In the Obama-McCain war of gaffes, Mr. Straight Talk scores again — on his signature issue
May 30th, 2008 at 06:31pm Pat Cunningham
As we all know, John McCain’s claim of expertise on foreign policy in general and the war in Iraq in particular is the centerpiece of his presidential candidacy.
Which makes it especially embarrassing for him when he flubs the realities regarding Iraq. He’s done that several times, most notably with his leisurely stroll down a purportedly safe street in Baghdad – while wearing a bullet-proof vest and surrounded by troops and helicopters – and with his recent confusion over Sunnis and Shiites and exactly whom in Iraq was getting help from Iran.
Well, now McCain has done it again — and just at a time when Barack Obama was having problems with his own gaffes and with the intemperate remarks of a clergyman pal.
McCain’s problem this time is in saying that the number of U.S. troops in Iraq has been “drawn down to pre-surge levels.” That statement is off the mark by a factor of 25,000 troops.
Media coverage of this mistake is prominent, given the fact that Iraq is supposed to be McCain’s long suit, issue-wise. He’s losing the spin war on this one, as we see HERE.
Entry Filed under: War in Iraq, John McCain, Barack Obama
11 Comments Add your own
1. Edward | May 30th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Obama and his church are an Embarassment to this country. I hope any one but Obama wins the election. Obama will be the down fall of America
2. Leatherneck | May 30th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Losing the spin war, really? Well when McCain said basically “I have been to Iraq and Obama has not been there in 2 years” and when McCain challenged Obama to go Iraq and see it for himself, I think that McCain trumped him pretty good! That is what got covered -that is what people have noticed! (Not all this other wonkish stuff)
Forget visiting Iraq- has Obama even visited Illinois in the last 2 years?
3. Alexander SuperTramp | May 30th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Their head to head debates will be quite telling, for all of Hillarys faults, she certainly has made Obama a much tougher candidate. If McCain has any “senior” moments of fuzzy-ness about almost anything it could seriously end it for him…..
4. Ryan | May 31st, 2008 at 12:09 am
Why is Obama supposed to be going to Iraq to see the ruins of a war he doesnt support? And further more, how many of our U.S. senators have been? I know I can think of better ways to improve our country than for our politicians to make pointless trips to war zones…contrary to popular belief, these are NOT always very morale building…seems kind of patronizing and self-serving to me…
5. Menlo Bob | May 31st, 2008 at 1:37 am
Leatherneck nailed it. Obama is comfortable knocking the surge without daring to see for himself whether it has made an impact. Saying he’d meet the leaders of Iran while avoiding such a meeting with General Petraius shows a man without qualities.
6. gowader | May 31st, 2008 at 5:56 am
Leatherneck is right. Just remember that Obama will always stand up for his insurgent friends. After all they are helping him in the obvious fight against white America.
7. Pat Cunningham | May 31st, 2008 at 7:31 am
Ryan’s got it right. These congressional trips to Iraq are laughable. Every time McCain goes over there, he makes a fool of himself. He usually has to take Lieberman and Graham along to correct his misstatements.
8. coldhotel | May 31st, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Leatherneck’s comments remind me: When was the last time we’ve seen our Congressman Don Manzullo back in Illinois? How long has it been since he’s maintained a residence here?
9. Mike | May 31st, 2008 at 9:29 pm
coldhotel - Manzullo was just in town with our other senator, Dick Durbin, for the groundbreaking for the new federal courthouse in Rockford.
As for Obama, I’m sure he’d spend more time here, but the presidential campaign is a little time consuming. McCain, Obama and Clinton have all had long absences from the Senate and, I’m sure, from their home states as well.
10. redrover | June 2nd, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Come on, folks!
What can a Member of Congress possibly see on junket to Iraq besides what the military and State Dept types want him to see?
Back in 1997, conservative Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) travelled as a tourist to Tibet, incognito, and got a real insight into what the Chinese occupiers were doing to Tibetans:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/tibet/interviews/wolf.html
The Chinese government had a fit when they heard about it.
NO current Member of Congress has ever been able to shake loose from the American occupiers of Iraq on any of their super-duper junkets to that country.
Why should we believe that they come back with anything other than the slanted view of that place that Bush and his thugs want them to have?
When John McCain brags about his visits to Iraq it’s just like some Fox News-addicted individual bragging about the things he’s “learned” from those alleged journalists.
Obama and Clinton are both too cozy with corporate interests for my tastes, but I do believe that Obama would be more likely to confront and deny the senseless soundbites put out by robots like McCain than Clinton would.
I mean, Hillary MARRIED Bill Clinton, one of the most proficient Masters of Deceit in American political history.
11. Pat Cunningham | June 2nd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Rover: Sometimes you make a lot of sense. But don’t let my saying so go to your head.
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