July 15, 2008
Posted: 05:00 PM ET

From
McCain talks with reporters aboard his campaign bus.
McCain talks with reporters aboard his campaign bus.

(CNN) — After talking with aides before his speech targeting Barack Obama's changing positions and rhetoric on Iraq, John McCain decided to ad lib a line slamming the Illinois senator as a flip-flopper.

The only problem is the evidence he gave wasn't exactly right.

First McCain quoted Obama in January 2007, saying that there can't be a military solution to a civil war, and that he knows no military expert who thinks the surge can make a difference.

Then McCain said, "incredibly today, he goes on to say today, quote 'I had no doubt we would see a reduction in violence with the surge' — my friends, flip-floppers all over the world are enraged"

The problem is that Obama did not in fact say today, "I had no doubt we would see a reduction in violence with the surge."

McCain aides later clarified that he was reading a quote from Obama in January 2008 at a Democratic Debate.

"Now, I had no doubt — and I said at the time, when I opposed the surge, that given how wonderfully our troops perform, if we place 30,000 more troops in there, then we would see an improvement in the security situation and we would see a reduction in the violence," said Obama then.

McCain aides provided other quotes they insist make the same point — that Obama has changed his rhetoric on whether he really thought the surge would work, after it started working.

Another quote they provided was from the Illinois senator's interview with PBS Tuesday.

"There was never any doubt that if we poured enough resources in there, that we could lock down Iraq," he told interviewer Gwen Ifill.

Filed under: Barack Obama • John McCain


Black in CA   July 15th, 2008 10:17 pm ET

Yeah, McCain is human. A really, really OLD human who is proving everyday that he is not sharp enough to hold the most powerful office in the world.

If he somehow manages to defeat Obama in November, I only pray he remembers what office he was running for by inaguration day.

WISDOM   July 15th, 2008 10:06 pm ET

One more thing about John will do anything for the power McCain,

How can you trust a man betrayed his own family for gaining some political footage? That's what he did when he betrayed his wife and kids and chased Cindy just because she had wealthy family.

I'd never trust a man like this. Who knows what information he gave away when he was POW. Period!

eric, minnesota   July 15th, 2008 10:05 pm ET

I'm glad to see that not every media outlet is McCain's base. At least a few sites like CNN, actually question McCain on some of his issues. I mean last week McCain had one of the worst weeks ever, and hardly anyone talked about it. If it were Obama who had the week McCain had we would still be hearing about it, but since it was McCain who had the horrible week it just got brushed under the rug.
John McCain keeps talking about countries that dont exist, yet nobody but CNN is talking about it. If it were Obama doing this, the McCain camp would be calling him naive and inexperienced. So, thank you CNN, for actually doing some reporting and not just giving McCain a free ride.

WISDOM   July 15th, 2008 10:00 pm ET

I don't think McCain should be in position to talk about "Flip-Flop" unless he is admitting himself as the "MOAFF (Mother of all Flip-Flopers)".

He is the one who changed his main issues: Tax cut, Energy Policy, Off-shore Drilling, Campaign Finance Commitment…You name it…all the important issues you think about…he changed his stance…Now he is criticizing Obama for a few minor adjustments? What a hypocrite!

not important   July 15th, 2008 9:59 pm ET

LOL McCain flip floped on off shore drilling and the Bush tax cuts. You are the real flip flopper mr Mcflipflop

Sheri   July 15th, 2008 9:57 pm ET

He's TOO OLD: being 62 you loose your memory noticeably but, at 72 you are mainly done. Now WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ABOUT MCCAIN? Now come on people.

M. Felder   July 15th, 2008 9:53 pm ET

KE

You must be having a senior moment. Apparently, you have not been listening to Senator Obama. Confused by your candidate, John McCain, huh!

jimmy velman   July 15th, 2008 9:53 pm ET

Give Obama kudos for brushing off the New Yorker Cartoon with elan.
he was right when he said the American people have more to worry about than to pay attention to that kind of insult.
Obama brushed it off like a duck rolls water off its back..
that New Yorker employee who put that on the cover got nothing but
ridicule from us Americans.

BV   July 15th, 2008 9:49 pm ET

I think McCain needs to take another trip. Things seem to go better for him and his campaign when he's out of the country.

Kate   July 15th, 2008 9:48 pm ET

I am a McCain supporter but a flip flopper. Who the heck advised him to say that and who the heck fact checked the quote? Come on McCain's campaign fact check the information. As for flip flopping- what are we in middle school? Just attack his policies, lets refrain from name calling.

Jack from California   July 15th, 2008 9:47 pm ET

Failed quotes, failed policies, John McCain is just an old time failure!

Wisconsin   July 15th, 2008 9:46 pm ET

"Whatever one's political leaning, McCain's memory is a legitimate issue and concern."

100% right on! These are Major Mistakes to have and McCain is having them day after day. We can not have a President who is starting out making these mistakes. Where will he be in a few years from now?

tammy   July 15th, 2008 9:44 pm ET

At one time, I thought about voting for Obama. Then I thought, if he selects Hillary, I will vote for him. Next I thought, I just won't vote. Now, I would much rather have McCain than Obama. I am tired of all the pro-Obama media. I turn the station everytime I see either him on the news or in a commercial. I have yet to hear anything of substance from him. (Except…Iraq, maybe we will bring our troops home…oops….their going to go to Afghanistan.) All I hear is him preaching. If I wanted a sermon, I could go to church. My voice will be heard in Nov. It will not be saying Obama.

Phil, FL   July 15th, 2008 9:42 pm ET

Larry

Truth is, Media choice was 1st Hillary, 2nd Mccain. They're white.

Nothing more than that. By the way - all of McCains VP choices are white. Racism is still alive and well and supported by the media.

THIS will never be posted.

Let talk about the truth!!   July 15th, 2008 9:41 pm ET

Senator John McCain is having a senior moment. Congrats to you republicans you surly picked a winner..

Can John McCain tell us what year he is in….. Now I don't want his hand on the button.. You think we are at war now… Just wait if John McCain Wins…. America will lose..

NoBama   July 15th, 2008 9:41 pm ET

Vote for Barack O-BAMA in 2008 if you want higher taxes, double diget unemployment and inflation, long and consistant recessions, inexperience, and half hearted patriotism. Four years in the senate with hundreds of "present" votes is'nt going to cut it when your the commander and chief. But hey if you like good speeches with countless endless promises vote for Obama and he'll take you to fantasy land.

McCain 08

tammy   July 15th, 2008 9:40 pm ET

At one time, I thought about voting for Obama. Then I thought, if he selects Hillary, I will vote for him. Next I thought, I just won't vote. Now, I would much rather have McCain than Obama. I am tired of all the pro-Obama media. I turn the station everytime I see either him on the news or in a commercial. I have yet to hear anything of substance from him. (Except…Iraq, maybe we will bring our troops home…oops….there going to go to Afganisan.) All I hear is him preaching. If I wanted a sermon, I could go to church. My voice will be heard in Nov. It will not be saying Obama.

Pat in Cali   July 15th, 2008 9:40 pm ET

McCain's aging memory is scary. His senior moments are happening more frequently.

Is he the best that the Republican party has for a presidential candidate? They're de-evolving Bush, now McOld.

RJ, CA   July 15th, 2008 9:40 pm ET

"Czechoslovakia” – a country that officially ceased to exist in January of 1993.

————————–

So what the dickens is it now called in its various factions? Do you know? I surely don't, and it's still "Czechoslovakia" in my mind — and to innumerable others, as well. In fact, "Czechoslovakia" still provides a better image of that part of Europe for most of us than "Bosnia" or "Herzegovenia" or whatever!

So what is the BIG deal!

Ron, Racine, Wisconsin   July 15th, 2008 9:37 pm ET

McCain is just talking off the top of his head. He really doesn't know what he's commenting on. Just spouting words. This guy doesn't care about anything other than being president. He'll say anything, change any position, appease any demographic just to achieve his goal. This is the best reason not to vote for him. I just don't see what the Republicans see in him. They certainly didn't see anything in him before he started running for President and changed all his positions.

Know the facts   July 15th, 2008 9:34 pm ET

Obama has always said that the surge would reduce violence. However, when Obama made the initial comments, which McCain is now misquoting and distorting for political gain, he was arguing that the problems in Iraq were largely political, not military; he was saying that there was no military solution to a political problem [research the actual quotes]. Obama was saying that more political pressure was needed to get the Iraqi government to stand up for themselves, and adding our brave American men and women would only cause them to not take more responsibility for their situation. In other words, the history on this matter is not as simple as McCain is trying to make it. Again, do your own research on this if you want the truth. It's harder for politicians to lie to us when we know the facts.

RJ, CA   July 15th, 2008 9:32 pm ET

Geeze, CNN! What difference does it make if Obama said it in 2007 or 2008? Fact is HE SAID IT! THIS is why I no longer watch CNN — what a joke this news organization is!

White folks please coming from a white man   July 15th, 2008 9:32 pm ET

Yeah! McCain age is starting to show. Do America really want him as President.
Hate vs Common sense for president

Go Obama '08

Richardson for V.P   July 15th, 2008 9:30 pm ET

If mcsame can make all of these mistakes and still be running neck and neck with obama then it proves one thing- Race is an evil which america has not, and probably never escape. There is no way in hell that this race should be this close. Obama has proven to be superior to mccain in every way shape n form as a politician, scholar, and human being. Sure, obama has flip flopped, but so has mccain. Now Fox news and all the rest of the republican thugs are trying to do the same thing to him that worked in 04 against kerry who ened up losing to the stupidest, most incompetent president and human being ever. When the election comes I beg of you america. Let the race crap go and vote your conscious. Vote for Obama because you know that regardless of his being relatively new to the political scene that he is the right man to lead us in the positive direction we've all so yearned to travel for the last 8 horrible years.

Julie   July 15th, 2008 9:25 pm ET

Obama's really starting to encroach on McCains supposed foreign policy turf. He had a great day today. He has shown McCain to be weak and on the defensive. McCain is now echoing Obama's sentiments on Afghanistan - echoing Obama's statements, following his lead. Obama has been talking Afghanistan for a long while now. McCains facade is crumbling…

David from Ohio   July 15th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

McCain forgot before he remembered then he remembered he forgot…. The GOP spin machine could cool all our houses all summer. Um, Bush apologists, if the surge worked as you say, doesn't that say something about the judgment of those who decided how many troops to send in the first place? So your plan is to keep 150,000 troops in Iraq for how long?

Robyn Harris   July 15th, 2008 9:15 pm ET

It is really very, very sad to see a brave and decent man like John McCain who has turned into this pathetic, desperate, grasping creature who will do anything , say _anything_ , be ANYTHING, just to try to become president. He has become unbalanced by his desire and this crazy compulsion to win this race. The further he falls behind the more freakish his actions become.

Is it truly so wonderful to have people fawning over you, that it is worth sacrificing your personal honor, abandoning every sacred belief you have ever held dear, and surrendering every last scrap of dignity you have ever possessed. Sad.

Phil, FL   July 15th, 2008 9:14 pm ET

If McCain is elected and his mind fails, the person HE CHOOSES becomes POTUS

Be afraid - be VERY AFRAID

Dave S.   July 15th, 2008 9:10 pm ET

They are paying the factions in Iraq, that's why the so called Surge looks like it is working, stop the payments, fighting RETURNS!!!
Elect the senile McCain, and you'll get, "The Age of Destruction"!!
(Barry McGuire, Sixties Musician)

RJ, CA   July 15th, 2008 9:07 pm ET

"Now, I had no doubt — and I said at the time, when I opposed the surge, that given how wonderfully our troops perform, if we place 30,000 more troops in there, then we would see an improvement in the security situation and we would see a reduction in the violence," said Obama then.

—-

So what's your problem now, Obama?

The AOl Straw Poll – REAL people voting REALTIME: July-14-21: 41,551 total votes cast: Obama 27%, McCain 73%

art   July 15th, 2008 9:05 pm ET

He's living in the past. His push to " win in Iraq" is for the failure in Vietnam. I always thought a "hero" was someone who went guns blazing not someone who was at the mercy of his enemy. It seems when he had an opportunity to leave Vietnam he would 've taken them up on that offer and come back in a B-52 unlike the other POWs who were not given that opportunity. The word HERO has lost its meaning. I do not disrespect the military I had four uncles in the Army in Vietnam, my father and uncle in the Marine corp in Korea and myself in the Army and we all share this opinion. GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY!

Dennis   July 15th, 2008 9:04 pm ET

Yes, if we keep throwing tens of thousands of our young men and women at Iraq, eventually, we'll wear down all the resistance there. Is it worth the price though? I'm not convinced the region is more stable now than it was before the war started. Iran seems to be a bigger threat than ever.

Democrats Unite & Vote Big   July 15th, 2008 9:03 pm ET

This is funny, but incredibly NOT FUNNY! John McCain is no where near functional enough to be president of the US with so many severe problems ongoing.

The real story this week is really not the controversial marketing pitch by the New Yorker magazine cover - It is McCain's disturbing and continual lapse of memory and judgement. Why is this being glossed over? It's an important issue.

Mirmac   July 15th, 2008 9:02 pm ET

For you age discriminators on line here, it will be so nice when (if!) you reach the ripe old age of 70 and get laughed at. And for all of you defending Obama's lack of experience b/c he'll have a solid administration and staff, McCain will do the same thing–except they'll be reminding him of what he already knows instead of teaching him, as they will for Obama, from the beginning.

Phil, FL   July 15th, 2008 9:02 pm ET

Sarah Bonner - very nicely said. Applause applause. No hate, just the facts, mam. Thanks.

Debby, NJ   July 15th, 2008 9:01 pm ET

HERE WE GO AGAIN
WHAT A COMPLETE MORON
BARACK THE VOTE !!

David Hillman   July 15th, 2008 9:00 pm ET

CNN is really scraping the bottom of the barrel to make McCain look bad today. First the nitpicking difference between the Czech Republic and Czechoslovakia and now this.

Obama said, and flip-flopped on, exactly what McCain said he did, people. McCain just had the date wrong, which makes exactly no difference to the point, which is that Obama said there was no military solution in Iraq, and he know of no expect that thought the surge would help.

Now, he says he knew it'd work, after the fact. That's not leadership, that's lying for votes.

I guess CNN hasn't got much choice, what with Obama falling like a rock in most polls, but we deserve better journalism than this. What's next, picking on McCain's grammar?

Gary Chandler in Canada   July 15th, 2008 9:00 pm ET

THIS IS THE TRUTH>>> I was typing and thought John McCain was on the news. You know vacant tempo, mixed up thoughts. When I looked up to see what he stumbling on about, it was an interview with Bush!

pb   July 15th, 2008 8:58 pm ET

HILLARY SUPPORTERS…PLEEEEEEEEASE FORGET IT AND MOVE ON. THIS IS ABOUT PROGRESSION. HILLARY RUINED HER CHANCE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE WITH ALL OF THE LIES, AND NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING. FOR THE MINORITY OF YOU STILL TRYING TO GET HILLARY ON THE TICKET, ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. SHE HAS SAID THAT SHE IS MOVING ON…THEN WHY CAN'T YOU? AMERICANS HAVE TOO MUCH AT STAKE BESIDES LIVING IN THE PAST AND WHAT COULD'A..SHOULD'A. WE ARE TRYING TO GET FROM UNDER THE BUSH LEAGUE AND YOU HILLRAISERS ARE TRYING TO SLOW PROGRESS. YOU COULD NOT BE IN YOUR RIGHT MIND IF YOU SUPPORTED MCCAIN. IF YOU DO…WHO'S GOING TO LISTEN TO YOUR WHINING WHEN YOU ARE ON THE STREETS WITH A CUP IN YOUR HAND. GOD BLESS~

Ralph B Augustin   July 15th, 2008 8:58 pm ET

Is McCain the best America has to offer…no wonder why the world is ridiculous US?

Hispanic For McCain   July 15th, 2008 8:57 pm ET

Listen Folks OBAMA thinks just because he Black that he is off limits that i believe is RACIST Yes OBAMA is Racist. That is why the Latinos people don't trust him because of that he putting his race like he is the Messiar. Hispanic people wake up OBAMA is just a Fraud, a weasel, he flip flops on everything he now Padering for HISPANIC votes. Guess what LATINOS are NOT Stupid!!!! LATINOS can smell a RAT Obama is not for the Latinos.

What has OBAMA done for the Hispanic Community NOTHING, NADA just pandering for Latinos Votes. Latinos are not stupid they know a patriot in McCain!!!!

Hispanic for McCain

Hate to break it to you   July 15th, 2008 8:55 pm ET

Since my other comment wasn't posted. McBush needs to stop using flip flopper considering he's been a big advocate for doing the same thing so let's cut the crap. And Obama was right that we need to spend time in Afghanistan as the situation there isn't looking good. I heard on CNN if they are being correct that McBush stated that he knows how to win wars. Where in his history has he won a war or even commanded over a sea of soldiers to put any battle plans together to if win. Now he's an expertise. If so, we shouldn't be having this conversation, the mission should be accomplished and troops should be going home. Maybe I missed something, but they say the surge is working, but it looks like other areas are going awry. Now they are asking for more troops for Afghanistan. Sounds like McCain is right. We will be there for 100 years. Exactly because they are not going to give up. I wish the Repugs could see that. At least not they way they are going at it. But since nobody wants to drop one big large bomb to wipe them out, might as well pull out.

obama is a DISGRACE   July 15th, 2008 8:54 pm ET

Jon McCain is the most honest man that has run for president in a very long time. He cares enough to do right by this country and will make a great president.He knows what he's talking about where obama is spoon fed everything that comes out of his mouth.Ask obama about his appointments because that is who will be running the country if he's president. The man is a fool and a phony and his supporters are just plain stupid.

M.R. in L.A.   July 15th, 2008 8:54 pm ET

I wish McCain had gone on and on about Obama flip-flopping on Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.

Larry   July 15th, 2008 8:53 pm ET

Whatever one's political leaning, McCain's memory is a legitimate issue and concern. But, if questions come from Obama, he'll be accused of age-ism. The press needs to bring this issue out into the open.

Sarah Bonner   July 15th, 2008 8:53 pm ET

So a surge is working is it, and how many years of a senseless war did it take to reach this dubious point? How many lives? No matter how many ways you spin it, this was a war America never should have been involved in and every life lost was one too many. All for oil!

John McCain is crazy and if he believes it's now all been worth it because the "surge is working" he is nothing more than a tunnel-visioned revisionist. War mongering at its finest.

John McCain would have us believe his own military background makes him fit for President. He claims he knows how to win a war! All this from a low ranking officer who spent all of 20 hours in combat before being shot down. I think he endured alot as a POW, they all did, all 600 of the others you never hear about because they're not constantly blowing their own horn. He glorifies his military record and is a master at manipulating an overly biased news media.

skunkrat The Marine   July 15th, 2008 8:51 pm ET

McWar is slipping, he cannot remember what he said from one day to the next. This man is too OLD for the job. He is damaged and on his best day he is high risk.

ES NYC   July 15th, 2008 8:51 pm ET

With all his memory and senility problems what scares me the most is that Mc Same is going to be the puppet of the Neo-Cons and they won't even be held responsible for their actions…

Jeff Brown   July 15th, 2008 8:50 pm ET

Ronald Reagon had Alzheimers while he was President and that was scary. If McCain were elected, the Neo Con thugs would NEVER allow him to be removed from office even if was dribbling spittle down his chin. THAT is the truth; please think about that before voting!

Biff Biffington   July 15th, 2008 8:50 pm ET

McCain reminds me of Homer Simpson's father!

Jeanine G   July 15th, 2008 8:50 pm ET

He can't keep his dates straight, he doesn't bother to get his quotes right, he doesn't know that Sunnis & Shia have been at odds for centuries, much less which side is which, he can't remember certain countries haven't existed for over a decade…so tell me…why am I supposed to want to vote for him again?

I have this kind of stupidity with Bush already…I don't need McSame.

Marlie I   July 15th, 2008 8:47 pm ET

Obomacans: Puma, N eocons and all Hillary Supporters are out full force on these blogs, and they seem to be doing their job very well. The next few months are going to be very hard on Obama. He needs your support more than ever. PLEASE watch his back for him and keep defending him. Foreigners are counting on you. We see the great person he is.

Jon in WA   July 15th, 2008 8:43 pm ET

I enjoy seeing one flipflopper call another person a flipflopper.

Ms. Sims   July 15th, 2008 8:42 pm ET

You wanna know what flip flopping is…google McCain flip flop express and you will see a list that will have your head spinning…LOL hypocrisy at its best

Dal   July 15th, 2008 8:40 pm ET

The synapses were overloaded or is it they are all worn out now with age.

Paris   July 15th, 2008 8:40 pm ET

Mary K, We are not in Iran we are in Iraq.

Fact one: The surge worked just like McCain said it would and Obama’s prediction that it wouldn’t do anything was wrong.

Fact two: Obama is trying to use the surge strategy that is proven to work for Afghanistan.

Fact three: If we would have pull our troops like Obama want to today we would have had genocide in Iraq.
CNN accuracy of the timeline or the dates of the flip-flop is not the point the point is that Obama is a flip-flop, but he is so arrogant that he is insulting peoples intelligence and he is trying to cover it up.

CNN stop the bias, I suggest you look at your website and see how many page has Obama’s picture and ad in it.

Hate to break it to you   July 15th, 2008 8:38 pm ET

Lets be honest Rich, no one wants to take to much time on McBush because hell, he's a bore and nobody is that much interested. If you notice, even the Obama haters have to spend all there time commenting on Obama and hardly say anything about McCain, only that he's a war hero. That's all I see on these blogs. Mainly, that comes from Hillary supporters. If your going to the dark side then at least stand for McBush's policies instead of still harping on how Hillary was dogged and mistreated.

Dee   July 15th, 2008 8:38 pm ET

I think McCain knows exactly what he's doing. The population that McCain is pandering too such as Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and those of the conservative ilk all have lack of mental ability These people want to elect a president just like them. There are two types of Republicans, evil and stupid. Watch CNN, a republican website, not post this.

jason   July 15th, 2008 8:36 pm ET

mccain please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you are the biggest flip floper!!!!!!!!!!

Watching from the sidelines   July 15th, 2008 8:28 pm ET

"My Friends,
Obama is flipflopping even on relegion….He is a muslim and at the same time , he has a hate filled pastor. He is both christian and muslim.
Dont vote for him. I have a great plan to bring Hitler to justice for his crimes and end this war. The Shah of Persia has also promised to increase oil production and our problems will be solved"

Phil, FL   July 15th, 2008 8:27 pm ET

Ha - Bush said today "bear with me, I'm 62 and I forget".

Imagine Bush at 72. Oops - that's McCain.

Wrong country over and over, wrong day, wrong wrong wrong

He can veto Belgian Beer if he has balls enough to face the wrath of Botox Barbie

Ha

Ben   July 15th, 2008 8:27 pm ET

When McCain lies, and he's done it many times recently, why is it always called a "gaffe" or a "slip up". He either knows what he's doing and uses his age as an excuse, or he's losing his mind. Either way it's bad.

Ron   July 15th, 2008 8:26 pm ET

Still posturing to Russia, way behind the times.

Corey Gabriel   July 15th, 2008 8:24 pm ET

Beware people….after being in Communist captivity for so long, there is a good chance that McCain is the "Manchurian Candidate"

kayla   July 15th, 2008 8:21 pm ET

mcsame do you know what day it is? you have no idea. you put me to sleep with your boring talks

Montana is Obama Country   July 15th, 2008 8:20 pm ET

I call VOTER FRAUD if McLostHisBearings win the Presidency..

Devin   July 15th, 2008 8:15 pm ET

Awesome, another article that CNN spins to take an Obama flip-flop to attack McCain. Your political ticker is so one-sided its silly.

tigerakabj   July 15th, 2008 8:14 pm ET

"I know how to win wars." - John McSenile

Well there you have it folks. This guy only thinks about war. I truly thinks he still wants to chase "Charlie" over there in Vietnam a second time.

He is one sad, looney man. I can't wait until Obama absolutely crushes him in those debates.

Melanie   July 15th, 2008 8:14 pm ET

Flip flop? Apparently McCain had his senior moment again. He has completely forgotten how he's flip-flopped from against the Bush tax cut to being in love with it.

gary   July 15th, 2008 8:12 pm ET

IF YOU JOKERS THINK OBAMA IS GOING TO BEABLE TO CHANGE CONGRESS AND WASHINGTON YOU BETTER COME OFF YOUR CLOUDS AND COME TO EARTH. O.B. ISN'T GOING TO DO JACK —-.FOR US. HE GETS ELECTED ,HE WILL BE THE WORST EXAMPLE OF A LEADER THIS COUNTRY EVER HAD. EVEN AS BAD AS BUSH AND CARTER. AMERICA GETS WHAT THEY ASK FOR. WHEN IS THIS COUNTRY GOING TO COME TO THEIR SCENCES ,INSTEAD OF LISTENING TO A BUNCH OF B.S. FROM A GREENHORN CON MAN. YOU YOUNG LOST MINDED O.B. FOLLOWERS HAVN'T GOT ONE CLUE WHAT THIS COUNTRY WILL BE IF O.B. GETS ELECTED. MAKING HISTORY IS NOT GOING TO BE WORTH THE PAIN AND DISTRUCTION. AMERICA LOST REAL CHANGES AND HOPE ,WHEN THEY KICKED HRC TO THE CURB. SUFFER YOUR CONSEQUENCES. THIS COUNTRY NEVER WANTS ANYTHING DONE THE EASY WAY. THEY RATHER SUFFER.

FlaDem   July 15th, 2008 8:11 pm ET

He's not a flip-flopper…….he gets it wrong every time!

GoBama!

Melanie   July 15th, 2008 8:11 pm ET

McCain- you're getting senile. I have nothing against old age (I am old myself) but we need a President who won't slide into 'senior moments' , especially when we're in crisis.

Chris   July 15th, 2008 8:11 pm ET

LOL @ MCCAIN! How many more times can he pwn himself? Seriously before he starts accusing Barack Obama of this he needs to head over to the good ol Youtube and search for "Mccain's youtube problem just got worse", take a look at the footage of himself and then never open his mouth again. Back to the article, GOOD JOB MCCAIN on making yourself look even dumber by saying Senator Obama said one thing but he really didn't. Sheesh! I agree with Mary K, "Lord help us!!!!!!!"

rev   July 15th, 2008 8:09 pm ET

McCain is his own worst enemy. I hope Obama takes him up on as many debates as possible. It'll be fun to watch McCain try to remember his opponent.

Phil Newton Murphy, Oregon   July 15th, 2008 8:08 pm ET

If you're gonna try to body-slam someone, tie your shoelaces first.

steven   July 15th, 2008 8:08 pm ET

McCain continues to scare me. I don't think he would be a good president. His age is starting really show.

Moon Maiden from Lake Michigan   July 15th, 2008 8:03 pm ET

Evaluation allows one to change their direction, approach, in order to implement the correct plan of action. This is not flip floppping,
On the other hand if you can not remember what you said then it is a more seroius matter other than flip flop.
More like calling it Mental health problem.
Obama has a plan, and he can elvauate with sensibilty,intelligence to make changes that will support America in a positive way.
I'm sorry Mc lame but you not presidential material.
Obama 08

Jon S. Ann Arbor, Michigan   July 15th, 2008 8:00 pm ET

Oh, did 'ol Ronnie, I mean, John, forget his facts again. Now let's think about this for a minute. Reagan at least grew into his incompetency with age. McCain is already older than Reagan was at his inauguration.

And we have the same syndrome of aids "clarifying" what he meant.

Very scary.

Big D   July 15th, 2008 7:59 pm ET

Why are McCain's aids always stepping in to clarify what he meant? And why does the media always let them do that? And why does the media always say things like "McCain wasn't exactly right"? But I'm really glad to see more media coverage and focus on McCain's gaffes because the news coverage has been relentlessly slanted towards playing these down or ignoring them up until now. It would be great to see McCain's comments and positions analyzed thoroughly too.

what?   July 15th, 2008 7:57 pm ET

how can you trust anything McCain says…they did the whole flip flop thing to Kerry, but Kerry was in bed with McCain. McCain needs to Czech himself. Obama flip flops…now if that ain't the pot calling the kettle black…
McCain supporters better stop living in what America used to be and see what we have the potential to be.

go away monger- Ventura ca   July 15th, 2008 7:57 pm ET

The more McSame talks- the better Obama sounds! We've had enough! Vote Democrat!

Alan Boyer   July 15th, 2008 7:56 pm ET

Does anyone else notice that McCain's handlers have to follow up with reporters to correct his previous statements? The guy may be a nice guy, but do we really want a president who can't get the facts straight on a regular basis?

McCain=the draft   July 15th, 2008 7:56 pm ET

Ok, wake up people.
McCain is just plain too old to be president, if nothing else! He's not mentally sound. He gets confused too easily.
He sounds like a relative of mine with Alzheimers.

Ex-Republican for Obama   July 15th, 2008 7:54 pm ET

The war in Iraq is NOT improving. To state that it is at best ignorance and at worse a down right lie.

WMD's were not found, The Iraqi government whom once wanted us there is now requesting a withdrawal time frame. Osama Bin Laden is nowhere to be found still and we don't have the proper military to support locating the true terrorists in Afghanistan because we are trying to 'stay the course' in an illegal war.

The condition in Iraq remains an illegal war based on pure lies from the GOP. Now they want to sell us some more lies as justification to remain in this illegal war.

You can polish a turd all you want, but it's still a turd. No to McCain's lies and treason.

California Gold   July 15th, 2008 7:54 pm ET

The greater issue is McCain's daily lapses in thought, judgment and rhetoric. He regularly demonstrates he is not fairing well mentally and is experiencing senile dementia. His sing-a-longs to bomb, bomb, bomb-bomb bomb Iran. Twice discussed a country that failed to exist in 1993 (Chezcoslovakia). Admission he is unfamiliar and out-of-touch with the most basic technology: a senior member of Congress doesn't know the internet from a butterflynet and can't operate e-mail. The world has gone through an entire technology revolution and he missed it. He has an unhealthy knee jerk temper and looks like he could blow up. If he were my father, I would be taking the car keys from him simply because there is a pattern of behavior that typifies an older man who is failing. Bet when the phone rings he answers his remote control.

bill for barack   July 15th, 2008 7:54 pm ET

McSame will lie about anything - obviously. The real question is - does he really know anything about what he's saying or is he just spouting the McBush / Rove party line ?
No wonder the Vietnamese Communists want McSame for President.
He's one of their own.

Clinton/McCain   July 15th, 2008 7:54 pm ET

JC, South Carolina,

..and Obama would be worse…

Bulldog   July 15th, 2008 7:54 pm ET

The surge is NOT working according to President Bush's very own guidelines. He said back when the surge intitially began that there would be TWO things that would determine if the surge was successful, 1) A major decrease in violence and 2) the Iraqi government to be functional and have its act together. While number 1 might be true temporarily and congratulations to our military for that, number 2 is still a huge failure. The Iraqi government doesn't have barely anything in order. Yes, Al Maliki may be acting tough but the parties have not come to any sort of mutual understanding. The Republicans in Washington know this very well, its the idiot McCain supporters and liars who try to claim we have won in Iraq. You keep believing that have smoke another joint while your at it.

Indra in FL   July 15th, 2008 7:53 pm ET

There is no way that John McCain will last 4 years as president. Ever notice how much older past presidents looked at the end of their terms? Picture McCain…

RyanD.   July 15th, 2008 7:52 pm ET

The surge isn't even the POINT. If you put more cops in an area, sure…crime will go down some, but as soon as they are out of sight what happens?

When Iraq has a functioning democracy, peace between Shia and Sunni's and the U.S. has an EXIT STRATEGY…maybe THEN the surge will be "working".

Stop lying to the public, John McCain. We should have never needed a "surge" in the first place.

Obama 08′

JOHN   July 15th, 2008 7:50 pm ET

NORMA, I'VE NOT GOT ONE ANSWER TO MY QUESTION FOR A MCCAIN SUPPORTER YET. AND I DONT THINK I WILL. WHAT WAR HAS THIS LAME BRAIN WON?

Roger from CA   July 15th, 2008 7:50 pm ET

Not directly on point, but did I correctly read the other ticker about Czechosolvakia that McCain's camp tried to put it out there that he, in fact, SAID "Czech Republic"???

I guess if your candidate makes a substantive error, the best approach is to ignore it and change the record as to whether he made the error in the first place!!

Janet WV for Obama   July 15th, 2008 7:49 pm ET

I kind of feel sorry for him.Alzheimers is a serious affliction. Memory lapses are common. Judgement is impaired. I do not dislike Sen. McCain, I just feel that Sen. Obama should be given a chance. If experience is what is responsible for the current state of our country, I hope inexperience prevails.I don't think Sen. Obama has all the answers, but I like the fact that he is highly intelligent and will surround himself with people who are extremely intelligent.

RyanD.   July 15th, 2008 7:48 pm ET

MCCain has 61 flip-flops and GROWING on Carpet Bagger Report.

Look it up.

Obama 08′

Bulldog   July 15th, 2008 7:47 pm ET

McCain needs to get back on his Viagra. He needs some serious rejuvenation. Just the last few days he has claimed there is still a Czechoslovakia twice when there is not such country and now this completely false charge yet once again. I would think McCain may be responsible for some of these outrageous email lies going around about Obama, but he also admitted he doesn't know how to use a computer. And this man might be the leader of our country?

linda from South Dakota   July 15th, 2008 7:46 pm ET

lol, love it forky,,,lol,, thanks guys for your cxomments here,, together we will win, obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Texas Trail Dog   July 15th, 2008 7:45 pm ET

WAY TO GO CNN KEEP TRYING TO PUSH YOUR MAN OBAMA. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS WE ALL KNOW WHAT JOHN McCAIN WAS TALKING ABOUT. OBAMA DID SAY PRIMARILY JUST WHAT McCAIN SAID. OBAMA IS A FLIP-FLOPPER.

Hispanic For McCain   July 15th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

Listen BOZOS in this Blog you Guys just don't get it OBAMA is the Biggest Flip Flop of ALL TIMES!!! everyone saw his Foreign Policy it SUCKS!!! John McCain has more Foreign Polict than OBAMA has in the senate seat!! and that is a fact. LATINOS open your eyes OBAMA will destroy this country to the enemy. I been saying over and over that McCain will win the Hispanic votes this election and that is a fact!!!

Face it to all the Latinos for Obama, Latinos will go for McCain!!!!!!!

Hispanic for McCain!!!!

Walt   July 15th, 2008 7:43 pm ET

With all these memory problems and confusion, if McCain gets elected, I hope he is able to keep straight which is the red phone and which is the black phone and which button gets pushed for what. On a purely physiological level the words of Christopher Beam are worth noting: "Even the most healthy human brains undergo chemical and anatomical changes in their sunset years—changes that can and do affect behavior."
Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Timothy   July 15th, 2008 7:42 pm ET

This is scary Mccain is getting events wrong and forgetting, Vote Mccain as President No, People look at this country it is a mess and vote Mccain this country will be in a bigger mess!!!! People wake up and vote Obama that's are only chance to put this country back on the right track. People who are having a problem with Obama's color Please for his country get over it period full stop! Elect Obama because this man Obama has a BRILLIANT MIND. and can lead this country in the right direction Obama understands what faces this country unlike Mccain.

Loretta from California   July 15th, 2008 7:42 pm ET

@ Forky tongue

Careful….when I used the word "Alzheimers" to describe him, my post were blocked.

DEMOCRATS UNITE!!!

Keith   July 15th, 2008 7:41 pm ET

I agree with Kate, McCain appeals to me as a LEADER because of his age.

And I think McCain's "gaffes" give him a somewhat endearing quality…

McCain does not come off as ARROGANT and calculating like Obama!

Richard   July 15th, 2008 7:41 pm ET

McCain must be "losing his bearings" again.

JIM...TX   July 15th, 2008 7:40 pm ET

You'd think all his HANDLERS or at least Joe Lieberman would whisper the facts to him so he wouldn't put his foot in the old mouth so often:)

Honest & honorable ... Democrats ...   July 15th, 2008 7:40 pm ET

The outcome of most elections are determined by the late deciding independent voters.

Obama supporters, we don’t need to ARGUE with posters here. Trust me, the anti-Obama views ARE NOT coming from the people the Democrats need to win this election. The Democrats need the people that are largely sitting back QUIETLY reading and reviewing these blogs.

Use the anti-Obama posts so that you know all the negative attacks that we should dissect on this blog so that the UNDECIDED voter gets honest clarity around those topics and makes the smart choice. We don’t need to twist, manipulate or parse words. We’re backing the more intelligent, more thoughtful candidate that builds high performing teams.

Succinctly rebut the false claim. Support it with facts and give the reference for the facts so that it can be checked. When quoting McCain or a surrogate, list the name of the publication or TV show, the date it ran, etc. Pick your words carefully to remove ambiguity and to avoid exaggerating, or being bombastic.

Verbally denigrating an opponent never impresses someone else that you want to join your team.

Remember this is a public forum and people perpetrate their identities and their motives. Let us be the adults here. Hire the smart guy, please.

realist4whatsright   July 15th, 2008 7:37 pm ET

Kate, even if it's the factcheckers fault for providing information, Mr McCain has the responsibility to review, understand, and concur with the information provided. Vote logically. People speaking about flip-flopping: both candidates are still researching, learning, and examining information; if you think that either candidate plans from months ago will not change and they learn more, think again. no plan is set in stone (hence the word: plan). things are happening around this world everyday to affect plans. Focus on whether we want to stay the course of our last seven plus years or change the course and try to improve this country. and please remember Mr Obama nor any other will be able to correct ALL the wrong this country has endured in four years. also people check your facts. regardless of whether people still refer to Russia (under the name McCain calls it) fact remains, it is no longer and he has a political responsibility to call the country by its correct name. and by the way Mr. McCain, let's keep the focus on America. we have our on issues which continually grow bc of the war(s).

Franky   July 15th, 2008 7:36 pm ET

LOL!!!! No offense Senator, but I know you're old and if there's one thing I know for a fact, is that old people are just old, LOL!!!

For every gaffe you make, is for every reason you are…

Jon   July 15th, 2008 7:35 pm ET

Obama definitely did say the surge would fail, and voted against it.

McCain was for it. And it has been working.

Ratgurl   July 15th, 2008 7:35 pm ET

This comes from the same guy who twice, in two consecutive days, made statements about setting up a missile system in Czechoslovakia - a country that hasn't existed for 15 years.

He also called Social Security a disgrace, but has no problem cashing those checks!

McCain refuses to acknowledge al-Maliki's request for a timetable for US troop withdrawal, despite earlier statements he made;

*Question: "What would or should we do if, in the post-June 30th period, a so-called sovereign Iraqi government asks us to leave, even if we are unhappy about the security situation there?"

*McCain's Answer: "Well, if that scenario evolves than I think it's obvious that we would have to leave because — if it was an elected government of Iraq, and we've been asked to leave other places in the world. If it were an extremist government then I think we would have other challenges, but I don't see how we could stay when our whole emphasis and policy has been based on turning the Iraqi government over to the Iraqi people."

And if I was really mean, I'd bring up the names he calls Cindy in public, or the tasteless jokes he makes about rape.

Why, again, is he the Republican candidate?

TEXAS   July 15th, 2008 7:31 pm ET

McCain and company has changed, added words numerous times pretending he is quoting policy issues when in fact he changes words and pharases to his liking. I except old age but, what about his buddies they should know better.

perfect example: 95% of Americans will be doing much better by Obama's tax cuts then 5% of the wealthy will have an affect on their taxes. McCain continues to lie about that, of course he is speaking to the wealthy.

Susan from Scotts Valley, CA   July 15th, 2008 7:31 pm ET

JC:
Obama never called himself the peace candidate. He's ALWAYS said that Iraq was a diversion from Afghanistan where the terrorists who actually were responsible for 9-11 were trained and are still wreaking havoc. Because we let Bin Laden escape, because we didn't stay focused on Afghanistan, we lost more troops there in June then we lost in Iraq. And we lost nine more over the weekend. Obama has been right ALL ALONG.

Donna   July 15th, 2008 7:31 pm ET

Has McCain been tested for Alheizmers? Seriously, his "gaffes" are becoming more and more frequent…

RapidRay   July 15th, 2008 7:31 pm ET

Senility is bliss.

Dwight   July 15th, 2008 7:30 pm ET

with Obama helping out the veterans act unlike grumpy Mcsame.
mcSames sons will at least appreciate that.
too late too help the old man. a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
time to let Mcsame retire.

Change coming soon old partiers

Mary K   July 15th, 2008 7:29 pm ET

I'm curous! If the surge is working, then why are Americans and innocent citizens in Iran are being killed daily? What about Afganistan? Obviously we need to send more troops there as well, but where do we get them from?

McCain needs to learn the use of the computer and come into the age of technology and stop relying on his staff to continue to feed him a bunch of misinformation. Not all 70 year olds are computer illiterate - OMG another Bush man.
Lord help us!!!!!!!

Kim   July 15th, 2008 7:29 pm ET

McBush is Senile. He is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. He is mentally ill , angry and bitter and is a dangerous and scary old man. Today McBush said he knows how to win wars. W hen has he won one? Vietnam? McBush does not know how to win wars. He knows how to start wars! McBush will start WW3. He will plunge the World into the next great depression. Wake up America.
" Were on the verge of destruction"

RB TX   July 15th, 2008 7:27 pm ET

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama's aides have removed criticism of President Bush's increase of troops to Iraq from the campaign Web site, part of an effort to update the Democrat's written war plan to reflect changing conditions.

That is the real Obama. Do not be fooled by a lot of hot air. Obama is a flip flopper with no experience.

Wake up America

Go McCain

A Latte Lover, Seattle, WA   July 15th, 2008 7:26 pm ET

I'm glad the media is finally starting to pay attention to McCain's flip flops, and inaccuracies. I'm seriously beginning to wonder about his mental state. I would like to think that age doesn't matter, but maybe it does. My mom is 86 and has it more together and can remember things better than McCain. Having said that, do they require mental evaluations to be POTUS??? If not, they certainly should. Remember Reagan??? Sad to say that McCain seems to forget so much, and can't remember how he voted on certain issues, birth control/viagra anyone????

Thank You to P, CA. I agree with everything you have said. The hatred towards Obama on this blog is unreal. I find I am coming here less and less these days. They post the same crap over and over. I can't believe some of it makes it through moderation. Then many of my posts never get on. It seems to be Hillary supporters/PUMA more than anyone else. All I can say is that it is so sad!

Obama/Biden, 08

jacq   July 15th, 2008 7:25 pm ET

Quit picking on MCbush, he's old you know. November will but him out of his misery, if he and his spokespersons don't blow up before then.

Norma   July 15th, 2008 7:23 pm ET

My god this man is a total moron…first doesn't know another country hasn't exsisted for 15 years now this!!!!

And the big one" I KNOW HOW TO WIN WARS"
WHAT WARS HAS HE WON!!!!!!!

MORON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DOH!   July 15th, 2008 7:21 pm ET

Same thing….Different day……

Forky Tongue!!!   July 15th, 2008 7:20 pm ET

John McCain decided to ad lib a line slamming the Illinois senator as a flip-flopper.
*The only problem is the evidence he gave wasn't exactly right.
****************************************************************************
It is called*** ALZHEIMER!!!!——McCain mentions Mr obama everyday

more than he mention CINDY!!!!

Wisconsin   July 15th, 2008 7:18 pm ET

Ok honestly McCain has so many problems with getting things right and this isn't a few years from now.

Age is proving to be a serious issue.

JohnS   July 15th, 2008 7:16 pm ET

McCain cannot hold things together.

Cannot even imagine what it means to have a president who keeps forgetting things in a middle of sentences.

Really dangerous folks.

"Czechoslovakia”
Calling Putin the president of Germany
Confused Chiites and Sunites

JOHN   July 15th, 2008 7:15 pm ET

JOHN THE HAWK MCLAME. THE MAN SAID TODAY " I KNOW HOW TO WIN WARS. CAN ONE MCLAME SUPPORTER PLEASE TELL ME WHAT WAR HAS JOHN MCSAME EVER WON? THE MAN WAS A P.O.W. IN NAM. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT WAR HAS THIS OLD FART EVER WON OR WAS HE JUST FLAT OUT LYING TODAY?

Jatovi, NC   July 15th, 2008 7:14 pm ET

This is getting bad. It doesn't matter how many times McCain calls Obama a flip-flopper, McCain is starting to show signs of dementia. I don't want anyone in the oval office who will forget what that big red button does.

tom   July 15th, 2008 7:13 pm ET

McClean says he knows how to win wars——- what war did he ever win?

PG   July 15th, 2008 7:13 pm ET

and….McSame is not a "flip-flopper?" This guy is totally losing it.

The Second Apostle(couldn't resist First hehehe)   July 15th, 2008 7:13 pm ET

I'm so tired of McCain calling Obama a flip-flopper. My God this hypocrite is mindnumbing.
Just yesterday I read an article where McCain said he was AGAINST gay couples adopting children. Well today he says oh no I think it should be left up to the states. (The politically favorite way of saying I don't want to give an opinion so I'll say let's just let the states decide. Just like he did on oil drilling.)

BTW, anybody who is an Obama Supporter and says he's flip-flopping didn't follow his campaign earlier.

Paul   July 15th, 2008 7:12 pm ET

STRAIGHT TALK EXPRESS!!!

DEMOCRAT   July 15th, 2008 7:12 pm ET

Does anyone remember the viagra question and how he really couldn't remmeber if he voted for or against birthcontrol now there was a great snapshot. He totally looked like a Deer in the headlights…

Luke Brown, Charleston SC   July 15th, 2008 7:12 pm ET

Easy Big Mac, you have flipped and flopped all over the place yourself. How are ya doing with those Bush tax cuts? Oh yeah, how's about those Keating Five!

Wisconsin   July 15th, 2008 7:11 pm ET

Is this like Flip-Flopping on drilling, the war, taxes or what ever McWar is Flip-Flopping on this week.

LOL is McWar going to Flip-Flop on Czechoslovakia being a country after TWO DAYS of saying it still is?

what CNN wont post!!!   July 15th, 2008 7:11 pm ET

he is soooo lost. and we will be to if Mccain becomes President

geen   July 15th, 2008 7:10 pm ET

With Reagan, seniltiy ruled; with the moron's father, privelge ruled; with the Clinton administration, self-absorption ruled, with the moron's regime–ignorance, incompetence, denial rules…soldiers die, the economy goes to hell, the american military is used as the moron's personal mercenary force to conquer and colonialize a country rich with oil….McCain will be no different…he is, as the tee-shirt I wear proclaims when I am not wearing my one which simply says "bush is a moron" (remember, TRUTH is an absolute defense against libel…:), I wear my "McCain is Bush's Poodle" tee…..the reactionary right dislikes these morons to the point where I cannot even get rise out of their dyed in the wool fellow reactionaries. America has been in the process of 'dumbing down' since the election in 1980 of reagan……too sad…too very sad……:(

adm   July 15th, 2008 7:10 pm ET

To: P, CA

Well said!!!!

Paul   July 15th, 2008 7:10 pm ET

Losing his bearings.

Ex-Republican for Obama   July 15th, 2008 7:09 pm ET

OMG! This man is utterly incompetent. He never has his facts straight. How the heck can we believe a thing he say's when he 'makes it up' on the spot?
This man is a liar! A traitor! A Fool! A Sell out!
No McCain, go retire or go commit more treason against the USA…but stay out of our politics from now on, you are a moron!

Glad to be Independent   July 15th, 2008 7:06 pm ET

Obama was right. You can not have a military solution to a civil war. Sure, the situation in Iraq is better, but at any moment tensions could erupt. It is a civil war between the Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds. So far, there has not been a political solution. If the three sides can not come up with an agreeable political solution, then fighting will break out again. Therefore, Obama is right to say that the Iraqis will have to solve their disputes themselves. The Iraqis have to decide whether they want peace or war. The U.S. can not impose peace and democracy in Iraq. Therefore, we need to get our troops out of Iraq and force tell the Iraqis either you sink or swim. The U.S. will help them if they choice peace. It is not the U.S. job to make a country choice democracy.

Obvious   July 15th, 2008 7:05 pm ET

Flip flopper, another brilliant term likely coined by the ever-so-neutral Fox News…people are worried about someone changing their views when EVERYTHING in this country is going wrong? Wow, Americans are disillusioned.

Obama or Canada '08

DflateMacsStr8TalkXpress: Econ MIA, AWOL on facts, POW from reality   July 15th, 2008 7:05 pm ET

McSame don't ad lib when you can't even remember which country you're in (without Joe Lieberman or Lindsey Graham beside you with their hand up your back moving your mouth) or what countries still exist other than the ones that begin with "I" (and you ain't too sharp on those either, Grampy). I am drooling in anticipation of the DEBATES!!!!!! Can you say clueless?! I know, you already forgot what that means, too!

kim hussein taylor portland, oregon   July 15th, 2008 7:05 pm ET

"McCain decided to ad lib a line"

that was your first mistake, mccain!

your second: spreading more lies. only now we KNOW if a neoCON has hsi mouth open, HE'S LYING!!!!

obama DID NOT EVER flip-flop on iraq!!!

mccain knows he has brought flip-flopping to a never-before-seen level, so he's trying that old repug trick of attacking your opponent for something YOU do (cuz the americans are too stupid to figure it out). sorry, johnny, that old trick dont work around here no more. and you are so OUT OF TOUCH, you dont even know that.

it is truly to the point of sad and pathetic. and we better keep an eye on karl rove, mark penn, and the other sub-humans b/c i am VERY suspicious of the neoCONS' silence. there is no way the greedy creeps are gonna just quietly move on and give up their chance at stealing more money from this country and others. these people are diabolical, and we need to be VERY wary of their silence!

charlie z   July 15th, 2008 7:04 pm ET

mccain is the biggest flip-flopper there is, but you just don't see it reported in the media. His flops so far: immigration, his energy policy, campaign financing, taxes. oh, and another (this one is more humorous than serious): just the other day he was relating a story from his pow days: he said he would go over the defensive linemen of the pittsburgh steelers to help keep his spirits. turns out in his autobiography he said it was the greenbay packers.

Frank   July 15th, 2008 7:03 pm ET

No one flip flopped more than John McSame. But he always has the same excuse; "I don't remember that". Just like McBush can't remember what countries no longer exist, that is without Joe Liberman around to whisper the real facts in his ear, time and time again. John McSame, you better pick Joe as your VP, so he can explain everything to you, several times. By the way, how are lesson coming on how to get on-line? Maybe you can have George show you "The Google"

JC   July 15th, 2008 7:00 pm ET

Well, Obama does flip-flop. All this time he has been running as the "peace" candidate. Now he wants to send tens of thousands more troops to a war in Afghanistan? Doesn't sound like a peace candidate to me. He just wants to readjust where our military members are dying. Are democrats really going to support a candidate who wants to send American troops to a war in Afghanistan?

Texans for Obama   July 15th, 2008 7:00 pm ET

McCain is old. Old people cannot remember things very well. Lord , help us all if this man becomes President. Look who is talking about flip-flopping. Wow, McCain is a hypocrite. We think the economy is in bad shape now if McCain is in charge America can only go into a depression. John McCain, please do us a favor and retire.

Jim Kelly   July 15th, 2008 6:57 pm ET

I'm not yet committed to either candidate.

However these charges of "flip flopper" have zero influence on me. At this point, they come across as an attempt to malign the person, not the ideas or leadership of the person.

I really wish it would stop. It may help get the base rilled up but it is pushing me farther away.

Ian   July 15th, 2008 6:56 pm ET

Didn't McCain say the Federal Reserve wasn't going to help Fannie and Freddy? Is that a lie or a flip-flop? I can't tell the difference anymore.

Ian   July 15th, 2008 6:54 pm ET

McCain keeps saying he's for a free market, but it looks like he's got a monopoly on lying.

karen   July 15th, 2008 6:54 pm ET

Poor old pitiful, mentally challenged John McCain…this is no contest in spite of all the media hype trying to make it one! Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States, thank God!

bud in NC   July 15th, 2008 6:53 pm ET

Hey folks- lay off McCain. You have to have sympathy for this guy. It is a litle too much for him to handle. He is rich rich rich. How can he know what it feels like to live from one Social Security check to the next. When he has indegestion, he goes to Walter Reed for the best of care at our expense. What does he know about going without medical care. He is a soldeir. What does he know about peace. He has a well paying job with magnificent retirement benefits. What does he know about being layed off with no hope for the future. So, "My friends" give the guy some slack. It won't be long before he is slobbering all over his bib. Then you will feel sorry for your mean treatment of him. Shame shame.

linda from South Dakota   July 15th, 2008 6:52 pm ET

mccain,,, stop and think,, u are the complainer instead of the problem solver,,, your knick-pickin and thats not what people do,,, if you cant remember what you said from one minute to the next,, then give it up,, time to retire,,, we talk about people who are prejidice,, well i tend to think you are,,, stick to the issues,,,

Jay   July 15th, 2008 6:51 pm ET

Now that's FUNNY!!!!! Nice try McCain!!!

Oh and it's nice of you to join Obama in saying that more troops are needed in Afghanistan now, when you were against the idea just last week.

Independent-woman-4-Obama   July 15th, 2008 6:49 pm ET

OF COURSE, that's the word of the year "Flip-flop" ! And yet, people seem to forget how Bush's stubborn "STAY THE COURSE" HAS COST US, IN LIVES AND MONEY.

The war with Iraq costs, $1.38 BILLION A DAY…… AND MCCAIN WILL NOT ONLY CONTINUE……. BUT BOMB……BOMB…….BOMB IRAN!

WHEN WILL WE, AMERICANS, WAKE UP AND THINK FOR OURSELVES?!

ARE YOU ALL BETTER OFF FINANCIALLY THAN YOU WERE 8 YEARS AGO?

HOW ABOUT THE LITTLE GIFT BUSH IS LEAVING OUR NATION:

NATIONAL DEBT OF $10 TRILLION….. OWED TO CHINA, THE SAUDIS AND DUBAI! THANKS REPUBLICANS!

Va. Boomer   July 15th, 2008 6:49 pm ET

Is it just me or does it seem that McCain seems to be having a lot of lapse of memory here as of late.
Republicans all want to be like Reagan, however I'm beginning to think that McCain is becoming more like Reagan each week…., with all the forgetting and stuff…wink, wink… nudge, nudge… ; )
Alzheimer, is a terrible disease and I wish it upon no one, or there care givers. But the fact remains…, McCains age @ 77, he would be 81 in 4 years and 85 in 8 years. How many 85 Y/O do you know? Are they working full time, Running a great nation? In reality, the person that you are actually voting to be president is the vice president, because if McCain has some kind of physical or mental breakdown, it's going to be the Veep that is running the show. Choose wisely.

Brandon Hillary PUMA for Mc Cain-Pa   July 15th, 2008 6:48 pm ET

DEMOCRATS Nobama

enough with the pandering !!

jimmy velman   July 15th, 2008 6:46 pm ET

OBAMA LEADS MCCAIN BY A FEW POINTS IN THE POLLS NOW.
THAT WILL CLIMB TO DOUBLE DIGITS THE DAY OBAMA ANNOUNCES HILLARY TO BE HIS VP CHOICE. JUST ASK THE
GROUPS OF AMERICAN WOMEN NOW ORGANIZING FOR THE EVENT.

Republican who loves OBAMA   July 15th, 2008 6:46 pm ET

I hope all of America is paying attention to McCain. This man is not ready on day 1 to be President! He can't remember votes he voted on, he can't remember where he stands on important issues, he can't even put together a compelling argument on the security of this country. He can't even run his campaign! Americans should be afraid of a McCain presidency because he is NOT fit to be President!

One Nation Under God   July 15th, 2008 6:45 pm ET

I have voted for Republcan Presidents since Nixon - in every election.

But the more I watch and hear Senator McCain stumble through what should be easy messages to the American people, the more I'm realizing he's not up to four years of sharp thinking, quick decision-making, and fact remembering.

Too old? I don't know. (I'm 71 and I feel I still have a sharp mind.) But forgetting that a country changed their structure over 15 years ago - and to mention it TWICE… Along with gaffe after gaffe alarms me. Obama's stand on liberal issues irritates me - but I'm being to think he would lead the USA in a less muddled way… What to do, what to do.

Morningstar   July 15th, 2008 6:45 pm ET

This old man is just too old to remember anything straight.

"The First Apostle" you are full of hate, is Judas not your father?

Jesse   July 15th, 2008 6:45 pm ET

After reading these posts…regardless of who the next president is, I certainly hope he does something to help with the education of this country. Good grief.

Here are some excerpts from very thoughtful posts:

"HA! My grandfather forgets things like this all the time. It's called cenility (sic). This is what we get with McCain."

"The man is just plain dumb."

"….jesus (sic). what a doofus…scary"

"McCain is an idiot!! How can anyone want that old fart to be president, he can't think for himself, he can read, he can remember anything, etc. How is he qualified to be president??"

My point is this: If this is representative of the US population, the least of our concerns are which president we have and the war in Iraq…general stupidity of the population is the gravest threat.

al   July 15th, 2008 6:44 pm ET

Who cares about the timeline…Obama is a constant and perpetual flip-flopper that comes from his political inexperience. He is just good at regurgitate what his ghost writer says.

Life   July 15th, 2008 6:43 pm ET

That just proves his old age… dont you have staff members on your team to help you get your dates right?

jimmy velman   July 15th, 2008 6:43 pm ET

FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF TWO HUGELY SUCCESSFUL ADMINISTRATIONS: RONALD REAGAN- GEORGE H.W. BUSH
AND THE JFK - LYNDON JOHNSON YEARS. OBAMA AND HILLARY CLINTON WILL NOT ONLY BE HUGELY SUCCESSFUL BUT WILL
MAKE HISTORY OF IMCOMPARABLE PROPORTIONS.
hILLARY EARNED HER PLACE TO BE THE TOP CONTENDER FOR VP TO OBAMA. AND IT IS NOT JUST HILLARY THAT WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT , NOR BILL CLINTON WHO WILL BE OUT OF SIGHT FOR THE FORESEABLE FUTURE.
IT IS TH E18 MILLION VOTERS WHO REMAIN LOYAL TO HER AND WHO HILLARY PROMISED TO "WORK HER HEART OUT" FOR.
THEY WILL CONTRIBUTE MORE MONEY THAN BEFORE AND EVEN NOW ARE PREPARING FOR THE DAY OBAMA ANNOUNCES HIS VP CHOICE. WE HOPE THAT IF IT'S HILLARY CLINTON , IOBAMA SHOULD ANNOUNCE IT AT THE MOST DRAMATIC MOMENT
BECAUSE, THEY WILL MAKE HISTORY TOGETHER.

Lesley   July 15th, 2008 6:43 pm ET

I'd like to see McCain's comments discussed seriously on the tv news. Not everyone has internet access. At least report them for pete's sake and let the public see what McCain himself is really saying. As much as it is occurring, you can't relegate it to campaign gaffes. He says he speaks for himself. Unfortunately for him that's all too true. I've heard it said that we know McCain, well no we don't. There hasn't been nearly as much coverage of him personally as Obama, supposedly because he's been in the public eye longer. Just working in Washington many years does not qualify you to be a good leader. What did he do while he was there. Let's go back and talk about his voting record, something he can't even remember himself. And his good judgment like the Keating 5 fiasco. I could go on but you get the point.

Mary   July 15th, 2008 6:41 pm ET

Poor McBush, he is left with the same old politics. America has heard this song and dance in 2000 and 2004.

MORE PROOF: Bush & McCain keep on being one and the same.

Former GOP   July 15th, 2008 6:40 pm ET

Once again McCain does not have the fact right, which is very scary, there is no telling what he will forget if he is president.

Former Republican for
Obama 08

Shaik from Oregon   July 15th, 2008 6:40 pm ET

Sane,educated people do ch