McCain accuses Democrats of failing troops

WHO ????

John McCain is as phony as yesterday's Senate debate was long.

Let these ammendments be put to a majority vote and he'll have more time to spend on pulling his campaign out of the dump.

If he would only get as frustrated with members of his own party, his posturing would be believable. But it's not, and that's why his campaign is going nowhere fast. McCain is now irrelevant.

Who's failing the troops? It couldn't be Dubya and Company: lack of armor, weapons, inadequate medical care in the US, etc., etc. Right, McCain.

"McCain Accuses Democrats Of Failing Troops"

Isn't this the same guy who went to Baghdad a month ago and claimed that it was so safe that Little Johnny D'Biffmeister from Streamwood, IL. could come over and open up an Electrical Contracting Products store and not have to worry about getting blown up?

Deadman Walking In The Polls aka John McCain, is bound and determined to go down with the W./Cheney Titanic.

Mr. flip flopper McCain is clearly fustrated here. Cutting through the chase, his political career is essentially over. He will soon be a persona non grata.

Look on the bright side. Think of how the economy will be helped by all the white flags they sell for the Democratic convention.

Look on the bright side. Think of how the economy will be helped by all the white flags they sell for the Democratic convention.

Posted by: Fran Cisco | July 18, 2007 2:36 PM

It won't make a dent compared to what's being spent on body bags and american flags to drape over coffins because of this administrations disasterous war in Iraq.

Fran Cisco,

Tell us about your military service?

I'm not saying you have to have been the military to have an opinion. But when you essentially call an entire class of people(Democrats) cowards it behooves you to tell us about your bona fides?

If you're between the ages of 17 and 43 you can join up to show us all you're willing to put your ass where your mouth is.

To reiterate, if you want to disagree about strategy, timelines, benchmarks and so on - no problemo - but when you de facto call someone a coward you can either put up or shut up.

I like how the gop thinks. Being stupid is victory. Being smart is defeat. This thing is over. Why aren't we pulling out the troops? It certainly has nothing to do with promoting our national interest.

McCain like the rest of the Republican Party, is already a "dead man walking".

Another stinging victory for the Bull-Express! Keep on digging your own graves chickenhawks!

I remember that McCain. He was one of those long time Senators that lost everything because his supporters and advisers had him closely tied to that second Bush presidency. He wouldn't listen to the American voters or the polls when everything pointed that he had to go a different was. Oh well, he's got a fine looking wife who happens to be loaded so maybe he's better off out of politics.

Give credit where credit is due - John McCain is the most ardent and eloquent defender of the mission of freedom, democracy, and security in Iraq - and not just in the Senate, but anywhere. Some of you partisans here might not like that message, but don't dare say McCain has not supported it 100% since day one when he voted first voted to authorize this war (unlike some of your candidates). No surrender. No wavering. No equivocation.

We saw AGAIN last night how the Democrats in the Senate are made of weaker stuff. Even ol' land deal Harry looked ashamed to be in the same room as McCain.

One might also note that if our President was a fraction as effective in communicating the same imperative, we might not only see the public far more supportive, but we might not be subject to the embarrassment of a Congress run by the buffoons of the far left. Good job with that 20% approval rating Harry Reid, you're making Bush's look good.

Reid and Durbin were saying the surge failed before it even started. We only got the last of the surge troops into Iraq around June 15th. We said we'd wait until the report in September, why can't we wait till then?

It's all about politics and the coming election cycle. All this "for the troops" talk is nonsense. It will be Vietnam all over again: we'll leave and millions will be slaughtered. And who will care? Not us in our air conditioned safe secure little world. We'll pat ourselves on the back and say we did the right thing, because it doesn't matter how many people die as long as our troops aren't there fighting.

John McCain,so broken down it's pathetic.Why doesn't he just drift off into the sunset.

I respect your point Chrisb, but nobody knows what will happen when we leave. Will people die? Yeah, aren't 2,500 to 3,000 people dieing there every week right now? And no, I don't think we will sit back and "We'll pat ourselves on the back and say we did the right thing" after we leave. Why? Because many of us didn't think going into Iraq was the right thing ever and more of us, having learned how we were lied into the war, really don't think it was the right thing. Thinking that implies a logical explanation for going into Iraq, which there isn't and never has been. If anyone thinks that it will be neocons, and who cares what they think?

Nisleib, even the most pedestrian observor of Iraq knows that a U.S. pull-out at this point would lead to open civil war with factional fighting much worse than we've seen in the last year.

Doug, please explain how McCain is a phony? While there have been a host of issues in which I disagree with him about, he is not a phony.

Also, Doug, I am curious as to when your nephew joined the military. Was it pre-9/11 or after? Or before we went into Iraq or after? Also, i am very curious as to his thoughts about this war, and I want honesty from you on this, OK?

And again, you noted a few days ago he was safe (and home I think?). Thankfully so. But I am curious as to his thoughts, since he was there.

chrisb wrote:

"Reid and Durbin were saying the surge failed before it even started . . ."
---------------------------
Yeah, and they both voted to confirm Petreaus, knowing full well about his plans for a troop surge. These two, especially Reid, are walking contradictions, and it is tough to separate the substance from the base-appeasing rhetoric. I suggest following the voting records, where Reid voted to authorize force in Iraq, and has voted in favor of continued funding on every single war bill. By doing this and at the same time spewing anti-war rhetoric, he can make absolutely sure that no one will like him.

"We only got the last of the surge troops into Iraq around June 15th. We said we'd wait until the report in September, why can't we wait till then?"

Actually we didn't.

"The timetable for the introduction of additional U.S. forces will provide ample opportunity early on and before many of the additional U.S. troops actually arrive in Iraq to evaluate the progress of this endeavor and whether the Iraqis are fulfilling their commitments to us."

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, January 11, 2007.

When the "Surge" was sold, we were told that progress could be measured, and decisions made before all the troops go there. It was only when the promised progress was not being made that we were told that we had to wait for all the troops to get there. Then we were told to wait for September. Now they're starting to tell us to wait for spring....

Senator McCain is rightfully frustrated with the behavior of the Democrats during the defense appropriations bill debate. It was not long ago that an agreement was reached that renewed debate on the war itself would commence after General Petraeus reports in September on the effectiveness of the surge. The Democrats knew they did not have the votes and so the whole exercise of placing withdrawl timetable amendments on the bill was solely for politics and not substance. Senator McCain has often been asked what his plan B is should the surge fail. What is the Democrats' plan B should we withdraw and Iraq descends into an all out civil war involving neighboring states and the price of oil triples?

"...please explain how McCain is a phony?"

Ever hear of James "Loony tune" Dobson? Long ago when McCain could walk and chew gum, he said that his party was too beholden to the televangists and christinists. Now, he can't wait to suck up to them.

Was he a phony then, or is he a phony now?

Nobody has even been able to explain the mission in Iraq in terms that make sense, and that are realistic. Does anyone believe that the terrorists are going to disappear if we kicked their butts in Iraq from now to Sunday? Is Osama going to say to himself, wow, that's it, I'm folding my tent? And when was the last time McCain even mentioned the name Osama?

John D.,

McCain is a phony because he went to Baghdad in March and proclaimed it safe in order to suck up to Republican primary voters. Another reason is because in the 2000 race, in South Carolina, Rove on behalf of Dubya leaked a story that McCain had a gasp, horror, child of color (he and Cindy had adopted a child from Bangladesh) McCain gave Dubya & Company a pass. (Me, I'd take Rove's head off the 1st chance I got. There wouldn't be enough Secret Service agents to keep me from pounding his ass into the ground.)

That's at least two major reason why "Maverick" McCain is a phony and why his campaign is toast.

My nephew joined the guard prior to 9/11 for a few reasons. Foremost was to honor the service of my father (his grandfather) and his father, a USAF vet. The other reason were/are the education benefits. I asked my sister about a homecoming party and she said of my nephew quote "Let's talk about it later, right now I'm thinking about picking up my friends' body parts."

It sent chills down my spine, just like it did my sisters.

John, I have no idea what my nephew's politics are. His parents don't know either. None of are about to push the issue. I mailed him a card with a simple welcome home and thank you for your service to our country.

Right now my nephew is processing back to the states and his mother and the rest of the family are quietly working on our PTSD education, just in case.

Who is John McCain? What has John McCain done for anyone lately? What did John McCain do for someone in Iowa, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Arizona for that matter? He doesn't show up to vote, but yet wakes up in the morning demanding fee money to spit his lame duck rhetorical bipartisan approach to America. He could care less about the average person. He built his base on the backs of blacks and Mexicans in Arizona. By the way did he father a child out of wed lock? I did, can I can be man enough to say it. So is that why he can't be man. We Can't ask him that on his "Straight Talk" bus. So don't believe the Hype.

There are Darken Doors at the McCain House, and its not the maid, butler or his driver that is in question.

Where's all those family values the GOP talks about. He can't talk about that. Where is the "Straight Talk" about Bush, Cheney, Karl, Condi, Gonzales, Purging of the Prosecutors, "Caging of 150,000 black Votes" I hear him crying everyday about how broke he is and that some of you should get up and get a payday loan to help my quest to be our new "Decider" or Commander Guy.

So to get off the bus and say the Democrats failed the troops is what I call Crack controlled Rhetoric. I don't remember him doing anything for the troops. Where is he on the Senate floor talking about what the troops need. Never.

So...when it comes to John McCain, only one word fits:
N E X T.

Mr. flip flopper McCain is clearly fustrated here. Cutting through the chase, his political career is essentially over. He will soon be a persona non grata.

Posted by: Doug R. | July 18, 2007 2:34 PM

Are you serious, Doug? The man was sent to Congress by Arizona. People in Arizona are about as red-necked as they come. And you think the people in Arizona are going to join the "blue revolution" to rid Congress of people like McCain? You are dreaming.

John W-

I'm kinda with Doug R. McCain's political career is effectively over. I don't think he'll be defeated for re-election, I think he will choose not to run again.

He's clearly staking everything he has on his run for President. He's largely abandoned the Senate for weeks at a time. (He's missed over 50% of the votes this term).

Unfortunately for him he chose to base his Presidential run on being more Bush than Bush on the war. That's not where America is at right now, hence his dismal results.

He aimed high and missed. This was his last hurrah.

Speaking of folks who have abandoned their Senate duties, Tony, how often have Barack and Hillary been in the Senate and voting.

Actually from a couple of friends in Arizona, McCain is not popular there -- because of his position on immigration. Because of his age and that he still has a few years to go as a senator, more than likely McCain will not seek re-election when he is up.

Well Johnny, since you asked....

Barack Obama has missed 11.9 % of the votes this term.

Hillary Clinton has missed only 2.4% of the votes this term (6 only)

Both far less than McCain.

He aimed high and missed. This was his last hurrah.

Posted by: Tony | July 18, 2007 6:42 PM

I think everyone is counting McCain out of the race just a tad prematurely. Just remember that the election cycle started too early this time around. People who aren't even running are already in the running. He can catch a second wind and still remain influential in the political makeup one year and five months from now.

Like it or not, he does have a following - which is why he was running second behind Giuliani not too long ago. [Now, both are running behind “Undecided.”] This is because he has decent conservative credentials when it comes to issues involving fiscal and institutional restraint. There are a lot of people who think the federal government is way too big, too wasteful and not accountable enough. For them, John McCain is their guy.

I'm not saying this because I'm a John McCain fan. He has done some good things. But he has also done some stuff I cannot brook and would hate to see him pursue as President. His support of the immigration bill is just one such example. As such, he doesn’t have my support.

You know, its funny that y’all pick on McCain. I don’t see anyone here counting out the perennial losers among Democrat candidates yet. How many times has Dennis Kucinich run for president? When are we going to see him get the kiss off – again?

Go McCain. I can't believe we still live in a country where so many people are so blinded by their own partisanship to realize how much America has at stake in Iraq.

The founders were right to NOT make this country a pure democracy because what is popular obviously isn't always the right thing to do.

So many mealy mouthed nabobs. Who is watching your back...? The Armed Forces... and you had better understand why soon or you will lose what freedom you now have. Have we forgotten that during WW ll many rights were suspended only to be reinstated after the war? Worry about the enemy and watch those near you. The Armed Forces are deserving of support as they are watching your back. God Bless Our Troops

It is frustrating to see that the majority of the Republican Party still believes in this failed war. American people are fed up with lies and arrogance from the Bush administration. Not only does this war and the defense policies in this country has very little to prove to its people, also it is causing great violence, terror and poverty around the world and in this nation. There are more critical issues that affecting the lives of millions of americans and people world wide that our president is not taking actions against. Now the war has proven to be a failure and is causing more violence, terror and poverty in this world. According to the Borgen Project, it only takes $19 billion dollars annually to eradicate world hunger and poverty. However, our government has already spent more than $450 billion dollars over this fruitless war in Iraq. It is time for the Bush Administration to take a real interest in the lives of the American people as well as people who are in desperate needs around the world. Stop the lies and stop poverty now. Put away the arrogance and put the needs of the people before political gains.

McCain is irrelevant. His campaign is falling apart. He's flip flopped a million times, not to mention that he's simply TOO OLD to be a competent leader. He's already showing signs of senility. Do any of you want this guy discussing diplomacy with other world leaders? These tired old politics are just that... Tired and Old.

Reguardless of personal opinion about the war or John McCain, the congressional neglect of our military personel in regard to their salaries, medical care, and safety is dishonorable and deeply disturbing, and perhaps even unforgivable to many voters.

Given their extremely low approval rating, their own recent salary raise and lack of progress or ethical responsibility, it would not be too surprising if in the next election the voters decide to "throw them all out!" whatever their party or voting record.

It would not be the first time - or the last!!!

McCain long ago failed the troops when he didn't INSIST that his support, first for the war and then for the surge, was contingent on realistic numbers of troops for the fight. Say 250,000 to start.

Half-a**ing (hey, respect the SWAMP and the SWAMP will respect you) it for the benefit of politics has resulted in this quagmire.

You know, its funny that y’all pick on McCain. I don’t see anyone here counting out the perennial losers among Democrat candidates yet. How many times has Dennis Kucinich run for president? When are we going to see him get the kiss off – again?

Posted by: John W. | July 18, 2007 10:42 PM

John W-

The difference is no one has ever claimed that Kucinich had a snowballs chance in hell at getting the nomination, let alone elected.

"...he's simply TOO OLD to be a competent leader."

Posted by: Mrs. Jesus | July 19, 2007 2:15 AM

Mrs Jesus,

My 96 year old father (who is sharper and more intelligent than you can ever hope to be) would tell you you're just wrong saying that 70 is too old.

And I agree.

He'd also point out that you're obviously an idiot.

I'd agree with that too.

Senator McCain is right Democrats hate our soldiers listen to their rants about Soviets in their gulags and Pol Pot.The soldiers are expected to fight AlQuaeda without a raise. The Defense bill should be signed but, not with Durbins amnesty Dream Act making all illegals legal a/k/a HR 1585. As usual Durbin hides his deals from voters.
The Democrats should all go in 08. Jerry White, Springdfield,IL P.S. These congress people all got fat raises just not America's finest the men and women in uniforms.

Posted by: Jerry White | July 19, 2007 10:37 AM

I may not have come into that sharp mind of yours that democrats have served the country also. I am a combat vet and a democrat. How about you Jerry? Have you seen action or just whats on your big screen TV? Do I hate my brothers...no...I saw way to many of them die in another unpopular war. I hope you have a big enough set to say that in public,(not a blog) but I doubt it.

The Republicans have pulled off some pretty amazing feats of linguistic gymnastics, so it doesn't surprise me that McCain is attempting to redefine bipartisan compromise as "doing it our way".

Where is the compromise? Why should Democrats vote to continue this fiasco in Iraq when 60% of US voters think we should leave? The Republicans simply bluster and threaten them with blame for "failing to support the troops", which would be comical if it weren't for the thousands of dead and wounded their "support" has cost us.

Our Republican leadership has supported our troops by:
1) starting a war over non-existent WMDs.
2) failing to deploy enough troops to provide security after Saddam was deposed.
3) aiding the insurgency with their decisions to disband the Iraqi army, close government-run businesses, and fire Baath party members.
4) Failing to provide body armor for all troops in a timely fashion.
5) Failing to provide mine resistant vehicles (MRAPs) until now, despite urgent requests from field commanders and some 5000 IED attacks in 2004.
6) Failing to provide the excellent VA facilities and necessary care that our returning soldiers deserve.
7) Appointing incompetent political hacks like Don Rumsfeld, Paul Bremer (Iraq CPA), and Jim Nicholson (VA) to critical posts.

It will be up to the Democrats to resist the RNC PR and save our troops from any further GOP "support".

Senator McCain is right Democrats hate our soldiers listen to their rants about Soviets in their gulags and Pol Pot.The soldiers are expected to fight AlQuaeda without a raise. The Defense bill should be signed but, not with Durbins amnesty Dream Act making all illegals legal a/k/a HR 1585. As usual Durbin hides his deals from voters.
The Democrats should all go in 08. Jerry White, Springdfield,IL P.S. These congress people all got fat raises just not America's finest the men and women in uniforms.

Posted by: Jerry White | July 19, 2007 10:37 AM

Jerry, is one of these yours? You schmuck.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/max-blumenthal/generation-chickenhawk-t_b_56676.html

The difference is no one has ever claimed that Kucinich had a snowballs chance in hell at getting the nomination, let alone elected.

Posted by: Tony | July 19, 2007 8:37 AM

That's about as direct and honest as anyone could expect in an answer.

The troops are some of the finest people on the planet. Let's stop this nonsense and bring them home to where they can be out of harms way and with their family and friends. Then and only then will they be truly able to protect the USA's interests.

So desperate, Senator. I'm ashamed that I once considered crossing lines to vote for you. You are showing your true character now, and have forgotten your past.

Every Republican prediction for events in Iraq has been completely wrong from day one, inluding all the current ones on this blog.