McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Crissie Brown — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:43:29 GMT

McCain's message: "Maybe we made a mistake, but we need to keep on making it until it's not a mistake anymore."

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Sierra, SF — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:44:33 GMT

'...This is about decisions that a president will have to make about the future in Iraq."...'

BOMB, BOMB, BOMB
BOMB, BOMB IRAN .....

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Enrique, Chicago — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:47:04 GMT

McCain's decision to vote for this needless war is relevant. His judgement in voting to give Bush/Cheney authorization to go into Iraq speaks volumes about the kinds of decisions he'd make as president.

Take ownership of your decision to vote for this war Senator McCain. Rather than go after those that attacked our our country on 9/11 Buah, Cheney, and McCain led us into Iraq under false pretenses.

America deserves leadership far better than that.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Write in Hillary — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:47:33 GMT

McCain/OBAMA STUPID? or STUPIDEST?
Save America, write in Hillary for president, there is space on your ballot, use it!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Kyd70,SC — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:48:39 GMT

AWESOME!
McCain is the man! Period!
Way to turn the tables on this tax-n-spend-n-run candidate!
McCain in '08!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Obie, Burtrum, Mn — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:49:25 GMT

As a Viet Nam vet, I hear McCain raising themes of that era such as the Nixonian "peace with honor". I can't help but wonder if McCain is still fighting that war in order to rewrite history and exorcise personal demons.

The sniping from the right about the patriotism of Michelle Obama also resonates with finger pointing 60's themes.

Do we really want to go there again?

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Ron, TX — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:50:03 GMT

Oh, John McCain, how silly can you be? "He's talking about the past! The past doesn't matter any more! This is about moving forward!"

So what's your strategy for moving forward, John McCain?
"The strategy of the past should be continued!"

Is this REALLY what Obama is going to be going up against? Obama is going to completely smother John McCain in a debate if that's the best reasoning McCain can muster...

Obama's right. He's the only choice on foreign policy. There are too many cheap outs for McCain if Hillary is the nominee.

Obama '08!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Rick, NC — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:53:48 GMT

Yeah you see there senator john that most of us are sick and tired of being lied to and led astray by well meaning but nonetheless wrong people like you and george bush who got us into iraq...why would we trust someone like you to finish a mess that you led the cheers for?

Mccain may whine about war execution but he sure voted for every single bush war budget and appointee he made...he is as responsible as bush for the abortion in iraq

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Eric, Newtown, PA — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:53:55 GMT

Obama has McCain on the defensive already. McCain's response here doesn't hold much water. "Let's not talk about my judgement in the past." That hasn't worked out so well for Hillary on Iraq.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Johnson, New Orleans, LA — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:54:42 GMT

John McCain was WRONG in going into Iraq. Until he is willing to admit that, nothing is going to get accomplished. How can we expect someone who didn't have the judgment to see what was coming in Iraq lead the war in Iraq? Obama had the judgment to know what was going on and he understood that Iraq would shift our focus from Afghanistan where AlQuida really is. We can't let someone who got us into the war be elected into office if we expect our troops to come home. McCain is not willing to admit his mistake and without that there can be no reconciliation with the american public.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Joe - STL — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:56:25 GMT

With that line of thinking, McCain would be a perfect candidate for the White House.....

If we were still in the middle of the Cold War.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Wilson, Seattle — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:57:22 GMT

McCain wants to keep the issue on Iraq as long as possible. It's the only way he has to firm up the republican base. Also, If conditions in Iraq improve dramatically before November, it will be his key to getting elected.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Expelliarmus, OH — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:57:31 GMT

Never mind what we did...let's just do it some more!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Mister Anderson, Milwaukee, WI — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:58:31 GMT

Is McCain serious? Is he really going to run a campaign on "Don't get your hopes up!" and "Don't bring up the past because it's irrelevant to the future!"?

Whether you're on trial, or in a job interview, what you've done and said in the past is important as its a great indicator of future behavior. Obama isn't bringing up something McCain voted on 30 years ago, he's bringing up something McCain voted for less than six years ago. If McCain doesn't want to be held accountable for his support of Bush's policies, then he should "denounce and reject" them.

Until he does so, he's fair game on all of them.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

ed ehdlam, sun city, az — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:59:00 GMT

HOLD ONTO YOUR SEATS --- Next Hillary or Bill will accuse Obama of being part of "a vast right-wing conspircay!
=====================================================

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Steve A Jonesboro IN — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:59:06 GMT

So what is this old fool going to do about the future of AMERICA!!??

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

David Washington Savanah, GA — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:59:10 GMT

McCain and the Republicans have little credibility when it comes to the issue of Iraq as well as the war on terror. Any smart stradegist would have finished the job in Afghanistan(meaning staying there until we had captured and/or killed Osama Bin Laden) before evading Iraq. Furthermore, if McCain thinks that Americans are going to allow this war to continue much longer, he needs to check for senility. Nevermind the 100 more years he's been talking about.
Our troops need to be home or refocused on the war on terror by the mid-term elections. Anything else is totally unacceptable, in my view.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

BL, Cincinnati OH — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:00:19 GMT

McCain just took the bait. It's so sad. I liked him too in 2000, but he's lost some of it since then. In his effort to "sooth the ire of some independents", he just gave up his only stance.

Just watch, you'll see what I mean... I hear a freight train coming.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

MG, St. Louis, MO. — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:00:27 GMT

John McCain is a one note old song...war, war, war. We surrendered in Vietnam and keeping that protracted battle going long after we should have gotten out proved nothing and lost many more innocent lives. When McCain says we have to win in Iraq, I wish he would articulate what exactly winning in Iraq is as the current administration keeps moving the goal posts as does McCain. So please let the American people know what winning in Iraq constitutes! Most of the smart money says there is no winning in Iraq so I suppose we will just have to stay there forever. He will use fear and surrender as tactics to get elected just like W did. The only difference is McCain is a military man and all he knows is WAR and WAR is where he is most comfortable. It is in his blood! Be afraid America, be afraid!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Randy E (SC) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:00:36 GMT

We'll continue babysitting an Iraqi government that has made minimal progress? (no mention of benchmarks any more) We'll continue to sit idly while the Kurdish rebels incite another "war"? We'll continue to spend billions every month while bridges collapse and children go without adequate health insurance? We'll continue to focus on Iraq while Pakistan and Afghanistan collapse into chaos?

Great plan.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Donna Engstrom — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:00:40 GMT

Of course this campaign is about past decisions. It's about learning from gross mistakes and NOT repeating it.

It's ludicrous to take that stance...it's a blanket pardon of all the ineptness of President Bush and Dick Chaney and Rumsfeld.

According to his words, John McCain's previous experience had no value for American, after all, it's in the past.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

DJ Woo, Chicago, IL — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:01:02 GMT

So, if McCain doesn't want Obama talking about the past but wants to focus on the future, is it not fair that McCain do the same? Please don't ask Obama what has he done. That's the past. Just make sure you ask him what he plans to do...that's the future.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Rozetter, Chicago, Illinois — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:01:03 GMT

Yes Mr. McCain it is about decisions made in the past. More importantly, it's about who will make those decisions in the future.

You Sir, inspite of your honorable service to this country, have not shown the judgement to be trusted with this decision making. So, please don't insult the intelligence of the American People with your attempt to convince us we should trust you now.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Andrew, MO — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:01:51 GMT

Obama can carry the same message to McCain that he is carrying to Clinton. Once you've driven the bus in the ditch, you gotta call someone else to get it out!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

adam/NYC — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:02:46 GMT

McCaain is forgetting that his support for this stupid war will be a liability in doing the necessary diplomatic work to bring a responsible end to the war.

The world needs to see that WE have changed, that WE elected someone whose judgement was correct from the outset; that WE will go the extra mile to repair the damage done; that WE are not a nation to fear and mistrust; that WE take responsibility for our mistakes; that WE were misrepresented by Bush.

McCain's support for the was negates that possibility. Electing him would signal to the world, that we have not changed; that we are afraid to take responsibility for our mistakes; that we were represented by correctly by Bush.

Obama gives us an opportunity to reintroduce our country to the rest of the world and that is something we desperately need.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

AJ, IL — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:03:06 GMT

Didn't Jim Baker and Iraq Study Group say that there is no military solution to Iraq? Violence is down but at wht level is continued killing and maiming acceptable. The current level of the US military surge cannot be maintained beyond April 2008 without making some serious US International Military changes, meanwhile Afghanistan slips into more decay with Taliban, Al-Qaida, and druglords causing havoc. If Obama and McCain are the nominees of their parties, the Democrats would have to challenge McCain on how many lives, serious injuries, and national treasure America needs to commit to "win" in Iraq.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

bill, okla — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:04:05 GMT

McCain's judgement needs to be questioned. He supported the invasion of a country innocent concerning 9/11. 4000 Americans have died as a result..not to mention many thousands of Iraqi's and other "coalition" (joke-joke)forces. McCain says the invasion and the occupation are history and Senator Obama is wrong to talk about it. And yet the idiot says Bush's strategy is working. That's like a murderer in court saying what's done is done let me continue. This man shouldn't even be in the senate.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

JohnnyU, WA State — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:05:20 GMT

McCain likes driving buses into ditches, its heroic. After Barack Obama becomes President and is very busy restoring a FUNCTIONAL government, McCain, Bush, Cheney & their neo-con war loving buddies can take a couple of well armored tanks down to the ranch in Texas and play war to their hearts' content where they won't hurt anybody.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Stephen, Farmington, NM — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:05:31 GMT

The only way to gauge a person's decision making competence in the future is to look at their decisions in the past. McCain simply blew it and his vision of the world is only a mirror of his mistaken perceptions.
It's time for a new outlook.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Elizabeth — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:05:42 GMT

This back and forth is great and a heck of a lot more substantive and worth thinking about than the campaign of distractions that the Clinton camp was waging ...... but Sen. McCain would be on more solid ground if he *had* listened to the debate and realized that Sen. Obama's comments were made in response to a question that required him to *assume* that troops had been withdrawn and there was subsequently a significan built-up of terrorists in Iraq. --- Sen. McCain may well not know the full context of the comments that he is challenging.

Obama was NOT answering the question of what course of action he is proposing now ... with troops and terrorists already in Iraq. He has answered that in the past, however: he intends to gather the generals and others knowledgeable in the area and get their input on developing the safest, most responsible way to get out.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Lee in CA — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:05:43 GMT

" What we should be talking about is what we're going to do now."

You already have - "Stay the course. Don't think about mistakes, don't plan beyond next week and someday call it "glorious victory" no matter what the situation and even if it tears this country apart."

Give some thought to this country, John.

Next.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:05:43 GMT

Justification for occupation is the current position our government has put us in. McCain would have us occupying Iraq just because we are there. Iraq is currently in worse condition than when Saddam governed the country. Al Quida did not enter and gain a foothold until we killed Saddam. We are the problem in Iraq. We need to get out and allow the Iraqui people put their own government together. We have absolutly no business imposing rule over a culture we know nothing about. I know McCain and the warbirds need to declare sometype of victory to preserve their honor, but it is now time for the peacebirds to fly. There is no honor in trying to shoot flys with a cannon. We do better fighting a defensive war.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Donna Engstrom — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:07:16 GMT

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

VI WI — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:07:20 GMT

I continue to laugh at how the populus can be missled by Mc Cain and the Repubs. The Surge is not working. At the monemnt al-Sadar just extended his Cease Fire for another six months. The Us Generals gave a sign of relief. They can now continue with their fairy tale that the Surege is working. Do you know that a another Army not agreeing with al-Sadar is opposed to his decision . This group is mainly in the South of Iraq. Booming and deaths have increased already. No doubt the Mc Cain will say this is Alqueida. Did you know that we the American tax payer and not the Iraqi government pays the Iraqi Millitary. We pay shias ten dollars a day in the al-Sadar area of Bagdad to watch the Streets. We pay shop owners up to 2 thousand to open their businesses. We pay the Iraqi army. American tax payers are trying to buy off their Civil War. The Iraqi Governemnt just past a bill for the Fall elections and then veto it. The Surge is not working Millitaryily or Politically. The New York Times has a new informational running article on "Bagdad Bureau" it is terrific. Where is the rest of the Press?

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

loris bay — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:07:44 GMT

To both McCain and Baker: Go to some one's nursing home and retire. We have had it with you old guys messing this country up. You have had your chance. It did not work. Baker needs to be hog tied and whipped for his role in giving us Bush. You all represent 60 years of bad policy, wrong thinking and attitudes that are completly out of touch with today's world. SHUT-UP!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Charles — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:08:13 GMT

You're right,Senator McCain,this isn't about the past.That's why I'm voting Democratic.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

GW1970 — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:12:20 GMT

Of course McCain doesn't want to talk about the past. He can't explain away mistake after mistake made by Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld. But, if he wants to talk about the future, let him explain how leaving 140,000 soliders in a country far away from Bin Laden's headquarters is going to make this country safe from a future attack by Bin Laden. We have squandered the resources of our wonderful troops in a war that had nothing to do with 9/11 (except in Dick Cheney's dreams) while allowing our real enemies, who we had on the run, to rearm. Now, instead of beefing up our security at home, we're throwing money down a bottomless hole in Iraq. If McCain wants to talk about the future, how does he define success in Iraq. Can he guarantee the American people that a pro-western democracy will evolve in Iraq? Of course not. Bush the Elder bailed out Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in 1991 and they're already giving us the back of their hand. Finally, the next time McCain praises Bush II for keeping us safe these past six years, remember that he's been president for seven years. The attacks at the Pentagon, in Shankville, and in lower Manhattan happened on Bush's watch. Remember that Rice and her deputy were warned by the CIA two months earlier and didn't do a damn thing to prevent the murder of 3000 people.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

ATLhusker, Atlanta, GA — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:13:13 GMT

oh, that's right, John - my friend - we should take every politician at his word and not utilize the past to tell us more about your decision making, instead would should allow politicians to slick talk their way about anything without recognizing that it is contradictory to their past...hmmmm....my friend, you can't have it both ways

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Bob, Colorado — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:13:20 GMT

I thought this was a global war on terror. Where are our allies in this war. The US and its citizens are in the minority and yet is supplying most of the people, equipment, and money to support this war. Either the Allies don't consider it a major threat or the US decided that it needs to police the world

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Joe Einloth — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:16:11 GMT

Baker, you're talking out of your hindquarters! We needed to be here this long, just to set a timetable? Horse poop! We haven't gotten a damn thing right over there, dating back to "oops, no WMDs! My bad!" What makes you think we'll get this right? Are there any Bakers in uniform?

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Barbara C., Pompano Beach, FL — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:16:43 GMT

We'll have to stay in Iraq 100 years. Someone has to guard the OIL Fields, Senator McCain. So, you can say it's all about the present.....because it is about the OIL and -- there is nothing more "present tense" more than OIL...$101.55 a barrel today.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

John — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:17:04 GMT

Tell the over 4,000 dead soldiers families "that's the past"...you drove the bus into the ditch, now you think you're best qualified to get us out. Your experience counts for nothing if you keep making mistakes.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Nashville_fan — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:17:27 GMT

How convenient that Senator McCain wants to forget "the past" when it suits him, and wants to run on his "experience" the rest of the time.

Nice try, but I'm not buying it. All the problems we are currently facing in Iraq were predictable and predicted, and John McCain needs to face up to the tremendous consequences that we are facing as a result.

America can't afford more foreign policy debacles to fulfill his narrow view of "honor".

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:18:33 GMT

First, it is about decisions made in the past, because without looking at past decisions, we wouldn't have any basis for judge the future likely judgments of either candidate.

Second, returning with "honor" is a relative term. Regardless of how stable or chaotic the situation in Iraq were to become, most of the world and a good percentage of Americans see no honor in this. They only see resources being spent, and probably just for the benefit of the future greater Iran.

The honor comment isn't a reflection on the military, which has performed honorably all in all. But McCain talks like he's still in the military. He's not, and despite the title "commander in chief," both candidates are running to fulfill the office designed by the Founding Fathers, which is one of civilian leader over the military.

Civilian leaders ought to be concerned with national strategy and cost/benefit analyses, I think, and perhaps less concerned with battlefield honor. That's a romantic luxury they can't afford to have.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Mary B, Dover, NH — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:19:07 GMT

I agree with McCain on this one. When is Obama going to stop saying he was against the war. We get it-but what exactly is he going to do about it?? He doesn't really have a specific plan. I see Obama as a very risky choice for President and I am a registered democrat. I will vote for McCain in November, and none of the polls are talking about Dems who will vote Republican, but I know plenty of them.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Carl, Atlanta, GA — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:19:24 GMT

Past judgement plays a role in future decisions. So it is very current to talk about the reason why AQ is currently in Iraq. Do we want the same people who got us into this mess in the first place making the same decisions for our future? After McCain and Co are done we may have AQ in every country across the globe!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Rick,ky — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:19:47 GMT

My friend, how long do we want to continue to Pay, Sunni's ($300)Not to fight American's?My friend, the Oil revenues are beginning to Pay divedends, just look, Oil is Only $102 a barrel.My friend, the Gates of Hell are in Iraq!My friend, my Mind is Only 71 years old, at this point in My life, There is No Hope. My friend, i only want to take you with me as I've not long to be on this earth.My friend, i borrowed $$$ & as collateral, i used matching fund's from the Government. My friend, You will Pay for my campaign also, one way or the other.My friend, my wife is Not a Druggie.O wait, which Wife are we referring to.One last thing, My friend!

S C R E W Y O U !!!!!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Diane from Illinois — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:20:15 GMT

McWar said; That's in the past; that's history. Guess what Bush Lite?......so are YOU! Time to get your afghan and go sit down....it's over before you begin. Have a nice retirement.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Bade Florissant, MO — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:20:16 GMT

The most reasonable response to McCain is to ask him where he was when Hurican Karina happens, what was his efforts to salvage the destroyed city? Non! but he needs to talk tough to have the vote because he is not alive when Karina happens. I want everybody to compare New Orleans to a city that natural disaster wages war against. Why don't we take the war to who causes tonado to destroy the city of New Orleans??
Go there and witness how that city look likes now, but we can talk tough to get elected while we are wasting trillion of dollars on sheding blood and we can not help your own people here. The stupidity behind this war was that because of one sole thousands of lives that has nothing to do with terriorism has die and it's a good policy???Republicans find difficult to take care of their own people but braging about to save America and they are all here when tonado ravage New Orleans

I hope all this issue of security works for him, because we don't want to die here but we can inflict dead on other humanbeign because they were helpless.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

John, Dallas — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:22:20 GMT

I agree with both candidates. What we do going forward is what is important now, but to not understand why you drove the 'bus into the ditch' will only make it more likely that you will drive the bus into a ditch again in the future. Senator Obama has said 'we will be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting.' Senator McCain needs to say 'we should not have gone to Iraq, but we now have fix what we broke.'

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

A.Brocco, Albuquerque,NM — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:22:30 GMT

Is this all McCain can talk about? Where does he stand of immigration, social security, education, torture (waterboarding?),health insurance? It appears that we should call him "Johnny One Note".The war is not going well except for those that are wearing rose-colored glasses, neither is his battle with Obama. Come on Johnny One Note, open up, tell us something that we have not heard from Limbaugh, Coulter,Hannutty, O'Reilly,etc. Say something profound and makes us think that your brain cells are operating better than they normally do.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:25:24 GMT

I can imagine a court case in which a young teenager is charged with stealing a car, joyriding and eventually wrapping that car around a tree.

Defense: "Your honor, this isn't about any poor decisions that may have been made in the past. Its about how all of us can work together to get this family the car it needs."

Judge: "Nice try. Six months, no parole."

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

New Independent — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:26:36 GMT

To all you Democrats who said you will vote for McCain if Clinton or Obama wins: I hope you will be happy with McCain. He is just another George Bush. He'll say and do anything to be president. He's also in really tight with the lobbyists. Hope you democrats won't mind continuing to pay for the war in Iraq with money and our soldier's lives. Democrats really make me crazy! We need to vote out every republican we can, just for them sticking behind Bush and all the illegal things he's been doing.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Lisa, New Britain, CT — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:27:05 GMT

Past = best predictor of future anyone?

Nice to know we can not be responsible for decisions we've taken in the past, there's a few decisions of mine that have impacted stuff that I'd like to take back. Hopefully we've all learned from the experience.

While I agree we should be forward-thinking, I don't at all think the past is irrelevant. Heavens, what else would we find to talk about...

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Dave, Dallas, TX — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:28:15 GMT

McCain- "This is not about decisions that were made in the past," McCain said. "This is about decisions that a president will have to make about the future in Iraq."

LIFE is about decisions and events of the past. Intelligent people learn from them- apparently McCain can't be counted among these people.

Bottom line is, we'll have two liberal democrats to choose from in November- McCain or Obama. The lessor of two evils? Obama.

And to those that compain about Obama's terrific use of words and ideas- does he remind anyone else of another unexperienced Senator from 1960 who went on to win the presidency?

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Don, Baltimore, MD — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:56:15 GMT

The Iraq surge is "working"??

If your leaky umbrella reduces the amount of rain hitting you by 30%, is it working? How much longer will you need to hold up that umbrella before you're completely dry?

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Adam Reid — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:59:51 GMT

It seems that in the coverage of Obama's response in the debate to the question posed by Mr Russert, and the subsequent dust-up with McCain going after Obama, as if Obama was unaware of the presence of al Qaeda... etc, that none of the coverage bothers to put Obama's reply in the context of the question that had been asked of him, which was

"MR. RUSSERT: I want to ask both of you this question, then. If we -- if this scenario plays out and the Americans get out in total and al Qaeda resurges and Iraq goes to hell, do you hold the right, in your mind as American president, to re-invade, to go back into Iraq to stabilize it? ".

With Mr Obama's reply being played over and over, while not giving the actual question that was asked, it has distorted his stance on this issue and resulted in much ado about what in fact was a completely sensable comment.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:00:07 GMT

Estimates on our expenditures for the ongoing operations in Iraq range from $10 billion to $16 billion a month. And of course that doesn't count the human cost, but for simplicity let's discuss the financial side.

McCain is willing to stay for 100 more years.

Seems to me he's willing to pay up to an additional $12 trillion dollars for the sake of battlefield honor, and that's using the smallest estimate of what we're actually spending.

To put that number in perspective, that's more than our current entire national debt, accumulated since the country began. Looking at it another way, its over $33,000 per every American man, woman and child.

I wonder if even Jerry from CC is willing to pay that?

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

sam, nj — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:03:41 GMT

If we need 140000 troops to handle ALQUIDA in IRAQ, Can McCain tell us how many troops do we need to handle ALQUIDA in other countries?

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Jeff, Portland, OR — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:05:53 GMT

My friend, why can't we talk about the past and the furture? And if we can't talk about the past then don't bother bringing up your experience as a reason to elect you becasue that was in the past.

In regards to Iraq my friend, lets talk about the future. How long is our military and economy at the mercy of Iraq's political and ethnic differences? Do we really need 140,000 troops in Iraq indefinitely to combat Al Queda in Iraq? Can you provide substantially evidence that if we start withdrawling troops, Iraq will plunge into complete chaos? Will Al Queda really take over Iraq..I need more convincing with real proof?

Fair questions that I haven't heard an answer to my friend.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Mary M, Chicago, IL — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:07:21 GMT

Senator Obama has said 'we will be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting.' Senator McCain needs to say 'we should not have gone to Iraq, but we now have fix what we broke.'

Frankly, I thought I first heard that line from Senator Jim Webb from Virginia. I notice Barack uses it a lot in debates.

I think plagerism is a strong word, but Barack gets his sound bites from a variety of sources.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

HP Boston — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:07:42 GMT

S C R E W Y O U !!!!!
Rick,ky (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 1:19 PM)

---------------------------------------
Way too much Viagra! Take less, you are in the 4 hour danger zone!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

JERRY, ATLANTA.GA — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:08:59 GMT

IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT PAST MISTAKES,WHAT ABOUT ALL YOU FOOLS WITH THE APPEASEMENT MENTALITY THAT LED TO THE 3000 DEAD ON 9/11. WE SHOULD NOT BE MAKING EXCUSES FOR THE WAR ON TERROR. DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE LOST THOUSANDS MORE HERE IN THE US IF WE CONTINUE TO TURN THE OTHER CHEEK AFTER EVERY ATTACK WE SUFFER? WE NEED TO BE RESPECTED BY THE WORLD. OBAMA WOULD BE A JOKE

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Houston — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:14:10 GMT

McCain sez [["And what we're going to do now is continue this strategy, which is succeeding in Iraq and we are carrying out the goals of the surge.]]

Baloney. There is no "success" in Iraq. The country has been destroyed. There are still 2 million desperate refugees living in foreign countries and another 2 million displaced in Iraq by the ethnic cleansing, which _has_ succeeded in its own ugly way, explaining the temporary decrease of civilian deaths, which are now on the rise again.

Cholera due to drinking water contaminated with raw sewage is increasingly a problem in some cities, including Baghdad. There is nearly no medical care for the hundreds of thousands of sick and dying. There are about 3 hours of electricity per day in Baghdad.

As for what the war is doing to THIS country:

US troop deaths are down because 80,000 Sunni insurgents are being paid 300 per month not to attack Americans, for a grand total of 280 MILLION dollars per year, and yet American soldiers are STILL dying at a rate of one per day. If the pay offs to insurgents stop, the rate will certainly rise again.

The war is breaking not only the US military but the US economy, with the cost of the war an incredible 275 MILLION dollars per DAY. Much of the cost of the war is not being paid for with taxes, so it's a factor in the current economic stagflation, along with sub-prime mortgage rip-offs and other corporate crimes.

[[The Iraqi military are taking over more and more responsibilities, the casualties are down, and we will be able to withdraw and come home. But we will come home with honor."]]

After more than a half million civilian deaths, Pentagon-ordered torture at Abu Ghraib, Haditha, Blackwater murders of civilians, and all the similar atrocities, there is no honor left to save.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

K Barnes, Asheville,NC — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:16:32 GMT

Tim Russert gave Obama a pass on the question while taking curtain calls for Clinton's response on her vote to support Bush on handling Iraq, (a vote Obama has been armchair quarterbacking).

Obama answered 2 hypthetical questions that led him back to giving an affirmative to Russert's question of whether he would go back into Iraq. This puts Obama at the same place Bush was when America was hysterical over biologically and chemically laced postal services and the threat of Iraq providing these plus nuclear devices to terrorist.

Clinton tried to opt out of answering hypotheicals and it is poor journalism to try to nail down politicians on hypotheicals, particularly on foreign policy because it gives people who have national interest of their own an idea of how a politician thinks and how they will react. The questions put candidates on slippery slope, forcing them to answer in some manner, when one or the other of them answers without conscience. This is where Clinton was. She is to be admired for her sacrifices with voters, in the nations interest, for some of her answers such as: Fiscal responsibility before beginning new spending, and Not agreeing to meet with leaders of countries whose aim is to destroy us (Venzuela) or destroy Israel (Iran).

I can only imagine the reaction of Obama meeting with Hamas or Hezbollah leadership and the (false or not) propaganda they would produce from such a meeting.

Obama is so naive on foreign policy it is dangerous and is unbelievable how the press has allowed him so much line without reeling him in on his foreign policy declarations. His responses of "old" Washington need to "change" and his method of refracting comments from his opponents is getting "old".

He needs a "new" way of being specific about what he means, The first time he says it.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Houston — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:16:48 GMT

John, Dallas [[I agree with both candidates. What we do going forward is what is important now, but to not understand why you drove the 'bus into the ditch' will only make it more likely that you will drive the bus into a ditch again in the future. ]]

The next ditch McCain wants to drive us into is Iran. He wasn't really joking when he was singing his merry little ditty: Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran. If the US military and economy are destroyed by the Iraq fiasco, another misadventure in Iran could do the trick.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Rob, Buckeye, AZ — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:17:42 GMT

So by McCain's logic, his past decisions should not be an issue to people who are about to be confronted with the choice of whether or not to support that his future decisions? Typical GOP logic.

“Just because my decisions royally screwed up the country doesn’t mean we should take those decisions into consideration, or even mention them, when discussing the issue.”

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

OP Taylor — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:21:00 GMT

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Mike, Panhandle — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:21:45 GMT

John McCain still believes the U.S. mission and purpose in Iraq is a military exercise and that it has a military solution. In this he is his own astounding blunder, anxious to compound President Bush's.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

kirt Silvers kansas City Mo — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:22:45 GMT

There are some realities McCain should know, one Al Qeda did not exist in Iraq until after we invaded. The Shites hates Al Qeda and would have no problems going after them when we leave. There are plenty of Sunnies who hate Al Qeda and don;t forget the Kurds. So why dose he think Al qeda will run free in Iraq if the US pulls out. The Shite Militia, Sunnies, and Kurds have alot of scores to settle with Al Qeda. Then there is the ralley cry when the US leaves recruitment of forien fighters will become much harder since we the bad ole USA won't be there. Then McCain should not ride on Iraq remaing stabble it is not a stabble place. Oh by the way I like Mac.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

BL, Cincinnati OH — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:23:16 GMT

Anyone want to bet that we'll see a form of the "Daisy" commercial this season against McCain?

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Houston — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:25:13 GMT

There was a president with even less experience at the national level than Kennedy or Obama: Abraham Lincoln. He didn't even make it to the Senate. He only had one 2-year term in the US House of Representatives. He was a silver-tongued devil who went on to be president despite his lack of experience. And we all know what a bad president he turned out to be.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Matthew — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:25:47 GMT

As an Obama supporter, I believe that Senator McCain raises a valid point that we can not just cut and run. HOWEVER, his 'another 50 years' rhetoric is way off mark. Unlike Korea, Germany and Japan, NO ONE in Iraq wants us to stay except our 'puppets' in the government. In fact, no one in the Middle East wants us to stay and just being there is justification, in their own minds, for continuing to try and terrorize us. We were wrong to go in and we would be wrong to stay.

Senator Obama, despite what some commenters in this thread and the right wingnuts would have you believe, will not 'cut-n-run'. He, and Senator Clinton I might add, want to get out as soon as possible but both have said that it will take at least a year (NO ONE could get them out sooner, it's impossible logistically) and it would be done in such a manner as to ensure our troops and America's security.

Is the surge working? Only in the 'Whack-A-Mole' sense and even the military has indicated that the lower overall death count is due much more to the unilateral cease fire by the Medi(sp?) army rather than the surge.

Is the Iraqi government and army doing more? Yes, but I believe it is only because they see that the US will most probably have a Democratic President and know that we will be pulling out.

So, basically, no, the surge is not the reason that there is 'progress' in Iraq. There were no results when it first happened and then when it became obvious that we would be leaving next year, that's when progress started happening.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Alpha_Male — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:27:51 GMT

HA-HA!

The straight talker served up his "best" slow-fast ball and Obama sent it somewhere over our horizon…Today McCain "fighting words" sounds like his tail been push deep inside of his chest and reality has set in about pulling our troops out of Iraq w/o waving a white flag, but during the "right thing" for humanity.

Welcome home President Obama!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Greg, Catlett,VA — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:28:42 GMT

I am sick to death of reading all the posts of people who profess to be lifelong democrats saying that if Obama is the nominee and not Hillary they will vote for McCain. Go I say, we don't need you! This is a nation where the majority rules and if the majority decides that Obama is the nominee so be it. If you are willing to betray the principles of the Democratic Party just because you didn't get what you wanted then you are really no different than anyone who puts their personal wants ahead of everybody elses. Alot of you say "he doesn't have the experience" and "we don't know what kind of president he'll be". Maybe you're right but I know exactly what kind of president McCain will be and it's the extreme opposite of what I want in the White House.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Iffymens — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:29:41 GMT

I am also a Democrat who will vote for McCain if Obama wins.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Tim, Peoria, IL — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:31:17 GMT

"This is not about decisions that were made in the past," McCain said. "This is about decisions that a president will have to make about the future in Iraq."

Wrong!

This is about electing a President who can make the right decision about going to war. You, John McCain didn't! Hillary didn't! Bush & Cheney didn't!!!

The problem with politicians is they never find Honor in admitting they were wrong!!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Iffymens — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:32:47 GMT

I am also a Democrat who will vote for McCain if Obama wins.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

MKD — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:32:50 GMT

Moving Forward - McCain will keep us entrenched in the Middle East and continue to squander this country's resouces and reputation. I admire McCain, he is worthy of everyone's respect - but not everyone's vote. McCain is trying to make this about the war because that is all he's got, it's the only issue on which he can even start to make the argument that he's qualified...he's got nothing else.

By the way Write in Hillary, = vote for McCain - or for that matter, if Hillary gets the nomination a Vote for Obama = a vote for McCain... Obama and Clinton are nearly indistinguishable on the issues. Come ON people, be reasonable!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Ron — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:38:51 GMT

McCain is correct....history tells us that he and President Bush made a big mistake(biggest of their lives) by taking us back into Iraq. History can also show us trends in "thinking". McCane has shown poor judgement in foreign policy for some time now. If senator McCane is in the oval office we will have another war in Iran and probably look back at the Bush years as the "good old days". Bottom line is that McCane has a dangeros combination of a "hot temper", and a "cold war" view of foreign relations. I is time for this honorable ex-pow to retire and let the next generation move this country forward.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Monica Santos, LA, CA — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:45:04 GMT

Dear "write in Hillary" in the ballot slot ... sweetie, Americans have written her off "longs" ago. Surely, you are not as delusional as to think we will drive our vote into the ditch. Me, voiceless, I think not. Voting is a privilege and I don't throw it away for candidate who is not the majority.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Dan, Florida — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:50:42 GMT

It is a said day in America when a Veteran, War Hero, and Prisoner of War in a prison camp which conducted torture that Senator McCain endured for our freedom, actually has to prove himself to Voters. Senator McCain has two Sons who have served in Iraq. Of course going to war in Iraq was a mistake. Just like Senator Kerry said four years ago, you made the mistake now you have to clean it up. Senator McCain did not push the administation to go to War, having been through one I am sure he knew the consequences. He did push for the surge which is enabling people to walk the streets a little safer. If this War was a total success people would believe we should go to War to solve all our problems. McCain is not George Bush, he should have won in 2000 but too many people listen to Limbaugh and Hannity and Man Coulter.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Michael D. Hafer — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:50:47 GMT

Any Hillary voters that will "vote Republican" in the General Election out of spite are a detriment to our political process and at the same time kicking Senator Clinton in the stomach, the politician they supposedly support. Senator Obama is the closest match to Senator Clinton's policies, yet you'd vote for McCain because of what? McCain's lack of judgment? McCain's lack of an economic plan? McCain's nonexistent Health Care reform plan? Why on Earth would any Hillary supporter vote for John McCain unless you are a fool who never really supported what Hillary stands for in the first place?

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Jim , Oregon — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:50:56 GMT

McCain is out of touch with the American people. The guy's view of the world is simple out dated.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Lisa, Gilber, Arizona — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:51:11 GMT

Obama said if Al Qaeda had a base in Iraq he would have to take that into consideration? McCain said Al Qaeda is there, so does that mean Obama is not leaving Iraq? No, he didn’t say that because that might cost him a vote, instead he made a remark on the past, that’s politics. Time and time again, Obama has proved that he shouldn’t be our Commander in Chief, I don’t fill confident that he knows enough. After all, look what putting Democrats in charge of The House of Representatives did to protect us.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

kenn — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:53:55 GMT

May I point out YOU AMERICA made a choice DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS now you can debate whatever you want you can go back and debate if NEVILLE CHAMBERLIN let hitler feel as if he could attack Poland.Then Churchill could claim the NAZIS would never be in POLAND if it wasnt for chamberlin and we should just withdraw and let them be,that is what the OBAMA argument sounds like,the question what now ?IMMEDIATE WITHDRAW<PHASED WITHDRAW FIGHT HARDER AND SMARTER WITH SOME FRESH IDEAS , BECAUSE I DONT KNOW how we get out how we honor the men and women who sacrificed all ,dont we owe it to WIN.A STABLE IRAQ RUN BY IRAQIS BENI SADAR <CHALABLE WHO EVER BUT NOT SADAMM and not US

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

kenn — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:55:19 GMT

GEORGE BUSH CANT HOLD MACAINS JOCK STRAP NATIONAL GUARD IN ALABAMA WONT COMPARE TO BOMBING RUNS AND PRISONER OF WAR CAMPS

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

here or there — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:58:53 GMT

Is it fear mongering to want to protect ourselves against agression? Do people actually believe there is no threat to America? Agree with Iraq or not, think things could have been handeled better in Afganistan or not. We have an enemy, this enemy believes that their God will reward them for killing infidels. We are reffered to as the great satan. We have not been attacked on our soil since 911. The Iraqi people deserve a chance. To say no Iraqis want our help is folley. If we desert Iraq again (as Bush #1 did) all credibility will be lost. Their govt is making strides toward independence. The vast majority of fighters are not Iraqi. Even Al Sadyre has signed up for another 6 mos. If we as a country think that Iran will not fill a void left by America we deserve what ever happens. I believe that every American wants our soldiers home. We do not want them however to be forced to patrol our streets. The foreign fighters will not go home. They left their home to kill Americans. They will go where ever they have to to fulfill that goal. There is a lot to risk here. The American people will decide the question. I just pray that "hope" does not blind us of reality!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Denver, CO — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:00:15 GMT

Does this mean that McCain thinks his vote to authorize the Iraq war was a mistake??? Well???

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Steve Nesich, Seattle, WA — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:11:21 GMT

How convenient for "straight talk" McCain. He acts as though he wasn't part and parcel of the disaster that is Iraq. He can talk about "the future" all he wants. But I question his judgment going forward since it was so bad in the past. Let me get this right: McCain joined Bush in creating the nightmare in Iraq and now he argues that based on his bad decisions, he is the man we should trust moving forward. I used to admire John McCain. Not any more.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Jim Frego, Grants Pass, OR Capt. US Army (ret.) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:18:11 GMT

McCain vs. Democrats
He says Al Qaeda In Iraq will establish bases in Iraq to train terrorists to attack America IF WE LEAVE.

We have trained over 350,000 Iraqi Security Forces to protect Iraq.

The latest estimates are that there are LESS THAN 2000 Al Qadea Terrorists in Iraq.

No Democrat has proposed grounding our eyes in the sky or our Navy Air Corp and Air Force.

When we remove our troops on the ground Al Qaeda will not be able to create a training facility for anything. We will blow it to bits before the first terrorist is trained.

McCain more than anyone should know the US Air Power Capability.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Brian, Mid Hudson N.Y. — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:18:31 GMT

Sen. McCain is a good man, an American hero, but he’s wrong on this conflict.

The decision to pursue this war of choice was wrong! It was wrong on the merits; it was a departure from our strategy to eliminate the Muslim extremists in Afghanistan.

Admitting the error does not dishonor our troops. The US military has done the best under an impossible situation. We should re-deploy our troops in order to force the Iraq government to come to terms with its internal political situation.

Re-commit to the real war on terror and this time get it done!

What does that mean? Get back to the two front war we were winning. The visible battle in Afghanistan and the international undercover battle directed at the funders and supporters of Muslim terrorists.

Pulling back from Iraq is not losing, it’s redeployment.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

T Crane L.A., Ca — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:35:55 GMT

Isn't Democracy great! There is no perfect way, or right answer when it comes to war. There is just war, and always will be war, and our president should do everything possible to protect US, our soil, from any war, even if that means starting one there. And nowhere in this article does McCain say anything about Iraq being a mistake...

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Nicholas: Minnesota — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:40:34 GMT

"Baker, also well-known for heading up the Iraq Study Group, voiced his agreement with McCain's view of the situation in Iraq."
--And what does Hamilton say?

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Lisa, Gilbert, Arizona — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:43:02 GMT

What is the difference between Saddam, Bin Laden and Al Qaeda, they all want us dead? Regardless this matter should be left to someone with military experience. President Bush had to learn the hard way because of 9-11 and now you want to elect someone else without experience, that’s smart. McCain is not Bush, that’s just what the Democrats want you to think so they will win. I thought one reason we studied history was so we wouldn’t make the same mistakes and what I remembered, was we lost Vet Nam due to Politicians. Ute oh here we go again?

Have you forgotten, the United Nations thought Saddam Hussein had Weapons of Mass Destruction not just Bush, and because of that you saw other countries aiding in the attack, Al Qaeda aided Saddam. Remember all of this started after 9-11 and President Bush told us before hand, what he was going to do. In the end Saddam was judged by his own country.

I’m tired of the Bush Bashing, no one likes War, he knows what it has done to us, he’s trying hard to protect us, that includes you and all of you have turned your backs on him. It wouldn’t surprise me, if all the Bush hating in here, aren’t coming from Hanoi Jane lol (I know that’s as silly as War for Oil). Yes, Bush made some mistakes just like most other President have in the past and we forgave them, we all make mistakes (I can read it here on some of these comments), Bush deserves the same forgiveness after all that IS the Christian way. I think this is important so we can once again be united - hate is not good for anyone. If I wanted to play the game, I could come on here and tell you all the harm Bill Clinton has done while he was president, but I’m not going to, it’s in the past.

McCain is well liked and respected by many and I bet most of you McCain haters have done nothing to see what he’s like. Here I’ll help you, McCain.com

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:46:09 GMT

Our current president made the mistake of opening this can of worms before we had finished with Afghanistan. Well, now we broke it and fixing it is turning out to be a real pain in the ass. The problem with this debate is that there is more than just about how long are we going to leave American forces there in harms way. The better question is about how do we get the Iraqis to move their sorry butts and make peace and have a stable enough Iraq for us to move most of our troops home or into Afghanistan to kick some Taliban butt!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

campdog — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:49:32 GMT

Obama supporters.

What did Barach mean in the debate when he said that he would always keep open the option of going back to Iraq if Al Qaeda returned after we leave. Is he suggesting that he isn't going to withdraw until Al qaeda is gone? That may be a long time...longer than a year or so.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Lee Holmes — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:49:53 GMT

Great, Now that Kerry is out of the picture[as a Democrat Vietnam vet],we can go back to ''civilian ''control unfettered by whether or not the fact remains that the one candidate in the present race who did serve,is a Republican. No ''chickenhawk''to be attached to the name of a man who was most highly decorated by his nation for his heroism.[and if not in captivity,then by the eyewitness accounts of hundreds of sailors who served upon the USS FORRESTAL]. Obama,of course,never spent a day in his life in the uniform of his nation. Should this matter? Absolutely not. FDR did not,neither did Wilson. Nor did Lincoln.[outside of a tiny militia stint]. Yet where does the ideal of ''just war''lay in the hands of a chief executive that has no military experience who may take over from one who is labeled a ''chickenhawk'',who yet would also send soldiers off to die in a foreign land?[and whose chief advisors,who will be key in this administration,also have no military backround either]. How the tune will change. The ''just war''principle would be elevated in order to fit the preconcieved biases of the chief executives supporters. Thus US soldiers killed in a Sudan, would find their deaths justified trying to end ethnic cleansing[whether this is accomplished or not].Afghanistan would suddenly find itself devoid of discussions of ''Taliban resurgence'' or ''drug lords''for the same reasons. Unending terrorism would be the ''price''as those in Europe and Asia are paying,as something we would ''have to live with''.[As Ariana Huffington,Noam Chomskey,DAILY KOS,and other leftists have advanced]. Unsaid in all of this,is that one candidate[McCain]may continue policies already deemed ''failed''. Yet the other[Obama/Clinton] can assuredly create an even worse condition based upon the lack of discernment and understanding of how dire this threat remains.[which to be fair,expanded through administrations Republican and Democrat].

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Jack, New York — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:51:46 GMT

Boy that sounds an awful lot like Mark McGwire in front of Congress a few years back.

'I'm not here to talk about the past...'

That didn't work out so well for that Big Mac, did it?

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

JWE — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:02:45 GMT

McCain is still living in Vietnam emotionally. Two wrongs do not make a right. It was wrong to go and it is wrong to stay in Iraq. Somebody get us out!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Michael, Bloomington, IN — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:04:30 GMT

Is this man kidding?

Let's see if I've got this straight: First, Senator Obama is asked this very hypothetical question in the debate (and I'm paraphrasing here), "If, as President, he would have the right to go back into Iraq in order to suppress an insurrection there, after downsizing the U.S. troop presence". To which Senator Obama responded, "I always reserve the right for the president ... 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."

Senator Obama's choice of verb tense, "IS forming", specifically addressed this hypothetical question at the time. However, John McCain who admittedly did not watch the debate, heard (of) Senator Obama's response without knowing the context, which led him to gaffe, "I've got news for you... al Qaeda IS in Iraq."

Well, no s#%@, sir!... had you actually listened to the question and the man's response, instead of only parroting what your jack-booted, fear-mongering insiders have to offer, you would have understood the context and therefore wouldn't have looked so ignorant in your remarks!

But I digress, because Senator Obama deftly handled Senator McCain's gaffe with his (again paraphrasing), "I have news for YOU Mr. McCain, there wouldn't be an al Qaeda in Iraq if you and Bush hadn’t gone there in the first place… If you had paid attention to al Qaeda in Afghanistan (you know, the terrorists who actually attacked us) instead.”

So now, that Senator McCain realizes his faux pas, he has the audacity to say, “Well that’s history. That’s the past. That’s talking about what happened before. What we should be talking about is what we’re going to do now.”

OK… well that being the case sir, the public financing argument is also in the past, so I guess we can forget about that. Your beloved “surge” is in the past, so I don’t want to hear anymore about that either – By the way America, we always hear about “the surge” from the Republicans; how well it’s working and how great they are for implementing it… but rarely in those self-gratifying moments does anyone ever mention the fact that for the last 6 months while the surge has been going on, there’s also been a relatively successful Mahdi Army cease-fire imposed by Muqtada al-Sadr on his own followers. Look, the men and women of our armed forces truly deserve our respect and gratitude for the job they’ve done and continue to do. But with regard to the surge and it’s level of success… the truth is; it ain’t all us, folks. The Republicans should remember that.

Again, I digress because the point I was making had to do with McCain’s latest argument: The decision to go to war is history… so let’s not talk about it. Fine. I don’t want to hear another word about your esteemed, inspirational, and truly honorable service to this country. Because it too sir, is in the past.

If Senator McCain, as you say, “What we should be talking about is what we’re going to do now.” Then I have to say that Senator Obama’s philosophical approach (not just on the war) far outshines yours. Senator Obama’s answers to “what are we going to do now” are steeped in re-investing in the American people, turning around our failing economy, repairing our international reputation , and vigorously addressing the issues of a dying planet… all against a backdrop theme of, “America, we all have to actually stand united together, roll up our sleeves, and take real action to make these things happen.” You seem to just want to “stay the course” (hope I don’t get attacked for plagiarizing there), on war, on the economy, on science, on our infrastructure.

Senator McCain, I supported you in 2000. Again, you are a true American hero (I know, I’m not supposed to talk about that anymore), but sir, you are now out of touch. My 80+ year old father and 70+ year old mother, both die-hard Republicans, raised me right (and “right”). But the truth is, my generation (Obama’s generation) thinks about and approaches most things very differently than yours, and in a way I (from experience) don’t believe you’ll ever “get”. Hey, when I’m your age, my children will most likely tell me I’m out of touch and set in my ways too. Hopefully by that point, they won’t let my stubbornness and conviction about how to deal with paradigms that have continued to evolve without me, to undermine my decision making.

It’s time sir, for you and the old guard to step aside, and let my generation deal with both the successes, and devastating eleventh-hour failures we’re inheriting from your generation… and in closing I’d say, don’t knock “hope”, because my generation’s got a lot of work to do, and we’re going to need all the inspiration and motivation we can get to clean up this mess.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Joe Einloth — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:07:11 GMT

T Crane, you mention our soil. How about our CONSTITUTION! You know, that document without which we're just another big country with tremendous natural resources. Think Russia, with better weather. McCain and the chickenhawks have done there best to convince us that there are terrorists under every bed. Our Founding Fathers, who treasured liberty above all else, are hurling uncontrollably in their graves.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

dennis urbano — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:18:31 GMT

A desicion maker some time make wrong desicions, but a present (no Yes nor No) maker never is going to be wrong or made mistakes, which some think is good but a present maker will suddenly change to a follower maker.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

campdog — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:42:59 GMT

And to those that compain about Obama's terrific use of words and ideas- does he remind anyone else of another unexperienced Senator from 1960 who went on to win the presidency?.....take us into Viet Nam, engage in a questionable relationships with a movie star and abandon a bunch of Cuban guys at The Bay of Pigs?

I loved Kennedy, but he was a Politician, not a god.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Joe testsrosa — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:44:45 GMT

McCain say's his co-decision to go into Iraq is ancient History. "history" has a scary way of repeating itself.

We'll guess what. Mr. Mcain is not only ancient, but soon will be history as well.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Matt — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:18:56 GMT

Sigh. It is the same tired argument from the liberals. The war was illegal. We shouldn't have been there. Well...how come it is never brought up that CONGRESS, including almost EVERY democratic senator and congressman voted FOR the military action in Iraq? They ALL had access to the same information that the President had. And it was not as if Bush was sitting around twiddling his thumbs just waiting to get "even" with Sadaam. He was basing his argument to invade Iraq with the information provided by almost every intelligence agency from our country and our international allies. Combine that with the fact that Sadaam was in violation of almost every UN sanction since the end of Desert Storm. When we decided to create and use an atomic weapon, did we KNOW that Germany did not have one? NO. We went on the best intelligence gathered that lead our leaders to believe that Germany was either on the verge of creating an atomic weapon or already had one. So we built one first and we used it. Again, with no REAL data or corroborating evidence on the current situation, we here sound bites from the likes of Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, and Sharon Stone repeated back ad nauseum as fact.And of course we neglect the parts of the democratic platform that basically mirror the platform of Karl Marx in the redistribution of wealth and land. Socialized health care has been PROVEN not to be effective in every country that has established it. What makes you think THIS Congress can pull it off? I pay enough taxes. When the libs can't put together a coherent thought or cohesive debate, they resort to calling McCain names. That's the kind of thought-provoking dialogue from the democrats that will keep me Republican for a long time.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Matt — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:19:14 GMT

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

maria, los angeles — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:54:47 GMT

McCain's a loser - he is a POW who was against torture until he became the rethug candidate - now he's in favor. What a fricking hippocrit and a liar.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Casey, jonesboro ar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:56:13 GMT

Matt writes: "Sigh. It is the same tired argument from the liberals. The war was illegal. We shouldn't have been there. Well...how come it is never brought up that CONGRESS, including almost EVERY democratic senator and congressman voted FOR the military action in Iraq?"

Careful there Matt, you're arguing facts with libs, and that just isn't acceptable to them. It's all a feeling to them and has nothing to do with history. Hillary now regrets her vote on the Iraq war, and Obama of course was trying to figure out how to fill in pot holes at the time of that vote. So by that standard, they are perfect in the small minds of liberals. Liberals live in dream world.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

BIGQ, Lexington, Ky — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:33:24 GMT

Well, let's put a mascarading Muslim, in the White House and let's see what kind of socialistic, tax and spend SOB he is, or let's put Billary Clinton in there, and see what kind of socialistic, BS we get out of those two back in Washington.

And you all think that Obama had his finger on the pulse of what was actually happening in Iraq before we went in there? Baloney, that circle talking phoney doesn't know what's happening there now. He's all hat and no cattle as far as I'm concerned, because he hasn't said one thing in any debate that has any substance to it, he won't answer any questions directly. This country will go to Hell in a handbasket if you put this idiot in the White House.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Phyllis, Dallas TX — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:46:04 GMT

What the hell would McCain have to talk about if we weren't in Iraq and tensions were high with Iran.

McCain shows that he has one thing to bring to the table and one thing only. We need a president who has more knowledge than that.

Right now our economy is in a recession (somebody tell Bush) and all he talks about is war and how big and bad he is, and how he's gonna kick some other countries ass. That attitude is what got us in the crap were in right now.

Banging your finger on a podium and making threats may show some how tuff you look, but it doesn't mean you're smart. In peace time I'd like to know what McCain would do on other issues.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

KJ, CR, IA — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:46:43 GMT

Matt,
Sigh. I don't care whether the war in Iraq was legal or illegal. All I know is that it was stupid and we were lied to by this administration in order to go to war. Sure, they had faulty intelligence - but they also had accurate intelligence that they either quashed or chose to ignore because it didn't support their desire to invade. As for the idiots in Congress who voted to go to war without reading the information available - shame on them (hear me, Hillary?)!
As Obama has said and most of us have known from the start, our military should have taken the war on terror to Afghanistan, where the REAL terrorists were. But since W had an axe to grind with Saddam, that's where we went. And then he stupid enough to say publicly "I don't much care where Bin Laden is; I don't really think about it." The man whose organization attacked us on 9/11, and Bush says that? What an idiot!
By the way, we attacked Germany in WWII because they had invaded other European countries who needed our help, and were executing millions of innocent people, not because of any fear of an atomic weapon they were developing.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:07:06 GMT

campdog - Obama's plan for leaving Iraq has been on his website for a year. He talks about removing brigade sized units, but retaining for a while a capability that can target any terrorist sites.

This capability may be in Iraq, such as a special forces type of thing, or may be in Kuwait or Saudi (i.e., air power, which has been there since Desert Storm). He doesn't specify nor should he. And its pretty clear we'll be keeping forces in Kuwait for a while, if for no other reason to protect them against any downward spiral and regional instability.

But he does talk about drawing down brigade-sized units.

(Sorry if this prints multiple times, but I don't think its going through.)

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Quinton, Baton Rouge, LA — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:11:17 GMT

I don't even know why McCain made his initial comments in the first place. He knew what he was getting himself into, and now Barack has him on the defensive already. All I can say is that I hope the destruction of the Republican Political Machine won't be as nasty and quick as the destruction of the mighty Clinton Machine...I kind of wanna see a good race(lol). Obama 08!!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Jim Frego, Grants Pass, OR Capt. US Army (ret.) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:32:52 GMT

McCain vs. Democrats
He says Al Qaeda In Iraq will establish bases in Iraq to train terrorists to attack America IF WE LEAVE.

We have trained over 350,000 Iraqi Security Forces to protect Iraq.

The latest estimates are that there are LESS THAN 2000 Al Qaeda Terrorists in Iraq.

No Democrat has proposed grounding our eyes in the sky or our Navy Air Corp and Air Force.

When we remove our troops on the ground Al Qaeda will not be able to create a training facility for anything. We will blow it to bits before the first terrorist is trained.

McCain more than anyone should know the US Air Power Capability.

Jim Frego
Grants Pass, OR

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Bob Independence, MO — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 01:46:24 GMT

I think a lot of you people need to read the "Shadow warriors" and find out what has really happened in Iraq. It might just open your eyes a little

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Rhj — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:01:25 GMT

Had John McCain been the president these past 7 years, we would not have invaded Iraq, and you people know that. This was Bush's personal war all the way.
Senator McCain is right when he says stop looking back to the past and pointing fingers. It serves no purpose. However, that seems to be the only platform obama has to run on.
I trust McCain as the president with the experience and knowledge to end the conflict in Iraq.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Silence DoGood — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:10:59 GMT

I have read countless comments on this subject and I am slightly dissppointed! For the most part people are conentrating too much on the word WAR. Yes, WAR is horrible and should be a last resort; however, if there is no alternative, does humanity in other countries deserve a fair chance at a free, normal life without fear of death or false imprisonment or should we just let them rot in hopeless despair without any chance? If the roles were reversed, would you ask for help expecting a country to come to your aid or is it our responsibility to turn a blind eye to oppression, and torture? Remember, Saddam killed and tortured over 50,000 or is the total not high enough - should it be 4,000,000 jews? Should we have stayed out of Korea, Samalia, Vietnam, KUWAIT (do you remember what Saddam did in Kuwait?), and Irag? How much is any life worth? How many lives equal the life of one american? What is our humanitarian responsibility? Please respond I would like to know your thoughts?

PS: How many years should a man be locked up in a POW camp before he deserves respect and consideration? John McCain spent many years in a POW camp and refused to leave wanting to stay with the men! Should this be considered character and integrity or not? Does John McCain have the military experience to make sound decisions? I really don't think that I need to mention Obama's military experience!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Silence DoGood — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:15:48 GMT

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Silence DoGood — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:27:25 GMT

People are conentrating too much on the word WAR. Yes, WAR is horrible and should be a last resort; however, if there is no alternative, does humanity deserve a fair chance at a free, normal life without fear of death or false imprisonment or should we just let them rot in hopeless despair without any chance? If the roles were reversed, would you ask for help expecting a country to come to your aid or is it our responsibility to turn a blind eye to oppression, and torture? Remember, Saddam killed and tortured over 50,000 or is the total not high enough - should it be 4,000,000 jews? Should we have stayed out of Korea, Samalia, Vietnam, KUWAIT (do you remember what Saddam did in Kuwait?), and Irag? How much is any life worth? How many lives equal the life of one american? What is our humanitarian responsibility? Please respond I would like to know your thoughts?

PS: How many years should a man be locked up in a POW camp before he deserves respect and consideration? John McCain spent many years in a POW camp and refused to leave wanting to stay with the men! Should this be considered character and integrity or not? Does John McCain have the military experience to make sound decisions? I really don't think that I need to mention Obama's military experience!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Silence DoGood — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:28:03 GMT

How many years should a man be locked up in a POW camp before he deserves respect and consideration? John McCain spent many years in a POW camp and refused to leave wanting to stay with the men! Should this be considered character and integrity or not? Does John McCain have the military experience to make sound decisions? I really don't think that I need to mention Obama's military experience!

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Whala — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:25:17 GMT

It's unfortunate that so many Americans have such short memories. It's unfortunate that they are so quick to forget the facts in the face of the media spin.

It's amazing how quickly the spin changes the story from the original fact that there were lonstanding ties between Iraq and Al Queda, to there were never any such ties, to the now highly sensationalized view that we were lied to by our administration, and that this war is a Bush fantasy come true so that he can steal Iraqi oil (or whatever other version of the lie you choose to believe.) Americans are such lemmings.

The spin does not change the fact that there were actual ties between the two, and a member of Saddams Fedayeen was known to be involved in the planning of 9-11. This man was in our custody at one point before the connection was made, and was unfortunately released and returned to Iraq, and mysteriously disapeared before the 9-11 investigation began.

When the commission stated that they had no credible evidence of a link between Iraq and 9-11, that does not mean that they had any evidence that there was not a link either. It only means that they had no evidence either way.

Yet we Americans allow the media to spin our minds into believing that Bush is a blood thirsty war hound. I would expect better from a nation of people who are so blessed.

McCain rekindles Iraq spat with Obama

Jeff, Michigan — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:49:43 GMT

I was against the War in 2003 for I felt too little information about it's reasoning was presented to the American public; but we went in anyhow. As it turns out what little reasoning that was presented was false.

This War was utterly mismanaged from the outset. So lets just say "ok guys we tried once, didnt work, so see ya!!" or do we put a person like McCain into office who has been critical of the management of the war and supports policies that are working today so we can leave as soon as possible. I choose the latter.

McCain '08