Now Obama accuses McCain of cheap political points. Isn't points part of the game. Anyone who trumps him is cheap politics. My grandson is in Iraq doing his job. If I must choose Obama or McCain I'll take McCain. I don't want to have to go back and fight a stronger enemy later. Lets get them now. Bush senior didn't do the job when we were two miles from the finish line, and look what that got us.

Obama couldn't tinkle his way out of a bag - he's a total pacifist. He would be a fiasco for this country from which we would never recover. The nutball commentator may have been wrong for speaking as he did at that forum yesterday - but what he was saying was w/out doubt dead on.

Thankfully, the race for the White House is exactly where it should be– focused on George Bush and his failed policies and where 2/3 of the American people agree.

You're forgetting Al Qaida is in Iraq because of McCain and follow idiots in the senate who couldn't see through smoke and mirrors.

Obama is right 100%. Al Queda is not in Iraq. It is in Afghanistan and it is only getting stronger. That's what I call sound judgement. Who said Obama is inexperienced or not tough enough? Who said McCain has expericence. If this old guy doesn't even know the geography, if he doesn't even know who hit us and where did these guys come from, how does he serve us good as commander-in-chief? It's about time somebody hung a huge global political map in our President's office and teach them geography.

Where are all those Democrats-" I have been lifelong Democrat for 300, 400,or 500 years..however If Obama wins, I will vote for McCain?"
Common Democrats, we need to vote for Republican this year..

Bush=Dumb. McCain=Dumber!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

McCain is borrowing a page from Bush/Cheney's book on trying to fool Americans into thinking that Iraq was linked to 9/11. Doesn't he know that we've figured out that we were all duped? We know that Osama bin Laden is somewhere in Afghanistan or Pakistan, not Iraq.

What McCain forgets is that Al-Qaeda did not have ANY presence in Iraq until he and Bush invaded, and it is likely that the terrorist group will lose interest in Iraq when we finally withdraw. We are the honey in the bees' nest.

John Mcain, why don't you just retire already.
We don't need you a commander in chief.

Obama '08

McCain you have alot to explain to the American people My Friend.

Great point Senator McCain. The Obama retreat in Iraq would most likely lead to a genocidal civil war there, with subsequent intervention by both Turkey and Iran. Then what would he do?

Obama's foreign policy is the Audacity of Fear.

I think I head Obama say last night on the debate that he wanted to unite all religions and have one. Would someone please get an interview with him and ask him point blank, "If he becomes president would we still have freedom of Religion." He needs to be questioned on this before the American people NOW. See I believe in the BIBLE and I do not want one religion but freedom of religion. I do not want his and Oprah's religion. I will eagerly be waiting to hear his answer. Pat

McCain will DESTROY Obama if he wins the nominee - Thats why you have all of these Republicans pushing for Obama and trashing Hillary - they know they can't Beat Hillary in the General Election. Wake up Democrats, its time to smell the coffee !

McCain couldnt have said it better.

That's a risky strategy Barak is using — trying to use the same "I'm above you" approach that has worked against Billary's negativity.

I'm not sold on McCain, but he makes a valid point and legitmately uses Barak's words against him on Iraq.

I think the bottom line is that a lot of independents and left-leaning republicans want substantive answers to charges like the one McCain made, and at this point I'm tired of hearing people slam Bush for getting us in a war — I want to know what the remaining candidates are going to do to either win it or leave without making it worse, and Barak talked himself into a circle on this one.

Pretty good….now Obama attacks McCain like he did Clinton….

I don't BELIEVE for a second it is McCain's fault Al Qaida was NOT in IRAQ…especially WHEN WE BOMBED STRATEGIC HIDEOUTS OF AL QAIDA IN IRAQ!!!!!!!!!!

Obama is willing to stretch truth almost to snapping so he can win….but at what cost? The integrity of Hillary Clinton, NEXT HE WILL ACCUSE THE VIETNAM WAR LOSS BECAUSE OF THE EXPERIENCE OF JOHN MCCAIN.

I am a Democrat that IS voting for McCain if Clinton does not get the nomination.

How many more US lives will be lost if we withdraw only to have to re-invade a dug in al-Queada in Iraq??

If Obama wins the nomination, my vote is McCain

I hope that Obama will not come up with one more story of US army taking wepons from Al Qaida in iraq to fight insurgency

Does Obama think he won the nomination?
Let's see.

I wonder whatObama will do when asked a question when he is against Mc Cain. in a debate?Clinton was right she is always asked the first question since 40 percent of the time Obama does not know the answer he just piggyback with what Clinton says and always said he agrees with her as if he is going to say the same thing and he is good in diverting an answer which does not answer the question being asked .
he is a good DIVERTER of The answer to a questionnow without Hillary will he give Mccain the eye and say i agree with him. I do not know why really wHY DO WE PICK A PRESIDENT LIKE OBAMA. I AM REALLY AFRAID WE NEED SOMEONE A FIGHTER WHO GETS THINGS DONE. and you know there will be a lot of criticism and the republicans do not care about your race OBAMA IS NOTHING ZERO EXPERIENCE SO GOD HELP OUR COUNTRY

it was pretty obvious to anyone with a clue that Obama said "if Al-Quaida is forming a base in Iraq" in regards to the HYPOTHETICAL question that what would he do after we leave if unrest happened.

he clearly realizes Al Queda are in Iraq currently (but weren't prior to our invasion), nice try John

which is worse, the hypothetical, or the fact that John McCain called Putin the President of Germany over the weekend?

I can't wait to see how McCain and Obama debate each other.
We are waiting for you, Hillary!

I think McCain won that one. Obama's response was weak. It might work on another Democrat who agrees we shouldn't be there, but watch out Obama, your tactics won't work on the Republicans who think we should be in Iraq. This is nothing compaired to to what you wil see once you get the nomination.

Face it, Senator. You're an infant compared to Senator McCain.

When did Obama win the nomination?
Did CNN forget to report the juicy news?

That's what I've been saying all this time. Obama is not against war! Obama is only against the war in Iraq… Wake up fellow Democrats!

Wow two polite candidates talking about an issue.. a prelude to the real campaign. This will be a good one!

Was McCain for the 100 year war before he was against it?
Does anybody know where McCain stand any more?
Did he change his mind once again today?

Have I told you tonigh how much I hate these people?

Obama didn't even hold one oversight committee meeting for his sub committe on Afghanistan. Let's be honest, he's only serving this committee to beef up his campaign resume.

Blaming the amount of time you have because of the campaign is a terrible excuse. Do your job. You're still a US Senator. We don't want a president who in four years will be too busy worrying about his re-election rather than dealing with national issues because of the amount of time he has.

no matter who said what.the point of the matter is the war is wrong from day one.and still is.an i want americans to look at the devastation it has cause,an is still causin,not only americans,but canadians as well.

Obama is such a nuncio on national defense. Is unready.

A potential Commander In Chief who would not only give our enemies his strategy–but his timeline, is either just plain stupid or just plain ignorant.

Let me recommend some good reading for the Barack:

1. The Memoirs of Gen Westmoreland
2. The Memoirs of Gen Grant
3. Any periodical or thesis from the USA, USN, USAF War College.
4. The Memoirs of LTG George S. Patton

Let's see if his ideas on the role and responsibilities of the Commander In Chief change a little. Hell maybe he'll even wear a flag on his lapel!!

This may be an over-generalization, but all that I seem to be hearing from the political right on the topic of Iraq and national security is incomplete information and fear mongering. Please, John McCain, don't talk to me about "winning" and "losing" the war. We have already lost; we have lost over 3,000 American lives in a war over WMD's that didn't exist and Al Qeada that wasn't even there in the first place. But according to our president, we "won" the war in 2003. This war has accomplished nothing. Our strategy going forward should be focused on diplomatic action in conjunction with our allies around the world to stabilize the region, not on the 'us against the world' cowboy attitude of the past 7 years.

why is Obama meddling in grown folk's business. He knows nothing about that. He wants to bomb Pakistan. Obama, just keep your mouth close. You're going to win anyway, even if you know absolutely nothing about nothing.

On a former post…about McCain being hard to beat…many of them stated that they were Democrats but would vote for McCain if Obama is the nominee. I feel the same. The numbers are growing. Are you listening DNC? Seems to me it's time to think about doing the right thing with Florida and Michigan. Superdelegates…are you listening? Quit changing your loyalties from Clinton to Obama if you don't want Republicans to keep the White House in November.

Remember the numbers are growing…and growing. There is a Democrats for McCain movement forming out here!

Even if you accept Obama's premise, you can't change history. Now, it really does not matter how, why or when Al Qaeda got into Iraq. They are there now as he admits and if we leave without beating them first, they win. So then Obabma goes on to say he would act if Al Qaeda formed a base in Iraq. Didn't he just admit they were there already? Doesn't act mean send in troops or are we going to ask them to leave? Suppose we withdraw, won't they have a base then for sure? Therefore by Obama's own words we would have to act and go back in. I guess this means he wants to withdraw and then reinvade.

Watch out McCain before attempting to attack Obama. The man analyzes all statements he makes before making them. He knew how he would answer you, if you dared to say anything like what you just said about him this morning.

I would have to say…."TOUCHE!"

Uhh-Uhh-Uhh those are the only 3 words Obama can say. He sounds so non-professional when he speaks. I just cant imagine what people see in him. GO HILLARY!!!

And this is why Obama does not have a chance against McCain

AHAHHAHA McCain's statement was awsome and the usually cool Obama seemed to be speechless with a most sad reply… Gotcha Obama

WoW I love obama
Put aside all this ignorance obama is RIGHT.

John Mc Cain….what allies are you talking about? by now, the whole world knows there is no such thing anymore and whoever that was has left the sinking ship……..you and your supporters may bask alone in you painful glory!

Popular saying by Mccain. " I will follow Osama Bi laden to the gates of hell!" It is strongly believed he is in Parkistan. Will McCaine follow him to that gate of hell ?

Apparently Obama really doesn't know what's going on. I've read many reports from troops oversea's that have denounced Obama's propoganda. Yes, our troops have ammo. Yes our troops are well supplied. Obama said that our troops in Afghanistan lacked supplies and were having to use the enemey ammunition.

McCain will drill Obama in a general election. All Obama wants is to withdraw the troops because it gives him brownie points to the people uneducated about the war. We are still fighting terrorism, we arn't just rebuilding Iraq (which has gone on far too long). What needs to be done is stop rebuilding Iraq, and focus on terrorism.

Down with Obama and his uneducated opinion on this Iraq War. What will you tell the families of the 3,000+ soliders who fell in combat? (O i'm sorry your sons, daughters, fathers, mothers died fighting terrorism, but it was all in vein because we're leaving now without finishing the job). Leave Iraq to the Iraqi's and concentrate on the Terrorists is what I vote.

Obama with no national security experience, no war time experience, should not be elected into office during WAR TIME.

Notice what McCain did with his statement? He attempted to twist Obama's position into one which suggests that Obama doesn't support our troops. That isn't what Obama has said at all. McCain knows it. Withdrawing our troops from Iraq is not mutually exclusive of supporting our troops. Obama has said numerous times that he supports using our troops in the appropriate places and at the appropriate times and that he wants them to be properly equipped.

Whatever you opinion of Obama, he is correct. There was no hard connection between Iraq and Al Quaida before we went to war. We went there to find WMDs and we failed at that. Meanwhile, the situation blew up in our faces and we got caught in a civil war between the Sunni and Shi'ite. Al Quaida moved in to take advatage of the situation and now the whole thing is a Charlie Fox…. Obama pulling out the trrops may be the best move of all. Then we can refocus our military on the true target, Osama bin Laden.

Obama needs to talk to the commanders on the ground. You pull out today and it is going to cost us ten times more to go back in there and fix the unfinished problem.

Whether it was a misguided war or not, now is the time to fix for good so we do not have to go back in there again.
Mr. Obama reading papers is not enough to understand what is going on Iraq. How many people has Obama talked to, who are on the ground in Iraq.
Maybe Obama should talk Michael Ware, CNN reporter in Iraq about the consequences of a pull out of Iraq now.

No amount of Cheerleading and proud flag-wavy bravado by McCain, will alter the reality that Iraq is an ongoing quagmire and disaster area. Peace in tiny pocket "Green Zones", due to overwhelming troop presence, will not fool most Americans. Appreciable "success" in Iraq is a sham, and there's no flag large enough to hide that.

Obama is a lightweight.

Senator Obama makes very good points and speaks the truth. Al Qaeda was not in Iraq when we invaded Iraq. We should be going after Osama bin Laden and those responsible for 9/11. Al Qaeda is stronger now and this is a misguided war. We are not safer since we have invaded Iraq - just the opposite. Senator McCain acts like he is the only person who knows what's going on and everyone else is an idiot when it comes to the war.
As a side-note, did Senator McCain say he'd follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell? I remember Mr. Huckabee saying that in one of the debates.
Hrmm.

The problem I have with this whole debate is that Senator McCain admitted that he did not watch the debate, but heard about Obama's comments from an aide. If Senator McCain wants to score political points, he should know exactly what his opponent said, not what his aide thought about Obama's comments.

OBAMA PLEASE DON^T WASTE YOUR ENERGY AND MONEY AGAINST MCCAIN …

MCCAIN WILL BEAT YOU:……….

WOW ! ! ! GO BARACK

If Obama withdraws troops the infighting and insurgents will destroy Iraq and we will only have to return to Iraq. Obama knows absolutely nothing about foreign policy but the illusion continues.

Obama couldn't find Iraq on a map., much less identify the players in the Middle East. McCain knows the enemies of America and will defend our country. Go McCain

Imagine that…. actually calling out Republican garbage with facts and a SPINE!

I "love" it !!!!

so let me see if I understand your position, Senator Obama. If you are elected, you will start bringing trooops home from Iraq, but you reserve the right to act if Al Qaeda is found to have established a base in Iraq. What does "act" mean? Does that mean you would send our troops back to Iraq? How many and for how long? Wouldn't it me more prudent to let our troop defeat the enemy now rather than waste all that money moving them back and forth?

McCain has no arguements against Obama. For such a war monger, McCain is going to find he has no fight against a man that is ready to move this country in a new direction.

Now the real election begins! The contrast between the Obama message and the McCain message will be clear as day. No more wasted time in the weeds between a new healthcare plan with a mandate or not. This election will simply come down to a continuation of the Bush Administration policies and a new, more hopeful policy direction!

good job Obama sticking up to reality already…I know John McCain will try to twist stuff around.

For all of those Senator Clinton supporters that say they will jump ship and vote for Senator McCain when Senator Obama is chosen as the nominee. You really better think about what's best for this country and try to keep your personal feelings out of it, because all you all will get is more of G.W. Bush.

Notice how Clinton has been taken out of the equation - it's business as usual - only men can have the power, only men can control the universe, the dialogue is only between men. Texas and Ohio - let the election process go to the election floor. Put the brakes on this male b.s.

THE ONLY TRADE McCain KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT IS FAVORS.

JOHN McCAIN STATED LAST WEEK THAT OBAMA WANTED TO BOMB PAKISTAN IN A STUMP SPEECH.THE WEEK BEFOFE IT WAS ALL ABOUT OBAMA NOT TAKING PUBLIC FUNDING. THE SAME CHARGES HAVE BEEN MADE BY HILLARY CAMP THIS WEEK HILLARYS CAMP RELEASED THE PHOTO.NEXT DAY THE MUSILM CHARGE CAME FROM McCAINS CAMP. DO THINK THAT THE TWO ARE GETTING TOGETHER ON THERE TALKING POINTS?

Nice one, Senator McCain. I believe Barack will need that "Foreign Policy Instruction Manual" as suggested by Senator Clinton.

McCain also made a ridiculous statement about how Bush's tax cuts benefit families, and should be made permanent. He went on to say that corporations need more tax breaks…

Where's that in the ticker?

It is unfortunate to see that the majority of our polititians, with very few exceptions, have become professionals at the trade and abandoned the real meaning of their call - honestly serving the people!
It is very visible by listening to the highly polished jargon they use, and realizing that what was said, has very little substantial content to the issue at hand. That's why, I will vote Republican!

Kudos to Obama .The truth is, almost 70% of Americans are tired of this war and want the troops brought home
the troops are worn thin and burnt out from repeated tours.Bless them all …they have done a noble job!! their families are suffering, suicide is up!!
It may seem like peace over there but basically the American peoples tax dollars are going to baby sit militant groups
They are being paid millions of dollars by the American gov not to kill each other
Its ABSURD!!! May seem harsh but its the truth!!
Get off their soil and leave them be! If they dont have any more respect for themselves than to kill each other as muslims then so be it!
I have complete faith either Clinton or Obama would reduce this draw down in an intelligent manner!!
Truth is Bush took terrorism to Iraqi soil with his illegal war!!
McCain is just a clone of Bush…..more war, more billions going to war that could be better spent elsewhere on the economy, Infrastructure, health care protecting the borders etc
The Iraqi gov will never step up to the plate and do their part as long as America is over there doing it for them
Every day noble troops are dying for McCains *Victory* rhetoric
how many more have to die, how many more have to come home with half a body to bring this misery to an end.

Go get him McCain….Obama is all talk and no action.

Isn't the life expectancy 70 years. He should be barred from running for office. Honestly what kinda chaos would he create if he was to die on day two in office? What if the stress of the campaign causes him to have a heart attack and die after he becomes the republican front runner. I think he's selfish and that Huckabee would have been a better candidate. It's like a lady having a baby at 65 yrs old. WHY? He also has no real experience and everything he wants to do have been done by Bush. So…. Obama 08

Obama is just as unprepared to be Commander in Chief as Bush was.

He need someone with military and foriegn policy experience; we need John McCain.

John McCain is wrong on iraq! I will be voting obama

ps I am a republican

Obama, stop going back in the past. We all know that Al-Qaida was not there when the United States invaded, but we all also know that now they are there and we are fighting them. So what's the point keep repeating your statement that we all are aware of.

Obama is too novice, and the sooner we forget about him the better it is for our country. He is going to ruin this country, we think Bush was bad for country, wait if he (I hope not) becomes the president and we will see the worst.

“McCain thought that he could make a clever point by saying 'Well, let me give you some news, Barack, al Qaida IS in Iraq,' like I wasn’t reading the papers, like I didn’t know what was going on. …”

Should have just left it at that… says it all.

An experienced senior statesman and war veteran making a enlighted statement about a rabble rousing rookie.

Every sentence that comes out of McCain mouth is a NOUN, a VERB, and IRAQ. He has no idea how the economy works according to him. Wonder what else he would do

McCain needs to retire. He seems to be getting dementia.

Let's hope there is a healthy debate between Obama and McCain about Iraq. We thought originally we elected a president with all the right answers about the war, but we were grossly misled and left scratching our heads and angry. Let's see if this healthy debate is only the beginning for the two best candidates for each party. It's not always the most 'experienced' candidate that does a better job. I think it requires a leader who can see the big picture. The next President of the United States should have the stamina and willingness to change the mistakes of the past.

I see Mcain is going to try the "I know all about forein policy, my opponent knows nothing" strategy. I like Mcain but make no mistake about it, he is a bit delusional about the situation in Iraq. Ok violence is down to 15 American deaths per month… Is that Acceptable?? The question needs to be What was our original purpose for invading Iraq?… Finding weapons right! We found none. Why are we continuing to follow this misguided, and bankrupt policy now? Mcain will try to make it about protecting America and having honor and glory… Gimme a break! Are we really protecting America by doing this or making more enemy's.

Hmmmm… I don't remember Bush and McCain making that decision themselves. However, I do recall many Republicans AND Democrats making the determination for war after the intelligence reports were in. Was I just dreaming all that?

I'll give Obama credit for one thing… his ability to oversimplify the Iraq War plays well with loony liberals, and he has convinced a lot of voters that McCain is just like Bush, even though Mac and W are as different as night and day. Of course, it ain't too hard to brainwash a bunch of robots…."change"…. "yes we can"…. "change"…. "yes we can"…. excellent work, Lord Obama.

In the story McCain says "our soldiers deserve better, and so do the American people." My question is, does he believe that the soldiers deserve to be in a war for reasons largely held as questionable both morally and logically? Also, do the American people deserve to have their young men and women dying all while the country is most likely less safe than before the war? How about the estimate of 18 million people losing their homes in the months to come, while we spend billions a month on this war. I guess thats what the American people deserve. We are after all the greatest nation in the world…

LOL here we go! McCain didn't even listen to the debate. He was spoonfed what to say and he DID! Too LATE!! Obama NEVER SAID what McCain CLAIMED. A complete misquote.

Just what we need ANOTHER Puppet who just does, says and SIGNS everything his " Handlers" tell him too.

But how many people will CARE that it is all False? That is the Sad part.

Al Qaeda in Iraq. Yeh, like WMDs and yellow cake too? Al Qaeda was/is
in Afghanistan and only went into Iraq after Bush invaded it. Are people
blind? No, just Republican.

Mr. MCCain, enough of the war , let us give peace a chance ! Think about it !

Anytime anyone says anything about Obama he does not like, he always says someone is using cheap political tricks or something is racists. That excuse from Obama will only go so far. In the general he will get creamed by McCain.

Obama uses the most cheap political tricks of anyone in this process. He knows nothing of substance, so his only way to get over on people is to talk in generalities and shout, 'cheap political tricks', ' I am the one to save the world', 'Yes, we can', ' Fired Up'…what a high schooler mentality and what is more interesting, sad and disappointing is that the liberals are buying it and can not get enough of it.

The Irony being that the Black Candidate has never worn an Ameican Uniform and the Other One gave Up Flag and Colors in Lieu of his Skin! 51/2 yrs at the "Hanoi Hilton", doesn't qualify this Turkey as Commander In Chief of American Troops !! Much less being President ! Obama, that sounds like something on Burnt Toast.
Ralph Nader do you hear the Calling?

I was so sure, going into this campaign season, that there was NO way the Democrats could screw up and lose this election. Meanwhile, Clinton and Obama (and they are both just as responsible) have completely divided the party, continue to spit back and forth at each other, and John freaking McCain has a higher approval rating than either one of them. It looks like Obama will be the Dem candidate, and McCain is already schooling him, because what Obama said WAS stupid in or out of context.

Could we please have an Edwards/Biden independent ticket? Please?

We'll stay in Iraq for as long as we can, we will bomb Iran, pump more aid into Israel and borrow more money from China. And yes, we will also publicly wish that the leaders of China and Russia die. (All the while not knowing a thing about economics or money management).

Who is managing Obama. He keeps sticking his foot in it. Now he says he will strike Al queda? Now he says he will roar into pakistan?

You guys at CNN, MSNBC, and others are REALLY going to have to roll up your sleeves and spin this one to save Obama.

He says he wouldnt make 'bad judgments' .He says he will withdrawl from Iraq, but then turns around and argues he would go right back into Iraq and ELSEWHERE to do the exact same thing Bushie did in the first place????

The underlying message is Obama is no different than the war mongers already in office.

Thats ok. Im sure you guys in the media can SPIN the BELOVED Obama out of it.

I have to agree with Obama in that the war in Iraq should never have been started. We all have that retard GW to thank for that. Many senators were lied to by the Bush administration so you can't hold McCain accountable for GW's stupidity and dishonesty. I also have to agree with McCain about having to finish the job in Iraq now that we're in there. Now that GW got us in there it has turned the lives of the people of Iraq upside down and we owe it to them at the very least to finish the job.

Good point we can fight Al Qaeda in Iraq or New York. I pick Iraq some Americans have a short memory.

pst! Obama… Don't look now but your inexperience is showing.

Keep messing around with McCain and our great great great grandchildren will be in Iraq fighting.

Isn't "embolden" a word that the Bush administration popularized? I don't like that word.

Amen Barack.!! McCain, and other Republicans, seem to have conveniently forgotten about the misinformation disseminated in the run up to the war in Iraq. It is going to be amusing as McCain tries to use his stance on the war as one of his selling points.

I am a Hillary supporter and hope she is elected president. But……. finally………Obama’s grand speeches/promises are being challenged by McCain.

The media and voters also need to do more research on Obama’s background and voting record in the Illinois senate and the US senate, now that he is the front-runner. DIG DEEP, ASK HARD QUESTIONS.

If for some bizarre reason Obama becomes the Democratic nominee, more Republican attacks will follow. Will be a test just how strong Obama and his rhetoric are.

Hillary is my first choice, McCain my second choice for president.

If Hillary is not the candidate why would democrats vote for John McCain whom wants to continue the war in Irag,has no real plan to improve the economy,no health care plan other than more of the same,no environmental policy,etc,etc,etc.McCain likes George Bush and believes he has been a good president. I suspect that the only possibe reason to vote for someone against all your beliefs is because the likely candidate is African American and/or the strong belief that experience trumps evrything else.Please explain??

Barack Obama's books "Dreams from My Father" and "The Audacity of Hope" are worth reading. It's great to see a candidate like him!

It's very interesting how delusional Republicans are about the war in Iraq. John McCain feels that if he says it, then it is so. What Senator Obama spoke about is obvious to the whole world. And yet Senator McCain takes this position that he's tough. 70% of America wants out of this poorly managed, ill-advised, trumped up "war on terrorism."

What "allies" is he talking about???

The vast majority of countries that have troops over there have less than 100…most of them have less than 10 troops!!

McCain is forgetting the heavy price that all Americans are making for this war that is getting us nowhere. 4 years from the last election, and things have not changed. The surge is not sustainable. McCain needs to realize we need more progress from the Iraqi government. We can't prop them up forever.

Senator Obama just bring Hillary with you the next time you want to win the fight with McCain. She can land an intellectual punch better than you can. Since all your ideas were hers to begin with it won't look bad on your record. Plus the media will clean up any rough edges for you. Oh, next time you might want to know what your job entails better than your opponent. She landed a firm body blow to you in your oversight of the war in Afghanistan. Ouch.
Hang in there Hillary !

Obama is a Chicago politician he's had to deal with the antics of Mayor Daley…if you think John McClain can just talk reckless and won't get a response from Obama your in for a rude awaking…Obama is the last person he should want to face for the election…

Why is nobody picking up on the fact that Obama's "rebuttal" of McCain isn't a rebuttal at all? Saying that Al-Qaida is only in Iraq because of Bush doesn't change the fact that they're there. If Obama truly believes that we should have troops in Iraq so long as Al-Qaida is there, then he doesn't think the troops should leave. This is a big deal, though I guess we can't expect the media to follow up on it.

This is so funny.

Obama says "I'd go to Iraq if Al Qaeda is there".

McCain is like UM, DUH — "THEY ARE THERE ALREADY"!

This is the total difference between someone who knows foreign policy and someone who knows nothing! Vote McCain. Obama will make a laughing stock out of this country. He already thinks NAFTA is between us and Europe. HAHAHAHAHAH!

Obama better knock it off with the blame game on the Iraq war. That rant is getting tiresome. It is living in the past rather than living in the present and focusing on the future.

come in to the light….. come in to the light.,…

McCain is a patriot and war hero. In defense of him and his character, I know he has the best interests of the United States and our citizens in his heart. However, based on his recent comments about Mr. Obama's stated hypothetical remarks about attacking Al-Qaeda in Iraq makes me question his (McCain's) ability to reason effectively. Obama is going to trounce him, because I think McCain's ability to debate is severely compromised. Our president needs to be sharp and verbally effective, and as much as I admire McCain, I don't think he has what it takes to outshine Obama.

Already McCain is out after the frontrunner. Frankly, I let that one slip by me and I might add Senator Clinton and the Questioners did also. We all know that Al Qaeda is in Iraq……….so does OBAMA, point is that McCain and his people are listening tto these debates that Clinton has demanded. GREAT!!! OBAMA fight back and show McCain that another 100 years in Iraq will not get these jerks………We NEED to get them in Afganastan where we should have been spending our time……….not Iraq. Obama is correct the vultures showed up MONTHS after our invasion. They always appear where there is an opportunity to destroy mankind.

It looks more and more like McCain will be another GW Bush. His stance on the Iraq war is a mirror image of the current administration's failed policies.

Why is it that Obama is always trying to say that somebody is trying to score cheap political points? How often is Obama going to use this lame line. Also, whats up with this comment from Obama?

"I’ve been paying attention, John McCain! That’s the news. So John McCain may like to say he wants to follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell,…"

What kind of man are you Obama? How could you even say such a thing. I HOPE that people CHANGE there minds and vote for Hillary because Obama is not who we need right now.

None of this will matter if you let King George destroy the constitution.

I'm supporting Hillary Clinton. If Obama wins the nomination, I'll vote for McCain. I am a democrat and I am Black. However, I don't think that Obama is ready to be the president. This country has so many problems that need to be addressed and I don't think that Obama is ready. If he had Hillary's experience, then I'd vote for him. But, he's not ready to take on what will probably be the hardest presidency in many years. No amount of touchy feely pep talk is going to change that. We should be voting for the most qualified person and it's just that simple. I've always thought McCain was an okay guy. Yes, he's Republican, but he's an Arizona republican, which is pretty moderate. I'm a pretty moderate democrat and so I don't think we differ that much. Most importantly, the democrats lost the last two elections to a guy that is totally incompetent. I do not want the first Black president to fail. Not to mention, I don't want the next democratic president to fail because if she/he does, then we'll never get the office back because Republicans will go on and on about how it's the democrats fault for all the problems. I'd rather suffer for four more years and get a chance at another qualified candidate.

Senator McCain will chew Obama out and spit him out in the general election. I completely love how Senator McCain depicts Obama's politics of hope when he is CLEARLY taking the cut and run tactic. The old man isn't going senile yet.

I wonder when Democrats will realize that their only REAL hope at winning the White House is someone who can stand up to McCain in foreign policy and that is Hillary.

Obama is like a one trick pony: we should've have gone into Iraq; we should've have gone into Iraq; we should've have gone into Iraq.

Also…

WAKE UP DEMOCRATS! Hoping is great, but actions are what matters. All the hoping in the world will not create world peace without actions being done. I mean, I could hope all I want about being rich, but that ain't gonna happen unless you WORK HARD for it. The American Dream is accomplished by working hard and not just dreaming.

Senator Obama hasn't really been in the Senate long enough to prove himself and in addition to that he hasn't voted since this whole campaign started. Look at how he's NEVER Chaired a Senate SubCommittee. He wants to be the head of the Federal Government? HA!

Hillary has the experience. She is a proven leader. She should be our next President.

This all started because Obama said after he withdraws our troop, he would go back to Iraq if Al Qaeda establishes there. McCain just had to let him know THEIR ALREADY THERE STUPID! Obama is simply lost and in way over his head.

I am tired of democrats saying "I will vote for McCain if Hillary isn't the nominee". Obama and Hillary overlap on majority of their issues. And do you even know McCain's agenda?? Bombing Iran, staying 100 years in Iraq, no knowledge of the economy so a sure recession, wishing leaders of other countries die and I could go on and on - Is that what you want?

And I thought only Dick Cheney believed Al Qaeda was in Iraq before 9/11. Revisionist history = SPIN.

This argument is so old that it's frustrating to even have anymore. If you have any semblance of intelligence you have to see that we've created al Queda in Iraq; it's a monster of our own making. Those who fail to see this, who think we're fighting for "our freedom" or whatever, are either dillusional or ignorant.

I also can't believe how people like McCain can still use the rhetoric that we're "winning" in Iraq. This is so absurd! What are we winning after we invade a country for oil domination and create the chaotic anarchy that exists there now. I can't believe how stupid so many Americans are about this.

MCAIN can go to the gates of hell, but the American people will not follow blindly as we did with Bush. Can't fool us twice!

Oh my gosh, I knew his comments must have been taken out of context. I mean Obama is the only major candidate who was smart enough to know that we shouldn't have invaded Iraq in the first place. So as soon as I heard McCain's comments, it's like… I find it very difficult to believe that the one man who knew Iraq was a mistake would be so uninformed on this issue.

Sure enough… the GOP machine is at it again. Lame attack, McCain. Everyone will see the light of day on this within a week. Some will choose to ignore it, but those are the folks who listen to Rush Limbaugh. Thanks for covering Barack's point of view on this CNN!

LETS FACE IT >>MCCAIN HAS SEEN better days..he needs to
step down…. as the war hero and allow our government to do its thing!!..which is …nominating good candidates .. for change!!!.
We don't need killers in our government..to intimidate the world and the American citizen…!!! How can we grow as a society ..under these false pretenses!!! Bush has falsely killed thousands of our troops and Iraqis.. plus wrecked our economy!! This next President has a large mess to clean up!

Disgusted US ARMY VET!!!

and maintain his as the war hero.. before he looses all of his value to our society!!

And this coming from the candidate with the MOST experience!

"If we left Iraq there's no doubt that al Qaeda would then gain control in Iraq and pose a threat to the United States of America."

What a stupid thing to say… Iraq is a Shiite country. If the US would leave Iraq, al Qaeda would be wiped out in a very short time. The only reason why Saddam, a Suni, took power was because he was backed by the US. There might be reasons to stay there for a while, but loosing the country to al Qaeda certainly is not one of them.

Hey Charlotte,

How is Senator Obama accusing Mccain? I read the story and I didn't see anywhere that it said Senator Obama accuse him of a cheapshot. if you're gonna make a point at least make it right

I am a Democrat but I think Obama is a goof ball and has no idea about what it takes to run the country. My husband fought in the war and over the years I have had several family members and friends lost in wars and conflicts so I realize our country has to do what it takes to maintain each and everyone of us living in the USA free to live the American Dream. If Obama wins I will vote for McCain because at least he has the experience and the common sense to know what the country needs to fight terriost.

McCain knows who he will be facing in Nov.

I'm just glad they're focusing on issues, and not silly stuff like middle names and xeroxing.

Hillary is definitely losing this race, regardless of whether she wins Texas and Ohio. This is simple common sense and math.

Why are Hillary supporters and Hillary blaming just about everyone out there but her campaign managers and herself:

It's the media against Hillary
It's the Clinton haters against Hillary
It's the lovers of Monica Lewinsky against Hillary
It's the problem of being given the FISRT question each time.
It's becuase Obama copies Hillary's answers
It's because of that period of the month
It's because of not "meeting me in Ohio earlier for the debate."
It's because of not finding time to file my taxes

When is this ever going to stop? I care less about the positions of these candidates. I am interested in leadership that;

will restore the values and image of the U.S. to the world
will make me feel proud at home and abroad
will give me real HOPE about the challenges that lie ahead
will BRING people together to solve real problems!!!

I hope somebody will proof how insolent Obama is. He may read the newspapers to get the news, McCain has a son who fought in Iraq. And stop with this non sense of Obama and the Iraq war. He was on the margins when he 'opposed' it, he had no idea how he would vote if he was in the Senate, he did nothing for one year as chairman of the Senate for foreign relation re Afghanistan. And he is mocking now at everybody knowing or hoping in the credulity of his followers.

McCain completely missed the point. Obama simply answered the question Russert asked.

McCain is part of the reason al Queda is in Iraq. al Queda was in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but not Iraq until Bush duped America into a war in Iraq. Bush is the poster boy for al Queda recruitment and McCain wants to take his place.

Obama nomination= McCain president !

The fact remains that al-Qaeda is in Iraq now. Enough talk about how we all got there because we all already know how. We need to elect the leader who can best get us out of there…who has the understanding, competence, knowledge and gumption to get the job done?? Artificial 16-month deadlines like Barack's don't cut it because he cannot know exactly how long it will take and promising 16 months just gives us false hope. I support Hillary to get us out of Iraq quickly but carefully. I believe she better understands what it will take to accomplish the redeployment.

OK, so Al-Qaeda arrived after we entered Iraq. So, are we just going to walk away? We know what kinds of things these bastards do. Point is, pulling everyone out isn't the answer. That would only make Al-Qaeda stronger. We made the same mistake in the first Gulf war - we pulled out too soon and, well, we know the rest of the story. Wheter you agree or not that we should or shouldn't have gone into Iraq is acedemic. Knee-jerking our troops out and hoping for the best is foolhardy. Ask the South Vietnamese about this.

What an awesome response from Obama.

Mc Mc: Is Sen. Obama unaware that Al Qaeda is still present in Iraq?
and he wants to fight the 100 years war? Al Qaeda wouldn´t be in Iraq if he would have voted against the invasion….he keeps hoping for success because he has no other way to go…and success is so far out of reach that we need a change and come November he can relax in his senate seat.
The question is: How is he going to pay for staying in Iraq if we already owe, the chinese, saudi arabia, japan et al.
What has he done for his fellow vets? absolutely nothing, with about a quarter million of them HOMELESS=shame on you mc mc; now the economy is an issue which concerns most of the U.S. voters, he will continue with his denial and say:It is excellent!.

A former POW does not make him an expert on anything and he is not. Well, we are in an endless war and he voted in favor. Good judgement and MISSION ACCOMPLISHED……what a joke.

Do you people think McCain was off the mark here? Truth is, he was right on the mark. Sorry to all you folks who think we can go back in time to take Al Qaeda out of Iraq - our only choice is to at least support the fight against them there as well. We are still fighting in Afghanistan too, though you might have to dig past the more catchy headlines on a ticker to know that. The easiest thing in the world to do is to simply say "lets pull out of Iraq." The harder thing is actually making a wise, well thought out decision and execute it.

It's also easy to forget all the atrocities committed by Sadam Hussein, his use of chemical weapons on Kurdish villages, his grossly oppressive regime, his financial support for the families of Palestinian suicide bombers, and his aggression towards other nations. During the Clinton years, we were constantly engaging Iraqi targets encroaching into a demilitarized zone. He continually expelled UN weapons inspectors, the entire situation escalated greatly not just during Bush's years in office, but also those of Bill Clinton.

You're right Obama. Leaving the country in the shambles it's in is in the best interest of America. Weak government NEVER get overthrown by large powerful militants!! NEVER!!

Obama, should you get in office, I can't wait until you stare General Petreus in the face, and stare in the eyes of all our service men and women and tell them that all their all their lives, all their deaths, everything they sacrificed never even mattered! You tell them that the AMERICAN government will NOT allow them to finish their job. And while you're at it, make sure to relay the meesage to all americans, that when things get tough, the government says it's ok to to cut bait and run! The government actually condones it!!

Yes, all mighty one, there is hope for this country of ours under your stead!

America is proving its greatness! white people and blacks are showing the world that there is one America, America is leading the way, racism wll be a thing of the past. People of all races have found in Barack a good candidate for the preidency of this great country.
Obama himself is showing that he is qualified and ready for the job. So lets do it, vote for Obama.

I am a democrat, but I have said in the past that if McCain runs for president, he would get my vote, because when he spoke, he sounded like a real person who understood what was going on and made sense, not like a "politician". Lately, however, he has sounded like a politician, so I will not be voting for him. I believe that we have created a mess in Iraq, and it is our responsibility to clean it up, and we are making great progress. I don't believe the right thing to do is just pull out–that doesn't make sense. If a democrat stands up and says we need to clean up our mess in Iraq as we leave, they will get my vote. Otherwise, they just sound like politicians trying to play on the fact that most Americans don't want to be there.

Lets be clear 'my friends' Obama is correct in his reply to sen. mccain. The facts are very clear. Until we went to invade iraq which is not where any Al-Qaida were at the time. Remember sheeple..9-11 has no connection to iraq what so ever. Even Bush has said that before he sold the lie with Cheney…they repeated it over and over ..and some uniformed Americans bought into that. Al-Qaida now has infiltrated Iraq..less than 20% by most generals study. You see bush opened this can of worms. We left Afghanistan to create a civil war. We need to be in Afghanistan, along the pakistan border where AlQaida has rebuilt much more. Obama was correct…MCCain is wrong. Do you really want to support this failed policy as our children die in the wrong war, fought in the wrong place. Our military has lived up to that wrong war and die needlessly. Bush went for the oil, haliburton etc. The real terrorist continue to breed along the pakistan and Afghan border. Time for intelligent change. I am sick of losing a family member and friends in iraq…to quell their civil, religious war. Let us fight the real terrorist to make us safe.