CNN

7 months seems like a cake walk compared to the multiple times my friends have been over there... I know a guy who got sent over there 3 diferent times.. then he lost it and beat an Iraqi civilian to death with his helemt and got a dishonerable discharge. He says it's not safe there at all. I wonder if him and Jimmy McCain were fighting the same war.

We need our boys out of there. God bless our troops.
If it is so safe that they are handing out soccer balls lets bring them all home now! We don't need a 100 year war.

There is a grammatical error in your article.

"had arrived home from safely."

Welcome home jimmy. btw Marines tour of duty as well as the navy and airforce are only 6 months. The army gets screwed with 15 months.

"his son Jimmy — whose Marine unit had been deployed to Iraq — had arrived home from safely."

What kind of grammar is this?

Pathetic.

I'm an Obama supporter, and I won't be voting for John McCain. Having said that, I'm very glad to hear that his son is home safely. I appreciate Jimmy McCain's service, even if I don't agree with the war he was sent to fight.

First I salute all our soldiers. Second, why was he handing soccer balls? our kids need soccer balls to so can they all come back and do that at home? And if and God forbid that the soldiers are actually at arms length, then why is his son handing soccer balls while the others are fighting? A republican PR thing?

Why wasn't McCain's son forced to stay in Iraq for extended tours like all of the other military? How convenient!

arrived home from safely?

My congratulations on the safe return of all 300 Marines. Good news is rare and precious indeed.

As a democrat who disagrees with McCain on many issues (because despite what Limbaugh says, McCain is a true conservative), I freely admit I respect John McCain, and I can live with him as a President.

from a dem and veteran, i am glad to hear his son is safe. at least this is one elected offical whose family actually serves our country. instead of sending other peoples children to do thier dirty work. Mccain is my second choice for POTUS. if Obama does not win the dem nomination. then i vote mccain. The bill and hill show can not be trusted. Obama and Mccain are good honest people who can be trusted. I do not agree with him on the war, but he will not sells out to the highest bidder.

This is indeed impressive. How many senior leaders like Bush, Cheney or Rumsfield have put their own children in the Military. Looking at McCain's crendentials, I can't understand why he was not the republican nominee in 2000. He would have beaten Gore clearly and become the President without the Supreme Court's help and the world would have been spared of 8 years of disastrous misrule of Bush-Cheney.

Yes, he has something on the line and you never hear him mention it, even though it might be politically advantageous.

btw, have you read about the exchange between "W" and Jim Webb (VA Senator) regarding his son?

I like this.. how many times have people said.. "I like to see you send your kids to war".. he did.

Glad to hear the boy is safe and I thank father/son for serving our country.

However, it seems odd that when McCain becomes the GOP nominee, his son gets to come home from a tour of duty. Seven months seems kinda short compared to the other tour lengths.
I wonder if Bush gave a political favor to McCain to pay back for the hit job in S.C. during the 2000 election

Obama is the only and best choice.

I'm glad to hear his boy is safe too but I am uncomfortable with him using his son's deployment to make political points. There are many people with children over there who talk very differently about the situation. Also the comment about the soccer balls sounds strangely familiar to his "walk anywhere in Baghdad without armor" comment while he was surrounded by a small army.

OOHRAH

As a West Point graduate myself, I think that we can all set politics aside for the moment and welcome ALL of our men and women back home and continue to pray for those still overseas. Godspeed back home to all!!!

He just voted against a bill that made waterboarding illegal.

Why would he flip on his own values like that.

Have nothing, but respect for John McCain. This guy will be our next president.

as much I don't want him to win, I am happy for him

"From safely"? Does anyone edit this stuff before hitting the "post" button?

Even if it's supposed to be "safety," the sentence makes no sense...

"...House Republican congressman that his son Jimmy — whose Marine unit had been deployed to Iraq — had arrived home from safely."

from safely, cnn are you trying to say from safety or what?

Certainly lends his aggressively pro-war stance more credence.

Glad the son is safe and we all have to support the troops.

That story about the soccor balls seems a bit spun to me though. Who knows.

"...his son Jimmy – whose Marine unit had been deployed to Iraq – had arrived home from safely"

Seriously CNN? "from safely"?

Welcome Home!

I have a lot of respect for Senator McCain. I'm a Dem who would consider voting for him.

well if John McCain's son said it, it must be true! everyone should vote for McCain because his son handed out soccer balls. Case closed.

Yes, we should all follow his example and send our children to Iraq. I'm glad he's committed to fighting the war for as long as it takes, even if it's 100 years. Everyone is getting deployed over and over again, so I'm sure his son will do the right thing and stick it out too under the "Stop loss" policy.

Soccer Balls? We would run out of soccer balls if we stayed 100 years

When does Chelsea and Barack's kids get back from the front?

agreed. its very heartwarming to hear his son come back. the question is if his son will be pressed back in to the service. and if not – will it be special treatment?

somewhat reminiscent of the royal youth in England.

I'm glad his son is back and in good condition. 7 months over there... no thank you.

So, if he just got back I guess he'll be headed back there sometime.... next week?

"but when he recently left, some seven months later, Iraq had become so safe he was handing out soccer balls."

Hope it wasn't like the last time McCain declared Iraq was safe enough for Americans to walk around without any problems. (Reported by McCain while at a Baghdad market, with around 300 troops and 5 Apache helicopters for protection)

Could someone please fix the grammar in the first paragraph. This is CNN ffs.

He may be a bad candidate for President, but all politics aside, I am glad to hear his son is home in one piece.

/now if we just ended the war, his son would never have to go back
//sorry, had to toss that in

Glad to know his son is doing well.

I'm a Democrat but you must be proud and feel much more relaxed now that he's home. God Bless all of You

Welcome Home Jimmy! Thanks for your service!!!!

how many congressmen have sons/daughters in the military? there's one!
4th generation naval service!

No one cares, what about all the others who haven't returned?

he put his son where his mouth is. i'm glad he's safe, too.

A real American.

Both McCain's deserve a lot of respect for their military service. Some difference from Bush who can't find one person to verify he served in Alabama.

Thank God for that! Welcome home!

OBAMA 08

Vote John McCain for 100 more years in Iraq! It is nice that his son came back safe. What about the families who will never see their loved ones again?
It is great That Mr. McCain is happy to send his child off to fight for oil, but maybe we need a president who will not spend the lives of our people so recklessly.

VOTE OBAMA FOR CHANGE!

That's great news! I'm happy for him.

His father is running for President. You shouldn't be giving the specifics of McCain's son's unit.

McCain is a real American hero, I have so much respect for this great man despite my differences with many of his policies. What a family. His Son served his country, he did serve, his father served and his grand-father served. And he does not brag about all these. What a hereo!
Annoy the rich and Vote for McCain

I must agree with Glenn. I'm a strong Obama supporter, and I disagree with many of McCain's policies, but it's tough not to respect the man. He served in the military, and his son is serving in the very war that he supports, no matter how unpopular with the country. He certainly puts his money where his mouth is - one of the few in the Senate.

Exactly, Glenn. Advocating a surge when your own child is serving takes guts.

I got to agree. It's nice to see that he at least knows the burden on families that have children over there.

The shortest tour for Iraq is supposed to be 7 months...
Who exactly was he handing out soccer balls to?...
How come the government is not extending his tour like they keep doing to so many other units?...
If the war continues, I wonder if McCain will advocate sending his son back, since it's "so safe" now...

Welcome home Bravo 11, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

Thankyou each and every one for your service.

Categories

* Race to '08 (380)
* Presidential Candidates (2450)
o Hillary Clinton (836)
o Barack Obama (720)
o Mitt Romney (461)
o John McCain (456)
o Rudy Giuliani (322)
o John Edwards (311)
o Mike Huckabee (292)

WHERE'S RON PAUL?!

thanks to McCain's son. i appreciate the sacrifice and willingness to serve

Have to respect him for refusing to talk about it and make it a political event. Don't plan to vote for him (it will be Obama) but McCain is certainly a man of deep integrity.

I'm sure he's proud of his boy, and he should be. I have two boys serving and I'm as proud of them too. It really hurts me to see anti-marine protesters in an American city which supports too many radical ideas. Semper Fi Mr. McCain, you have my support and vote.

I agree with Glenn. I am also very glad McCain's son arrived back in the states safely. God bless them.

After all the Clinton bashing and the dust settles CNN will be the biggest loser.

Wolf,
How do you feel about being a part of a network that helped bring down our country's best chance of having a Qualified women as president?

Editors: I think you meant to say "Bravo 1/1" which is the Marine way of saying "Company B, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division." When we say "1st Marines" or "10th Marines", we are referring to the Regiment.

-JDW

Glad to hear this. Still voting Obama.

I am a registered Republican. Because of the act of "behind closed doors" corination that took place today for John McCain, I will not vote for him for any reason what so ever in November. He says he wants to reach out to all party members – NO THANKS. This man has NO HONOR OR RESPECT for the American people and the fairnes of the process. The GOP party is there to serve the people NOT the people serve the party – however they see fit. After today McCain, you've lost my vote for good. The Democrats will win because you sir are a loser with a liberal record. Obama enjoy the White House for 4 years and hopefully the GOP will get its act together and support a real full-blooded Conservative Republican.

ok .... (?)

Although I am not a McCain supporting but I'm with you there Glenn.

Jimmy, thank you for your service to this great nation. I truly hope you don't have to go back for a very long time. Hopefully we can get a plan together to bring the rest of the troops home safe and sound very soon.

That was great news! I hope my nephew makes it back safely in May.He drives a stryker and has been hit once by an IED.

I am a student at the Wharton School of Business, and there is something dragging down the economy that needs to be address: Mike Huckabee. See my question below, and please read it on air; I think it will generate some actually insightful, subtle dialogue, and that is what we need right now.

Why does nobody speak of Mike Huckabee’s hypocrisy in continuing to accept money from Americans who sorely need it (and who he appeals to as their devout advocate it)? I respect his prerogative to stay in the race, but for him to tout how much money he is collecting for a Campaign to Nowhere is absolute hypocrisy, and one that I am completely flabergasted by: how can he reach out to blue-collar Republicans and what is morally (and by God’s word) “right” while he continues to collect money in what is obviously a selfish endeavor by a man without a job (read: FORMER Gov. Huckabee) and nothing to do but brag about collecting money for a campaign that simply cannot (that word is essential: cannot mathematiccaly occur) succeed. Why has CNN, so often a bastion of critique and free-speech, continued to condone such behavior that is taking millions from hard-working, mostly Southern Americans. Shame on you, Mike.

We here at the Wharton School of Business (where I am a student) certainly DO NO like Mike. His campaign should stop accepting donations–if he did that, then all would be fine, but he is flouting virtue by continuing to take money from a country in need by politicking for his own amusement. He must be one bored former politician.

This Democrat is sincerely glad to hear that Sen. McCains son is out of harms way. I wish he would consider bringing home the brave sons and daughters of the rest of the nation.

I have a good feeling we could win the war in Iraq if this man is elected president.

You know liberals are upset that his son came back healthy and with good news. Its kind of sad that there are so many people in this country that are rooting for the terrorists and counting on us doing poorly in this war.

Yeah, Obama will have a tough time debating the war on this note. "McCain voted for the war and sent thousands of your children off to die for our country... including his own, for no good reason"

Yeah, I'm sure McCain had no good reason... that's why his own son was deployed. I'm a democrate, but I think he's an honorable man, and suggests to me that McCain was also mislead by the Bush administration. Most politicans shield their children from the front lines.

How many parents got their sons and daughters in acoffin instead?

One of the few in Washington that practices what he preaches.

How insignificantly stupid that these steroid hearings are going on when there is so much more important and pressing matters that need taking care of.

Gee, dumb me, I forgot, it "is" Washington,D.C. and the buffoons we continue to send there to "represent" us.

Thank you, Jimmy, for your service.

Well God bless John McCain for letting his son come home safe. Now he can tell him he can fight for 100 more years.

He "had arrived home from safely"? What?

So glad to here that Jimmy has come home safely. A great leader and our next president has clearly done well in raising his children to be honorable

Even though I totally disagree with John McCain on the Iraq issues, he totally has my respects. He is a good man.

I have a lot of respect for this senator. If barack is not in the general election my vote is going to the senator from arizona.

True that.

See how he does if his son gets" WATERBOARDED" Witch McCain voted for torcher today

Great timing his son comes back just in time to tell everyone what a wonderful job we are doing overseas. He should be great for McCain and all the people who agree we should be there.

Not only does he talk the talk, but the family walks the walk. I don't understand the thinking of the CPAC, John McCain is more conservative than George Bush. Why don't they focus on telling Mike Huckabee to get with the program, his time is not now!

How man other sons of other American parents are still in Iraq and how many other sons will not come back at all.

All I can say is, Hillary - You Lose!

John McCain is a good man, and a fine American.
I just do not think he would make a good president

I also served in OIF, but in phase III. Glad to have your son back safely. If Hillary does not get the nomination, McCain will definitely get my vote.

Thank you Jimmy McCain. Thank you John McCain...

Glad his son got home safe..and I am sure this is another reason why we should elect him.

If Jimmy McCain says Irag is so safe he was handing out soccer balls he must be living in the delusional state his father is.

How are they going to run against Jimmy McCain?

Seems like the Obama forgot what he is running against.

I absolutely agree. My father retired from the US Army after serving over 20 year. However, I still believe our war efforts should have been soley focused in Afganistan.

I'm glad his son is home safe as well.

We are a really sad nation if the best we can do is to get candidates who are knee deep in the 1970's, or who is trying to following in their spouses footsteps and count these as creditable people.

People say Obama is light on "ideas" that's because they didn't catch the concept that politics as usual will no longer work. We need new direction in the country.

Hillary had a chance to run after her husband, and she had her chance to push all the causes she wanted. What happen??? She doesn't need to be President to push the agenda for Universal Healthcare. So why didn't her plan succeed before when her husband was president?

Sincere congratulations to you on your son's safe return John McCain. It is good to see the overall security improving in Iraq.

Regardless of differences in whether or not we should have gone into Iraq we are there. We all need to remember to say OUTSTANDING JOB to all our troops and their commanders once in awhile. We all love our troops!

I am glad his son is home too. Other parents are not so fortunate. We still had five soldiers die this past weekend. Others are proud to be serving, but can't wait to return home, including my husband.

Senator McCain – I am glad your son is safe back at home. Thank him for his service, from one grateful citizen, and for carrying on the proud tradition of your family. God bless him, and God bless you – McCain in 08.

Good...now just how many more kids does McCain have to

last his planned 100 years there?

Sheehan's son Casey and thousen of Marine like him come Back Home From Iraq body back.invading Iraq was not the all-important to me.

if senator mccain gets condaleeza rice as his vp, i will vote for mccain over obama...if he is the democratic nominee....big time
and i am a democrat

Glad to learn his son is home safe and hope he won't have to do one or two more full tours of duty.

have you guys seen the youtube video of a obama campaign office with the castro picture and flag?
obama is a flake

Thank God he is safe. I hope he never has to go back.

McCain = Failed Republican presidential run. He won't beat Obama. May as well stop wasting donators money. Give the people their money back... they're gonna need it after the Bush presidency.

While we may not agree with all of John McCain's views, he must be applauded for his wllingness to again stand for his country and not knowing his son was in Iraq also standing tall for his respective beliefs goes along way to giving serious voter consideration while the other egos embattle each other giving us more of the same 'ol - no real solutions especially to the economy which is challenging so many these days....

Christopher Tingus
Harwich, MA USA

So safe, thats why people still die almost every day.
Makes sense doesn't it. Oh and so safe that he still wants to stay for several years.

Senator McCain has served his country well. Both him and his son deserve the respect and commendation of our nation and also all the brave men and women who have laid down their lives, not only for the American people for people all over the world.

What an outstanding example of John's legacy through his son-sacrificing oneself for the liberty of those less able to defend themselves as a US soldier. Thank you–John & Jimmy

oh wow now he's gonna use his son to exploit his presidency bid...first he flip flops on issues now he will exploit his son...

"had arrived home from safely." . . . fix this sentence.

Now there's a man I can respect who has been there done that unlike someone else I know who is arrogrant and struts and that's about it. Now McCain is a Repub I can vote for.

Hillary supporters don't be stupid. Obama or Clinton, it's the same party and the same ideals, anything is better than Republicans for this country right now. McCainiacs who say only McCain understand foreign policy think again, this man supports a policy that has made America more hated worldwide than any time in history. Can any of you honnestly say McCain will be cheered when he visits other countries? Obama will be cheered, Clinton will likely be cheered, McCain will be protested like there's no tomorrow. Anyone who's spent time outside of the states knows this. America's economy will never last in an increasingly hostile world. If you vote McCain you will have only yourselves to blame when things go from bad to worse.

Wonder if Jimmy will take a leave of absence from the Marines and campaign for his father? He would be a powerful symbol of everything McCain stands for.

Although I am an Obama supporter, McCain's authenticity makes it very difficult to attack his stance on the war. Between him being a POW in Vietnam and his son serving honorably in Iraq, one cannot make the arguement that he is a "weekend warrior." He obviously understands war and its ugly costs.

I truly look forward to debates between Obama and McCain because I want Senatory McCain to explain to me why he feels that a long-term military presence in Iraq is so essential, and why he feels the consequences if we leave are more dire than the consequences if we stay.

WELCOME HOME JIMMIE THANK YOU GOD BLESS I would like to hear his son tell some of the stories , what other troops had to say about Obama's attitude on bringing all the troops home. While we are on that subject , is Obama going to bring all our troops home from all other countries ? In 60 day's. Dreamer , if so get your first aide kit , For we will have 9/11 's .

had arrived home from safely

Huh????

Since McCain has had a son in Iraq, he understands the sacrifice it requires. He also realizes that we should not accept defeat there. Let us WIN the war in Iraq. Let John McCain be the one to lead us.

McCain in '08

McCain if Obama is on the democratic ticket I will vote for you and I am a democrat

I wonder if he would still vote against the banning of waterboarding if he knew his son was captive. He was against torture before he was for it.

I am glad his son made it home safe. Just in time to hit the campaign trail???

What is up with McCain's left side of his jaw? How old is he, 89? Oh what was the discussion again?

Wasnt this the same man who said he could walk down the streets of Baghdad with out any bodyguards?

he's delusional.

I wonder how many other Senators sons are or have served in Iraq.

It seems many generations of McCains have served there Country well.

Senator McCain doesn't like to use his son in Iraq as his political capital.
The only time he talked about Jimmy was when he was in New Hampshire meeting the sister of a soldier who had died in Iraq.
Serving the country is a family tradition in the McCain family.
They don't like to brag about it.

I'm certainly glad the son made it home safely, but I wonder why Marines do a 7-month tour while Army guys do 15 months. Do the Marines have tougher duty than the Army?

We appreciate your service, Jimmy. Glad you are home safely.

Why doesn't his boy try waterboarding since McCain doesn't seem to have a problem with it anymore?

Sorry Sen. You are not Nice Talker, but do the Right Thing. You put your son to protect America, rather than showing While Flag. Have we learn from Russian pull out from Afghanistan ?, no more Russia and place for 9/11.

Jeff

How does it feel to have your son back , McCain?That's how every other American that has a kid out there would want to feel.We want a President that will bring our troops back and that 's definitely not John McCain

Holy cow, I had no idea. Obviously, John McCain is principled and doesn't use his offspring to advance his own agenda. I'm impressed. His stock just went up in my book.

I'm glad his boy came home safe, too bad many of thousands boys didn't. He tries to make it look like a vacation in paradise, but we know better. John mcCain is a war monger just like Bush.

As Barack Obama said at his rally at the University of Wisconsin – Madison last night (I was there with 20,000 others), John McCain is an authentic American hero. Certainly added to his list of accomplishments is the fact that he brought up his son with a strong sense of responsibility to his country.

john we are very proud of you!!

I don't want to bash John McCain or his son.

But a lot of solders come back from Iraq and Afghanistan and don't get the psychological and economical treatment they deserve. You can bet that John's son is not one of those people.

Suicide and homelessness among veterans are facts and I'm just being honest. Look at the statistics. Yes, he is fighting in the war. But no, he's not experiencing the effects in the same way as others are.

That said, I do respect John McCain for not continually bringing up that his son is a soldier. There are definitely a number of other candidates from this race - in both parties - that would make their "soldier child" one of their main talking points (and it'd be completely shameless).

When can we expect to see Chelsea Clinton deploy? Oh, right, she didn't even go to the DC public schools when her dad was President!

Senator McCain,

I am a life long democrat but if you get Condaleeza Rice as your VP and Obama is the Democrat Nominee....
I will vote for you in heartbeat

You'd think a man who saw the worst of war would be against it. Instead McCain is a bigger war hawk than bush

Makes me sick that he would put his own son, not to mention other peoples kids, in that same position

He truly has no values

McCain is a man of true substance. Doesn't balk at his own child serving in the military like so many politicians but refuses to talk about it to try and make political gain from it. Refreshing and honorable.

I'm glad to know he is safe too. I don't support McCain at all, but thank God his son is back.

You cant say he only sends other peoples kids to fight. This adds a lot to his credibility.

I am glad he is safe....

but if Iraq is that much back to normal that the troops are handing out soccer balls then it is TIME TO BRING ALL THE TROOPS HOME!

I'm glad to hear that his son made it back safely from Iraq. A lot of other young men didn't make it back or made it back badly wounded. Although I did not support the preemptive war on Iraq (I guess my judgement equals Obama's) I am a strong support of our military. Maybe, I should run for President, no maybe I'll have to wait another 50 years before this country lets go of its sexist mentality.

It 's soap opera stuff but we shouldn't be there and no amount of soccer balls is going to make the difference. What about all the killed and maimed who's lives are over, never mind Iraqi casualties.

I wish his family the best.

Bet having his son Jimmy home beats sweeping the Potomic. God bless.

That's great. It's too bad he wants other American sons to stay in Iraq for 100 more years

I am also glad his son is back home safe. God Bless our Troops. This does not mean that I "like" McCain the candidate.

Their Sons Return Alive while other's Son's are Killed.
Wow.!
I am tired of republicans provoking wars and Innocent victims are killed.
How will republicans ever pay for the 5000 plus lives lost in iraq due to their selfishness ?

R.I.P To those innocent Souls Lost in iraq.
We Will always have you in our hearts.

I hope people realize there is more to Iraq than the seemingly peaceful environment. McCain's a fool if he thinks his boy's story will hold true in Iran and Asia.

God bless, marine. I pray that your father's madness doesn't get you killed.

Good news for McCain because Obama's supporters sound like they hate Hillary too much so All Clinton's supporters will go for McCain in this November

Barack Obama said, that while John McCain is an American hero, he is not a good economist. He then quoted John McCain admitting to the fact that he didn’t understand economics all that well. Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are planning on spending more money. We are in debt and have been borrowing that money from communist China. I don’t think that being educated in economics make you a good economist at all. Just look at what those well educated economist have done for our economy so far.
All I hear from Obama is nicely spoken words. Words and catch phrases that he knows will play to the hopes of the people he is trying to get to vote for him. After all the debates and speeches I still don’t know what exactly he wants to do or how he will make it happen. He is the guy that is taking you out for a joy ride; all fun and games until responsibility sets in.
Hillary Clinton keeps talking about her experience and what she will do. She wants to spend more money and create more bureaucracy and legislate us to death. I think that we should do a better job with the social programs that we already have. She has changed her outfit and her tune more times than a drag queen; no pun intended.
I hear people talking about we shouldn’t have gone into Iraq, and I agree. The fact is we are there. It seems to me if you want to save money and you don’t want to keep spending it on the war then you have to end it. Tucking tail and running isn’t going to make the enemy go away. How much more money is it going to cost to redeploy the troops?
I believe we should look at history for the answers and we should learn from our mistakes. Whatever happened to speak softly but carry a big stick? The day Ronald Reagan tool office the Iranian government let the American hostages go. The Iranians knew that Ronald Reagan was serious and he would do everything in his power to defend the life and liberty of those American citizens. I believe John McCain is that kind of leader. We need a commander and chief that will not only bring the troops home, but will bring them home in victory and take care of them when they do get back home.

What I think John McCain offers, is good common sense. He knows you can’t keep robbing Peter to pay Paul. John McCain not only listens to his political allies he listens to his opposition and as a matter of fact that is why some hard line party people didn’t support him. John McCain has integrity and that does not make you the most popular guy in politics.
Some people say John McCain sounds negative. I think he sounds like a man with real experience, who is optimistic, determined and capable of effectively bringing change that we can all live with. John McCain said the other day, we are not the Victims of history we are the makers of history.

John McCain may not tell you what you want to hear! But John McCain will listen to what you have to say!

This man puts his money where his mouth is. I'm glad to hear his boy is safe.