,000 (which is part of the executive experience we're supposed to be in awe of)
-She's a member of an extremist church that prays for a pipeline, believes the Iraq war was mission from god and speaks of anti-Jewish terror as a 'message from god' (all with her in attendance)
-Fired a subordinate under questionable circustances, for which she is under investigation.

And now she doesn't understand what's going on in regards to one of the biggest threats to the American economy, in the form of the housing crisis:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/08/palin-makes-her-first-gaf_n_124792.html

This is supposed to give us faith in her? I don't think so...now if only the media would report on some of this...

Brian, Altamonte Springs, FL (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:05 PM)

The McCain-Palin ticket offers a perplexing image. John McCain really just wants to retire as having been president and shows signs that he is close to being ready, even finishing a first term could be a challenge. That presents the prospect of Sarah Palin as president and that is really scary and not just because of her significant lack of applicable experience. As she describes herself, she is ‘a pit bull with lipstick’, an aggressive, feisty and arrogant personality that demonstrates little knack or taste for diplomacy. She is extreme in everything from beliefs to actions. She bans books from the library, bans sex education in the high school, has the reputation for demanding everything be her way and then even the Republican powers are afraid to have her be a known quantity as they keep her from the media. She is being constantly coached by Senator Lieberman, by Bush’s speech writers and by image people hoping to make her presentable and only appears at controlled appearances where she can’t be questioned. They may be satisfied that she would be a good puppet for them but what about for us? For eight years we heard Bush’s speeches, often impressive, and yet we only have to look around to see what that has really cost us; now they are writing her speeches and expect us to be moved by them. They have clearly demonstrated their tenacity, ability and willingness to do/say whatever it takes to get what they want but dishonesty could cost them; it hasn’t to date with Bush-Cheney-Rove but hopefully it will this time. Do we really want what they offer, more of the same or even worse? It would seem that to vote for McCain-Palin one would have to be a certifiable masochistic lunatic. A little strong on the criticism? Really, I wonder.

REG in AZ (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:05 PM)

One of these days Sarah One-Note is going to have to face some tough questioning on her statements and positions (teaching creationism, banning books, "God's will" in Iraq, her love of earmarks, her repeated assertion that she was against that bridge to nowhere etc.). Her handlers want to blame the media for scrutinizing her record and questioning her statements and will keep her away from interviews long as possible. She's good at making glib, sarcastic speeches and comments but that's the easy part (just look at GW Bush). Telling the truth and answering questions about qualifications and her opposition to many of McCain's stated positions (no drilling in ANWAR, his contempt for earmarks) should begin to reveal a lot about this novice chosen at the last minute. It's sure to be quite a display of tap dancing.

R.Merrell (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:05 PM)

I wonder how many hours Palin had to practice that line? I would love to see you report on her statement about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. She had no clue what their role has been in economy. If anyone is interested in getting information and facts, MSNBC is definitely not the place any longer. Check out the Huffington Post. They don't seem to be afraid of telling the facts that need to be told.

Olga, Oswego, NY (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:06 PM)

Hey, Chuck! Wake up! Start doing your job and point out the LIES McCain/Palin are putting out there. You guys are so infatuated with this lady, you're all afraid to call her out on her LIES!

How sad. Tim Russert is probably rolling over in his grave right now.

Jill Q, Auburn, KS (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:06 PM)

You go Girl!

ron, newport Beach, California (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:06 PM)

He said he’s for change. But in Iraq, change happened, and that’s a great thing for America, senator,” Palin said at a rally with McCain at The Pavilion at John Knox Village, about 23 miles southeast of Kansas City. YES CHANGE IS HAPPENING, BUT saraha, this change theme is barack obama's not yours to use as you want!!!. next you will be saying yes we can, could you stupid republicans please get your own ideas instead of stealing from barack!! you look stuipd saying we need change when the change theme has been apart of the obama campain for almost 2 years!!! you also look stupid when your apart of why this counrty is so screwed up!!
change, girl you would not know change if it clapped you up side your head!!! i can't wait till the debates!!! i hope joe biden debates you back to where the hell you came from, hey i know why not go back to the 5 college you flunked out of!!! you Journalism major you!!!!

jeff D evanston IL. (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:08 PM)

"Campaign aides said spending the time in Ohio was a better use of her time, but would not detail what she would be doing."

Gee . . . do you think perhaps she'll be working on another speech to give besides regurgitating the one speech she has given starting at the Republican Convention and that she has been giving over and over and over again at every campaign stop since? I get it -- you put a plane on EBay, you said thanks, but no thanks, to Congress to the Bridge to Nowhere. But what are you going to do for my pocketbook and what are you going to do about the jobs that are disappearing all around me and my family and my neighbors and what is your take on the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac bail-out and what is your stand on getting us out or leaving us in Iraq?

Shay Capelo, Austin, Texas (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:08 PM)

Why is the press letting her stand there and flat footed LIE to the American People without doing anything about it. This needs to be on the nightly news!

Where is the report on her Gaffe on Freddie and Fannie????

Barb, LA (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:09 PM)

Wow....I am so "unimpressed".

Does Sara Palin know exactly where Iraq is located? Could she give you any figures ab out the costs or the number of our men and women who have given their lives for a LIE?

"Palin Hits Obama on Iraq" -- Indeed. Where is John McCain -- asleep?? Looks like Palin is running the republican party and will be running the country if people don;t wake up and smell the coffee.

Which one of you talking heads made the decision to throw this nonsensical thread up here?

Joe, St. Paul, MN (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:09 PM)

Look the surge helped but with out the cooperation of the different factions it would have fizzled. Al Queda just butchered to many of the regular folks.
It will all come out that Palin is just the "Queen Of Pork" when the press does their job or McCain lets her get interviewed.

Elmer (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:09 PM)

Joe, St. Paul, MN (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:09 PM)

I am very sick of this country. Someone who does not understand foreign policy should have shut their mouth shut. Palin said that the war in Iraq was "God's task". Makes me think she is exactly a female Bush.

unhappy guy (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:10 PM)

Does Palin know where Iraq is, since its not next to alaska?

Matt, DC (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:11 PM)

Oh this is too much fun! The Republicans are beating the Democrats like rented mules. In 10 days, Obama and Biden have gone from the candidates of Change to the candidates of Washington Insiders. Hope and Change has gone to Dazed and Confused for the Obamaites.

Tony G., Dallas Tx (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:11 PM)

If she believes that change has happen, then why is her son still going? Look, this woman said that this war was a task from God. (look on youtube for the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZzLL4Dio3w ). She has no right to talk about Iraq when she has not been to states like New York, North Carolina, Kentucky. If she had it her way, we would be in a war with every country that does not think like we do. The gloves are off Dems, it is time to start attacking the GOP, not Palin, but McCain, your real target!

Shera Horn, Port Chester, NY (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:12 PM)

I don't think it is understood enough that more than the surge, in fact the surge would have failed otherwise, was the turn around by the Iraqis who started fighting and taking their country back. Now would that have worked without the surge, who knows but the surge wouldn't have worked without that. But then no one has ever accused the politicians of being totally honest and it serves Palin's purpose to overlook that info.

REG in AZ (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:12 PM)

"Campaign aides said spending the time in Ohio was a better use of her time, but would not detail what she would be doing".

- No doubt a crash course in economics, foreign policy, and how to deflect the tough questions she will be sure to be receiving shortly without a teleprompter to answer for her.

Sue, Buffalo, NY (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:12 PM)

Why can she attack Obama and if he attacks back, it's "female bashing"?

Why are the Repugs upset with Oprah, when they were not concerned before when it came to Hillary?

The Amreican public is being "played" by the the Republicans for devisiveness and racism. They are doing what they do best. Create havoc, throw you a snow ball curve and then you won't know what kind of pitiful mess you are in until four years later.

McCain is 72 years old. He is applying for one of the most stressful jobs in the world. If he "truly loved this country", he 1) would not run for office or 2) would select someone qualified to take over in case he could not fulfill his term. His selection of Palin tells a lot about his judgement and his motives.

As for the polls, don't be fooled. They are not polling the "youth vote". The youth are not going to vote for "that grey haired guy" who doesn't know the internet.

judy ovilla tx (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:13 PM)

Obama is nothing but an Empty Suit.

Lee, NJ (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:13 PM)

FR -- Campaign aides said spending the time in Ohio was a better use of her time, but would not detail what Palin would be doing.

Ummm, winning the state for McCain sounds like a good possibility.

Team McCain (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:13 PM)

Palin and Facts are two things that do not go together.

If you believe this surge in Iraq has been successful (will be successful) read some recent reports regarding the postponement of the withdrawal of U.S. troops because the political/religious factions in Iraq are once again squaring off regarding the control of power and oil revenues. McCain is lying because he knows better and Palin does not have a clue. Iraq cannot and will not be successful by way of military occupation. Success can only be achieved through political means and compromise that the various Iraqi factions are no closer to achieving then they would have been before this invasion. The Sunnis want the power. The Shittes want the power, and the Kurds want their fair share of oil revenues and their independence. And no surge or continued U.S. occupation is going to change that until the Iraqis are left to their own to work this out.

Palin is obviously a politcal robot of McCain and it is sad to think that anyone is taking her seriously.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 2:14 PM)

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