Comments on: McCain gets a dose of straight talk on Iraq War

By: no McCain!

no McCain! — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:43:56 +0000

This guy is crazy and dead wrong on just about everything!

Let's go to Afghanistan and finish off the Taliban and Al-Qaeda where it hurts!

News Flash, McCain. I'm going to be 18 in August, I'm not going to IRAQ OR IRAN for your pathetic and senseless wars. And if I'm alive by then, you sure as hell can't have my children.

Obama '08

By: Retired Veteran from New York City

Retired Veteran from New York City — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:41:21 +0000

Susie: If you don't have nothing to say, please be quite. Don't let people judge you by your intelligence, you sounded so ignorant by your statement. Be educated next time Susie!

By: Paris

Paris — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:41:12 +0000

Obama is so arrogant that he can’t even admit when he is wrong.
What a stubborn one sided man he is.
If he can’t even admit that the surge worked and accept the positives it brought how is he going to bring both sides together?

Obama bragged about judgment, with his pastor he showed us he has none.

Obama bragged about unity, with his refusal to acknowledge the effectiveness of the surge he showed us how one sided is.

Obama’s inexperience was again highlighted when he repeated his private talks with Iraqi’s PM.

Obama is dangerous for our natio.
Whey did Obama choose to fly with no US Flag on his plane?

By: Sarah Bonner

Sarah Bonner — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:39:10 +0000

McCain's entire emphasis is on "winning". How does one define winning when you are the aggressor and you instigate an illegal, immoral war which has done absolutely nothing to help ensure the security of America. This war has spurred more revulsion of Americans and american policy worldwide than anything in history and as history has taught us, hatred spawns terrorism. How on earth does one "win"?

By: Barbara Campbell

Barbara Campbell — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:36:33 +0000

When is McCain going to define "victory"? If the definition applies to Iraq, would McCain invade other countries to ensure the same "victory"?

By: Obama 08: white, 60 year old woman

Obama 08: white, 60 year old woman — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:33:31 +0000

If McCain is so worried about American security why isn't he proposing a plan for Afghanistan and why hasn't he visited there to see the facts and conditions on the ground. It has been over two years and circumstances have changed drastically.

Maybe the Obama campaign should start a count of how many days since he has been there!!

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:27:34 +0000

Maybe we should be Democratic and have Americans and Iraqi's vote if the U.S. Army should withdrawal?

Would the Republicans listen to a Democracy?

By: Tim, Seattle

Tim, Seattle — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:26:49 +0000

Susie you have no proof, just wishful thinking. 70% of America wants troops out of Iraq. If its a town hall meeting, odds are that 7 in 10 dont agree with McCAin and that at least 1 will have the guts to ask it.

Math and probability, remember?

By: Democrats Rule

Democrats Rule — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:23:18 +0000

Mike from Syracuse - debates have already been set. Obama is going to mop the floor with him - I'm kind of dreading them. Listening to McCain babble about we can't leave Iraq 'cause we are losing and we can't leave Iraq 'cause we are winning and therefore we can't leave Iraq period. Heck - who knew that the 100 year comment was the only truth the "straight talk express" was going to tell on this issue? President Obama - I'm working for a 50 state win - mandate with a capital "M", a majority in both houses and a chance to heal America - 'tis going to be a very good November and an even better January!

By: yoohoo..Vietnam is over!

yoohoo..Vietnam is over! — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:22:24 +0000

As a Navy Vet, I have to admit John McCain is an ok guy. That man has been through the ringer, over the river, and through a beat down, and he's still kicking.

But, he's also gone loco! We Want Our Troops Home, plain and simple!

Our troops have done their jobs for our country, and now it's time for us to do our jobs, and bring them home!! If Haliburton and Blackwater want it so bad, then leave then there to be police, but bring our troops home!

By: Jude

Jude — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:20:16 +0000

James, you are a fool...It was Obama who first suggest to withdraw depending on ground conditions and now Bush following suit.

By: rhoward

rhoward — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:20:05 +0000

How dare this lady ask questions that weren't a part of Senator McCain's talking points! How dare she have the nerve to expect a real answer instead of the Senator's canned spiel! However, you have it to give to Senator McCain. He at least let the woman have her say even though he didn't give her any real answers. But you can bet money his staff will make sure that this doesn't happen again.

By: Elgin Webb

Elgin Webb — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:17:56 +0000

lol. this is funny. i wish i was at the town hall meeting to see his very reaction to the woman questions. he is just being reminded that the majority of americans want to withdraw troops asap. and obama is going to do that. so it sucks for McCain come November.

By: Peter (CA)

Peter (CA) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:16:49 +0000

At least he was willing to listen to contrasting views. Unlike Bush who has anyone who disagrees with him removed from the forum.

So, now Senator, please tell us what you mean by "victory" and "honor"? Who will have to die to achieve that? And if you select Romney as your running mate, will he send his kids?

By: Dennis

Dennis — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:10:49 +0000

From Susie... It's a shame Obama sends people to McCain's events to disrespect him. McCain never does that to Obama. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is wrong with some of you people? This is what scares me about this election. Talk about low tier voters! Okay, let's entertain this for a minute... For Obama to pull this off: He would have to select people to go. They would have to be given admission (remember what happened to the librarian) McCain would have to be lucky enough to call on them. Translation: Either McCain cannot find enough of his own supporters to go to his townhall and this makes room for Obama people, or People have wised up to his sorry act and now are calling him on it. Either way, he is screwed. Susie, in the future please make a lucid statement.

By: R

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:09:24 +0000

Heather Wilson's comments are only to cast doubt, and of course, the normal republican fear machine. "He is not sophisticated enough, i don't think?" Why? He's way more sophisticated than this rich kid and his rich family could be in his 100yr old life. "frighteningly inexperience?" way to go with the fear tactics, is "frighteningly" even a real word? Its hilarious how they have to use subliminal words to induce fear into WE the people's minds. Keep it up, no one's voting for you come your re-election bid. All these people are so scared out of their minds now, that they have to show their true colors, but to do it so blatantly is so amazing! CNN isn't covering this enough, nor are they covering the fact that the "SURGE" is working because Muqtada Al Sadr called a cease fire, that we the american people paid for. And are out paying terrorists not to shoot us! Its all propaganda, and I'm glad that Obama is not using our troops and loved ones as a prop tool for his photo ops. How come no one cheers to see Bush, or Mccain? Because these soldiers know that B.O. is the only one that will let them see their families again, and hopefully make it home alive, and be provided psychotherapy for all the PTSD that they'll have. How come CNN doesn't talk about the over 25,000 vets of this war have committed suicide? Or murder after returning home? Step it up CNN.

By: hal

hal — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:06:49 +0000

I was at the town hall meeting and the media is so twisted. There was one woman who patted herself on the back and made a comment about his staff and one woman who said something negative about McCain's stance on Iraq. The other 99.9% people were very supportive and complimentary on his stance with Iraq and other issues. I am upset with the media coverage with McCain. There was a 3 minute stint about Obama and his "trip" and a 30 second snippet of McCain's town hall meeting and they showed the woman who had the "negative" comments. SHAME ON YOU !!!!!

By: John Starnes Tampa Florida

John Starnes Tampa Florida — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:06:33 +0000

McCain does not understand a basic fact...you can't "win" an occupation following an unwarranted attack against a people. If China attacked the US to control OUR resources and install 58 permanent bases, killed millions of us and our loved ones, made millions more of us refugees within the US plus Canada and Mexico, destroyed our infrastructure then imposed a puppet government based on THEIR way of governing, would WE greet them with flowers and candy? Hell no! I bet nearly every one of us would become an "insurgent" determined to get America back. This happened to France and America in Vietnam, and, since Bush and Cheney avoided serving honorably there, they never learned that lesson. And McCain, IF he ever understood that, has clearly forgotten it. Shame on all three of them.

By: Who Cares?

Who Cares? — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:06:20 +0000

I am neither for McCain or the Iraq war. What I will say though is that at least McCain faces the voters unlike Obacktrack who would rather read a teleprompter than get face-to-face with voters.

By: Abe Froman

Abe Froman — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:05:40 +0000

Do any of you have jobs?

Don't forget there were plenty of Democrats and Republicans who said "Mission Accomplished". So give me a break when you call Senator McCain – McSame.

Senator McCain is right, if we were to leave to early from Iraq, the radicals would declare it a victory. Don't believe me, read "The Cell" by John Miller. See what the book has to say. We have been at war since the late 80s. We never knew it.

By: Nunya

Nunya — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:04:15 +0000

Kudos to McCain for telling the idiots in the crowd to shut up their disruptive shouts.

The real question isn't whether we withdraw in victory or in defeate – it's how we will claim to be withdrawing in victory despite withdrawing in defeat. The real defeat is completely separate from whether the military achieves a military victory or not – it is political. There is nothing we can do at this point to counterbalance all the damage this war has done to our reputation and standing throughout the world.

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:01:12 +0000

We all should know by now that the invasion of Iraq was for the control of that country's oil supply to enrich the oil companies of
THIS country. No sacrifice by the military would be too great for them.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:58:55 +0000

Give me back my son!!! No 100 years in Iraq.

"Ransom"

By: CMB

CMB — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:55:59 +0000

This guy is surrounded by so many "yes" town halls that McCain RARELY gets to hear what the majority of people think about the IRAQ war. He can say "victory" all he wants, but its a sham. It was a blunder from the beginning. The country is in tatters. Its going to take 100 or more years of IRAQIS cleaning up the mess we left behind.

By: Nancy from Indiana

Nancy from Indiana — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:55:47 +0000

Has anyone besides myself noticed how often words, thoughts,etc. seem to slip Senator McCain's memory? I really believe that he has a real memory health problem and it is only going to get worse as the days and weeks go by. I am an Obama supporter but I have a lot of respect for Senator McCain and sometimes I feel like even the Republicans are not properly supporting him but just using him!

By: Ex-Republican for Obama

Ex-Republican for Obama — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:55:22 +0000

You can not win a war that is fought based on lies and deceptions. When my country was bombed, with out valid cause I saw two of my most prized buildings and 3000 citizens murdered. We called the people who did it, terrorists.

America is bombing Iraq, originally started because we were told they had WMD's. After close to 7 years of fighting no WMD's have been found, yet we are still there. We are there with out just cause, we are our own worst enemy, we are the terrorists now.

Let's stop our own republican/guirilla backed brand of terrorism: Let us not elect a president who wishes to continue illegal wars.

Vote Obama '08

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:48:21 +0000

Once again McBush tells bald faced lies to pander to the voters. He told the lady who opposed occupation of Iraq that' we will withdraw'. McBush has repeatedly stated that we will remain in Iraq indefinitly and compares Iraq to Germany and Korea where we keep a permanant (and expensive) military presence. McBush has no plan to ever leave Iraq. In his sick mind, we took it and it is ours. Never mind that Iraqi's will never ever accept our occupation and will engage us in a never ending war. Not because they are terrorists but because 'we are there'!

By: al

al — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:45:48 +0000

***************************************

WITHDRAW?

I THOUGHT WERE GOING TO STAY THERE FOR 100 YEARS OR FOREVER, PUT UP A BASE LIKE IN KOREA, GERMANY.

FLIP-FLOP AND MERELY LISTENING TO BARAK.

YOUR TOWNHALL IDEA IS GREAT. YOU COULD HEAR ALL THE SCREW-UPS YOUR PARTY HAVE DONE.

STOP THE MADNESS. VOTE OBAMA.

By: Amy Jacobson

Amy Jacobson — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:45:10 +0000

For that, he is MY PRESIDENT!

By: Chuck

Chuck — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:44:23 +0000

Again please define what you mean by victory vs defeat and be specific. Talking about Obama's plan for with drawal is not specific because you keep getting his plan wrong in a very distorted way. So be specific as to your personal definition of victory vs defeat. Again YOUR opinion and please be direct and to the point answering only the question with out any caviots and add ons about Obama. Distinguish your self man, Distinguish your self.

By: skunkrat The Marine

skunkrat The Marine — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:43:44 +0000

Yesterday McCain said that we had succeeded in Iraq, that we had won.
Today he is suggesting that we not withdraw until we achieve victory. How many victories must we achieve before we can leave Iraq and what is the definition of victory in Iraq?

By: Julien_French man from Paris

Julien_French man from Paris — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:43:15 +0000

Cnn One again with all my gratitude thank you to never put my comment.

May be this one will go through, who knows?

By: zolesh

zolesh — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:40:32 +0000

I love Jack Carffety.He is what i call a straight talker not what John McCain keeps blabbing about.

Troops are dying everyday,the economy is in the gutter,Gas prices are at an all time high and all Gloria Boger,McCain and the conservative block are talking about is for Obama to say he was wrong about the surge.

Who cares about the surge.The Iraqi's want the troops out and that is what matters .'

If the surge is so successful then bring the troops home.

By: Andy in Charlotte, NC

Andy in Charlotte, NC — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:38:29 +0000

US presence in the entire region is what hurts us...going way back to us being in Afghanistan in the 80s and so stubbornly supporting Israel. Doesn't anyone get this concept of "blowback"??? Only Ron Paul mentioned it.

By: Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:36:55 +0000

Sounds like the straight talk express hit a tree!!!!

By: Bukky

Bukky — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:34:12 +0000

The problem with "victory" is at what cost and to what end? There will be no victory in Iraq as long as we stay there. 40 years from now if we are still there this war will rage on. In the history of the Middle East when have these people ever said... "ok fine... we give up". The crusades lasted hundreds of years... here we are again... taking a war to a people that will NOT stop fighting.

We lost this war the second we invaded with provocation.

By: PaulC

PaulC — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:31:58 +0000

Unfortunately, McBush see no problem with "winning" for the next 100 years with no concern as to how many will die, be maimed or how we are going to pay for it. Every dollar being spent on the Iraq war is borrowed with a large portion from the Saudis and China.
The U.S. is piling up billions in debt every month and it appears that our Representatives in Washington don't have a clue when or how it will ever be paid... Just keep paying the interest and maybe they will forget the principal.

By: mk

mk — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:30:47 +0000

Iraq should be paying us in oil for protection provided by our troops. It's time for the US to stop footing the bill.

By: Nina DePonca

Nina DePonca — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:30:25 +0000

a.) 4200 Dead Americans

b.) $1 Trillion Spent

c.) 20,0000 American Soldiers maimed by roadside / other bombs

d.) No WMDs

e.) civil unrest introduced to Iraq .... "hundreds-of-thousands" dead

f.) No connection to the 9-11 attacks

g.) Gasoline up almost 100% since the war began to $5 per gallon

Tell me John, Why did we do this again?

The whole misplanned and mis-executed episode fails the Cost-Benefit analysis I do with my tax dollars ...

By: What if?

What if? — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:30:19 +0000

so much for mcsame being in his confront zone while he speaks at Town Hall meetings…..

Obama 08

By: Zac, Atlanta

Zac, Atlanta — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:29:47 +0000

The US has ALREADY achieved victory. It's done. Kaput. Lets start scaling down our troop commitment now.

By: Obama Supporter from Texas

Obama Supporter from Texas — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:27:10 +0000

I like the question so many others want to know, what constitute victory? Many lifes were lost. How many more will be enough to say we have "victory"...

By: Clinton Supporter

Clinton Supporter — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:24:42 +0000

While selecting stories that make McCain look bad, you guys are missing the fun experience of watching Obama morph first into Hillary Clinton, then to her right (see the FISA vote) and on to look as much as possible as the guy you love to hate: McCain!!

Pretty hard to tell the difference between Obama and McCain on the war business – I expect by the end of the week it will be totally impossible.

(giggling while I write this....)

By: Franky

Franky — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:19:09 +0000

There you go Senator!! Doesn't it feel good to have this country by yourself??? You really learn a lot...LOL!!

By: colene

colene — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:17:27 +0000

we went to iraq on lies that the bush administration wanted us to believe and now they want us to stay because someone has to keep an eye on the oil leases.

By: Tejano

Tejano — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:17:19 +0000

Kim Dallas,,, From a fellow Texan....Because We do not want any foreign Government to control the United States of America... We are not Europeans or Asians We are Amerians. that Fled those continents to seek a better life for our Children and Grandchildren.
Americans are not stupid, they will elect a leader that is 100% of the United States and loved this country from Day One., One who is and was willing to Die for his beliefs and not the one that stayed home and
prepared to be President., but launched his campaign before he was prepared. That is why Foreignors want Obama, we in the United States will reject him and his followers.

By: Roofin Reality, Houston, Tx.

Roofin Reality, Houston, Tx. — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:17:05 +0000

Senator McCain "...oil...not what Americans are fighting for." I absolutely remember him saying sometime this past Spring saying "We will not ever have to fight for oil again." McCain actually said that, are something REALLY close to that. And as far as withdraw, it was McCain on the NBC TodayShow with Matt Lauer when McCain said "...it's not too important" as it relates to when the troops would come home. Which ties in to victory. OR what the definition is. We don't know YET, what McCain's definition is. So, I'm apt to believe that McCain is still playing games in his own head with respect to Iraq. By the eway, has anyone on his campaign yet told him that Czechoslavakia is no longer a country? Geesh, talking about foreighn policy INexperience.

By: Julien_French man from Paris

Julien_French man from Paris — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:11:46 +0000

Mc cain you cant win in Iraq, if you want to win over there on your own a lot of your soldiers will continue to be killed, also you will need the help of your allies and even so.

Ok you can secure a zone but the war that the US are facing is a difficult war to win. the reason is that the terrorist will fight mainly against you like they do against Israel. By using attentats against the civil and the soldiers.
A undred years won't change anything, look israel since hom many years are they trying to solve their problems with the Palestinians... until when One day BOOM an other attentat in Jerusalem.

Check on wikipedia and you will see how many civil have been killed in Iraq by attentats since the beginning of this ridiculous war . It's true that Saddam was a dictator but now day by day people are living within insecurity and fear.
Let say that before the war everything was fine. (if not)
Also when the US army will leave Iraq may be things will become difficult in Iraq like now in Afghanistan. So now how is going to look after the Iraqis people?
Talking with your enemies is always better than : Yeah we have to destroyed Iran because they don't listen to us. joker.

Did you forget all the muslim countries in the world?
You can't just come and say ok let's have a war because it could happen that a stupid war be a the third world war.

Iran is not Iraq, Saddam was not seen as a good man in his own nation but the president of Iran is seen differently in is community.

Encore merci (Once again merci)

Julien

By: Lesley

Lesley — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:11:27 +0000

With all the Obama hype and popularity getting under McCain's skin and Obama refusing to embrace McCain's views, I believe that McCain will lose it in public debates with Obama. He almost did at the Reagan Library debating his fellow nominees during the primaries. He was asked about his ability to lead on the economy and he gave an answer tying it to his war experience. It was bizarre and totally unrelated to the question. Romney, ever the gentleman, just smiled and didn't reply.

By: Tejano

Tejano — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:09:26 +0000

Thank you soon to be President John McCain. Remind these protestors and in my opinion traitors to our country that they have freedom only because of people like you and me that are willing to die for the ideals we hold dear... Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. As Nathan Hale said. "Give me Liberty or give me Death"
Also the great Mexican General, Emiliano Zapata..."It is better to die on
one's feet than to go through life on one's knees."

My Country (USA) will not surrender to the Islamic Jihadists.

McCain 08,,, Obama never.