(CNN)— Barack Obama seized on rival John McCain’s recent comment that it’s “not too important” when troops start being withdrawn from Iraq, reminding voters Thursday that the Arizona senator has also said he would keep troops in the country for 100 years.
“I agree that obviously the most important thing is making sure that our young men and women aren't killed,” Obama said at a town hall event in Wisconsin. “But the notion that if they are not being killed that we can leave them there in perpetuity, 100 years John McCain says,” would be insensitive to the ‘burden’ the troops families face while having their loved ones over seas Obama said.
McCain was asked on NBC’s Today show Wednesday if he could estimate when troops could be expected home from Iraq.
"No, but that's not too important," McCain responded. "What's important is the casualties in Iraq. Americans are in South Korea. Americans are in Japan. American troops are in Germany. That's all fine. American casualties and the ability to withdraw; we will be able to withdraw."
Obama, who has been taking a more populist approach to voters lately, also sought to hone in on their money concerns reminding them about the sky rocketing costs of the Iraq war.
“[McCain’s] also not thinking about tax payers who are spending $10-12 billion a month in Iraq,” The Illinois senator said.
Adding, the money spent in Iraq could go toward job creation in the U.S.
From CNN Politics
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I hope he keeps pounding it home. Even if the surge is supposedly going well, young people are still dying. Last week alone, I think the number was 20 servicemen and women dead in Iraq. A 'slow' week is "only" 3 people dead. How many more of our young people must pay the ultimate sacrifice for Bush's mistake?
I tell you what if you don't have love ones over there in Iraq, why don't all you SHUT UP!!!! Maybe you don't know what it is like to get your doorbell rung during day afraid they maybe coming to tell you your love one has been killed in this no-nonsense war. Japan and Europe aren't in an all out war with us like those nut cases are in Iraq. This is a no win war and McCain knows that but he doesn't care just like that stupid president of ours Bush doesn't care. They have to prove their point at our love ones lives.
David – If you go to Barack website you would see that it is already posted; not that it's anyones business. You people are pathatic. Why don't you plaster your birth certificate on the internet and see how comfortable you will be with all your information for everyone to see and still?
McCain gives me gas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really don't care a hang about Darfur at this point - I care about United States citizens losing jobs, choosing between food and medicine, and being able to have gas to get to work! We need to concentrate on the United States, not Africa. If Obama wins, the money being spent in Irag will just change to money being sent to Africa. We do not need Obama - not ever! His one claim to fame is that he didn't vote for war in Irag. Hell, he doesn't vote for anything anyway (He was not even in the senate in 2002). That is how he gets along with everyone - he straddles the fence. Anyway, if I remember correctly, the majority of Americans supported the Irag war after 9/11. Based on the information Bush and the CIA gave, most of us would have voted to support the resolution - but the resolution was not a direct call for war. Our congressmen and the U.S. electorate were duped. Get a grip and get truthful. Clinton or McCain '08.
Talked about pandering to the lowest common denominator. Any one with half a brain can understand the context within which McCain made these remarks. All he is saying is that we won't quit and will see our efforts in Iraq through, while Obama provides comfort to a reeling Al Qaeda by providing a timeline for surrender.
The surge in Iraq is working, and will help push McCain to victory in November with support from independents and Reagan dems.
There is no misrepresentation – McCain meant it.
McCain wouldn't hesitate a second to send people into war and then turn around and crack a joke. Just like Bush, as he danced on the steps of the White House.
McCain has not said one thing that has been heartfelt, nothing. And for people to see McCain as a person who can be president, it's an alarming thought of what type of people are living in this country.
Is Obama gonna pull our troops out of Korea, too? What about Germany and Japan?
Answer this question, Obama.
Fact is, McMoldy's whole premise is faulty. He needs to pick up a book or two. He obviously knows nothing of the culture or the history of the Shiites or the Sunni. There is no way you can compare the sitiuation in South Korea, Japan or Germany to that of Iraq. Their fight is entirely different. These people don't want our help! The don't want to be liberated! They just want us to get the hell out!!!
McCains "that's not important" comment was a seriously messed up thing to say, even when taken in full context. The families of soldiers in Iraq certainly view when their loved ones will be able to get out of harms way and return home to be a big deal, and McCain should too.
I'm a registered independent, and I've gone from being a supporter of McCain back in 2000 to hoping with all my being that he doesn't get a chance to continue the policies of George Bush.
Obama has shown time and time again that he has the good judgement and sense to be a President who takes our country in a positive direction. From being honest and direct about the folly of McCain's "gas tax holiday", to recognizing that a continued war in Iraq doesn't help us deal with the terrorist problem, he's consistently distinguished himself as the right choice for President.
The amount of money we spend in Iraq could easily be used for other aspects of homland security, making us truely safe and independent. McCain is the carrier of the same old failed policies. We're not in an economic and geopolitical bind because we did the right things in the past, we're up the creek because our leadership (BUSH) was wrong.
I think Obama understands this, McCain certainly does not.
OBAMA 08
How the hell is the WAR and the ECONOMY not tied together? Americans are so stupid sometimes. This war is literally bankrupting the US.
Republicans..it really sucks to have something repeated over and over and over again isn't it. Like "flip flopper." You guys are so screwed.
Why does McCain't wants to keep American troops in Iraq, as they are in Korea and Germany?
Does McCain't not realize that fighting the UNPROVOKED wars empties the nation's treasury?
Iraq is a losing venture; because there was NEVER EVER any benefit to Americans being in Iraq, only COSTS and losses to being in Iraq!
The national debt is greater.
Gasoline prices are higher.
American lives and limbs have been wasted in Iraq.
Al kaida is being generated in Iraq.
Al kaida is hatching in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Surge or not, there is NO benefit to being in Iraq!
and McCain remind voters of Obama's "bitter" comment. LOL
Yeah, and I hear not too many folks volunteering these days even in the 'hood'. That's what I said the inner city, where young folks are targeted. If McCain gets in, we'll be headed to war with Iran also, so get ready for the draft, and it will be men and women.
The fact McCain thinks we should occupy a nation for 100 years over an invasion that was waged for reasons proven totally untrue is proof that McCain is unfit to lead our nation.
He should just drop out now and give his concession speech now. Being attached to Bush's horrible and failed policies, McCain will lose in a landslide.
He said, "100 years" I heard him. Now did he mean it? Maybe not, but he sure as hell said it.
Don't try to clean his mess up, let him do it himself.
DEMOCRATS UNITE!!!!
Obama Reminds Voters of McCain's "100 Years" Comment
We haven't forgotten, but thanks! Also remind them of McCain's Economic Plan and where or who it came from and why!
McCain needs to worry about who is going to be his VP, because he's too too old. So you McCain supporters really need to be concerned as to who is going to be his VP. Because McCain is looking like the man with the black hat in Poltergeist!!
John McCain is almost as funny to watch as his friend President Bush! LOL... McCain is forever inserting his foot into his own mouth. Unbelievably losing his bearings...
if McCain chooses Mitt Romney we are all dooooooooomed!!!
WHF?! AFTER ALL THE TRIPE I HAVE SEEN ON THESE BLOGS TODAY IT'S SAD TO SAY THIS -
AMERICA YOU DON'T DESERVE BARACK OBAMA AS YOUR NEXT PRESIDENT! YOU DON'T DESERVE SOMEONE WHO CAN TRANSFORM YOUR COUNTRY AND CHANGE HOW THE WORLD WOULD SEE YOU AND HOW YOU SEE YOURSELVES! WHY? BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH HATE, HATE, HATE AND EVILNESS THAT YOU DO NOT DESERVE WHAT IS GOOD!
AMERICA...THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY?...NO!...AMERICA...THE LAND OF HATE HATE HATE!!!
DARE YOU TO PUT THIS ONE UP CNN!