July 29, 2008
Posted: 08:45 AM ET
Sen. John McCain appears Monday in Bakersfield, California, before talking to Larry King.
Sen. John McCain appears Monday in Bakersfield, California, before talking to Larry King.

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) — Sen. John McCain could support a 16-month timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, he told CNN's Larry King Monday night.

But the presumptive Republican presidential nominee said he would only do that if military chiefs deemed the "conditions on the ground" safe enough.

Watch: McCain talks to Larry King

Speaking from Bakersfield, California, the Arizona senator said he would not stick to a "hard and firm date" suggested by Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

Full story

Related: McCain says voters should not be concerned about his health

Filed under: John McCain


Johann   July 29th, 2008 12:34 pm ET

McCain isn't flip flopping: he didn't say that we should stay in Iraq for 100 years, he said that we should stay for 100 years if that's what it takes to defeat Islamic fundamentalism in Iraq.

Cracka lova   July 29th, 2008 12:32 pm ET

Lola give me a today issue…..theres is no gas or oil, theres is no economic issues, there is no Iraq in your post….so what US are you living in oh you must be rich and irrogant or poor and insecure these are the only groups that Obama has problems with……too bad there are way more poor and insecure people that don't realize it…….only 5% of the people will have higher taxes

James Hussein, SC   July 29th, 2008 12:31 pm ET

Stevie July 29th, 2008 10:50 am ET

McCain only got onething in his favour right now that will allow people to vote for him, even if he is wrong on every topic..HE IS WHITE.

The problem is: that there is much truth in your statement!

Platform Flip-Flops   July 29th, 2008 12:30 pm ET

McCain is rocking the flip-flops today! Not only has he changed his mind on his major platform – to go to the Obama 16-month time table. He's going to raise taxes. ABC news is reporting that he's backing off of his 'no new taxes' stand. What a weak candidate!

Tarla   July 29th, 2008 12:30 pm ET

Total flip flop

He's only even considering it now because the American people want it. He thinks by doing this he will get people's votes.

Well guess what McBush, it won't happen. And someone really needs to call him on this and his other flipflop's and lies. He's getting away with entirely to much.

But if you guy's really want him in the White House then by all mean's. Its just going to be 4 more years of the same. And we'll be in even worse shape than we are now.

Obama 08.

Robert   July 29th, 2008 12:29 pm ET

"A vote for McCain is a vote for the same"…old bad politics we're trying to rid ourselves of. I listened to his views on Larry King Live last night and I heard him misspeak at least three times. He was so dead set on his negative comments about Barack Obama that he lost track of even who he talking about and put his own John McCain name in there a few too many times.
It's obvious, McCaine is too old to be President. I think he's starting to really get more and more confused as time goes by.

Little Hawk   July 29th, 2008 12:28 pm ET

There you go . . . Johnflip McBushflop

dan collins   July 29th, 2008 12:26 pm ET

I guess if McCain thinks Obamba is correct then I guess McCain has become an Obama supporter. Frankly, McCain has OLD ideas and comes from the OLD school. We need NEW ideas and a NEW approach to our issues. Thing is that Obama has similar big money pulling his strings as well. There really is no choice this time. sad.

Cracka lova   July 29th, 2008 12:26 pm ET

Mike and Syracuse…….save it man you and the Rethugs……Mc Cain can modifies his position daily but we all are supposed know where he stands……you need to post on the Fox news funeral home; Hannity needs a new make-up artist…….we are not listening because it is never clear where your guy stands but I will say he never stands alone too long……..he is not a leader…..he is the rethugs poster child for alzheimers

Ron democrat turned independent   July 29th, 2008 12:25 pm ET

sen. obama proved one thing going to iraq and talking to the commanders on the ground. Their advice is worth nothing compared to his superior judgement and he is willing to stake a whole lot of American soldiers lives to prove it. yesterday he had all these suppose to be economic advisers on tv with him which is all for show. if that man is willing to trade lives to satisfy his ego how can he expect us to believe he will follow what economist have to say.

Maxie   July 29th, 2008 12:24 pm ET

Mr SongBird…. ZigZag

McCain would do to anything to win this election.

Ohhh… He knows how to win "wars"……

Envy… McCain didnt see this Overseas trip turning out this way… (Obama's Team did it better)…. Cooperation with other countries is important. The rest of the World knows who is a better leader.

McCain can 'sugar-coat' all his words…. about the War, Economy (deficits)…. Obama does it better

ALL McCain has to do is watch his own clips, and he'll vote for Obama

proud army and navy mom   July 29th, 2008 12:22 pm ET

cnn, are there any real reporters there?

Why do you treat the candidates differently.? You harp and harp on what you preceive the tiniest misstep of Sen Obama, but mcwar just continues almost every day with his lies, misspeaks, confusion and deceit. You gloss over it like it was nothing.

You play and play that commercial of Mccain for free acting as if it was true. You make no statements of the actual lies and misrepresentations in it. If you must continue to campaign for Mccain, why don't you try and make an effort to be fair and balanced or have you just thrown that out of the window?

Why is that?

easy   July 29th, 2008 12:22 pm ET

flippty flopty

Obama 08

see the path to greatness

Tanya Kujath   July 29th, 2008 12:22 pm ET

Is that called a Flip-Flop?

Cracka lova   July 29th, 2008 12:21 pm ET

John from Texas……I support Mc Cains service….have you seen Forrest Gump……this is what your candidate sounds like…..war hero, stumbled on a whole bunch of money, and still a complete idiot………..I guess everything is still big in Texas including dummies and good ole boys

David   July 29th, 2008 12:20 pm ET

Both candidates just telling us what we want to hear. no change is coming folks. not by either of these bought and paid for cronies.

Grog in Ohio   July 29th, 2008 12:19 pm ET

Wait… I thought you said setting a time table was step toward surrender and accepting defeat!! I'm sooo confused!!!

Here's an idea… let's get rid of ALL of the Republicans and see if we can clean up their mess within the next, say, 20 years!

175 days till the end of the Bush administration.

F. Lynn   July 29th, 2008 12:18 pm ET

The white house listens to Obama, McCain listens to Obama, boy for a guy with supposedly no experience, everybody in power or want-a-be sure listens too and endorses his judgements!

Along for the ride   July 29th, 2008 12:17 pm ET

Trolling, trolling, trolling,

Spin cycle on both sides spiraling out of control today I see.

Trolling, trolling….

Uncle Fester   July 29th, 2008 12:16 pm ET

Terry in Lakeland – you obviously don't have a clue what Obama's plans are other than what has been spoon fed to you by the likes of Faux News and Limbaugh.
-Obama will raise taxes- yes, on people making over $250,000 a year. How do you propose paying for the little adventure GWB has been on for the last 6 years? I find it slightly hypocritical that someone who thinks it is wrong to "talk to terrorists" has no problem mortgaging our country to the hilt with Communist China.
-He plans to take choice out of healthcare. This is just patently false. People with private insurance would be free to keep it. The millions of uninsured would be the ones getting a "choice".
-we will not drill for our own oil-again a lie. He is opposed to drillling in out coastal waters-but favors the oil companies drilling in the hundreds of thousands of square miles of land they already have available and are not using. As far as importing foreign oil goes-there is no way that can be stopped, we cannot produce enough domestically to cover our needs-and drilling new wells would not yield results for years.
-He wants to meet with terrorists-No, he is willing to meet with heads of states of countries that we consider enemies. It is called DIPLOMACY. Something that has been sorely lacking for the last 8 years.
It takes a wingnut to know one

REG in AZ   July 29th, 2008 12:16 pm ET

Many of my friends are diehard Republicans/Democrats and, like with so many who write comments, I see several making a decision, taking a position … and then doing their thinking. I think that is something we all are too prone to do, that is giving in to our established biases, prejudices and emotional attachments and having a predetermined position which we then justify … rationalize. You can identify it when you see things offered like ‘Barack is a Muslim’, “Barack is inexperienced’, ‘McCain is too old’, ‘McCain has mental lapses’ and so much more nonsense and worse, some even insultingly stupid. Even the thinking that ‘he is a Republican/Democrat and therefore will be better’, when truly objective, can’t be considered trustworthy. My point is that unless the majority can break away from this stuff then the onslaught of appeals to our biases, prejudices, emotional attachments and single issues, like in 2000 & 2004, may result in our electing other than the best candidate. When we take a hard and honest look at the status of everything today we each should see that we desperately need the best individual to handle all of the problems and rationalizing just won’t give us that. We need to be truly objective and disciplined, which means conscientiously putting our own biases, prejudices, emotional attachments and stupidity aside. We each need to make our own objective discernment and not be led by irrational/emotional appeals. Just putting more effort into making a truly rational decision instead of all of the effort put into arguing about the rationalizations would guarantee better results. Hopefully this time around we can do that.

Gee   July 29th, 2008 12:15 pm ET

Texas Voter, and Jesse— Please define victory in Iraq

'72 Vet   July 29th, 2008 12:15 pm ET

"Only difference is that Obama list is correct. He has stated he plans to drop tax cuts (Raise taxes), He plans to take choice out of health care, he refuses to stop buys oil from over seas(We will not drill for our own oil..he said it sorry you cannot fight that fact), he wants to meet with terrorists, with no conditions…he said it not me. So moan all you wait, your holy Obama has stated he plans to do EVERYTHING on that list….respond to that if you can…no wait you left wing nuts never do."
______________________________

I think you need to educate yourself with the plan he (Obama) has that is on his web site, not the bits and pieces taken out of context to suit your own agenda.

But then again, you ARE a player aren't you.

The ole spin cycle is spiraling out of control.

Belle2   July 29th, 2008 12:14 pm ET

Clearly the Obama fans do not understand. This is not a flip flop; it has always been McCain's policy that he would withdraw when conditions on the ground allowed. Obama and his fans have always distorted the 100-year comment. There is no excuse for all the distortion. If you are for Obama, fine, just try to understand what it is you are for instead of just distorting everything McCain says and calling him names. You all sound like two-year-olds.

And about the Supreme Court, some of the best justices were appointed by Republicans (for example O'Connor).

Obama fans need to take a break and try to think logically instead of emotionally. Maybe, they would still vote for Obama but they would certainly be able to explain their choice without all the animosity, hatred, and name calling.

Annette   July 29th, 2008 12:13 pm ET

For those who admire McCain support of the troops and think he is not risky, go do your homework, this is the same guy who voted against support for the troops, the recent vote for additional benefits for our troops, he didn't bother to vote at all. Look behind the smiles, and giggles and check his voting record for our troops, his vote is not behind his smiles and giggles.

McNo   July 29th, 2008 12:13 pm ET

I know exactly where this is going he is going to say after 100 years of occupation then we will take out our troops in 16 months.

Mary   July 29th, 2008 12:13 pm ET

Patrick? McCain was WRONG!!!

The problem is that in IRAQ there were NO TERRORISTS!!!!

…….there were NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS!!!!…

WE WENT INTO THE WRONG COUNTRY…….

if you want to fight the terrorists then why didn’t we go full throttle and continue doing that in Afghanistan?

Cathy in MD   July 29th, 2008 12:12 pm ET

McCain is climbing aboard the increasingly popular OBAMA TRAIN and attempting to throw OBAMA underneath it by distorting OBAMA’s position on an Iraq withdrawl. Obama has been saying all along that he would carefully consider the conditions on the ground before making a decision about troop withdrawl … AND … I have never heard Obama give a “hard and firm date” for withdrawl from Iraq as McCain claims he has. What does he mean? Like “Tuesday, October twenty-something? Yikes! The McCain campaign is clearly desperate … and, dare I say, losing their bearings.

Obama   July 29th, 2008 12:12 pm ET

What ever you do people do not take McPhony's low polling for granted you must show up to vote in order for him to be a footnote in history

Herman in LA   July 29th, 2008 12:12 pm ET

He don't have no darn choice Obama was right on from the beginning and they want us out of Iraq because we are not going to get any of there oil so there you go Bush and Cheney.

NO OIL

Tyler in Raleigh   July 29th, 2008 12:12 pm ET

100 Years = 16 months in McCain Years. Every month is like a decade in his mind. So will Americans just stop whining?

Gary of El Centro, Ca   July 29th, 2008 12:11 pm ET

After all of McCain's ranting and raving about Obama's lack of experience, lack of judgment, and total misunderstanding of foreign affairs, it's really quite funny watching him flipping and flopping and ending up coming to the position that Obama has held all along. You gotta love politics!

TyWebb   July 29th, 2008 12:11 pm ET

100 years and 16 months!

Obama   July 29th, 2008 12:10 pm ET

We welcome you coming to reality you flip flopper

soldier4theTRUTH   July 29th, 2008 12:10 pm ET

Seems to me that as a Soldier in the US Army, my vote will most certainly go to OBAMA and I am a dis-served Republican. After been promise in 2000 that "it's time to bring the troops home", nothing happened we went to war on lies, not truth. Then here we are again and McCain would rather go to war, like Bush McCain is the son of military elite in this country. Like Bush who refused to serve in Vietnam, McCain got shot down and decide to stay a POW in order that he would become a respected "Hero" instead of insulting his father. Like Bush McCain is still trying to live up to the ideals of their family eliteism, however unlike Bush, John McCain does not understand the issues, he is for more war, he has PTSD, he is too old, he is sick with cancer, and what will he do for America that makes him any different than G.W. McCain has changed all his 2000 positions today in order to get on board with the RNC and the "knowledge" base of his party, the lies they tell, only this time, NO ONE IS BUYING into it. We are awakened and the truth will set us on a right course.

YES WE CAN and November 4th we will change the trajectory of this country and the World. Where is Abe Lincoln when you need him?!

OBAMA 2008

Susan   July 29th, 2008 12:09 pm ET

What you did not mention is that he said he did not say it. Flip Flop or liar, take you choice – he still is no good.

Dave   July 29th, 2008 12:08 pm ET

Has this man had an original idea? It seems he and the Bush administration are taking everything Obama says to heart. Any idea that Obama has pushed, either McCain or the Bush administration originally opposes, but then slowly comes to accept and support it. Talk about being presidential, he's a rookie senator and he's convincing the Bush administration and McCain to follow through with his plans.
lol

Nancy   July 29th, 2008 12:06 pm ET

Rise America Rise July 29th, 2008 9:39 am ET

This is just slimey republican tactics. McCain is saying this just to make ending the war a non issue for the election. If both candidates have the same position, it wont be a differentiator for the voters. Now if McCain were elected, god forbid, he would immediately switch back to his 100 years in Iraq position, and use ground conditions as the reason.

I AGREEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Amy   July 29th, 2008 12:04 pm ET

Questions: McCain says he knows how to win wars, but
1. Didn’t we loose Vietnam?
2. Wasn’t he in a POW camp for most of that war and not commanding troops or setting military strategy?
3. What war has he personally commanded or set directions for??? Not the Gulf War, Desert Storm, Somalia, or even the current Iraq War

I honor and respect McCain's military service, but I still do not understand how him being a POW makes him a Commander in Chief. In fact, aside from that he and Barack are probably equal on Foreign affairs. McCain visited places, but still never was able to implement international approaches and support. Obama, understand the historical and current affairs of those nations, has visited them and is setting vision for international involvement on issues that will impact the world if not corrected.

Now, it amazes me how the Republicans are stealing every idea that Obama has come up with and using it. Bush is trying to implement as soon as possible to save his doomed legacy… we all know he is the worst US President and has destroyed our economy and international image.

McCain… need I say more… just look at the article.

Obama is clearly the best choice for President of the USA. Leadership must set vision and inspire people to want to achieve that goal. Obama does this with grace, intelligence and a smoothness that some people just don't understand.

McCain can only inspire a rock. Also, because of Bush's cowboy attitude Republicans believe if you are not instilling fear, a go it alone approach or division then you can not be a leader.

Sorry, Obama gets my vote regardless of his VP choice. I pray that it is someone like Sam Nunn of Georgia so that we can shut up the Republicans mouth.

Obama '08

Ted - Ohio   July 29th, 2008 12:04 pm ET

I agree. McCain needs to not only adopt Obama's ideas, he needs to adopt Obama himself. McCain is old enough to be his dad!

VON BISMARK,Vienna.   July 29th, 2008 12:03 pm ET

Dr. It's-My-Idea-From-The-Begining.

Michael   July 29th, 2008 12:02 pm ET

Why is that everytime I see McCain on the campaign trail or at town hall meetings he is always the youngest guy in the crowd?

Nikki   July 29th, 2008 12:02 pm ET

Ah excuse me Obamalism, but for you to claim "anyone who repeats the '100 years' comment proves what a moron you are and have no idea what you're talking about" have every right to repeat McCain's words. The question posed to McCain was about the length of America's presence in Iraq. McCain said "make it 100." We did not make this up, therefore, anyone has right to repeat McCain's words. McCain did not anticipate the political backlash, so he and his supporters audaciously attack those that are only repeating what McCain said. We're not morons, we're just repeating McCain's moronic words.

Mike   July 29th, 2008 12:01 pm ET

Watch out people – McCain is trying to perfect the old Jedi mind trick….

*waving his hand*

"I never said timetable"

Republicans: "he never said timetable"

"These aren't the droids you're looking for"

Republicans: "these aren't the droids we're looking for"

"move along"

Welcome McCain   July 29th, 2008 12:00 pm ET

Aboard the Obama express

Blaze   July 29th, 2008 11:58 am ET

Yall call McCain a flip flopper, Obama has done the same thing on different issues. McCain only stated that we might have a permanent presence over there for a hundred years like we do in Japan. And that would be only if necessary. So quit taking and twisting the truth. McCain of course will support the 16 month withdrawl call cause believe it or not he does want the troops out of there and this is a chance. However, it is also smart on his part to make sure that he consults with his military advisors and keeps them in the loop unlike Obama who does not seem to give a rats ____ about his advisors.

Mike in MN   July 29th, 2008 11:58 am ET

These blogs dominated by comments from obvious Democrats crack me up. Did you even read the article above? Here is what is in the article regarding McCain's position for those who apparently missed it. "But the presumptive Republican presidential nominee said he would only do that if military chiefs deemed the "conditions on the ground" safe enough." He has always said the conditions on the ground would ditcate any withdraw of troops.
Reading these blogs make me chuckle. It reminds me of a bunch of elementary age school kids with all the name calling and such. And it's like the old Art Linkletter show where kids say the darndest things. It's cute when you hear adolesents try to talk about adult subjects they don't yet fully understand, not so much when it is voting age adults sounding like a bunch of 5 and 6 year olds.

David Newport, OR   July 29th, 2008 11:58 am ET

Glad to see that you decided Obama's ideas aren't so stupid after all!!!! Wow…what an idiot. Criticize Obama for a 16-month timetable for months and months and then say he would support a 16-month timetable and claim it as his own. There is not a more perfect example of the integrity of this man. How republicans can vote for this man is beyond me. Obviously, we are genetically different.

Esther   July 29th, 2008 11:58 am ET

WIse Americans, WAKE UP! Do not vote for a 3rd term of the rashness, lack of insight and judgement of McSame! This really goes to show that McSame lacks judgement and foresight. If Obama could strategize and see this coming and stood firmly by a firm strategy in Iraq all this time and Old Slow McSame is finally coming around to it…Americans think twice if you are thinking of voting for McSame. We don't need this lack of vision anymore. Go for Obama.

And, CNN, why dont you word this story and the title differently and highlight McSame's lack of foresight. Obama campaign you need to also reword it for the american people if the MSM have been bought by McSame.

Erin in Edmonds WA   July 29th, 2008 11:58 am ET

:P UMA stupids. Go ahead and laugh, you'll be crying in November.

Hillary wants it both ways–she signed the agreement that FL and MI would not count, then kicked and screamed about it when she was behind in the polls and desperately needed those delegates.

The Clinton's will never get over that their "empire" was toppled by an unknown, who had the audacity to plan well, speak from his heart, and speak from his mind. Both republicans and the Clintons are very jealous of Obama and the fact that he has been embraced.

Obama had an economic summit yesterday with some of the most gifted, intelligent economic minds in the county to hash out his policies for economic recovery while Hillary said nothing, and John McCain worked on a sunburn out in CA. Go spit in the wind somewhere else, but know this, If by some chance Obama does not win, then hillbilly will be blamed and the Clinton legacy will go down in flames. Hope you're digging your own grave next to the one you are digging for the Clintons.

Steve   July 29th, 2008 11:57 am ET

Marilyn from Ohio! I totally agree with you.

JC   July 29th, 2008 11:57 am ET

What is so big about this. McCain has always said he is against unconditional timelines. If the military commanders in the field believe 16 months is possible to get most combat units out of Iraq and the conditions in Iraq support it, why not? As much as some of this blog want to make it seem like it is a huge reversal of McCain's policy, it isn't. His policy appears to be the same as before – remove combat troops from Iraq if the conditions support it and the military commanders in the field believe it is the best move.

ssm   July 29th, 2008 11:56 am ET

If maccain wins this election(which looks very unlikely), he will surely appoint Obama as his deputy..

Vote NO for John McSpin   July 29th, 2008 11:56 am ET

Flip flopper

RB   July 29th, 2008 11:55 am ET

McCainiac!

YOU have SURRENDERED to OBAMA's ideas!

Too little, too late.

Felly   July 29th, 2008 11:55 am ET

McSame is the biggest flip flopper because he has nothing to offer.

Henry Miller, Cary, NC   July 29th, 2008 11:54 am ET

Finally a little sense is leaking in!

But only a little–how about six months!

Mark Ramsey MD Milwaukee WI   July 29th, 2008 11:54 am ET

Hmmm..notice how Obama has an idea, and all the sudden other people have that idea? An Obama?Clinton ticket would be invincible.

Bob Stephens   July 29th, 2008 11:53 am ET

McSame is going to " Cut and Run", "surrender to the Terrorists", give up before the job is done, ….. etc… That is what he has been accusing Obama of , for months and months, and of course, he flips and flops as usual….and now agrees with Obama………

TC, Fl   July 29th, 2008 11:52 am ET

You Obama-blivions are as good at twisting words as your sorry leader.

McCain is not agrreing with Obama's 16-month timetable. He maintains, as he always has, that no firm timetable should be set. Even Obama says that 16 months is just a reasonable timeframe. Even Obama says that not ALL combat troops will be withdrawn, the same as McCain has said we might keep a PRESENCE there for 100 years – same thing.

At least Obama has changed his mind about considering 'conditions on the ground'. At least there is some hope that we will not precipitously withdraw.

If you look closely, you will see Obama is now in line with the strategy as Bush is following, both in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But you Obama-blivions won't see that will you.

A. Boston, MA   July 29th, 2008 11:51 am ET

FLIP FLOP is all I have to say..

lisa M   July 29th, 2008 11:51 am ET

Hmmmmm. Think I heard this somewhere else from someone else. . . .

Greg Pottstown, Pa.   July 29th, 2008 11:51 am ET

Do you liberals only see what you want to.

Ok , for the last time . McCain said that he would not disagree with a withdraw in less than 16 months if the situation on the ground made it possible, but if the situation on the ground dictates that it is to dangerous he dose not think it is best to do it any way. He also said I don't care if we are in Iraq for another 100 years I will not bring troops home until it is safe to do so and that will be determined by the situation on the ground

Tony   July 29th, 2008 11:50 am ET

The Obama zealots response to this really show how solid a campaign John McCain is running right now. McCain COULD support a 16-month timetable ONLY if military chiefs deemed the conditions correct and he OPPOSES Obama's first timetable.

One little nugget, manufactured by a suggestively worded CNN headline, and the Obamaphiles jump on it like a pack of starving dogs. It's hilarious! Do you guys see how pathetic you are? You're reduced to ignoring the entire story, and misunderstand the meaning of "could" to bolster your rockstar candidate. Thank God it's a lot easier to post on a blog than it is to actually get away from your computer to leave the house and vote on a specific day, then I'd be worried that some of you would actually vote.

Sonny   July 29th, 2008 11:50 am ET

But I thought we had 100 years and that peace is born of wisdom and… something else that contradicts all that, too!

You say you COULD support 16 months? I thought your opponent had no experience but now you're considering something he said? Peace, wisdom, all that…

Vegas Barbie for Obama   July 29th, 2008 11:50 am ET

Whatever doubts I had about this guy's mental ability/sharpness to efficiently and effectively lead this country were confirmed and set in stone last night when I saw the interview that Larry King did with McShouldHaveStayedHomeLastNight…how feeble is this guy? How many times did he repeat his schpeal about Saddam and his WMD and the information related thereto…must be the dermatologist gave him a little relaxant of some kind before she did her biopsy and McCain's brain hadn't come out of it yet!
OBAMA '08 & '12 YES WE CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pat   July 29th, 2008 11:49 am ET

This man has totally lost it! "deemed the conditions on the ground are safe enough." It wasn't a week ago he claimed that Obama's strategy on moving the troops home would put the Iraq and Afghanistan in dire straits! He needs a Brain Scan to confirm there isn't a problem before the election.

Ted - Ohio   July 29th, 2008 11:48 am ET

OK. Obama has won this one. Obama has won the Iran one too. Obama has won the Afganistan one as well. Obama has won the Ueropeans too. Let's move on to the economy. There's still serious differences there, maybe McCain will come around and face reality.

Cracka lova   July 29th, 2008 11:47 am ET

Debby if you are rich ? Then i understand……but your excuses for supporting this man get more ignorant everytime I see you post…….so much for experience if you are an experienced follower it doesn't match up to an inexperienced leader…..Obama is a leader……and the media is the most biased when it comes to Mc cain changing his position …..they never call him on it

DR   July 29th, 2008 11:46 am ET

Did any of you read the second paragraph? It says "But the presumptive Republican presidential nominee said he would only do that if military chiefs deemed the 'conditions on the ground' safe enough." Doesn't sound like a flip-flop to me.

That's a big IF. You Obamatrons crack me up! The Barack of Obama will pull troops out no matter what. Sounds like a cut and run to me!

NOBAMA
NO WAY
The only change you will get from him is what is left in your pockets after his tax policies take effect!

Boudreau   July 29th, 2008 11:44 am ET

Born too loose, I've lived my life in vain……
He was a prisoner for 5 years, as IN JAIL, NOT YALE!

Latinos for Obama   July 29th, 2008 11:43 am ET

Another opportunity for McCain to show America that Obama is the one to vote for. It is extremly interesting how Bush/McCain tend to embrace Obama's idea…..and he says Obama has little experience. Very interesting.

Charlie   July 29th, 2008 11:43 am ET

I respect that a leader can change his or her mind. It is sign that they have one to change. Most important is to observe the decision making process. Barack Obama researches the facts of a situation, speaks to those involved and decides. I find this method much preferable to the current President whose motto seems to be: “if the facts don’t agree with your decision, get new facts”

The difference between “changing one’s mind based on a preponderance of the facts” and “flip-flopping” depends on whether or not one agrees with the new stance. Because George W Bush is wrong all the time, any change of mind is welcomed, as recently happened with the GI Bill, the home mortgage crisis, and talking to Iran.

John McCain is more complicated in that he is right about 10%-20% of the time. When he changes his mind it might be from wrong to right, as in his “new idea” for a time-table for Iraq pullout, or right to wrong. Lately however the ex-maverick has gone from being right to being far right as recently happened with the tax cuts, civil rights and immigration.

Barack Obama is burdened with being right about 80%-90% of the time. When he changes his mind he has a much greater chance of becoming wrong and will need to explain his actions clearly . Luckily for him he has an ability to explain things well.

OBAMA WINS GEORGIA   July 29th, 2008 11:43 am ET

YOU NEED MORE PEOPLE WE DONT BELIEVE YOU MCWAR

Will from Gaithersburg, MD   July 29th, 2008 11:42 am ET

Sen. McCain is the biggest flip-flopper ever! "Old man yells at cloud!"

McGaffe   July 29th, 2008 11:41 am ET

KEEP FOLLOWING OBAMA!

Right to the Whitehouse buddy!

Eric in Ca   July 29th, 2008 11:41 am ET

Wow..none of the other News Agencies or blogs have picked this up…
Finally, McCain agrees with Obama.. McCain being the Foreign Policy guru is a bunch of croc fed to us by the MSM… McCain only knows pudding & applesauce! History v. Pre-Historic…

Obama is the future.Period!

Anne E.   July 29th, 2008 11:41 am ET

Yeah, that's what he says now………or at least until he has another new position, at which time he'll claim this position was another "senior moment." McCain is too stiff and too scripted.

fella from Chicago   July 29th, 2008 11:39 am ET

If anyone watched the Senator on CNN last night, he was emphatic using the term "conditions on the ground". That means he would support a troop pull out next month, 16 months from now, or a hundred years. It all depends on the military commanders on the ground. He hasn't changed his stance or is in agreement with the " Chicago Messiah". Obama says he wants the troops out in 16 months no matter what the military says. A little different, don't you think? Thank God Senator McCain is in this race against the witless wonder from the Southside of Chicago. America has a chance.

Jack Jodell, Minneapolis, MN   July 29th, 2008 11:39 am ET

It's official: John McCain has now joined LBJ, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush as the most consistent liars and flip-floppers in our country's political history. The "straight talk express" has all but driven off the road into the ditch, and McCain's anti-Obama ads are so full of lies and distortion they would do Karl Rove proud! McCAIN = BUSH 3.
OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT!!!

mwm   July 29th, 2008 11:38 am ET

so,now mccain is flipping to exactly the same plan as obama's?mccain would never begin a pull-out from iraq.it will never be safe enough ,'on the ground',in his opinion.he will keep troops there ,indefinitely,constantly claiming conditions arent right,yet,so he can keep our troops there ,long enough,to begin his next war with iran.

Mike in MN   July 29th, 2008 11:38 am ET

For those who care to listen to what both Obama and McCain said, McCain says 16 months or one month or whatever is OK IF THE MILITARY COMMANDERS SAY THE CONDITIONS ON THE GROUND ARE SAFE ENOUGH. Obama favors a more set 16 month time table, but allows for some flexibilty based on the conditions on the ground. Both have moved a bit. But McCain has always said any withdrawl has to be based on the conditions on the ground. I see no flipflop. Just knee jerk Dems who do not really listen. Something they constantly complain Bush does not do.
More proof on Dems not really listening is the McCain 100 years war in Iraq thing. What he said is its OK with him to have a 100 years military presence in Iraq. Not 100 years of war. He said a presence like we have in Germany (the troops that Obama did not want to visit) and Korea and other places. What he said was that the American people object to a military presence with US troop casualties, but that in Germany and Korea, no one is objecting to those troops over seas. The Dems that keep talking about 100 years of war idiots or just not telling the truth or both.
And to all the Dems who want the troops to come home, you do realize that Obama is not going to bring them home, he is going to send them to Afghanistan to get killed there instead.
But don't worry, McCain is showing a lead in the two most recent polls. USA Today/Gallop 7/25 – 7/27 has McCain up +4 and Rasmussen Tracking 7/26 – 7/28 has Obama up by just +1.

crownsy   July 29th, 2008 11:38 am ET

and obama is a flip flopper?

this idiot said a month ago that timetables and plans were unimportant, and we should be prephared for the long haul. now he realizes he's against the majority's opinion and flips.

lol maccain.

Carol, Lansing Michigan   July 29th, 2008 11:37 am ET

69 flips and counting……..

Now why are you decision changes called "reacting to circumstance changes" and Obamas called "flip flops"?

Pot, once again, I introduce kettle.

TPas   July 29th, 2008 11:37 am ET

Senator J. Mccain just want to be pesident! no matter how long it take to quit Iraq. 100 years or 16 months he don't care.

He can't even remember what he saids from days to days! He needs the title of president …that 's all.

David, Virginia   July 29th, 2008 11:36 am ET

Pandoring…

You can't say one thing and give it all of your support, and then SAY something else which you don't believe in… That's called pandoring. You will not get my vote Mr. McCain, and you had better stop lying about Mr. Obama's policies to the general public. I don't want a man who lies to the country to rule it.

Dave from Menifee   July 29th, 2008 11:36 am ET

That's McCain problem he's going to let a Genral determine the war policies. Obama said after taking in everything i.e. the cost, and other urgent national security matters then he will make the final call that's leadership. You can't delegate National security.

sidney nyc   July 29th, 2008 11:36 am ET

cnn is the new fox news

why wont they report on john mcsame voting record for vets.

Tired of W, OH   July 29th, 2008 11:35 am ET

This just in…..

McFlipFlop is at it again! After repeatedly saying that he would not raise taxes, McCain now says he will raise the payroll taxes if needed!

This is HUGE because the repubs always try to scare voters by saying that the Democrats are going to raise your taxes.

Come on, CNN! You need to cover this! No more free rides for McCain!

Remy   July 29th, 2008 11:35 am ET

RJ,CA
Hillary wanted "immediate" withdrawal within one month but you quoted wrong something Obama never said!

Craig   July 29th, 2008 11:34 am ET

Wow… Talk about flip floping

Bill   July 29th, 2008 11:33 am ET

Did you Obamies even read the article? You're responding to something that wasn't said. I was hoping Obamies would be sort of literate but I'm now having doubts.

Chris, PENN   July 29th, 2008 11:33 am ET

Hear me now and believe me in a week! With Obama's numbers slipping in the polls after such large scale press support for his world tour….the media is in an all out rage! You will begin to see lopsided attacks and shameful bias reporting of Mccain in the next few weeks. Mccain needs to brace himself for this because the next few weeks will be very bumpy!

The media has mandated themselves as the people who will decide the country's next president. They will not allow voters to stand in the way of this agenda. Voters reactions to their biggest and grandest scheme to propell Obama to the top after the world tour has created much rage among the media loving networks. Mccain will pay for this in the weeks to come. Just watch and you'll see what I mean. Brace yourself senator Mccain…there's media turbulence ahead! your saving grace, however, is your call to have faith in the voters and as long as you stick by the voters, they'll shelter you from this media storm.

pam Eugene OR   July 29th, 2008 11:32 am ET

Unbelievable!
It is impossible to understand McCain's platform when it changes daily.
Obama 08 for truth in government

Gramma Faye /Idaho   July 29th, 2008 11:32 am ET

He didn't say we WOULD be in Iraq 100 yrs. He was using it as an example like we have been in Korea and Germany and still in Japan. It isn't written in stone. Like he has said it depends on what is happening on the ground and if the Iraqi people get their act together and decide to run their own country and be able to fight off not only the terrorists but Iran or Turkey or any of the other countries that would like to get hold of Iraq.
Stop and think people before you keep listening to all this spin and nit picking every word. Listen for yourselves. Stop being led around like a band of sheep.
Wonder if they will post this.
NOBAMA in grannys camp.

G, Margate, FL   July 29th, 2008 11:31 am ET

McShame is finally right just bring the troops home, he is too old he can't think straight therefore he has to steal other people ideas.

BO 08

Former Republican   July 29th, 2008 11:31 am ET

The republican analyst are counting on the Youth not showing up this year, they're mockingly declaring OBAMAs youth power as not important. They have a point b/c I didn't vote the last election, and that was my 1st chance to vote for president. But this year, when it matters the most , LETS PROVE THEM WRONG. Lets get OUT THERE and let our voices be heard. This election is about US, not about the seniors in their 60s who are retired or about to. There's no telling of how worse the economy will be if we let the seniors elect another BUSH. They are less likely to feel the effects of another bush for 8 years than we are. I respect them but MANY OF THEM are less tolerant and too stuck in their ways to vote for a candidate that don't look like them. We, the youth are the Future. We are more tolerant and have met and worked with people from all works of life. So please, get out and vote like you did in the primaries. This is our OUR FUTURE , THIS IS OUR MOMENT, THIS IS OUR TIME, GO REGISTER NOW and LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD!!!!
BTW: my family is traditionally republican, and my grandparents are voting for McCain, But I realize this is more important to me than them.

SOUTHERN HOTTIE   July 29th, 2008 11:30 am ET

RJ, CA

. . . . ummm….BITTER MUCH?

Alisha(Independent voter) MN   July 29th, 2008 11:30 am ET

Pander Pander-Panderbear McShame!

Frank   July 29th, 2008 11:29 am ET

This senile old liar can't figure out what to say. He wants to be on both sides of the biggest foreign affairs issue of our times.

And when it comes to domestic affairs, he wants to refer all questions to his economic adviser, whoever that is today.

The problem with electing McCain is that he isn't an empty suit like Romney. He's an empty head like Bush. The same crowd of thieves and liars would be in charge because we would (once again) have a president whose "not all there."

Texas trail puppy!   July 29th, 2008 11:29 am ET

Scott, Phoenix July 29th, 2008 9:56 am ET

Other than his mouth,, can you Obama fans name one thing he has ever run?

Hey Scotty, Well one thing for sure is that he is running a really BRILLIANT Campaign if your if your level of cluelessness is any indication of what is happening in the McSame Camp.
Obama '08

Remy   July 29th, 2008 11:29 am ET

Many here tell that McCain is a flip flopper but I notice McCain is a follower of Barack Obama in every policy initiatives. Anyway it is good for America and to the world peace.

Why cannot McCain become the VP to Obama? hahahaha

SOUTHERN HOTTIE   July 29th, 2008 11:28 am ET

Where's TEXAS TRAIL DOG'S comment?

Can't wait to read his moronic response to this.
All other McLame supporters posts aren't stupid enough.

And CNN moderator, you can censor this as well.
Atleast YOU will have read my post HAHAHAHAHAHHAH!

OBAMA 2008/2012

Kristy in Georgia   July 29th, 2008 11:28 am ET

I can't imagine why he's changed his mind. Maybe it's that 60%+ Americans think the troops need to come home ASAP. Maybe it's that the Iraqi government supports Obama's timetable. Maybe it's that he and his campaign staff are realizing you just can't win with a 100-year strategy in Iraq. Whatever the reason, the guy is redefining Flip-Flopper.

paul oregon   July 29th, 2008 11:27 am ET

hand this man another oar hes he seems to be having a senor moment. maybe him an hillary could get together then they atleast have 2 oars. and go whinning off into the sunset.

Wayne PHILLIPS   July 29th, 2008 11:27 am ET

McCain's plan to stay in Iraq forever and have permanent bases in Iraq like what we have in Japan and Germany is a losing argument. After telling us that Obama just doesnt get it he now adopts Obama's withdrawal plan. A plan Obama has touted for several years now. McCain said 50 to 100 years, to victory and withdrawl by 2013 to it doesnt matter when they come home so long as we dont have casualties…and finally…16 months sounds fine. Now Obama has ALWAYS said as careful getting out as we were careless getting in. So its not a hard and fast 16 months. Adjustments will need to be made as we withdrawl. McCain is trying to recharacterize Obamas plan as being a 16 month pull out no matter what happens.

McCain you are a liar just like Bush. I hope to you lose.

Larry   July 29th, 2008 11:27 am ET

July 29th, 2008 11:26 am ET
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
The look on his face when he told that reporter he would not take her question, and turned to someone else was scary.

Here is a man who couldn't do the basic things he wanted to do for 5 years. Now the American people are about to give him the most powerful job in the world, where he has his finger on the button. That's even more ridiculous than voting for the "decider", George Bush, which happens to be THE WORST PRESIDENT IN MODERN HISTORY.

Carl from MI   July 29th, 2008 11:27 am ET

I think McCain and his Double-Talk Express should have pulled a Dubya and stuck by his guns with his '100 years in Iraq'. Such strategy has worked out fine for Dubya, why not McCain too? Why would McCain want to 'Cut & Run' in 16 months?

Republicans… something is obviously wrong with your Presidential Candidate!!! Oh wait… he's old and forgetful!!

LT, NY   July 29th, 2008 11:26 am ET

The look on his face when he told that reporter he would not take her question, and turned to someone else was scary.

Here is a man who couldn't do the basic things he wanted to do for 5 years. Now the American people are about to give him the most powerful job in the world, where he has his finger on the button. That's even more ridiculous than voting for the "decider", George Bush, which happens to be

Jimmy in NYC   July 29th, 2008 11:26 am ET

McCain is following Obama's ideas. Does America want a leader or another round of 'Cheney, you are the smart one what do I do?'
I am voting for the smart real Straight Talking Leader-Barack Obama!

beevee   July 29th, 2008 11:26 am ET

The flip-flopper is now saying what Obama has been saying for a long time. Who has the better judgement?

VA   July 29th, 2008 11:26 am ET

seems as though mccain has REFINED his position… what a hypocrite

by the way, nice shot of his melanoma, CNN

JOHN   July 29th, 2008 11:26 am ET

FINALLY, CNN DECIDED TO POST MCCAINS 16 MONTH TIMETABLE. THATS HOW THE MEDIA TAKES CARE OF MCCAIN. MCCAIN SAID THAT A 16 MONTH TIMETABLE WAS A PRETTY GOOD IDEA ACCORDING TO CONDITIONS ON THE GROUND DURING A INTERVIEW WITH WOLF BLITZER LAST FRIDAY. CNN IS JUST PUTTING THIS ON THE WEBSITE FRONT PAGE AS IF THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME MCCAIN MADE THIS FLIP FLOP. IF IT HAD BEEN OBAMA IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE WEBSITE AND TALK ON EVERY CNN SHOW BUT SINCE ITS MCCAIN HIS FLIP FLOPS OR CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENTS GET SWEPT UNDER THE CARPET UNTIL HE MAKES SO MANY ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE. MY QUESTION TO CNN IS, WHY WASN'T MCCAINS FIRST STATEMENT OF 16 MONTHS A PRETTY GOOD TIME TABLE DURING THE WOLF BLITZER INTERVIEW REPORTED ON EVERY TALK SHOW OR ON THE FRONT PAGE OF YOUR WEBSITE LIKE OBAMA'S STORIES ARE?

Janice   July 29th, 2008 11:25 am ET

I can't wait 'till school starts again so all of the juvenile Obama posters will be back in Junior High.

Lola   July 29th, 2008 11:25 am ET

Who is the real flip flop here????
Obama did not know and did know Rezko,
Obama did not hear and has heard Rev Wright’s hate speeches for 20 years
Obama support and against NAFTA
Obama support public financing and will not support it.
The line will go on and one need to say more????

LT, NY   July 29th, 2008 11:24 am ET

This doddering old fart will never bring change to America. He seriously needs to go and take care of his health…seriously.

SMOQ   July 29th, 2008 11:24 am ET

PEOPLE –UM DO YOU REALIZE THAT 45 MILLION AMERICANS DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE RIGHT NOW AND MANY OF THESE ARE SELF EMPLOYED PEOPLE , TRUCK DRIVERS, HOME HELATH TECHINCIANS AND THE LIKE, OBAMA'S PLAN TO REDUCS COSTS AND THE LIKE COULD ROLL THIS NUMBER DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY–PLS NOTE MCCAIN WIL CHANGE NOTHING AND THE CURRENT STATUS QUO OF FEND FOR YOURSELF WHILE WE BAIL OUT CORPORATE AMERICA WILL BE THE SAME. AS FAR AS ENERGY, I BELEIVE WE NEED A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND ACTION ASAP, WE MUST INVEST IN AND BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY, THROUGHOUT HISTORY OUR GOVERNMENT HAS LED THE WAY TO INNOVATION VIA THE TAX SYSTEM AND OTHER INCENTIVES. SO YES TAXES MY GO UP GENERALLY, BUT THAT IS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR US TO SET IN MOTION THE NEEDED CHANGES SO THAT WE/AMERICANS DO NTO HAVE TO EVER PAY 10 -30 DOLLARS A GALLON FOR GAS, AT THE RATE WE ARE GOING, WITHOUT CHANGE, WE COULD EASILY HIT THAT MARK IN 10 TO 15YEARS MORE OF WAR…..
THINK ABOUT IT……..THIS INNOVATION WILL ALSO CREATE JOBS SILLY

Walter, Long Beach   July 29th, 2008 11:24 am ET

One word for this:

COWARD!

If I were permitted a second word, it would be:

LIAR!

marvinj   July 29th, 2008 11:23 am ET

McCain admit you were wrong on your vote for this war …Your vote counted…No vote for war no withdrawal needed. When will McCain admit he used poor judgment? He states he made his decision based on the information provided at the time ….Who would have some of the best first hand information to decide with, YES the committee he sit on, he's ranking member of the Armed Services committee.

McCain should thank Sen. Obama for his leadership that has lead McCain and bush to start to see there war in a different light..

NO VOTE FOR the Iraq war no discussion…. Poor judgment military
vet. or not…..

jeff   July 29th, 2008 11:23 am ET

hahaha John please give up! you are not going to win. this is getting better and better…

Obama 08

David in Illinois   July 29th, 2008 11:22 am ET

"Conditions on the ground." "Conditions on the ground." I'm tired of hearing this robotic response from McCain.
Obama has said the SAME THING all along. He never said he would just yank all the troops out all at once. But that's McCain and his lies. McCain is entitled to change his mind and see the wisdom of Obama's framework for the 16-month timetable. Changing one's mind, when it's for the good of the country, isn't a bad thing. The old man is finally learning something. But McCain continues to need all the tutoring he can get, especially on things like when the "surge" actually began, who's Sunni, who's Shia, where Middle Eastern borders are, what the Internet is, how to turn on a computer….
McCain is NOT experienced enough to be president of the United States.

Charlie John McBrown   July 29th, 2008 11:22 am ET

LOL, he's the Charlie Brown of this election. He couldn't call a baseball game, let alone a war. His horizon is rising fast–send him back to the Senate or a convalescent home, your choice.

James   July 29th, 2008 11:22 am ET

I really think McCain forgot what he said about the war.
I really think McCain forgot he said we could be there for 100 years.
I really think McCain forgot what he had for dinner last night.

Eric   July 29th, 2008 11:21 am ET

That's exactly Obama's stance to a T.

Enlighted readership   July 29th, 2008 11:20 am ET

Rob : "Obama now OWNS the foreign policy argument."

Oh really? Spoken like a true American (i.e., someone who can probably locate about 12 foreign countries on the map).

COMICAL.

Natalie   July 29th, 2008 11:20 am ET

LOL…it's a 16 month HORIZON. He's certainly learned a lot from his favorite friend George Bush. Don't call it a time table, call it a HORIZON.

Horizon this McCain–you will not win in November. That's my time…oh excuse me horizon to send you back to the Senate.

Obama 08

Jason   July 29th, 2008 11:18 am ET

Onlt idiots would call him a flip-flopper on this issue…

He really is just holding his ground, while maintaining a larege cushion between his own strategy and the screams of Democrats that want out of Iraq immediately. This buffer will come in handy when the real debates begin because the advice from generals on the ground bring credibility to his argument.

What!?   July 29th, 2008 11:18 am ET

My comment likes to await moderation…
Geez, everyone, we know McCain is a flip flopper…so is every candidate–yes, even Obama.
It comes down to who's ideals do you want running the country. Both McCain and Obama are essentially now campaigning on a pullout of Iraq in 16months, but both have supported FISA and other restrictions to personal liberty and our freedoms.

I'm voting for neither. Bob Barr is campaigning on pulling out of Iraq AND other places (ya know, we're still in Bosnia, Kosovo, Germany, Japan…). Also he's campaigning on a return to individual responsibility, less government, less federal spending and tax reform. He has worked closely with the NRA and ACLU (talk about bridging gaps!)

Too bad the other candidates have not really wanted to talk freedom and reducing government.

Barr '08 !!

Liz from Atlanta, GA   July 29th, 2008 11:17 am ET

FLIP. . . . FLOP

Obama '08 cause it was his idea first!!!

Diana   July 29th, 2008 11:17 am ET

McCain can do anything we want, because he's bought and paid for. So if we want the troops to come out in 10 months, he would say yes. He literally kisses George W. Bush, that says everything.

This man is not a good choice. He actually told a reporter he had nothing to say to her and picked someone else. Do you want a nuthead Nazi like that? I don't think so.

Obama 08 My choice and my next POTUS.

Dominique   July 29th, 2008 11:17 am ET

Isn't this ironic. Wasn't McCain deriding Obama a couple of months ago for suggesting that a phased withdrawal would take approximately 16 months?

It is nice to see that even his challenger acknowledges the wisdom of Obama's positions (whether he wants to admit it or not).

Obama 08

TRUTH   July 29th, 2008 11:16 am ET

Those of you that still support McCain after this huge flip-flop must ask yourself why????
1: You hate Obama because he is black.
2: You hate Obama because he has run a perfect campaign and beat out the Clintons.
3: You hate progress and don't trust a negro to run the country, a old cancer patient is ten times better than that.
4: You think Obama is arrogant; however anybody that thinks they can run the USA must be arrogant.

Bill From Florida   July 29th, 2008 11:16 am ET

Hey, Caroline
Get over it. Not everyone thinks Obama was born in the manger.

No one has flip flopped and lied to the American people as much
as Obama.

Veteran in Kansas   July 29th, 2008 11:15 am ET

Talk about flip flop, whats wrong, see the writing on the wall.

Lone McCain Blogger   July 29th, 2008 11:15 am ET

His problem is he has no strategy, no goal, no end zone. Conditions on the ground will change and the target will change just like under W to suit the neocon agenda. Do not elect this war hawk.

Jaybrown NY/NJ   July 29th, 2008 11:15 am ET

More and more I loose respect for McCain. I'd like to think it's because of anything other than me being an Obama supporter. But I feel like if I hear him say the word surge again I'll go nuts. I think If i had a quarter for every time he used that word, I'd have a BMX X6 in my driveway. He said at one time that he wants to run a respectful campaign and so far he just beats Obama up ever single day. The surge worked. LOL. Please, we still have suicide bombers killing hundreds of people. There are things that happened prior to the Surge that worked but he still makes it seem like it was part of the surge. A time table will give us and the Iraq people a goal to work for. It is possible.

McCain is the arrogant and the oppotunist   July 29th, 2008 11:14 am ET

now he is ready to LOOSE the war…..

in order to still some of Obama's vote…and WIN AN ELECTION…

that man is either very dishonnest, totally insane, or just senile…

Dem   July 29th, 2008 11:14 am ET

FLIP FLOPPER FOR VOTES!

Vietnam Vet   July 29th, 2008 11:14 am ET

Isn't it about time – McCain STOPS saying it is the GENERALS who should decide WHEN we should leave – is IT NOT the Iragi governemnt/people who SHOULD decide!

fred   July 29th, 2008 11:13 am ET

Hello Obama people. I bet 99% of you commented before you listened to the interview. Just like 99% of you just listen to Obama's speeches and don't look at his record. McCain is not flip-flopping here. I'm not the biggest fan of McCain, but I have to back him up here. McCain never said that we should be in Iraq for 100 years, and he never said 16 months. He said that when the conditions on the ground are safe, and Iraq is secure enough for us to withdraw and hand command over to the Iraqi military, then we will do that. He'll support withdrawing if those conditions on the ground are right after 16 months if that's the time that conditions are right.

Sen. Obama on the other hand says 16 months, no matter what the conditions are. In other words, Obama is playing this like a baseball game, and McCain is playing smart. Obama is saying that after 9 innings, the game is over. McCain is saying that if, after 9 innings, we're winning, then we can end the game…….there's a difference……….it's been the difference between the candidates all along.

California Gold   July 29th, 2008 11:13 am ET

McCain hasn't had an original thought of his own this entire election cycle. When the country was in a hawk mode McCain revealed his intent to continue this war for 100 years. Now the country is seeing the merit in Obama's 16-month timetable after analysis of current information and discussion with the professionals and McCain starts to mooch away from his hawk stance. He is no leader, just another follower.

McFlipflop   July 29th, 2008 11:13 am ET

He will just redefine timetable and claim that it is his idea

LT for Obama   July 29th, 2008 11:13 am ET

R U Kidding me? Let's see, on Friday, 16-month timetable is good, on Saturday, "I never said timetable." NOW, all of a sudden the timetable is good again. I have to say that this is fastest and most times he has flip flopped on one issue I have ever seen.

Michael, in Ohio   July 29th, 2008 11:13 am ET

To Debbie,

to corect you, he said within 60 days he would start and have it done in 16 months, please know thier policies before commenting, you spinning that comment more than the media and the campaigns do.

Chuck   July 29th, 2008 11:13 am ET

That's it John. Follow Obama's plan.

yeah   July 29th, 2008 11:12 am ET

let's see, vote for the lesser of two evils: Obama, McCain,
or the better of 3: Barr.

Barr!

Warmonger for McCain   July 29th, 2008 11:12 am ET

WHAT???????????????????????????????

This is a blatant reversal of everything McCain stands for. What happened to the "100 years in Iraq"? What happened to supporting our troops? WHAT HAPPENED TO VICTORY?

It is now clear to me that this man, in the fog of old age will say and do anything to get elected.

That's my man! That's the Republican way! GO MCCAIN GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

justin   July 29th, 2008 11:12 am ET

Poor Mccain. The worst is the ad he is currently running in Nevada, blaming Obama for the rise in gas prices because he won't support offshore drilling… as if Obama alone has the power to keep new offshore drilling from happening. How stupid does the Mccain camp think we are?? I am an independant voter that normally leans republican, but not this year…… Mccain is out of touch and out of time.

SMOQ   July 29th, 2008 11:12 am ET

so who really has the ideas and innovative plans DEFINITELY NOT mCCAIN MCSAME…HE ONLY WANTS MORE OF THE SAME PAIN FOR AMERICA. REMEMBER HE DOESN'T FEEL THE PRICE OF GAS OR GROCERIES….AS A SIDE NOTE TELL ME HOW WE CURRENTLY HAVE A TEXAS OIL MAN AS PRESIDENT BUT ARE STILL EXPERIENCING THE HIGHEST FUEL INCREASE AND COSTS IN DECADES……DOES THIS NOT MAKE SENSE TO ANYONE ELSE EXCEPT PROFIT MONGERS………

Greg, NY   July 29th, 2008 11:12 am ET

Scott, Phoenix July 29th, 2008 9:56 am ET

Other than his mouth,, can you Obama fans name one thing he has ever run?

Besides his plane into the ground, can you McCain fans name one thing he has ever run?

dan collins   July 29th, 2008 11:12 am ET

Mr. Waffler strikes again. Does this man have any opinions of his own?

Noans, South Pasadena   July 29th, 2008 11:12 am ET

McCain can't even remember who the players are in Iraq; Sunni's, Shia and Kurds. He's voted against every bill to help our brave injured, troops, and supported Phil Gram's single handed ability to keep the Enron loophole open for mortgage companies that got us into this mortgage crisis and the list goes on. McSame. does not appear to have an original thought for years, so now he's stealing Obama's plan for withdrawal in Iraq. McSame's voting record alone shows that he is a Bush follower, not a leader. McSame whines and complains about everything that doesn't go his way and has a legendary temper. Just the guy we want as President….. ugh.

MCSame also promised he wouldn't run a negative campaign. Could have fooled us but you haven't.

Time to retire to one of your 8, or is it 9 homes, Senator McSame.

Ms. D   July 29th, 2008 11:09 am ET

Obama never said he would not listen to the commanders on ground. Get you facts straight. He said he wants a timetable and will consider the conditions on the grounds as well!!

Ian   July 29th, 2008 11:09 am ET

This plan sounds familiar.

Will the real Obama please stand up   July 29th, 2008 11:08 am ET

The only person that no one really knows here is Obama. He filp flops all over the place and is a real Chameleon, has been since the start of this campaign. Buyer "beware"!!

Michael, in Ohio   July 29th, 2008 11:08 am ET

ok a new name for McCain, Mc I am not sure what to do, ummm Mc what sounds good, ummm Mc Lets do what the opponent wants, oh my gosh I can't imagine a president that can't make up his mind on what he wants to do, at least Bush followed through with his first thought (even tough the were not the right thoughts). I think its an insult to G.W. to compare him to McCain.

This country will be in deeper chaos that it is in now. Can you all imagine he set a policy and in the right of the middle of it he changes it. i thought women changed thier mind a lot but thats thier perogative…McCain give us a break and when you pick you running mate make sure you are sure.

John McCain has once again surely proven he is experinced in one thng and that is flip flopping and he does it more than a fish out of water.

Obama08/12

Solomon   July 29th, 2008 11:07 am ET

I pray America will redeam itself from being stupis by NOT electing McCain. Obabma is what Amercia should be all about……….proud, focused and with vision. For now McCain's dream is ti find his way to the white house @ any cost. America,wake up! This is your time….this is your moment……this is your chance.

I wish I could vote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DEBBY, NJ   July 29th, 2008 11:06 am ET

Here we go AGAIN, OBAMA was right from DAY 1 and now MCSHAME is folowing yet another OBAMA lead…what a hypocrit this man is.
*Again, did anyone see MCSHAME lose his teeth last Thursday?*******
BARACK THE VOTE !!!

Bill, Streamwood, IL   July 29th, 2008 11:06 am ET

Nice to see that Candidate McCain is finally following Candidate Obama's lead.

Guess McCain realized that sixteen months is a heck of a lot better than 100 years.

Now we'll see if he flip-flops back later in the week.

MD for Obama   July 29th, 2008 11:05 am ET

TO JOHNBOY:

Your response makes no sense! Obama said 16 months before he went overseas and he is saying it now. Even Iraq agrees. Now McCain wants to follow suit? Big difference between 100 years and 16 months! Talk about a flip-flop!

Nancy   July 29th, 2008 11:05 am ET

So He is endorsing Obama after all!!!
Cant beat 'em join 'em. Sneakly.
Wooo Hooo!

Ron   July 29th, 2008 11:01 am ET

Sans some disagreement over the term "surge" and who was involved in it and when, why it is that everything Senator Obama has stated about our need to have a new direction on foreign policy as been right on target, yet every conservative and many news organizations seem to overlook this?

Both candidates have foreign policy experience/judgment but clearly Senator Obama's description of events more closely mirrors the direction we are now beginning to follow. Senator McCain is too black & white with that for us or against mentality that has never worked.

john   July 29th, 2008 11:01 am ET

its simple, really. 16 months to develop a strategy to go directly from Iraq into Iran.

FOUR MORE WARS!

steve   July 29th, 2008 11:01 am ET

Now he is going to surge the troops out in 16-month. Wow.

sPoNgEbOb sQuArEpAnTs   July 29th, 2008 11:01 am ET

McCain Supporters,

Put pressure on John McCain to rename his campaign bus & plane…
….. FLIP-FLOP EXPRESS ………….

By keeping “straight talk express” on his bus & plane, McCain is insulting the intelligence of every American. Even a dummy, can easily tell McCain is the king of Flip-Floppers.

Here are a few of his flip-flops;

1. McCain supported the drilling moratorium; now he’s against it.

2. McCain strongly opposes a windfall-tax on oil company profits. Three weeks earlier, he was perfectly comfortable with the idea.

3. McCain thought Bush’s warrantless-wiretap program circumvented the law; now he believes the opposite.

4. McCain defended “privatizing” Social Security. Now he says he’s against privatization (though he actually still supports it.)

5. McCain wanted to change the Republican Party platform to protect abortion rights in cases of rape and incest. Now he doesn’t.

6. McCain thought the estate tax was perfectly fair. Now he believes the opposite.

7. McCain pledged in February 2008 that he would not, under any circumstances, raise taxes. Specifically,

8. McCain was asked if he is a “‘read my lips’ candidate, no new taxes, no matter what?” referring to George H.W. Bush’s 1988 pledge. “No new taxes,” McCain responded. Two weeks later, McCain said, “I’m not making a ‘read my lips’ statement, in that I will not raise taxes.”

9. McCain said he was the “greatest critic” of Rumsfeld’s failed Iraq policy. In December 2003, McCain praised the same strategy as “a mission accomplished.” In March 2004, he said, “I’m confident we’re on the right course.” In December 2005, he said, “Overall, I think a year from now, we will have made a fair amount of progress if we stay the course.”

10. We can’t have a time-time for Iraq. It’s OK to stay in Iraq for 100 years;
……….. 4 months later McCain agrees to an18-month time-table for a withdrawal

If you support McCain, could you tell him to rename his bus/plane the FLIP-FLOP EXPRESS?

Kyle Indianapolis, Indiana   July 29th, 2008 11:01 am ET

MCCAIN: FLIP FLOP!

ls   July 29th, 2008 11:00 am ET

Way to go McCain – that's using your brain. Too bad it wasn't your idea to begin with.

McCain will finish destroying this country if he is elected president. And let's just say, it's not too far from just that.

Shari, NY   July 29th, 2008 10:59 am ET

It is abundantly clear and pretty obvious that Sen. McCain supporters will go for him because “Change is what he can believe in”. Even Barrack Obama’s adversaries support his ideals. Poor souls!

HDT   July 29th, 2008 10:59 am ET

I really think that Obama is already the acting president.

Bush and McCain are now following Obama's every major proposal, e.g. talk to Iran, withdraw from Iraq, focus on Afeghanistan, worry about its border with Pakistan, or would it be Irak's border with Pakistan :-)

NSmith, New York, NY   July 29th, 2008 10:59 am ET

WOW. McCain has now adopted the Obama approach. Amazing. Obama, you better NAIL HIM for this flip flop.

RML   July 29th, 2008 10:59 am ET

Now I am thoroughly convinced John McCain will say anything to get elected. He seriously scares me.

ostriches burying our heads in the sand   July 29th, 2008 10:58 am ET

Hmmm…………………………

Former Republican   July 29th, 2008 10:58 am ET

I thought You would rather loose a political campaign rather than loose a war? Why the pandering McCain? I'm never wearing FLIP FLOPS after this b/c it reminds me of how inconsistent you when it comes to this election. You just pander and pander. Ist, you know how to win wars, You know Maliki, you know everybody, and now, you more or less agree with OBAMA. OBAMA has never said lets leave regardless of conditions on the ground. He just placed more priority on the fact we should not be there and our mentality should not be to stay there for 100 years, but to leave as soon as possible, and that is now what you're saying.

kendall   July 29th, 2008 10:58 am ET

This guys flops around worse than a fish, who supports this guy, he will change his mind again once in office

McCain's a flop   July 29th, 2008 10:57 am ET

McCain supporters, WHAT DO YOU SEE IN HIM? He's an ill-tempered, low-energy old man, and he's breaking down right in front of our eyes. He's a slow learner that can't keep up with events. He does not understand economics or constitutional law. He's a liar who casually denies things he's said and done on the record. He flip-flops frequently, on very serious stuff. He is in total agreement with Bush tax policy, Bush oil policy, Bush war policy, Bush veteran policy, hell he probably consults Bush' s daily diet for clues about what to eat.

If you support McCain, do like he does – flip flop, and vote for Obama. The world needs a flip from the flop of Bush-McCain.

Michael G- Ventura ca   July 29th, 2008 10:57 am ET

I find it so interesting that the man who yells "flip flop" more than any beachgoer decides the 16 month plan is workable. This guy REALLY needs to RETIRE! Obama's plan has been embraced by all these folks (including king george) and they just try to put a different spin on it.
CHANGE is on the way!
OBAMA 08!

Peter   July 29th, 2008 10:56 am ET

My flip-flop senses are tingling! Must be McFlip-Flop

michael   July 29th, 2008 10:55 am ET

please America get this one right…NOT MCCAIN.PLEEEEEEEEZ..talk about lack of leadership all he seems to be doing these days is following Obama's good judgements…he's a flip flop genius!

Who's "naive" again?   July 29th, 2008 10:55 am ET

Kinda hard to call a guy "naive" on foreign policy when you keep borrowing from all of his policies don't you think?

Frank "Grimey" Grimes   July 29th, 2008 10:54 am ET

Why is this so hard to understand? Let's see, his "100 years" comment was that he could foresee the US having a presence in Iraq similar to that in Germany or Korea, so long as Americans are safe. What does that mean…it certainly doesn't mean 100 years of war, like so many on the left are trying to say. It means that we could have a peacetime presence so long as Americans aren't being harmed. If they are, then there would be no peacetime presence. And where is the "flip-flop" on the fact that he COULD support a 16 month timetable as long as military officers on the ground deem it safe. He has ALWAYS said that it would be up to the military officers on the ground to determine the timeframe. He was asked if he could support a 16 month time frame. He said he could as long as military on the ground agreed. He could just as easily been asked if he COULD support a 20 month timeframe, or a 10 month time frame and he could have given the exact same answer! Nice try!

BHO Not my candidate   July 29th, 2008 10:54 am ET

100 year presence in Iraq, is not much difference than our presence in germany… the idiots on this board need an education.

Real Change   July 29th, 2008 10:54 am ET

Well we all know how aggravated McSame gets about flip flops. So, boy I bet he’ll really be kicking himself over this one. :-) .

HDT   July 29th, 2008 10:54 am ET

OBAMA should choose McCain as a VP for his ticket. McCain now agrees with most of Obama's major policy changes and strategies…

afrahx2   July 29th, 2008 10:53 am ET

McCain = Comic relief.

Bill From Florida   July 29th, 2008 10:52 am ET

At least McCain is using some common sense, and not running
around like A rOCK sTAR. WITH NO EXPERIENCE.

Peter of Oregon   July 29th, 2008 10:51 am ET

Once again he is following Barack Obama's sound leadership on another important issue, and I find it commendable!

SMOQ   July 29th, 2008 10:51 am ET

There is no possible defense for MCBush here….he has mis construed everything that Obama has said, and he slowly but surely and decisively taken the Positions of Obama. Obama has said as President he would make the final decision, and that troop safety is of utmost importance. McCain has said no no we are there for 100 years or more, he was fine with that…even at 10-12 billion per month of tax payer dollars..

NOw MCCAin say our troop may be able to come home but iti is not up to the President it is solely up to the generals…
Who would be the commander n chief…..the generals…would he put everything on them and then blame them for our struggling economy
makes u go hummmmnnnn

Stevie   July 29th, 2008 10:50 am ET

McCain only got onething in his favour right now that will allow people to vote for him, even if he is wrong on every topic..HE IS WHITE.

Trish Hussein - PA   July 29th, 2008 10:49 am ET

Good lord people!! Everything Obama supports, the repubs seem to come on board down the road after the fact. Wake up people!! How much more sound judgment do you want in a candidate?? Vote Obama and end this nightmare!

David Goldman for OBAMA   July 29th, 2008 10:49 am ET

SOUNDS LIKE GREAT PLAN, DUDE.

NOW LETS HIRE AS COMMANDER AND CHIEF

THE GUY WHO CAME UP WITH THAT PLAN.

I THINK HIS NAME IS BARACK OBAMA

IN FACT I KNOW HIS NAME IS BARACK OBAMA.

FROM WHAT I HEAR THAT BARACK GUY HAS A GREAT

ECONOMIC PLAN AS WELL, & A FEW MORE GREAT IDEAS.

GO FIGURE. I GUESS WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO ELECT HIM.

WHAT WAS HIS NAME AGAIN. BARACK OBAMA, BARACK OBAMA.

rice, bryan   July 29th, 2008 10:48 am ET

lable it how you want, pandering, flip flop, he has it down.

Donna   July 29th, 2008 10:48 am ET

Debby..when did OBAMA EVER say ANYTHING about taking troops out in 60 days??? now that should have sounded stupid when you read it yourself…

Andrew   July 29th, 2008 10:47 am ET

This just in: McCain endorses Obama….

Ricky P.   July 29th, 2008 10:47 am ET

HAHAHAHA WOW THIS IS AMAZING….Everytime john mcsame opens his mouth he persuades more voters to vote for obama!!! Mcbush is going to win this election for Obama…because he talks to much and has no plans of his own. All he can do is bash Obama and flip flop on every issue possible. I haven't heard any of mcsames policies or plans, besides off shore drilling which isn't going to help at all. Unfortunately for him he doesn't realize that america was already fooled once by George Dubya and won't be fooled again. I can't wait for November!!!!

OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT!!!

YES WE CAN!   July 29th, 2008 10:46 am ET

Thats the mother load of all flip-flops.
How stupid can you be.

Obama 08 & 12

Pepou   July 29th, 2008 10:46 am ET

Speak of a copy cat ! That old fool has no idea of his own !

Mike, Syracuse, NY   July 29th, 2008 10:46 am ET

Did any of you blithering Obamite idiots read the statement or listen to the interview? McCain said that it was based on conditions on the ground. He also said that could be in 16 months, or one month, or some other amount of time. He also said he would listen to the commanders on the ground, which Obama has said he will ignore. Obama has maintained a 16 month timetable period. No matter what. By the way, Obama also NOW says there will need to be a residual force, which he hasn't defined in size, that will stay an indetermined length of time. Most estimate that force will need to be up to 50,000 troops. So stop being hysterical babies and pay attention to the details; fools!

Jamaal kansas   July 29th, 2008 10:45 am ET

Actually 60 days was hillary plan and anyone on this blog that has been listening Know how big MCCain Just flipped FLop it is Hilarious because he was just attacking Obama well mccain i guess you will lose a war to win an Election FLIP FLOPPPPER

Brian   July 29th, 2008 10:44 am ET

WHAAAA—?! I can't say I disagree with McCain's new position, but talk about flip-flopping!

Sherry, Atlanta   July 29th, 2008 10:44 am ET

Mark my 'words'…McCain just waiting to get his finger on the BUTTON,
Bomb-Bomb-Bomb IRAN.

Jon   July 29th, 2008 10:42 am ET

Way to not click on the "Full Story" button, Obamabots. What he said was,

"Now whether that fits into 16 months or not, or one month, or whatever, the point is it's got to be conditions-based."

Of course though, it's easier to just read CNN's headline and start commenting.

nathan   July 29th, 2008 10:42 am ET

He recently said he never mentioned "timetable", when in fact he did say "timetable" to Wolf Blizter. I think McCain is seriously getting confused!!
:(

Henry n New York   July 29th, 2008 10:42 am ET

It took him 7 months to change his mind. I wonder how long it would take him to respond to a 3:00 a.m. phone call. This isn't a flip flop its a SUMMERSAULT……………………..

NC Man   July 29th, 2008 10:41 am ET

I see the far left is out with their spin this morning…bitter bitter bitter…..

he would only do that if military chiefs deemed the "conditions on the ground" safe enough.

McCain has said this since DAY 1 ….. however Obama pays no attention to the military chiefs.

Pam   July 29th, 2008 10:40 am ET

And tomorrow McCain will deny he ever said that. And he'll say it was Obama who changed his position.

Jesse   July 29th, 2008 10:40 am ET

Let's set the record straight because I've seen several arguments made on this blog.

Argument 1: McCain went from 100 years war to withdraw our troops in 16 months.

(Not true at all. It seems the ignorance yet continues on the 100-years war statement. McCain said nothing about a 100-years war. That was a twisting of his words by the democrats and nothing more. McCain actually said he anticipated the war itself would be over long, long before. He said he wouldn't be opposed to having a troop PRESENCE in Iraq. That would likely be only a very small number of troops residing in the country mostly to keep things stable not go fight a war. There is so much of a difference between a 100 year war and a 100 year troop presence that its insane that democrats continue to play this card. It's sad.)

Argument 2: McCain has flip-flopped.

(No, he hasn't he's talking about the withdraw process, not the conditions for withdraw, which there are conditions when it comes to McCain, unlike Obama. He's always claimed he wants the troops out but not prematurely. So Obama and McCain agree that once the withdrawl happens that 16 months is a good time frame. Big whoop, there's no flip-flop here at all.)

You democrats are idiotic. Do you even read the story or just the headline and then straight to the comment box? I'm taking a shot in the dark and saying 50% of the posters don't even read the McCain stories, just the headline. I'll take a line I get all the time from you Obamanaughts: "Do the world a favor and don't vote this fall."

Texas Voter   July 29th, 2008 10:40 am ET

CNN, why are you trying to spin this story.

McCain will do what Petraus recommends. McCain wants to leave upon success.

Obama doesn't care what Petraus says. Obama doesn't care if we win in Iraq, the Democrats have been pushing for defeat for the past 4 years. Dems think losing in Iraq is good for Liberals.

Obama will lose this election, people are starting to see right through this fake. Just look at the polls, Jimmy Carter had a 30% lead at this time, when he was running for office. Obama has a 2-8% lead.

Ted1333   July 29th, 2008 10:40 am ET

As a pretty liberal person, and die-hard Obama supporter, I have to say I am a bit ashamed to read most of these comments.

Senator McCain did NOT say he would be withdrawing troops in 16 months, instead he said what he has been saying all along, namely that if the situation should change and a troop withdrawal should become the thing to do then, and only then, would he be willing to withdraw troops.

The 16 month number is really a non-issue as it is NOT the crux of his plan. Should the situation change and become favorable for troop withdrawal in 12 months then, according to his plan, troops will be withdrawn then, and by the same lines if the situation changed in 48 months etc.

CL OT   July 29th, 2008 10:38 am ET

You guys are so blinded by your party! If you followed this at all you would know that Obama supports a 16 month time table from the second he takes office reguardless of what the people on the ground say. McCain wants to finnish the job. So he will only pull out when the situation on the ground ensures stability for Iraq. And that will come from commanders and Iraq officials. He does not support a cut and run policy like Obama.

WiccanTexan   July 29th, 2008 10:37 am ET

Maybe he's hoping Obama will give him a cabinet position after the election.

Patrick   July 29th, 2008 10:35 am ET

Also it doesn't make sense that we can't fight two wars at once. Good thing Obama was President during WW2 or he would have picked between Japan or Germany….b/c you can't fight them at the same right, right Mr. Obama?

Allen Hussein. Visalia CA   July 29th, 2008 10:35 am ET

Flip, flop, flip, flop, flip flop

independent   July 29th, 2008 10:35 am ET

retard. has anyone ever once heard obama give a "hard and firm date"?

just wait, next mccain is going to change his middle name to hussein. i hear all the kids are doing it.

Patrick   July 29th, 2008 10:34 am ET

If McCain has been president from the beginning we would probably already be out of Iraq. He made the right decision to support the War, he was right that we needed more troops, and he is right NOW that we should not leave Iraq until our commanders on the ground tell us it is safe to do. Obama is going to stick to his plan no matter what the conditions on the ground are, does that make sense? Obama would be a stubborn leader, is that what we need?

Yankee Air Pirate   July 29th, 2008 10:34 am ET

Wait,this is too funny.Supporters of Backtrack Obama accusing McCain of flip flopping.Maybe after that fraud gets smoked in November he can actually try to accomplish something in the Senate.Ya know,like he was elected for.

AA   July 29th, 2008 10:34 am ET

Please let the debates start. I want to watch the Repub. try and stammer his way through all of this against someone who's IQ and saavy doubles his.

Peace.

Jon   July 29th, 2008 10:34 am ET

Both of them have the same view on Iraq, to get the majority of troops out and keep some behind to keep stability. McCain calls it 100 years and Obama calls it peace keeping, but it's the same thing. No matter who's in the White House, we aren't totally leaving Iraq for many decades.

Chris, Denver CO   July 29th, 2008 10:32 am ET

Wait, what? This makes two complete flip-flop round trips. First, a timetable was a surrender, then a 16 month timetable sounded like a pretty good time table, then we couldn't have any timetables and I never used the word timetable (he had), now we're back to he could support a timetable? What amazing spin! I'm getting dizzy!

Didine - Maryland   July 29th, 2008 10:32 am ET

McFlipflop, you went from 100 years to 16th month timetable. What is new with your flip flop? You are joining Senator Obama plan today and you are supposed to be the one with 100 years of experience, but your judgement is always false. Just get retired because American and the whole world have already chose their next president which is BARACK OBAMA.

David Goldman for OBAMA   July 29th, 2008 10:32 am ET

SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT PLAN, DUDE.

NOW LETS HIRE AS COMMANDER & CHIEF

THE GUY WHO CAME UP WITH THE PLAN.

I THINK HIS NAME IS BARACK OBAMA

IN FACT I AM KNOW IT'S BARACK OBAMA.

Lourdes   July 29th, 2008 10:32 am ET

100 years, 16 months…it's all the same to him.

ET from OMAHA   July 29th, 2008 10:32 am ET

I'm telling you McSame will be replaced before or at the convention by the Republicans.
They will give health related reasons to the media. I'm smelling that in the air.

not important   July 29th, 2008 10:31 am ET

McFlipflop flip flopping again just like he flip floped on tax cuts and off shore drilling.

Neal   July 29th, 2008 10:30 am ET

You mean Obama's idea, that just a month ago John McCain thought was irresponsible?
This guy is suuuccch a flipfloping, lying, sack of old man ego.'

Ick

Deborah, Cincinnati   July 29th, 2008 10:30 am ET

Isn't it interesting. I didn't hear Sen. McCain say that Sen Obama was correct on the timetable. Nor is the media giving the same amount of attention to this switch as given Sen. McCain on the surge.

What's up the media…yeah, they may cover Sen. Obama more, but it is all negative and looking for negativity.

It Be Me   July 29th, 2008 10:30 am ET

it really, truly scares me that some people actually believes this man….and will actually vote for him…

I'm going to vote for Obama…..and most of the people I talk with will be voting for him….but I know it won't do any good, cause Idaho is a 'red' state…….

why can't we go to "one person, one vote" so that Pres will actually be voted in BY THE PEOPLE…

He can see...he can see   July 29th, 2008 10:29 am ET

Finally, a political figure that is LISTENING to We The People. That is what the Constitution is about. It's about what Americans want with our country.

Support our troops and bring them home!!!

Fix the mess…Vote DEM!!

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah   July 29th, 2008 10:29 am ET

The mother of all Flip Flopers

Richard   July 29th, 2008 10:27 am ET

I am a republican that will be voting for obama in the fall. John McCain has flip flopped way too many times. What does he stand for anymore??

S. Boatman   July 29th, 2008 10:27 am ET

This Man Lacks Everything That Is Necessary To Be President!

Chipster   July 29th, 2008 10:27 am ET

OMG, after all the sniping at Sen. Obama, McCain is now the "me too" candidate?

I simply don't understand why this race is even close. After the mess the Bush Administration has made of the economy, environment, education, FEMA, and practically every other governmental department, how can anyone still support the Republicans. Besides all of that, they've made a mockery of the Constitution and abused their power shamelessly. The outing of a covert CIA agent for political retribution should land them in prison for sedition!

Dr.Mimi De La Cruz for OBAMA   July 29th, 2008 10:25 am ET

LOL,,,,,ANOTHER OBAMA SUPPORTER ?

THE SECRET MIND OF THE DEMENTED MIND OF MCBUSH.

" I WILL BE WHATEVER YOU WANT

ME TO BE UNTIL I GET ELECTED.

THEN I'LL SHOW YOU THE REAL BUSHNICK I AM"

John   July 29th, 2008 10:25 am ET

The democrats really don't get it.

They continue to play this game like the troops were going to be fighting a war in Iraq forever. They war was/is going to end someday, and the troops will come home.

For McCain to say it is possible if conditions improve makes a heck of a lot more sense than Obama saying he would withdraw troops regardless of the conditions, which, like everything else he says, has now flip-flopped on.

Desari   July 29th, 2008 10:24 am ET

Debby July 29th, 2008 9:20 am ET

Well of course anyone would support it thats almost a year and a half from now. I thought Obuma was taking the troops out in 60 days after he took office not 16 months. Obama has more flop/flops then I can wear in a year.

Debbby,
Please get your facts straight and stop spewing neo con talking points. Obama has always maintained a 16 month withdrawal plan. Senator clinton was the one who said she would withdraw troops within 60 days. Go on to the next line of attack since this one is an outright lie.
I cannot believe anyone would support Mcflipflopalot after 8 years of GW.

Danielson   July 29th, 2008 10:24 am ET

We have no idea what an Obama presidency might look like.

We have an EXCELLENT idea of what a McCain presidency looks like. (ahem…the last seven years).

Any questions?

MikeH   July 29th, 2008 10:24 am ET

The funny part is McCain denied using the word "timetable" and then the press conference recording was played where he said "timetable" three times.

The unfunny part was where one of McCain's latest anti-Obama commercials charges Obama would rather go to the gym than visit the troops, and the video was of him shooting hoops in front of about a hundred US soldiers.

S. Boatman   July 29th, 2008 10:22 am ET

YOU MAKE ME SICK MCCAIN!

Mark E   July 29th, 2008 10:21 am ET

What if we can be out sooner minus some residual force? Why the obsession by the media and left (one and the same) with timelines?

Brian Phoenix AZ   July 29th, 2008 10:20 am ET

John from Texas:
That was satire was it not?

WarHeroFmrPOW HijaxStr8talkXpress DrivzIn2GutR TurnzCoward XploitsTroopsAsPawns&Props   July 29th, 2008 10:20 am ET

Either you said timetable or you didn't, old man. Oh wait! Now you're agreeing to it even after you initially said it, denied it, and agreed with it a second time. Please have a fraction of integrity to make up what little bit of your mind is left.

Saddest thing is, the media lets this slide right on by with nary a comment about his perpetual flip-flopping. They'll say their darling little maverick has now taken a bold stance in opposition to a previously held belief. Imagine if this major shift had been taken by Mr. Obama. We'd hear about it for weeks, and the McCain camp (with the help of the "liberal" media like CNN) would have already made an ad about it.

David Goldman for OBAMA   July 29th, 2008 10:20 am ET

MCSAME WILL SELL HIS OLD MOTHER FOR A VOTE.

MAN FLIPS ON HIS OWN FLIP-FLOPS, MUST GET

SEA SICK. SICK PERIOD.

Marie Canada   July 29th, 2008 10:19 am ET

By this time next week McCain will be taking credit for setting the 16 month time table and blaming Obama for not trying to get the troops out of harms way.

Look at the post from Debbie, an obvious Republican plant, she says Obama's time line was 60 days……….The Republican party depends entirely on confusing the voters banking on the majority being uninformed and intellectual midgets.

Tim   July 29th, 2008 10:19 am ET

The surge played a part, but it is not the great event that McCain claims. The Iraqi people themselves decided enough was enough. But most importantly, our government paid tribal leaders to stop fighting. Why is there no talk about that and who authorized those payments? The only think that is true is that our military performed as expected in the mission they were given. But there is no way 4,000 plus lives sacrificed for what no one can explain can be claimed as a victory. Someone please ask McCain to explain his use of the word victory, as he obviously has no understanding of the word. American lives were sacrificed just to save face and that is deplorable and criminal.

Marilyn from Ohio   July 29th, 2008 10:19 am ET

McCain keeps bragging he knows how to win wars. Wish he would tell President Bush and the Generals running the shows because after six years things aren't looking too good in Afghanistan. I'm sick of my tax dollars paying to rebuild Iraq for people who are willing to strap bombs on their bodies to blow it up again. Let's bring our troops and our money back to the good old USA!!

Will from NYC   July 29th, 2008 10:19 am ET

hey CNN… flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop flip flop

HOW ABOUT SOME HONEST COVERAGE ABOUT MCCAIN's meltdown.

Tony, Miami   July 29th, 2008 10:18 am ET

Everytime I look at McCain only one thing come to my mind "RETIREMENT"

Unity   July 29th, 2008 10:18 am ET

Notice McCain at least once a week gives a quick interview in front of an oil producing image. He is looking very much like a commercial for the US oil industry. Makes you wonder if air time was somehow paid for here.

Why aren't the media zooming in on this MAJOR, MAJOR total reverse of McCain's MAIN platform – which basically copies Obama's???

S. Boatman   July 29th, 2008 10:18 am ET

You Are A Lying, Pandering, Flip Flopper And You Are On Longer My Friend Mccain!

Obama-Junkie, IL   July 29th, 2008 10:18 am ET

Where is the media scrutiny on McCain's statement on Larry King? If this had been Obama on Larry King saying that "we may be in Iraq 50 years. why not a 100?", the "freaks" of media and blogs would be trying to eat Obama alive.

This is a major flip for McCain to be talking about timelines and agreeing with Obama's Iraq plan.

One of the main questions not being asked of McCain when it comes to Iraq is will America have permanent military bases in Iraq?

Obamalism   July 29th, 2008 10:17 am ET

No flipping here. He's always said he'll withdraw when conditions on the ground deem it appropriate. If that just so happens to be in 16 months, so be it.

Anyone who repeats the '100 years' comment proves what a moron you are and have no idea what you're talking about. Moveon.org isn't the best place to get your news folks.

karen-phoenix   July 29th, 2008 10:17 am ET

The man is just toooo old!! No OLD experience in Washington again!! It will destroy what is left of our country!!! Out with the old, In with the new!!! It's going to take excellent judgement (Obama) to get us out of the mess the republicans have gotten us into in the last 8 years!!! McCain changes his mind every day!!!! FLip flop? No, he is following Obama who has the right answers!!

A NATION OF WHINERS for OBAMA   July 29th, 2008 10:17 am ET

MCSENILE CONTINUES TO BE THE VERY TURN COAT HE

ALWAYS IS. HE WILL BELIEVE WHATEVER GET HIM A VOTE.

FOR MCNOTHING'S INFORMATION,

OUR NATION'S COMMANDER & CHIEF DECIDES ES

ON THE DIRECTION OF OUR WARS, NOT OUR MILITARY.

captain   July 29th, 2008 10:17 am ET

McCain and the GOP have found an effective strategy:

Adopt Obama's foreign policy while simultaneously denouncing him as inexperienced.

Indiana Voter   July 29th, 2008 10:17 am ET

Does the fact that McCain has no real platform lead him to his resorting to his baseless attacks on Obama? If you have a lot going on for yourself, you do not need to personally attack others. In fact, McCain had promised he would not do this, but here is another flip flop. While he denies being Bush II, I'm seeing that he and George Bush are cut from the same cloth. Moreover, where is his character and word? With his forgetfulness and confusion, I'm frightened by the prospect of McCain as President.

McArsenic   July 29th, 2008 10:17 am ET

today is the 41 anniversary of the tragedy aboard the USS Forrestal. a day where 134 crewmen where killed and another 161 wounded. some reports indicate that John Mccain wet started his Sky Hawk, which led to a series of explosions. the brave men of the USS Forrestal fought for some 20 hrs to contain the blaze. John Mccain was immediately transferred to another ship the USS Oriskany (the only Forrestal crewman to be immediately transferred). A few month later John McCain would get shot down and captured by the Vietcong, he had by his own admission while being a POW gave up Military information to the enemy, garnishing McCain with the nickname…SONGBIRD. in 1973 returning home McCain would soon start having an affair with Cindy Lou, his now second wife. his then current wife Carol, who was a model at one point and the mother of his first children was in a car accident which left her dis figured. Mccain left her to marry Cindy 1 month after the divorce was final…thin ink had not dried. using Cindy's vast fortune McCain got into politics. he had risen from scandals including Keating 5 to reports of an affair with a lobbyist. Now John Mccain wants us to vote for him….i think NOT. i could not in good conscience vote for a man who graduated 894 out of 899, has 59 lobbyist working on his campaign, who will do or say ANYTHING to get a vote, offers NO solution only attacks, has that kind of temper, finds the only answer to a problem is WAR. i know you don't have the guts to post this CNN, but the American people need to know the truth about this man.

Terry, Lakeland Florida   July 29th, 2008 10:16 am ET

"Obama would be the biggest mistake this country has made since Jimmy Carter. Obama will tax the American people, ruin health care, not drill for oil, get cozy with terrorists, and the list goes on."

When you make stuff up, the list can go on forever.

"McCain would be the biggest mistake this country has made since George Bush. McCain will tax the American people, continue Bush's rampant spending habits, do nothing about health care that doesn't benefit the insurance companies, ignore alternative forms of energy, give huge subsidies to the oil companies that will do nothing to lower oil prices, fight the terrorists wherever they aren't, eat babies, ignore threats, fly off the handle with foreign leaders, and the list goes on."

See how easy that was!
——————————————
Only difference is that Obama list is correct. He has stated he plans to drop tax cuts (Raise taxes), He plans to take choice out of health care, he refuses to stop buys oil from over seas(We will not drill for our own oil..he said it sorry you cannot fight that fact), he wants to meet with terrorists, with no conditions…he said it not me. So moan all you wait, your holy Obama has stated he plans to do EVERYTHING on that list….respond to that if you can…no wait you left wing nuts never do.

SD   July 29th, 2008 10:16 am ET

King of the flip flopper's

Kris from AZ   July 29th, 2008 10:16 am ET

Chuckle chuckle Obama this Obama that. MCcain you sound like a broken record. You have no substance when you are giving your speeches. You show signs of flip floping to get support of conservatives and you are not the straight talk express you claim you are. you are going to make debating easy for Obama. You cant win. Her that Hillinites and republicans?

GOBAMA!   July 29th, 2008 10:15 am ET

He didn't flipflop…his advancing age caused him to forget what he said last time! He's slowly turning to dust. If he ever got elected…the whitehouse maid might end up vacuuming him up by accident.

S. Boatman   July 29th, 2008 10:14 am ET

Mccain Thinks Americans Are Just Too Stupid To Realize What He Is Doing! He Hopes Everyone Has A Memory As Bad As His! He Will Now Claim To Have Thought Of The Idea First And Come Out With A Commercial Saying It And Tell More Lies Against Obama! Mccain Is Not An Honorable Man!

We're NOT "your friends"!!!   July 29th, 2008 10:13 am ET

McFlip-Flopper, what happend to your 100 year war? I just don't understand how in 3-4 months it went from 100 years to 16 months. Makes no sense to me, I mean nothing has changed THAT much in the past 4 months. Good luck with trying to spin this one, your going to look like a top for the next few days.

OBAMA '08 + '12

bob   July 29th, 2008 10:13 am ET

You just lost my vote, I wanted the US to be in iraq for another 100 years.

o wait i changed my mind.

o wait, i changed my mind again.

o wait….errr….i am going back to the pancake house.

lil   July 29th, 2008 10:12 am ET

Mccain is scary. I dont know which way he is going to go.
He has been in office for 20+ years and has nothing new to offer.
Thats why the country is in the state its in.

Jon   July 29th, 2008 10:12 am ET

You Obama lovers are fools… You still take the 100 years comment out of context. We will be there for 100 years just like Japan and Germany. The troops that may be withdrawn are combat troops. Which account for less than 1/3 of our forces there. Why don't you stop calling it a Flip Flop. In a war you do not pander. Lives are on the line and if the conditions warrant withdrawl, than you do it. And another thing stop complaining that we should have not gone to war. We always had the legal pretext to go to war. The fact that the war was conducted improperly was because Bush did not listen to the comanders on the ground until we were losing. Sound just like you saviors comments last week about not taking what the Generals on the ground into account because it conflicts with his vision. What a bunch of nuts you all are!!!!!!!!!

DEMOCRAT   July 29th, 2008 10:12 am ET

why doesn't Obama pick McCain as his VP he sure doesn know when to fall in line…

James Hussein, SC   July 29th, 2008 10:11 am ET

Flip-Flop flip-flop, SURGE, flip-flop flip-flop, SURGE.

This is the person sooooo many people want to run our country.

Traitor, liar, thief, adulterer, and war monger.

Pink Elephant   July 29th, 2008 10:11 am ET

He would support a 16-month timetable – IF COMMANDERS ON THE GROUND DETERMINED THIS TO BE THE BEST OPTION.

Terry, Lakeland Florida   July 29th, 2008 10:10 am ET

Wake Up people. If McCain were to win two devastating this would happen immediately;

1) we will never get the troops home;

2) he could possibly appoint as many as 3 justices to the Supreme Court; and

3) your taxes will go way up.
————————————————————
Err you listed 3 things not two….but your a dem so we forgive you

Morningstar   July 29th, 2008 10:10 am ET

Wow grand pa! My head is spinning!

Terry, Lakeland Florida   July 29th, 2008 10:09 am ET

for the last time people, drop the whole 100 years thing…it only reminds us how stupid all you dems are….he said we'd have a presence there for a long time….PRESENCE….look up the word if you need to. Also there is no flip here..READ what he said..he'd have no problem with 16 months IF the commanders said that's what we needed to do and if it could be done in a safe manner and if it wouldn't leave a major security hole in Iraq.

I repeat READ the report don't just spill the normal Dem stupidity

LK   July 29th, 2008 10:08 am ET

Its time for a nap John. Talk about a flip flopper you are number 1. You are worse than Bob Dole. America is DOOMED if you win.

Blayze Kohime   July 29th, 2008 10:08 am ET

Didn't he say before that a timetable was a timetable to a loss? Why the big change?

So what he's saying, is that Obama was right all alone; is this suppose to help him?

RJ, CA   July 29th, 2008 10:07 am ET

How conveniently the Obamabots pick their terminology! Obama "refines" his issues, McCain flip-flops. Funny! Stupid — but funny!

As I recall, during the primaries Obama didn't even have any stand on the issues that were his own — the just piggybacked off Hillary. The ONLY stand he could take was that he did not vote for the war — which was a pretty lame stand, since he wasn't yet in the Senate when that vote was taken.

Then after the primaries he literally STOLE Hillary's stand on the issues. Remember Hillary's "responsible" withdrawal from Iraq and Obama's "immediate" withdrawal from Iraq? No, bet you don't want to.

Sorry, but the emperor (Obama) still has no new clothes — and some of us actually notice that — go figure!

Kelby from Houston, TX   July 29th, 2008 10:07 am ET

What happened to E. Scott's post? I can't find it. I can find the replies to his post though. Anybody who is voting Republican this year does not care about America. The only reason to vote republican is because you have been brainwashed into believing these guys have our best interests in mind

Adrian Veidt   July 29th, 2008 10:07 am ET

This smells of desperation. McCain is well aware that the hope of winning the election is slipping away from him.

William, from Cali!   July 29th, 2008 10:07 am ET

When "weighing" both of these candidate's position on this important issue, it's unfortunate for us; that neither one of them can "predict the future" and the "future outcome" of that action. So, I guess they both could be right or wrong, but until that time comes, we will never know; will we!

georgia   July 29th, 2008 10:07 am ET

E. scott sounds like you're descibing the Bushes when you consider Bush senior's relationship w / Noriega & even Saddam Husein B4 Saddam dissed him big time . The only difference is the only drilling the Bushes support is that which increases their own oil profits. Mc Same-McShame & camp please point the accusatory "Flip-Flop" finger @ yourselves.Thisis major Flip -Flop Flap for the obvious reason !!!!! America is not buying the fertilizer today !!!!

Time to move on   July 29th, 2008 10:07 am ET

Obama is the way forward,any attept to elect Maccain is taking America backward.
OBAMA ROCKS 08

Tony   July 29th, 2008 10:05 am ET

Ah yes, more fodder for stupid liberals to go crazy over. I wonder what the over/under is on McSame, McBush, McHypocrite, etc will be? Not only are your politics mindless and lame, but so are your insults. You still counting back the days since "mission accomplished"?

McCain's stance has always been that we would withdraw when necessary, and he only said that he'd conditionally withdraw in a 16 month timeframe. Unlike Obama, who wants us to lose this war for his own selfish political gain, McCain actually cares about the military and the safety of our country.

Sometimes I worry for this country, but then I remember that young liberals don't vote. I'd say see you in November, but you won't be there.

John McShame, Obama Is Going to Tax You & Cindy, but Not Me & 95% Americans Making < $250,000/Yr   July 29th, 2008 10:04 am ET

JOHN McSAME = FLIP-FLOP EXPRESS = brain paralysis!!!!!!!!!!

welches, oregon   July 29th, 2008 10:04 am ET

Good Grief – if McSame were to somehow be elected, the entire world would ROAR in collective laughter and disgust. Our Position in the world would finally be destroyed. America – electing the same old War Mongers and wealthy old white men. You cannot travel the world with people referring to you as Beloved and hanging on your every word and not be elected POTUS.

Obama 'till 2016!

Accountant Guy   July 29th, 2008 10:03 am ET

This guy is a total joke, talk about a flip flopper. Once again he is trying to steal Obama views!!

Obama/Edwards '08

Puck   July 29th, 2008 10:03 am ET

Why am I not surprised?

What a piece of work this guy is. After arguing for
as long as I can remember that we need to stay
in Iraq for an extended period of time, NOW he
decides that what Obama has been saying all
along is the proper course to take.

And then he has the AUDACITY to try to slam Obama?!
What is THAT all about? "Yeah I know Obama has been
saying we could be out in 16 months, as long as the
situation on the ground warrants it, but he was wrong to
say that we could be out in 16 months, as long as the
situation on the ground warrants it. That's why today,
I will tell YOU, the American people, that we can be
out in 16 months, if the situation on the ground warrants it.
But Obama was wrong for saying it first. Thank you."

Oh, John – what has become of you?

Can you Believe This?   July 29th, 2008 10:03 am ET

CNN) — Sen. John McCain could support a 16-month timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq!!!
Senator you ATTACK Sentor Obama for 2 weeks or more regarding the 16 months withdrawl …maybe it was the Mole that was blocking your PEA Size Brain !!
To E. Scott Worst Person !!!!

Bella   July 29th, 2008 10:03 am ET

This is another attempt by CNN to throw viewers off on the road path. I saw the Mccain interview and no where in there did he say he endorsed a time table for withdraw. It was always based on conditions on the ground and whether that may result in troop withdraw in 1 month, 5 months, 12 months, 16 months or 2 years…..conditions dictates this and not candidates proposing to telegraph an artificial stern time table without considerations to gains, interests, american lives and conditions politically and security wise on the ground. CNN is bias and its a real shame!

Dan, TX   July 29th, 2008 10:02 am ET

WASHINGTON — President Bush on Monday praised Pakistan’s commitment to fighting extremists along its deteriorating border with Afghanistan, only hours after an American missile strike destroyed what American and Pakistani officials described as a militant outpost in the region, killing at least six fighters.

"If we have actionable intelligence and Pakistan is unwilling or unable to act, we will". American power.

Adam, NC   July 29th, 2008 10:02 am ET

el flip e' flop for McFossil

Robert in Seattle   July 29th, 2008 10:01 am ET

So senile he's beginning to think he is Obama.

Kelby from Houston, TX   July 29th, 2008 10:00 am ET

What happened to 100 years? This is obvious flip flopping. Do these guys realize that we are listening to the rhetoric and that our memory is significantly longer than that of goldfish.

And to the guy, E. Scott,
THE BIGGEST MISTAKE THIS COUNTRY EVER MADE WAS ELECTING BUSH TWICE!
Right now the nation is in debt the economy is in turmoil (not mental, it's real) Healthcare is non existent for too many Americans.
Drilling for oil is not going to produce ANY results FOR YEARS. And talking to people and working out our problems without violence takes more strength honor and courage than fighting a war. How bout we stop the terrorist at the source?
Why are you for McCain and the Republicans after they have driven this country into the ground for 7 and a half years. Do you watch the news? Do you shop at the store? Do you have friends who are struggling? WE NEED CHANGE!

CNN PLEASE POST THIS

OBAMA '08 DEMOCRATS '08 AND FOREVER

SMOQ   July 29th, 2008 10:00 am ET

REALLY REALLY REALLY–I CANNOT COMMENT ON THIS THIS SILLY MAN

Robert in Seattle   July 29th, 2008 10:00 am ET

Next on McCains list, flip flop the voting machine results.

David Ferdinand/New York   July 29th, 2008 10:00 am ET

****The Flip-Flop king Reigns****
AND IS ALSO A COPY CAT

ProudToBeDemocrat   July 29th, 2008 10:00 am ET

Repubicans are starting to copy everthing obama says now, last night Mccain not only did he say he suppoerts 16Month timetable, he also flip flapped in the issuse of affirmative action, in the past he said it is divissive, but with larry he went on to say exactly what obama had said he is coping every thing obama says and he tells the American people Obama is inexperieced, My question to Mcwar is what did he get out his 30 years senate experience he is 80 percent of the time wrong he was wrong in supporting bush to go to ware, he flip floped million times.

A CANUCK   July 29th, 2008 9:59 am ET

The old guy finally came to his senses……but it's too little ….too late !!!!

Johnboy   July 29th, 2008 9:59 am ET

Shame on you for that headline, CNN. That is not what he said at all. He simply said that IF, after examining the facts, a timeline is appropriate that he would support one. You'r trying to make it look like he flip flopped to Obama's strict 16-month timeline when that is clearly not the case. Again, shame on you.

James Hussein, SC   July 29th, 2008 9:59 am ET

Hey E. Scott,

What's the matter? Are you angry because your candidate was called out? Do you really know who McCain is?

Flip-Flop flip-flop, SURGE, flip-flop flip-flop, SURGE.

This is the person sooooo many people want to run our country.

Traitor, liar, thief, adulterer, and war monger.

mayahh   July 29th, 2008 9:59 am ET

Is this to get a vote… shame on you.. Two tongues, no solid ground…Obama will do it, it is hard to raise a family when your love one is fighting an unnecessary war… WE WILL GET OUT.. Obama for PRESIDENT..

McCain Lies!   July 29th, 2008 9:58 am ET

Hey mccain, quick question – the huge oil spill that is costing millions a day, that has stopped traffic on the mississippi, that has permanently ruined the mississippi environmentally, how does that fit in with your strong desire for off shore drilling off our pristine coasts? Great judgement call mccain…NOT! You are unfit to lead this country.

sarah   July 29th, 2008 9:58 am ET

We all know mcshame is a phony. He is only saying this because Obama said it first and it met from approval from the world.

McCain will duplicate everything Bush did. Did you hear that McShame is making plans to visit Chekoslovakia next week? He also invited Pawlenty as backup, in case he uses a wrong word. Pawlenty loves cleaning up messes McShame makes. LOL

Caroline   July 29th, 2008 9:57 am ET

Why is McCain allowed to do this????? Obama said he'd be willing to continue to "refine" his policies and the media went nuts. McCain FLIP FLOPS, and they're still kissing his butt. Wow. This is not fair at all.

FactCheck   July 29th, 2008 9:57 am ET

> Obama would be the biggest mistake this country has made since
>Jimmy Carter.

And I guess George W. Bush was a little accident that we can all sweep under the rug, right? You Republicans have got to be the stupidest sheep on the planet.

John from Chicago   July 29th, 2008 9:57 am ET

McCain may be a flip flopper, but I'm glad he's come to this decision!
I don't even want to think of this as a political move. All I care about is getting my friends back from Iraq.

Now that both candidates support withdrawl, I feel optimistic that it will really happen.
Although I don't support you, McCain, good job on making the right decision… finally.

Will, NJ   July 29th, 2008 9:57 am ET

I never thought I'd see the day that McCain would change his position on a subject.

Chris   July 29th, 2008 9:56 am ET

hum…now who is flipping?
What we can all gather from this is that John McCain and not Obama will say and do whatever it takes to get in the White House. When the gas prices are up, what did he say "Gas tax holiday". Now that they are down what is he saying "oh let drill here at home". Now this. it just goes to show he will say and do whatever to get the job of President. McCain for all his military and public service, is just a pandering and he lack judgment!!!
If Americans put this man in the White House then folks who voted for him will get their just rewards!!!

FactCheck   July 29th, 2008 9:56 am ET

At the current rate of flip-flopping, by the end of the summer, McCain will probably insist that he was opposed to the war in first place.

Anne   July 29th, 2008 9:56 am ET

lol Obama 2008!!!!!

Scott, Phoenix   July 29th, 2008 9:56 am ET

Other than his mouth,, can you Obama fans name one thing he has ever run?

LaShanda   July 29th, 2008 9:56 am ET

I'm confused! Didn't he just tell Wolf Blitzer on Monday that he was against it? This guy is the epitome of a flip-flopper!

Rob   July 29th, 2008 9:56 am ET

Obama now OWNS the foreign policy argument. He obviously has the world's attention. The only problem is the American people's bigotry and fear of not completely white leadership.

Rudy NYC   July 29th, 2008 9:56 am ET

I do not think McCain is flip-flopping, per se.

He is adjusting his stance before the inevitable accusations of seeking a Phyrric Victory in Iraq are made by the Democrats. Just wait till after the conventions for the real sparks to start flying on this issue.

Greg, NY   July 29th, 2008 9:56 am ET

E. Scott July 29th, 2008 9:30 am ET

Obama would be the biggest mistake this country has made since Jimmy Carter. Obama will tax the American people, ruin health care, not drill for oil, get cozy with terrorists, and the list goes on.

Your list is flawed.

First of all, the biggest mistake since Jimmy Carter is George W. Bush.

Obama will only raise taxes on the American people that make over 200,000 a year, if you fall into that bracket, then you can afford it.

Obama will make sure health care is affordable for everyone and mandate it for children, if that's ruining it then I don't want it to be unruined as it is now.

McCain won't drill for oil either, are you nuts? He won't be out there doing the drilling so why would you think Obama would be out there himself? That aside, Obama will make sure that America finds it's way out of the oil addiction, go read both candidates engergy policies and decide.

As for getting cozy with terrorists… Obama has had the right plan to go after them in Afghanistan this whole time, McCain is just now starting to realize that Obama was right.

Thanks for playing!

McArsenic   July 29th, 2008 9:55 am ET

i am starting to believe the GOP selected John McCain specifically to lose the GE. how on earth could they have chosen some one as inept as he? John McCain fails on every front, he has no position on any issue, his only means of campaign is attack or surge, he has flip flopped and gaffed with endless precision, his health is in shambles, known corruptions, has lobbyist (Mr. Black still lobbying) running his campaign, John McCain has presented NO solutions just spewing untruths at Obama. why would the RNC select this guy to run for their party? he has FAILED his first wife, fellow POWs, the crew of the USS Forrestal 7/29/67, and the American people….lets NOT reward FAILURE

Ame   July 29th, 2008 9:55 am ET

Obama would be the biggest mistake this country has made since Jimmy Carter. Obama will tax the American people, ruin health care, not drill for oil, get cozy with terrorists, and the list goes on.

=====================================================

Have you soon forgotten GW Bush is going down as the worst president in US history? And Americans thought Bush would be a better president than McCain? This means McCain would even be worse than Bush.

I`d rather chose the lesser of the two evils. No more McBush no more republicans.

Obama 08

welches, oregon   July 29th, 2008 9:55 am ET

Well, this proves it – it's so funny to watch the current administration and McSame suddenly change their policies to mirror what Obama has said all along. Obama has the best judgment. Clearly McSame has none. I can't wait to watch Papa Smurf blow his top during one of the upcoming debates.

j gannon   July 29th, 2008 9:54 am ET

Flip, flap… flop!

Matt from NY   July 29th, 2008 9:54 am ET

I'll bet that the comments for this post will close in minutes and it will get buried at the bottom of the pile by the end of the day.

HOW CAN THIS NOT BE BREAKING NEWS??? McCain and his campaign have made not pulling out on a timetable the focus of their Iraq policy. So now he supports a timetable that is almost exactly like Obama's????

CNN…. Please do not bury this post or this article and give it the coverage it deserves.

17 year old future politician   July 29th, 2008 9:52 am ET

And republicans say Obama has no substance, yet leaders in your party already followed 3 of Obama's plans. (Meet to talk with our enemies-we joined an Iranian meeting, boost our troop numbers in Afghanistan-Bush did that after Obama's been suggesting it for years, and now the 16 month time-table…Obama has great judgment people…

And I bet all of these McCain supporters are now all-of-a-sudden gonna be for the 16 month withdrawal that they strongly opposed just yesterday

JJ   July 29th, 2008 9:51 am ET

It will be a sad day in America if McCain is our next POTUS. He will extend Bush's tax cuts, get rid of affirmative action, appoint judges to the Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs. Wade, and continue this senseless war in Iraq.

God Bless America!

Sane John   July 29th, 2008 9:51 am ET

"Obama would be the biggest mistake this country has made since Jimmy Carter. Obama will tax the American people, ruin health care, not drill for oil, get cozy with terrorists, and the list goes on."

When you make stuff up, the list can go on forever.

"McCain would be the biggest mistake this country has made since George Bush. McCain will tax the American people, continue Bush's rampant spending habits, do nothing about health care that doesn't benefit the insurance companies, ignore alternative forms of energy, give huge subsidies to the oil companies that will do nothing to lower oil prices, fight the terrorists wherever they aren't, eat babies, ignore threats, fly off the handle with foreign leaders, and the list goes on."

See how easy that was!

Mattk   July 29th, 2008 9:51 am ET

Biggest flip flopper ever. McCains pandering and lack of ideas to solve problems sickens me. He seems to be auditioning for a job in the Obama administration.

B. Gorman   July 29th, 2008 9:51 am ET

So Senator Obama is Still wrong about Iraq, but you now think his plan is the right one? Senator McCain, you are really running a terrible campaign here. Fortunately, I think more and more Americans are starting to believe in Senator Obama's plan for our future. We could use a little hope.

Who 2 Vote 4???   July 29th, 2008 9:51 am ET

This guy has my head spinning. So much for straight talk express. Wasn't it just yesterday that he was arguing, that he never spoke the word 'timetable'???

Rick FL   July 29th, 2008 9:50 am ET

Obama shows true leaderdship on foreign policy IMHO. He advocated a goal of 16 months (not a hard & firm way McCain purports) to draw down American forces responsibly in Iraq. Obama has proposed this strategy for a long time. It's interesting how the Iraqi government agrees with him, and McCain is willing to follow Obama's positions on Afghanistan and Iraq now.

Obama '08

RollaMO   July 29th, 2008 9:49 am ET

Hmmm, offshore drilling, 16 month timelines. What's that echo I hear from 4 years ago? "Flip-flop, flip-flop"

Janet   July 29th, 2008 9:49 am ET

Now who's flip-flopping???? He doesn't know what he wants!! We are headed for serious trouble ahead if McCain gets elected!
OBAMA 2008

Kiki in DC   July 29th, 2008 9:49 am ET

So much for Straight talk express, this man will say anything to get elected….. McSnoopy this goes against your McSurge and your 100 years or so at war…. This is so sicken on so many levels, it's not even funny. I can't believe people are actually trying to decide if they will vote for Obama or McSame??? The choice is clear as the blue sky.

Obama "08″

Confused....   July 29th, 2008 9:49 am ET

McCain said that Obama's proposal was a "political move" I wonder what is McCain calling it "now"……., Maybe this is his age showing.

NoMcSame   July 29th, 2008 9:48 am ET

Obama leads McSame follows. He talks about Obama all day as if he is Obamas biggest supporter. What a shame to be McSame. Poor old man don't know which way to turn. If he wins it is only because he is white and not because he is the better of the two. The American white people are looking more and more stupid to the rest of the world. Rather lose their houses, money and just plain go down in flames before they elect a blackman as president. If McSame is elected the rest of the world will turn its back on us and say ok cowboy you think that you can, then go at it alone. Our America is crumbling down right in front of us but we are so insane that we will stay on the same path to destruction because of the hate that is within. Well white folks the joke is on you.
Rush, Sean, Bill and the rest of their ilk laugh at you all the way to the bank. You think that you are one of them? Ha ha. Do they have the same thought as you when they go to the gas pump, pay bill or buy food? Don't be a fool. Don't think like a fool. Change your ways people.
Obama08

Rudy NYC   July 29th, 2008 9:48 am ET

I wish someone would ask McCain this.

"What if the Iraqi government formally requests that the US conduct a a major drawdown or pullout of troops, while conditions on the ground suggest that the US needs to stay at full strength a bit longer. Would you pull the troops out of Iraq as requested?"

atl78   July 29th, 2008 9:48 am ET

Wonder how the Obama-haters will spin this one…

Barack Obama is Our 44th president! YES WE CAN !   July 29th, 2008 9:46 am ET

McCain knew Obama's Iraqi withdrawal plan was the RIGHT strategy from the start. Now he's been boxed in and can no longer continue being stubborn and going on the attack .

It's time for REAL change in Washington, it's time to elect Barack Obama for president !

An American   July 29th, 2008 9:46 am ET

So, he's now in favor of Obama's plan? This is beyond a flip-flop. It's just ridiculous. McCain is a desperate joke.

HUSSEIN FOR OBAMA   July 29th, 2008 9:46 am ET

THIS GUY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED

HE IS TOO MUCH OF A FLIP-FLOPPER

Annette   July 29th, 2008 9:46 am ET

Huh! what! Really, the original flip-flopping king. This is a huge change for McCain, since he never endorsed 16 months before or during the primary. Obama will make a terrific leader and we all know it including McCain.

Rob Johnson   July 29th, 2008 9:45 am ET

What else could he say? "We need to stay in Iraq for the benefit of the Iraqi people….don't listen to them when they say we should leave, we know what's best for them."

Sounds pretty condescending and paternalistic. Remind me why we aren't an imperialist, colonial power again?

It still won't help. After his successful overseas trip, Obama is picking up momentum and McCain looks older and more feeble by the day.

Moderate Republican Supporting Obama   July 29th, 2008 9:45 am ET

I just love how McCain keeps stealing Obama's insightful ideas about how to move forward on Iraq. This shows that McCain has no original ideas of his own. Moreover, it shows how the media refuses to question McCain on his flip-flops.

HUSSEIN FOR OBAMA   July 29th, 2008 9:45 am ET

MCCAIN THE BIGGEST FLIP FLOPPER EVER.

McCain Lies!   July 29th, 2008 9:44 am ET

So your following Obama's judgement huh mcsurge? That's because you made a bad judgement call in voting for the war and you look like a moron now that america, the leaders of Iraq and your own budy gwb wants out too and your 100 yrs in Iraq looks pretty stupid. Wow, I wish we knew what you stood for but we never will because you don't know what you stand for.

dewrit   July 29th, 2008 9:44 am ET

this man is just to funny, this is just another reason that confiems that i will vote 4 obama

John from Texas   July 29th, 2008 9:43 am ET

John McCain is a fine American hero who will do anything to help his country. He knows whats gots to be done to end this hard war. Our boys are fighting gallantly over there and sure must do our part to support our future leader. God Bless you John McCain you are truely a messenger of greatness.

J.K.

E POP   July 29th, 2008 9:43 am ET

Yeah Johnnie boy. Follow Obama's lead.

derrick   July 29th, 2008 9:43 am ET

If America votes McCain to be president; then I will conclude that those americans that voted him in needs a mental evaluation.

Nick - Arlington, VA   July 29th, 2008 9:43 am ET

HA!…..what a hypocrite…..I bet now he is going to take responsibility for the idea of a 16 month pull-out and call Obama naive….

OBAMA '08

Anna   July 29th, 2008 9:41 am ET

Dear McCain, thank you for coming to your senses. Noone wants to see this war continue with no end in sight. Even the Iraq government likes Obamas plan. Barack Obama will be a great President.

TheOtherSide   July 29th, 2008 9:41 am ET

he is always after Obama's neck about everything. now he supports him. this guy is head-lame 100%. and you call this fit to be commander- in chief? ha ha ha ha

BR   July 29th, 2008 9:41 am ET

Wow, typical liberal morons posting on here. Ignoring the fact that McCain states conditions on the ground would dictate withdrawal. Pretty sure that was GWB and McCain's position the whole time. By the way, your Messiah has stated he would leave troops in Iraq and go back in if there was a genocide. So, what BHO is stating is that he would put troops back in harms way to re-establish what is already there. That is ingenius. Go ahead, vote for hope, that is all you will have besides despair if the Messiah is elected.

Unity   July 29th, 2008 9:40 am ET

This is about 180-degrees different from his MAIN platform a couple of weeks ago. Weak, weak, weak candidate…..

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

Michael   July 29th, 2008 9:40 am ET

McCain isn't flip flopping as many of you seam to think. He has always said that events on the ground would dictate when troops came home not some date on a calender unlike Obama who said he would not listen to his commanders on the ground which will put troops at more risk with his we're leaving regradless of anything else attitude. Obama has even said he would not pull all troops out of Iraq so we will most likely have troops there for 100 years even if Barak Hussein Obama wins.

Abby   July 29th, 2008 9:40 am ET

That's funny.

Johnboy   July 29th, 2008 9:40 am ET

No, no, no…..he is not in favor of Obama's idea. He has said this all along, and it is totally different from what Obama wants. Lets look at the situation first and talk to those who know what's happening before we set a time-line. If (AFTER WE LOOK AT THE FACTS) we decide to set a time-line, then great. Maybe it's 16 months, maybe it's 24 months, maybe it's 4 months. But, just going out there and setting a time before knowing the facts is irresponsible, Obama. Sounds like you are just spouting off what people want to hear so you can help yourself get elected.

Elizabeth   July 29th, 2008 9:40 am ET

McCain is a lost cause!

Tony   July 29th, 2008 9:40 am ET

McCain flipping on Iraq? (DON'T YOU BELIEVE IT)

McCain flipping on affirmative action?

McCain flipping on his tv ad blaming Obama for the price of oil and now saying that Bush should be given credit for the drop in oil.

This man is delusional. He goes in and out of reality at an alraming pace.

Put McCain in the White House and we will have another (Rehnquist) who will propose legislation, sign into law things he has no understanding of. etc.

Haven't we had enough of that for the last 8 years???????????????

Rise America Rise   July 29th, 2008 9:39 am ET

This is just slimey republican tactics. McCain is saying this just to make ending the war a non issue for the election. If both candidates have the same position, it wont be a differentiator for the voters. Now if McCain were elected, god forbid, he would immediately switch back to his 100 years in Iraq position, and use ground conditions as the reason.

NY State of mind   July 29th, 2008 9:39 am ET

I feel your pain Rep., this is the best you have and it's barely better than who you have now. You had the last 8 years and look at the country. Why not give us 8 and if it doesn't work will hand it back.

Obama 08

ET from OMAHA   July 29th, 2008 9:38 am ET

Why is the MSM giving free ride to McSame on his Millions of gaffs every day and personal attacks?
They are following OBAMA eveywhere, sometimes spying on every single move just looking for something to spin about. OMG
OBAMA is too smart and you better live him alone. The guy beat Clinton with admiration and they still didn't get it yet.
Somebody need to pull out McSame lies, slappy voting record on the issues he thinks he is the champion I mean Irak and the veterans.
McSame is lucky OBAMA is not the same politician who believes in negative ads or personal attacks otherwise he will worth nothing by now.
We can write a book about Mcsame gaffs and lack of knowledge in 95% of the issues.

Steve (Independent)   July 29th, 2008 9:37 am ET

Gotta give him credit for being flexible… erm, doesn't that mean he is beginning to sound a little muddled, addled, and indecisive?

Fred   July 29th, 2008 9:37 am ET

I wish he wouldnt talk about floping on the Dem side and then do it himself.

Ms. D   July 29th, 2008 9:36 am ET

Mccain say anything he thinks the American people will buy!! Now he is for a timetable because Malik made an azz out of him!! But he wants to put conditions on it. Obama never said he would not consider conditions on the ground as well. But of course the neocons want it to seem like Obama won't consider conditions!!

We can't give a blank check to the Iraq's because they will never be ready.

Tony   July 29th, 2008 9:36 am ET

So, McCain is ready to switch? Says he could possibly support a 16-month troop withdrawal (depending of course on what the condition on the ground is).

What McCain means to say is that it depends on what the definition of is, is.

Give me a break.

John   July 29th, 2008 9:35 am ET

Obama must have some pretty good ideas about foreign policy, Bush and McCain keep stealing them.

It's funny how people claim Obama doesn't have *any* ideas for Iraq and elsewhere, I'd say that the evidence makes it clear that it's McCain-Bush who don't have any ideas and don't know what they're doing, because they keep doing what Obama says, usually about a month or so after Obama says it, and about 3 weeks or so after blasting him for saying it.

Hilarious.

BigAce   July 29th, 2008 9:33 am ET

WOW! UNBELIEVABLE! AMAZING!

This is exactly what Obama said months ago, now McSame is agreeing with Obama's judgement. I guess he had no other choice when Maliki supported a timeline then GW stated he also now supports a timeline. That pretty much left McSame by himself to oppose a timeline for the withdrawal of troops.

Can you say flipper or flopper?

McSame doesn't have a message or a clue about the economy and what is needed to restore America's reputation around the war. He may be good at war, but we don't need another war right now.

As a novice, empty suite, frightenly inexperienced, arrogant and smug person, Obama has been right on the majority of the issues.

All McSame can do is emulate Obama's position and try and distort the record. I am really surprised how dirty McSame has gotten in his campaigning.

Desparate times call for Desparate measures I suppose.

Tony   July 29th, 2008 9:32 am ET

I hope Obama uses this latest earth moving flip-flop of McCain's to his advantage. He should make a television ad highlighting every time McCain said that a timetable was wrong and the damage it would do to National Security and Iraq would be catastrophic. He should also include all the sound bites from McCain saying that "Obama just doesn't get it", etc.etc.

Show McCain for the brown noswer he is and that the man real;ly ahs no morals or values when it comes to winning by any means necessary.

Haven't the people of this country been lied to ENOUGH over the alst 8 years by the joker in the White House and all his buddies??

Wake Up people. If McCain were to win two devastating this would happen immediately;

1) we will never get the troops home;

2) he could possibly appoint as many as 3 justices to the Supreme Court; and

3) your taxes will go way up.

People had better wake up, put up or shut up. November is almost here.

Jul   July 29th, 2008 9:32 am ET

It is so easy:

BARACK = great JUDGEMENT for the US+World and real Experience in life

MCBUSH = FLIP FLOP and puppet of lobbyists

Annoy the Media, say NO to Obama   July 29th, 2008 9:32 am ET

You go McCain… as soon as Obama releases his VP choice (not Hillary of course), you will be officially getting the support from many die-hard Hillary voters.

Greg, Brattleboro, VT   July 29th, 2008 9:32 am ET

America!!!!!

This your moment. This is your time. Don't miss this unique opportunity. As they use to say: "The failings of yesterday are the learnings of tomorrow." Not McCain please!

Oh Brother   July 29th, 2008 9:32 am ET

I don't know who is a bigger Flip Flopper, McCain or Obama. I have never seen a worse choice for president in my lifetime. I guess I will have to vote for Obama. At least he doesn't look like he is in the early stages of dementia, he has a neck and his arms move.

Hiram Scott   July 29th, 2008 9:31 am ET

McCain, needs to go more to the middle of the road, Americans are looking for moderation to stablize the ship of state. I like Tom Ridge or even better Colin Powell as a VP, and a bi-partisan cabinet made up of experienced people thats a Team, the American voter is seeking are you or can you be that LEADER. If you depend on the conservatives or bible thumpers pack it up your done. Also you need tobe more than a one dementional candidate I was in the NAM, peace with honor, just say we did what needed tobe done now Iraq needs to earn our trust so we can redeploy the troops. No one Pary Rule repub. Pres. Demo. congress will work in summation I think your both Transitional Pres. Candidates but thats what the American Public has to work with.

E for Obama   July 29th, 2008 9:31 am ET

PANDERING!!!

This is in response to PM Maliki saying he agreeded with Obama's 16 month withdraw. This in response to Obama's over seas trip.

This doesn't poll well for McCain.

What happen to "I have the judgement" and "I know how to win wars" and "Obama just doesnt have the knowledge" McCain?

LET IT GO   July 29th, 2008 9:31 am ET

LOL McCain can't be serious. I think his the candidate that will do anything to be elected, he nothing but a hot mess.

Informed Voter   July 29th, 2008 9:31 am ET

Why is all the Republicans are coping all Obama's plans … I bet you he steals his economic plan too …

Sam   July 29th, 2008 9:30 am ET

This man lacks any form of credibility on the issue! He has vigorously denounced anyone who would even suggest a time table on Iraq and he's now embraced it. And national security is supposed to be his strongest suit!

Joe the Troll   July 29th, 2008 9:29 am ET

The Republicans keep changing their minds about this war. Now, it doesn't even matter that the Iraq government wants us out. After all, who are they? Just some ignorant puppets our own government set up. Whay should anything they say end our OCCUPATION?

"Conditions on the ground" means no more to McCain than "when I say so." Some leader he's not.

CMB   July 29th, 2008 9:28 am ET

What happened to "timetable is a CODE WORD" for quitting???

McCain supported this war and was one of the strongest vocal supporters of it ALL ALONG. America is in debt 435 BILLION – this debt is partially his fault.

McCain was WRONG from the start. He lacks the judgement needed to make these major decisions. He gets confused too easily.

Ms. RDS   July 29th, 2008 9:27 am ET

Score 1 for Obama….don't get to excited though folks. McCain might declare he didn't say this and flip flop again that now becoming his speciality!

John B. From New Hampshire   July 29th, 2008 9:27 am ET

sounds like mcCain and bush are following obama. bush is now engaged in talks with Iran, and JM supports the 16 month time table. who has the better judgement? the answer is clear!!

Obama/Clinton '08

Irma in North Carolina   July 29th, 2008 9:27 am ET

Boy this guy cannot make up his mind, now is just saying this cause most of people agree with Obama on the time table. He thinks the only thing that is going on is the war, he cannot talk about anything else, I think the americans want to hear more about the high gas prices, putting food on our table, and how we are going to make the mortage payment. Why should he care he has billionaire beer and drug pushing wife, who will make all these payments for him.

jfs Memhis, Tn   July 29th, 2008 9:26 am ET

What else will he take from Obama's JUDGEMENT Bag ??? If this doesn't make a statement to the AVERAGE VOTER…….well, heaven help this country. McCain hasn't any new ideas……….He IS stuck with experinece of 30yrs and now lacks the creativity and innovation to PROGRESS with the rest of us…………..McCain's time was in 2000…the world has grown into a whole new world sice then. The comfort of what was must now yield to what will be !!!! This 60 year old KNOWS when the time has come to be a supporterof innovation… youth will always survive it did for us and will for our next generation of politicians. I am beginning to since that the riff in this country is now one of the past and the HOPE in the future. Us old timers need to let go Sen. McCain

Defining Moment   July 29th, 2008 9:26 am ET

So much for "I will not surrender" Mr. McFlopper. Which way is the wind blowing today … Pathetic, just pathetic.

SMOQ   July 29th, 2008 9:25 am ET

HAHAHHAH AHHAHAHAH HAHA HHAA
LMAO
OH MY GOD, NO HE DIDN'T

Bob Indianapolis, IN   July 29th, 2008 9:25 am ET

Way to come around (along with your pal, Dumbya the Clown Prince) to the timetable Obama was been talking about since Day 1! For all your "experience", originality isn't your strong suit, John BoY!

Jerry in Boston   July 29th, 2008 9:24 am ET

"McCain, however, would not elaborate on the subject of Pakistan.

"I'm not going to go there … because Pakistan is a sovereign nation. I think the Pakistanis would want bin Laden out of their hair and out of their country, and it's causing great difficulties in Pakistan itself.""

In case you hadn't noticed Sen. McCain, Iraq is supposed to be a sovereign nation now too. Their leader and their people want us out. Why won't you respect THEIR right as a sovereign nation to make these decisions? Why is is up to Gneral Petraeus?

You can't have it both ways. You can't claim they have had successful elections in Iraq and now have a functioning democracy, but whether or not we leave their country is up to us.

Jamaal kansas   July 29th, 2008 9:24 am ET

FLIP FLOPPING MCsame now he supports a 16 month timetable before he said no time table but cnn doesn't call him a Flip Flopper now not MCsame he tries to say that Obama is inexperienced but he starts to back proposals by Obama this is Getting Out of Hand call him on his FLIP FLOPPING MCCAIN IS A FLIP FLOPPER!

Dave   July 29th, 2008 9:23 am ET

So he was against Obama's idea before he was in favor of it.

TerryDo--PumaPac   July 29th, 2008 9:22 am ET

That is a good strategy John McCain, shadow Obama's solutions just like he shadowed Clinton's solutions and policies and adopted them as if they were his own.

And as far as your age is concerned, no one is worried about your age except the Obama campaign who wish to paint you as decrepit but it looks to me as if Obama may need a hip replacement before a septogeneriam

Saad from NJ   July 29th, 2008 9:22 am ET

Could and would are two completely opposite and different things. President Bush over the last eight years has said he could to at least a million things if not billions or trillions both in the numbers of times he has said it and the amount of money it has cost us so…… could has become a very deceiving word.

James , Houston, TX.   July 29th, 2008 9:22 am ET

McCain, Once a P.O.W. always a P.O.W.

Lisa in Ga.   July 29th, 2008 9:22 am ET

John McCain does not know what he wants… he will say what he thinks the american people wants to hear….. I cant believe he call Obama a flip flopper….. what is he the pancake?

Yup   July 29th, 2008 9:21 am ET

Yes, McCain would support all of what Obama says…

Jim   July 29th, 2008 9:20 am ET

Looks like everyone is swaying with Obama's judgement. That's what we need right now, a president with the right JUDGEMENT, not full of smear tactics aspecially while someone else is abroad building allies, I thought Mccain said he wouldn't stoop to such a level of smear campaigning…

Debby   July 29th, 2008 9:20 am ET

Well of course anyone would support it thats almost a year and a half from now. I thought Obuma was taking the troops out in 60 days after he took office not 16 months. Obama has more flop/flops then I can wear in a year.

Florida democrat   July 29th, 2008 9:20 am ET

FLIP-FLOP

FLIP-FLOP

FLIP-FLOP

…….or maybe he is too old to remember what his position was 6 months ago?

Rave   July 29th, 2008 9:20 am ET

Why not just support Barack Obama and vote for him in the general election. McPain flip-flop-flip-flop and back to Obama's strategy
OBAMA (2008 -16)

Dave in Houston   July 29th, 2008 9:20 am ET

Instead of adopting Obama's ideas, John McCain ought to just go ahead and adopt Barack Obama himself. (Barack Obama, Sr. died in 1982.)

That way, the guy with the good ideas in the first place could become President and McCain could be the "First Dad."

Mark   July 29th, 2008 9:18 am ET

So McCain adopted Obama's position while saying that Obama adopted his position on Iraq? :-)

He should seriously get some real advisors. Now the Republican base will hate him and independets see him as a flip-flopper.

Abram Blocton   July 29th, 2008 9:18 am ET

McCain proves Obama right once again…

Noah   July 29th, 2008 9:17 am ET

Who's the flip-flopper?

JAS from PA   July 29th, 2008 9:17 am ET

This guy will say or do anything won't he, "my friends"? He will bugger Bush for the Gay Vote if he has to or if he hasn't already

CJ/PA   July 29th, 2008 9:17 am ET

Wow — I don't know if this is an out-and-out flip flop, but the wind must be blowin' because McCain is swayin'. He has just turned into a mean, nasty, sarcastic little man who can't seem to articulate his own policies so he attacks Obama's. The Straight-Talk Express has turned into the Desperation Train!

pat C.   July 29th, 2008 9:17 am ET

why doesn't McCain just call obama everyday and ask him what he should say to his small crowd of followers? it seems that all he can come up with now is what barack has already said.
this old man can not come up with anything original to save his old life. he is a disgrace to his party! last night watching him stand before a nasty oil rig in cal. and all he could offer the public was to make sure we use SUN SCREEN….oh my GOD…..is this what we have to endure for another 100 days?
i could not bring myself to even watch this joker on larry king last night. i would rather have a root canel than have to sit thru an hour with grandpa Mccain!

Not surprised.   July 29th, 2008 9:17 am ET

Sheesh, make up your mind already you big flip-flopper!

Hmmm….McCain didn't make this decision for political reasons now did he? He accuses Obama of this, yet he's blatantly flipping on this issue. McCain has a serious medical problem, he has no spine.

Doug   July 29th, 2008 9:16 am ET

Hey….a more firm time table for withdrawal from Iraq is what the American people want. More importantly, it is what the Iraqis want.

Obama has not set a date. He has suggested a time in which we should be able to clean up, settle up and leave. He knows full well that the situation will dictate exactly when that happens. If things are bad, we stay until they improve. If conditions continue to improve from here on, we leave sooner.

McCain says that we're won, but he doesn't want to leave. However, in his new found role of pandering and taking on the most politically expedient view, he has jumped on the bandwagon of a (roughly) 16-month timetable. He needs votes. He is more poll-driven than Clinton was accused of being.

It must be gut-wrenching to adopt hypocracy in order to try to get elected president.

Whither the old, sensible John McCain?

Lorna, NY   July 29th, 2008 9:15 am ET

McCain is worse that a snake oil salesman! GEEZ, if this is the best the repubs can do, that party is doomed.

mccainisOLD   July 29th, 2008 9:15 am ET

16 month timetable? Where have I heard that before? OH YEAH Senator Obama has been saying that for a while now and Senator McCain has been ripping him for that statement for months. But now that it looks like Obama is RIGHT, McCain tries to make it sound like he is for it. Kind of like offshore drilling, I am against it, oh wait I am for it. OH and did anyone else see that after McCain said he was for offsshore drilling his donations from the oil industry went UP FIVE TIMES!!! McCain will say anything to try and get elected.

Tired of W, OH   July 29th, 2008 9:14 am ET

It's funny how all these men of "experience" eventually change their positions to match the man of good judgment. Pretty soon, McCain will try to say he is really an African American to try to get the black vote.

Say it with me….
FLIP
FLOP
FLIP
FLOP

Anonymous   July 29th, 2008 9:13 am ET

i believe mccain has now REFINED his position from 100 years to possibly 16 months. what a hypocrite…

good shot of his melanoma, CNN.

Ken Pittsburgh   July 29th, 2008 9:12 am ET

Can we all spell the word F-L-I-P F-L-0-P
McCAIN supporter leave a bad taste in your mouths

SUNSHINE   July 29th, 2008 9:12 am ET

McCain continues to confuse me.. i though he wanted to saty in Iraq for 100 Years?!?!? Two words… FLIP FLOP

Orlando   July 29th, 2008 9:11 am ET

I supports a 16-month huh huh huh, I didn't say withdrawal. Barack just admit the surge worked. Repug talking point —When in doubt spin to the surge.

Tired of W, OH   July 29th, 2008 9:11 am ET

So, he has now adopted Obama's stance on Iraq…

This has been another episode of "As the flip flops". Tune in tomorrow, same time, same channel.

Will-South Dakota   July 29th, 2008 9:11 am ET

He's just pandering now, he's behind in the polls and the American People are telling him he was WRONG to vote to invade Iraq and he neds to apologize for his vote and admit he was wrong……now he needs a boost in the polls after Obama's successful trip. FLIP FLOP

Canada   July 29th, 2008 9:10 am ET

If elected John McCain will surely further alienate the USA from the rest of the world.

He doesn't get it.

His tone, his rhetoric, his demeanour are confrontational in nature. He's proving that he can't keep his word to run a clean campaign. He's lied, misled and flip flopped.

Not someone you can trust to keep America safe and prosperous.

Obama is setting the tone for much needed change and hope. He's been proven right way more often than wrong. This 16 month timetable is just another example of that.

Open Your 3rd Eye   July 29th, 2008 9:10 am ET

WOW. WOW. WOW.

Now that is what I call a MAJOR F.L.I.P. F.L.O.P.

Now let's be fair and give this guy as much criticism as Barack would get for a MINOR flip flop.

This is HUGE!!

mclies   July 29th, 2008 9:10 am ET

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.. hes a joke

Obama 08/2012

Jozee   July 29th, 2008 9:10 am ET

McCain says he'll flip flop every 5 seconds. Four, Three, Two, One…..

McCain says he's against the 16 month Iraq Timetable!

Five,
Four,…………

Woman for Obama   July 29th, 2008 9:10 am ET

Ugh, McCain just give it up.

Jim - Wisconsin   July 29th, 2008 9:10 am ET

He went from 100 Year War —> War over by end of his first term –> Supporting Obamas original plan that he had for the last 2 years.

Obama has picked up another supporter of his great plan.

military chiefs deemed the "conditions on the ground" safe enough.

All of the "military chiefs" have been trying to get out of Iraq since last year. They are there for 15 months at a time and see how pointless the war is.

For those of you who said that all Ron Paul supporters will vote for McCain are completely wrong. Ron Paul never supported the war and being a former Ron Paul supporter I would never vote for McCain.

McCain = Warmonger

Obama 08: mature, white woman   July 29th, 2008 9:10 am ET

Obama has clearly stated throughout the primaries and in the presidential race that he will be as careful taking American troops out as they were carelessly sent in. What's the difference?? McCain has flipped here!!

LOL @ PUMA and other dolts   July 29th, 2008 9:08 am ET

OF COURSE YOU WOULD SUPPORT IT. THE IRAQI PEOPLE, MOST AMERICANS AND MOST OF THE WORLD DEMAND IT.

ONLY PROBLEM…

BARACK OBAMA THOUGHT OF IT. PUSHED IT. AND ONCE AGAIN MCCAIN PANDERED TO TRY AND KEEP THE RETHUGS IN POWER.

Texas trail puppy!   July 29th, 2008 9:08 am ET

Ladies and Gentlemen i present you, the ULTIMATE FLIP-FLOPPER of all times Sen. John McCain better known as Johny Boy.
Obama '08

Ontaya   July 29th, 2008 9:06 am ET

Talk about your flip-flopper I thought we needed 100 years. Is this a change in policy hmmmmmmmmmm I wonder!

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