BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania (CNN) – John McCain defended comments he made in an interview on Tuesday when he incorrectly argued that the surge in Iraq gave way to the so-called “Anbar Awakening” – when Sunni leaders joined forces with U.S. troops to fight Al Qaeda in the fall of 2006.
The Arizona senator told reporters Wednesday afternoon that when he refers to the surge, it encompasses not just the January 2007 increase in troop levels but also the counter-insurgency that started in Iraq’s Al Anbar province months prior.
“A surge is really a counter-insurgency strategy, and it’s made up of a number of components,” McCain said. “This counter-insurgency was initiated to some degree by Colonel McFarland in Anbar province, relatively on his own.”
“General Petraeus said that the surge would not have worked, and the Anbar Awakening would not have taken place, successfully, if they hadn’t had an increase in the number of troops,” McCain added.
“I’m not sure frankly that people really understand that a surge is part of counter-insurgency strategy which means going in, clearing, holding, building a better life, providing services to the people,” he continued.
In an interview with CBS’s Katie Couric on Tuesday, McCain said that the surge led U.S. forces to ally with Sunnis, “And it began the Anbar Awakening. I mean, that's just a matter of history."
The Obama campaign quickly seized on the discrepancy in the timeline between when the Awakening started and the U.S. later added 30,000 boots on the ground. Before McCain responded, his camp hit back saying that Democrats were minimizing the military’s role in recent successes in Iraq.
From CNN Politics
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LOL
What ever GRAMPS.
I just saw McCain deliver this rather bizarre message. If I didn't dislike him so much, I'd almost feel sorry for him.
Sorry, John. We are not buying that it was you said when you were angry about Obama looking so good.
this makes no sense. I am trying to like you John.....
I thought McCain was strait shooter.
He is clearly twisting the reality and mixing troop increase with political reconciliation...
What a hypocracy!
as normal, mccain is making comments to his advantage,,,, we are tired of your lies,,,,,,, be gone!!! scat!!!!! and dont forget to take your meds,,,,,, i would never believe anything mccain said,,, never!!!!!! hes too much like bush,,,,
I GUESS WHEN SOME GET OLD & LOSE SOME SURGES,
SOME CONSTANTLY PURSUES OTHERS.
MCSAME HAS FOUND A SUBSTITUTE, WAR.
Ok, I usually do not leave comments (just read them); but is this guy for real?? Regardless of who I am for and what I believe in, this can't be believed on level of reality. This guy acts like we're living within the Matrix and somehow we've all made the choice to take the wrong colored pill....thus the truth and what we all know to be common sense does not exist. My point...this guy is a straight talk liar and expounder of the truth. Where's Neo when you need him?!
The surge is a huge success, and Obama is making a fool of himself by denying it!
But, the two-faced Obama will readily take two positions at the same time and expect what he thinks are stupid Americans to fall for his obfuscation and political expediency!
America, tell Obama to give it up! We can't stand his prevaracating ways!
McCain 08, the only wise choice!
Okay. Isn't this someting out of Back to the Future or The Matrix?
I mean,
you give a standardly accepted definition of the surge
and then you flub the history of the definition
So today, you CHANGE the definition?
Wow, I think I should have gotten into politics after all?
Way to go Senator McCain.
Exactly how stupid does he think voters are???? Oh..wait, we're talking about republican voters...ok then. Go ahead Sidney, carry on with your lies, the sheep will follow.
I am no McCain fan, and will not vote for him. It seems to me that this man is fixated on his opponent. Where is McCain's solutions to high gas prices, the economy, job loss, the mortgage crisis. When I do find one of McCains so called solutions, they are laughable and extremely unrealistic! This man has absolutely no clue how to fix today's economy, how to help the America of today, or how to even begin to understand what is wrong in America! But hey, he's been around for 72 years so he must know how to handle and relate to the America of today. Like those wacky kids that listen to that new music called jazz! This man has absolutely no clue and no solution to any problems we face now and into the future! All he does is fixate on his opponent. I think mainly because his opponent is offering real solutions to real peoblems. All McCain does is state why his oppnents ideas and solutions won't work without offering any reason, or any solution of his own! Just like his war stance, all he knows how to do is attack, attack, attack!!
By the way,
I think Senator Obama clearly stated the there were some security successess thanks to the men and women of the military. If you go back and read the transcript of what he said, that's almost verbatim.
Come on Team McCain, you have to do better. The American people deserve better.
Let's rock with Obama, at least he isn't going around trying to change the widely held definition of the surge.
MCBUSH MUST HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION THAT
REQUIRES THE IRAQ WAR. PROBLEM IS, THAT HE
IS BLEEDING OUR CHILDREN & ECONOMY.
McCain said. “This counter-insurgency was initiated to some degree by Colonel McFarland in Anbar province, relatively on his own.”
So what is it that he (McCain) is taking credit for ?????
MCBUSH DOES SO SORELY WANT TO FORK OVER THOSE
IRAQI CONTRACTS TO HIS LOBBYIST. THERE IS NO WAY IN
GOD'S GREEN EARTH, THAT WE ARE GOING TO STAY IN IRAQ.
MCBUSH HAS NO PLANES FOR AMERICA, OTHER
THAN PAYING FOR HIS PLANS FOR IRAQ.
McFroggy is so full of it , jealous ,stale, blank full of lies reminds hearing his lingo is like watching paint dry
He has dirrhea of the mouth.
Whatever .... this war is so old ... end it already.
Hmmm....I wonder if he is just saying this to win a political campaign.
Did anybody see this exppppplanation on the news tonight. he sounded like a muddled old man, who claims there was a surge before the surge. it was pitiful This man has no businedd being POTUS!
Hahahahahaha. Oh man, this guy is something else. I really think, after he loses in November, he should apply for the next season of Last Comic Standing.
To expand Biden: Guliani thinks 9/11 is a noun and a verb; McCain thinks "surge" is both.
CNN: please send the comments for the blog "Plouffe briefs Dems on Obama's campaign strategy"...maybe then he will get it that this endless need for confirmation as a great military strategist just ain't cutting it with the voters!!
You OLD liar........
By the way, the Shiek McCain says was saved by the tank the 'SURGE" was able to park outside his house, the one who is widely credited for the Awakening was killed in Anbar as a result of a bomb attack in Sept. 2007.