• 
• 
• 
• 
by Aamer Madhani Updated with RNC comment
With Gen. David Petraeus' and Amb. Ryan Crocker's visit to Capitol Hill only two days away, Democrats threw jabs on Iraq at presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain and President Bush this morning over Iraq policy.
And it appears the "100-year war" debate is not about to go away.
In an interview on Fox News Sunday, Sen. John Kerry, who once considered picking McCain as a running mate in his own 2004 run for the White House, criticized the presumptive Republican nominee for being inconsistent with his comments about a long-term U.S. troop presence in Iraq.
McCain, as has been well reported, cut off a New Hampshire voter at a campaign back in January who talked about President Bush's seeming willingess to keep troops in Iraq for 50 years with his own opinion about a long-term U.S. troop presence in Iraq.
McCain chimed in:"Maybe a hundred." The Arizona senator then added that U.S. troops have kept a presence in Germany and Korea for decades.
The campaigns of Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have seized on the comment as evidence that if McCain were elected the U.S. would be mired in an endless war in Iraq, while the McCain campaign has retorted that his opponents knowingly mischaracterized what he said on the trail.
But Kerry noted today that last fall in an interview on The Charlie Rose Show McCain discounted the Korea-German model for Iraq.
"But I can see an American presence for a while. But eventually I think because of the nature of the society in Iraq and the religious aspects of it that America eventually withdraws," McCain said on Charlie Rose.
Kerry said today about McCain's comments on Charlie Rose that "He got it right then. He's getingt it wrong now."
Danny Diaz, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee, criticized the Obama campaign for Kerry's comments.
"Putting forward a bitter politician like Senator Kerry to launch discredited attack lines simply demonstrates that Barack Obama is the next generation of double-talking politician,” Diaz said in a statement.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) also defended McCain on ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos when asked about McCain's comments in New Hampshire.
"That's not what John is saying….John McCain wants a winning outcome. Never has he said that he wants to be at war for 100 years," Graham said.
Petraeus and Crocker are certain to face tough questions from Democrats who believe that the large number of troops that are deployed to Iraq impairs the military's fight in Afghanistan and ability to cope with if another national security crisis surfaces.
The administration may announce later this week that they are reducing U.S. Army troop deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan from 15 months to 12 months. As part of their opposition to the Bush troop buildup, Democrats have criticized the "surge" as grinding away at U.S. forces who have faced repeated, lengthy deployments.
But Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) suggested that the administration has to take stronger action to right the ship on Iraq.
"We can't continue to simply to deal with our force structure in Iraq as if it is the only problem we have or to deal with Iraq as if it were an island in the ocean," Webb said.
Yesterday, Sen. Joe Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, declared the troop buildup a failure. Biden's panel will hear testimony from Petraeus and Crocker this week.
"The purpose of the surge was to bring violence in Iraq down so that its leaders could come together politically," said Biden, D-Del., in the Democratic radio address that aired Saturday. "Violence has come down, but the Iraqis have not come together."
Comments
It is unfortunate that Senator McCain has been so cavalier about our troops in Iraq. I am appreciative of his and his son's service to America, but his age should prevent him from such a difficult job, as our President. War, always, should be the action of last resort. Unfortunately, the present, inept administration, thought otherwise and plunged this nation into an action that makes Viet Nam look like a sensible undertaking!!! Senator Kerry is right to criticize Senator McCain for his flippant remarks. America is literally falling apart, she needs new roads, schools, bridges and much more fundamental structural rebuilding, but we have no money to do it. It is all being sucked into Bush's Bungle in Iraq.
Let us end this Bungle and rebuild America and reassert her in the community of nations, her rightful place as a leader among nations!!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | April 6, 2008 12:34 PM
When will John KERRY realize that he does not matter and is a hack.
Posted by: Paul Frampton | April 6, 2008 12:57 PM
ANY PERSON THAT BELIEVES ANY POISON THAT COMES FROM THE LIPS OF THAT LYING CATSUP KING SHOULD BE HUNG OUT TO DRY OVER A SLOW FIRE. HE IS A MONEY SUCKING DOG.
Posted by: BILL POLK | April 6, 2008 12:59 PM
Why wont John Kerry just go away.
Posted by: brigitte sanz | April 6, 2008 1:16 PM
Flip-Flop McCain doesn't stand a chance this season of anything but the status-quo.
Nevertheless, we won't be out of Iraq until we've secured our rights to the oil or have merged with Mexico - whichever comes first.
Posted by: MeMe9 | April 6, 2008 1:33 PM
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | April 6, 2008 12:34 PM
You are mischaracterizing McCain's remark. If you listen to what he actually said (and obviously you and many other people haven't) he's not talking about 100 years of warfare.
As for your comment about his age, that just confirms your ignorance. In today's world, 72 is not old... as my 96-year-old father, who seems to be more intelligent and well read than you, are can atest.
Posted by: MJ | April 6, 2008 1:36 PM
Jeez, I just love the way some of these bloggers show their appreciation for Veterans. I know they have given to our country as much as Senator Kerry has given! Isn't it great to be an American? Thanks, Senator Kerry and Senator McCain!!!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | April 6, 2008 1:41 PM
so, this doesn't reach the level of "over the top personal attack"?
>
this really is a swamp. there is no room here for reasonable dialogue. your cartoonish logo just further removes you from being a place for intelligent thought and conversation.
Posted by: NYT Reader | April 6, 2008 1:47 PM
I don't like McCain, but I dislike Kerry even more. Is it Kerry's position that we beat McCain up for telling the truth? If McCain claimed to support a complete troop withdrawal now, but switched positions as soon as he got elected, we'd be crucifying him. Regardless of Kerry's military service, I view him as coward and a liar. As for now, our choice rests between a racial bigot (Obama), a candidate who's morally bankrupt (Carpetbagger Hillary Clinton) (and cool your jets, I am not from the lunatic fringe called the Religious Right), and finally, a bad boy who can't make up his mind whether he's a Conservative or a Liberal (McCain). My God, who are we to vote for?
Posted by: Bill Conners | April 6, 2008 1:57 PM
Hey Don, would you rather fight them here, how about your backyard? The shopping Mall? Our schools? You libs just don't get it. The war won't be over until they are ALL defeated. It's Ok the adults are in change and will be come Nov. too.
Posted by: Amano | April 6, 2008 2:00 PM
Hey Don Fitzgerald!....the only way to support our troops is to NEVER vote for a Democrat!!! Do you really believe these terrorists will just go away if a Dem is sitting in the White House? Any Dem that ends up in the White House will bring a HUGE smile to the faces of the enemy!!!!
Posted by: Joe | April 6, 2008 2:35 PM
McCain needs to release his medical records, he also needs to be given a full psychological well-being check-up.
From the Washington Post:
"McCain practices the politics of honor: He thinks that whatever his instincts tell him is honorable must be so and that those who think otherwise are dishonorable. This makes him difficult to deal with but does no other harm, as long as it is kept separate from governing".
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/04/AR2008040403088.html
Posted by: SmileySam | April 6, 2008 2:49 PM
Kerry can't ever be the man the McCain is. Kerry the Traitor needs to shut up, and go crush some tomatoes, that is all he is good for.
Posted by: Darkwater | April 6, 2008 2:55 PM
The more I see of McCain, the more feeble and confused he seems. And not in a gloating, oh-look-at-the-stupid-republican way, but in a sad-sympathic way, which makes me so grateful that my parents – who are about his age — are doing so much better. And I wouldn't want either of my parents in a job an eighth as stressful as the one he's running for. Either Obama or Hillary should be able to clean up the floor with him, no matter how battered they are. The one problem for Hillary could be the media narrative on her "misstatements" (what some people would call "lies'). I won't trust McCain to answer the phone at 3 a.m., or at 3 p.m. when he's having his nap.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0PysDhbvwA
Posted by: c | April 6, 2008 2:59 PM
I actually hope they continue attacking him on this (their erroneous) position. It will just come back to bite them very hard in November. McCain doesn't even need to say/validate his statements anymore until the main election.
It is going to be funny to watch a debate that uses this as an attack point
Posted by: MinisterP | April 6, 2008 3:14 PM
John "I was for the war, then against the war, then for the war, then against the war ..." Kerry.
He lied about his actions in Vietnam. He lied about the actions of his fellow soldiers in Vietnam. He has lied about his thoughts on this war.
So now, we are supposed to believe him?
His only accomplishments in life are marrying into money not once but twice!
Posted by: Don | April 6, 2008 3:16 PM
Kerry appearantly did not listen to the comment from Sen. McCain.
We have been in Europe since 1945, Korea since 1950.
Posted by: Bob Horan | April 6, 2008 3:17 PM
Then they better nominate Clinton because Obama cannot win nationally, and if he is nominated, this democrat will vote McCain.
Posted by: Reality | April 6, 2008 3:18 PM
Whew! Kerry has spoken. I can rest easy now. I was sure sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the next "Talk fact"!
Posted by: Alan | April 6, 2008 4:09 PM
"Hey Don, would you rather fight them here, how about your backyard? The shopping Mall? Our schools? You libs just don't get it. The war won't be over until they are ALL defeated. It's Ok the adults are in change and will be come Nov. too."
Posted by: Amano | April 6, 2008 2:00 PM
Amano, tell us when was the last time you had to fight terrorist in you own "backyard"? And Tom Clancy" Splinter Cell doesn't count!
Posted by: Scott in The South Loop | April 6, 2008 4:25 PM
Isn't there something better to do than trying to outblog each other--get SOME life.
Posted by: Joan Hinckley | April 6, 2008 4:40 PM
All of you Kerry-haters better get used to the idea, he's going to be around a long time, saying his piece!! All of you good bloggers have bought a bunch of goods, you don't even know the Senator and yet, you have accepted some silly lies about him. All I can say to all of you; you are easily led, like a bunch of sheep!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | April 6, 2008 4:51 PM
There's a very good reason why McCain is called "John W McBush" these days.
http://www.truthdig.com/images/eartothegrounduploads/mccain_bush_hug_300.jpg
During the run-up to war in 2002 and 2003, McCain repeatedly described the prospects of the Iraq war in the rosiest terms, declaring the U.S. would “win easily”.
McCain: “Because I know that as successful as I believe we will be, and I believe that the success will be fairly easy, we will still lose some American young men or women.” [CNN, 9/24/02]
McCain: “We’re not going to get into house-to-house fighting in Baghdad. We may have to take out buildings, but we’re not going to have a bloodletting of trading American bodies for Iraqi bodies.” [CNN, 9/29/02]
McCain: “But the point is that, one, we will win this conflict. We will win it easily.” [MSNBC, 1/22/03]
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/04/mccain-iraq-easy/
Posted by: truthdig | April 6, 2008 4:55 PM
Thank you, Don Fitzgerald, for playing the age card against Senator McCain. You remind us all how the Dems unsuccessfully played it against Governor Reagan in 1980, and you insult the 65-plus crowd, America's fastest growing demographic that votes in very high percentages. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Tim1979 | April 6, 2008 5:17 PM
It amazes me how ignorant so many people can be when it takes all of about 10 seconds to find out what people actually said.
McCain pointed out that we have been in Germany and Japan for over 60 years, and in South Korea for over 50 years.
Are the critics of McCain so stupid as to ignore that?
The real problem is that too many of McCain's critics cannot understand concepts that require more than 10 words to explain.
Posted by: Dan C | April 6, 2008 5:18 PM
It won't really matter who the Dems elect as their canidate. It will be entertaining to watch the debates because McCain will look like what he is, a tired old man. Losing his train of thought in front of national television! He will look like a complete fool, an embarresment to the Neo Cons...:)
Posted by: David Myers | April 6, 2008 5:44 PM
Wow, Kerry misrepresented what McCain said. That's not much of a suprise, considering how many times he's misrepresented himself!
Why does this discredited hack even get TV time?
Posted by: crazy politico | April 6, 2008 5:51 PM
"...his opponents knowingly mischaracterized what (McCain) said on the trail."
-the McCain campaign
Wow. That's NEVER been done by the Republicans.
But let us examine what McCain really said, and not how Sen. Graham later characterized it.
McCain said it would be fine with him to keep troops in Iraq like we have for the last 60 years in Japan and Korea for the last 50 or so, "as long as Americans are not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed."
Clearly our troops ARE getting injured and harmed and wounded and killed in Iraq and will continue to get injured and harmed and wounded and killed in Iraq so long as we are there.
So McCain likely misspoke and he should restate his positiion.
Until he does, his statement as it stands is open to criticism.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 6, 2008 6:14 PM
His only accomplishments in life are marrying into money not once but twice!
Posted by: Don | April 6, 2008 3:16 PM
Uh, McCain married money too.
It amazes me how ignorant so many people can be when it takes all of about 10 seconds to find out what people actually said.
McCain pointed out that we have been in Germany and Japan for over 60 years, and in South Korea for over 50 years.
Are the critics of McCain so stupid as to ignore that?
Posted by: Dan C | April 6, 2008 5:18 PM
We are not occupying South Korea and Germany. The people there are not bombing and shooting at our soldiers. How stupid can you be to ignore that?
Posted by: DD | April 6, 2008 7:19 PM
Thanks, David Myers, for playing the age card against Senator McCain. And you're right. Senator McCain is an embarassment to the neocons---if only for the simple reason that Senator McCain is not a neoconservative, yet he defeated neoconservative opposition in the GOP primaries. Looks like you don't understand the the difference between a neoconservative and a conservative. Perhaps it is you who looks like a "complete fool." But keep your chin up and keep trying, my boy!
Posted by: Tim1979 | April 6, 2008 7:55 PM
Watching the sad unravelling of John Kerry's once promising political career has to be hard for his former friend, Senator McCain.
Kerry has acted more and more bitter since 3 million some odd more people voted for George W. Bush than him in 2004. He has fallen further in with the fringe leftist element of his party and has not even attempted to create bipartisan legislation like senators McCain, Leiberman, Kennedy and Spector.
His public statements are laced with the bitterness and self importance that tainted his presidential run and he's quickly becoming a caricature of himself. This latest classless display shows that he's so far gone that he's forsaken McCain, the one republican who stood up and defended him against the "swiftboating" of the 2004 campaign. How sad.
Posted by: Jeff | April 6, 2008 9:29 PM
10 things you should know about John McCain (but probably don't):
1. John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now he says his position has "evolved," yet he's continued to oppose key civil rights laws.1
2. According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain "will make Cheney look like Gandhi."2
3. His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban.3
4. McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."4
5. The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.5
6. He's one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a "second job" and skip their vacations.6
7. Many of McCain's fellow Republican senators say he's too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He's erratic. He's hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."7
8. McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the other presidential candidates.8
9. McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years.
The pastor McCain calls his "spiritual guide," Rod
Posted by: McBush Family Value$ | April 6, 2008 10:17 PM
Bill/Jeff,
The only thing sad is the 10 seconds I just wasted reading your senseless drivel.
David Myers,
I am truly looking forward to McBush getting his a$$ handed to him by Obama. President Obama is going to school the old man like a cat playing with a mouse. I will tivo every precious moment.
Posted by: Bubba | April 6, 2008 11:00 PM
Bubba, as long as you want to make ageist hate remarks against the candidate you oppose ("the old man"), would it be OK for Clinton supporters or McCain supporters to give the same treatment to your candidate (the black man)?
Posted by: Tim1979 | April 6, 2008 11:32 PM
When will John KERRY realize that he does not matter and is a hack.
Posted by: Paul Frampton | April 6, 2008 12:57 PM
About the same time you look in a mirror and reach a similar conclusion!
Posted by: Peter Frapton's Dumb Brother | April 7, 2008 1:58 AM
Jeff,
I don't feel the least bit said about Captain Ketchup ("reporting for duty") becoming a national joke. He earned it.
Posted by: MJ | April 7, 2008 6:53 AM
Bill/Jeff,
The only thing sad is the 10 seconds I just wasted reading your senseless drivel.
David Myers,
I am truly looking forward to McBush getting his a$$ handed to him by Obama. President Obama is going to school the old man like a cat playing with a mouse. I will tivo every precious moment.
Posted by: Bubba | April 6, 2008 11:00 PM
Ain't it the truth. Bring him on!!! p.s. McCain has successfully vanquished any thought that he is electable. Sorry Jeff.
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | April 7, 2008 2:56 PM