Just a thought……………but how pissed is the White House with Maverick John speaking so "clearly."

At least Obama has the sense to realize he's not president yet, just a presumptive nominee.

The rest of the world can only wait for the considered judgment of America.

Peace and love from the north

Does John McCain remind you of and also look like the Slim Pickens character in Dr. Strangelove…..and Riding the Nuclear Missile down like a cowboy……

That is John McCain's Foreign Diplomacy Position.

Bomb First and Talk Later

THE ONLY STRENGTH THAT THIS HIGHLIGHTS, IS McCAIN'S ADDICTION TO WAR!

Sen. John McCain thinks, eats, breaths, sleeps, smells, sees. WAR.
This man is a WAR ADDICT! FRANKLY I THINK HE EVEN DREAMS WAR. WHY?

JOHN McCAIN WANTS VERY BADLY INDEED TO OBTAIN VENGEANCE!

JOHN McCAIN WAS A POW AND BOY OH BOY I WOULD NOT LIKE TO BE THE POW UNDER JOHN McCAIN'S COMMAND.

THIS MAN IS IN DESPERATE SEARCH OF PAYBACK,, AND IF HIS INCESSANT TALK OF WARS, AND BOMBS, DON'T SCARE YOU I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL!

answer: yes

Repugs just launched the "Energy Freedom" countdown website. Sorry, my mistake, the "Give oil companies all the money they want" website.

Please read "American Theocracy" by Kevin Phillips. This book clearly illustrates how the crazy Repugs policies are selling out America for snacks.

all Obamabots all the time on ONN ( Obama News Network). McCain is a strong and solid leader. Obama is a dishrag. When we find our shores invaded with terrorists blowing up our own people in our own shopping malls, thank Obama everyone…

Definitely Not. Perhaps his biggest weaknes.s

McCain has this eagerness to prove that he is a war hero. He has no judgement. He should have realised that in a time like this, a country can only have one president. He should have been more careful about what he says and how he says. Scoring one or two points in an election is not the kind of commander we are looking for. Careful,,thoughtful comments with an even tone is required . There is a danger of war immenent with McWar. He has no clue as to how to diffuse a crises. He will add fuel to the fire and going to kill many soldiers unnecessarily.

It's 3 AM and the phone rings, Hillary answers. It's President Barry and war has started in Georgia – "What should I do?" Hillary says wait 4 days and then say exactly what John said last Friday.

what strengths?

he has no strengths….

America will only be able to lead on the world seen, when we lead by example. What about a shout out to France……

Unfortunately, he may not live to finish any war he started. I believe he will go to his grave with a "war" grin on his face. It is in his blood, don't blame him for liking war so much. He lives for it – just don't put him in the oval office. Thanks.

I think The U.S should cease its military operations and withdraw all forces from sovereign Iraq. What a loser he is!

It sounds like McCain is starting his own "axis of evil". You know how that turned out last time. He came out blustering but everyone knew there was really nothing the US could do besides call for diplomacy, sanctions and co-operation from other countries. You couldn't send troops because they are all tied up in Iraq. It seems that actually Obama had the more reasoned approach and as of now there is a cease fire so flying off the handle seems to have not been the best idea after all.

The crisis in Georgia only serves to highlight McWar's ultimate weakness which is a profound desire to make war and engage in war and be a part of war in any shape or form possible. McCain is war .. nothing else at all.

Do you want war for your children???????????????????

So all you who think John is a war monger what do you think of Russian president Medvedev? Not facing his actions with strong language decrying them is supporting his actions. I know this is a free country and it shows since every communist, socialist and liberal turn out to toss mud at the persons who will defend it till death. This is the price of freedom and standing up to a resurgent communist threat is not politics its patriotism.

Ummmm… wasn't it revealed that a large part of his speech on Georgia was "borrowed" from Wikipedia????

Google it…. there was a story on it today, but of course CNN misses the real story many times. McCain has one solution to Iraq, Iran, Russia and everything else… bomb bomb bomb… bomb!

No, Russia's too dangerous to provoke. It's WWIII waiting to happen.

McCain needs to look at both sides of the story. If he looked at it, Georgia, the "Democracy" was the aggressor by attacking innocent Russians in South Ossetia, and Russia retaliated. It's blind support and something like this shouldn't be tolerated.

I like Obama's approach at looking at both sides MUCH better. I bet all the money I have Medvedev and Putin are laughing at us.

Obama '08

A strength? Are you freaking kidding? His answer to this situation is friggin Anna Karenina? He wants to stop the Tsar? Next he'll be calling Obama a Trotskyite. A strength? Methinks a resounding no.

Yes, Senator McCain should invite Putin to his inauguration to thank him.

I don't want McSame deciding to send my kids out to kill or be killed every time he feels that another country isn't playing by his rules. Maybe we should be trying to strengthen an organization like the UN as opposed to unilaterally telling every major power in the world how we are going to dictate their foreign policy.

His strengths being what? That he knows how to start a war?

Actually I think this crisis exposes Obama's strengths; that if we had done the last eight years his way, we would have at least an once of freakin' credibility when telling another country they can't just invade another soverign country. Russia thumbs it's nose at us and laughs…thanks to people like John McCain.

NO…it just shows how inept he really is.

Well, I dont know that I'd go that far but the crisis in Georgia doesnt highlight Obama's strongpoint, mainly promoting himself.

No. It showed no diplomacy. Same reaction to any international situation.

McCain doesn't have much experience outside of being a war hero. He isn't experienced enough and he lacks good judgment to lead this country successfully into the 21st century. All he can really offer the American people is another Bush term. I believe we deserve better.

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

I am not Georgian and McShame certainly doesn't speak for me.

highlight his strengths? Are you kidding me? Itonly highlights what a grumpy old sell-out He is!

People seem to forget that McCain lept head-long into the mess, while O'Bama acessed the situation before acting in a more measured way. Which would you rather have dealing with nuclear weapons in a crisis?

anything thats war Mccain will support it!!!!!!!!!! MCdrill calm down you are not going to win anyways

And FYI Republican POLITICIANS are cowards who send men off to fight because they can't or choose not to fight for themselves, but Democrat POLITICIANS, and they are politicians, are cowards who couldn't even fight if they had to. Any who worships either side is a fool. Find a middle ground, and stop being armchair quarterbacks of war. Sanctions and diplomacy do not work without threat of force, but force is always the last option. THINK.

While McCain may have strong words I believe that a strong response to oppression is the only justified one. If we claim to be a nation that holds to human rights and democracy we should show that in response to anti-democratic measures taken by countries like Russia. I haven't seen a single comment aired in support of McCain's response in this entire blog. It is a shame that the other side can't even argue their point without being demeaned to the mere status of war-mongers. Certainly we would have a more firm response against Russia if it were our children and families that were being killed in Georgia.

Of course Obama's tone at first was demur. He didn't have a clue what to say or what to do. I'm guessing one of his advisors finally told him that he better get out there and stand for something (for a CHANGE) or he was going to look weak and worthless (and, then American would begin to see him for what he really is, a novice politician who has been built up by the liberal media).

Listen, I'm french and shouldn't be on this forum however for international issues like this I can't resist responding to this gray haired man with no wisdom ATT ALL!!!! Does he thinks young americans blood belongs to him to speaks like he speaks. My president Sarkozy has just shown the opposite of what this dangerous commander in chief ia advocating. Humble yourself and go and meet the "Axe of evil" to stop the bombing by using his head. How many wars American are you willing to fight to secure what will be a cemetery at last since all your futur generation will be oversea fighting for oil…Come on shut up old man and make friend instead of ennemies!

McCain is unable understand the complexity of the world we live in – his bellicosity is dangerous, foolish, and outdated – and so is he!

McCain we cannot afford another WAR.

"Today… we are all Georgians" said by John McCain. We Americans no longer hold the moral high ground to get into the affairs of other's muddled conflicts after the Iraq expedition.

McCain is an old stooge.

Wow, CNN really took a bias turn toward McCain this week. You're not even trying to hide it anymore.

PIERCE Please seek help from a mental health specialist.

McCain talking tough is not Presidential. In fact it underscores his inability to function as a diplomat and leader. He needs to stop watching the movie Top Gun and pretending like he's a cool Naval aviator. NOT!

They say the first casualty of war is the truth. If lying is required during time of war, then I would say McSAME is overly qualified and by far the stronger candidate. What a joke!!

Obama '08

i think the mcbush camp. caused this crises to influence the elections.it backfired with russia's response,but,they still think they can gain a few votes from it.americans are tired of this government,and are finding it hard to trust anything they say.

Mc Cain is living in the past. He will bring you, American back to the Cold War. He is the product of the Past that American do not need anymore.

Come on American, be smart… you are lving in the now and for the future !

Obama'08

Mcain speaking for all Americans'?, Angering Putin ? That is presumptuous, that is arogance. Is this how he will answer the 3 o'clock phone? Obama wants' peace, Mcsam want's war! war!! war!!!!!!!!!!!! The game changer is here.

NO: his response to everything is embedded in the past. He has not come to the realization of how eroded America's voice and standing is in the world. He lacks the vision and judgment to be a leader and the ability to energize and inspire others to his point of view.

These statements have hurt his campaign more than help it.

If you consider being a world bully a positive then McCain is your man. He is a mean old dirty senile man who has a love affair with war and will spare nobody. He will re institute a military draft if he is dared given that power.

Those voting for McCain had better be prepared for a military draft. McCain's answers for solving problems is war, war, and more war. We do not have nearly enough troops to attack everyone who doesn't agree with McCain so he will have to call up a new military draft. With equal rights of men and women this will not be targeted at just men. Women will also be drafted under McCain.

Also, why isn't McCain foreign policy adviser being a Georgian lobbyist being called out. If this was Obama's adviser the media would be on it nonstop.

Hey Hillary supporters who say McCain is their man. Is this really what you want? Think long and hard. Hillary lost plain and simple. Get over it or plan 4 more years of war, death, dismemberment and wheelchairs. Take a visit to Walter Reed and you will see the fruit of this Administration's labor. WAKE UP and stop whinning. People are DYING!!!

The world is an unstable place, that's why we can't afford to have someone as unstable and inexperienced as Obama in the White House.

Hillary is still our best choice.

bomb bomb Russia .get your children ready for war! think people if you put this old war monger in office we are going to lose our children this old man has been living for 72 years i would like to be that age one day.he has live his live and some. we need new thinking in office Hey why is no one talking about McSame's Presumptuousness by claiming he " speaks for every American" … ?
McCain thrives on war, so expect war

not especially but it does reinforce sen. obama's weaknesses and penchant for piggy-backing on his opponents strengths. when he saw McCain's forceful reply was well received by the public he jumped right on and made another statement. Putin would eat this puppy raw. as for the war in Iraq be honest if McCain was in charge the war would have been won and the troops would be back home a long time ago. another thing obama is one man one vote the majority of democrats including many ex military men voted for the war.

why is everyone making a big deal about what McCain said about Georgia. Everyone else (Bush and Obama) is saying the same thing. In this situation there is only one thing to say. I just don't get this guy! I don't care that he's a war hero, a lot of guys are war heros along with him. Doesn't make them qualified to run a nation, the fact of the matter is he faught for his country and not very well because he was taken hostage. I'm for Obama, we need someoone fresh and new and someone who at least knows how to use a computer! I mean really people it's a new day.

It's funny to me how McCain says he "speaks for all Americans." ALL Americans? this idiot doesn't even no what the average American is like, heck he does ant even know how to use a COMPUTER!!!! this man is so out of touch with the modern world…he needs to realize that computers and the internet have changed the world. we do not need a President that is entrenched in World War 2. It is time for change. It is time for the Future.

Obama, 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You Libs are weak–
Your big issues are Gay Marriage, let the aliens in—It's no wonder National Security is not a priorty–
The Christian beliefs which this Country was built on are fading—
You forget –there's a price to be free–THere always has been—!!
Nobody wants to lose lives in the pursuit of Freedom—
But helping others is what has always made this country great—
That's my thought—
Wish you all well—

It highlights how old he is.

Obama was mocked for saying he had gone to Berlin as a citizen of the world. At least he was only referring to himself. McCain just claimed he spoke for all of us saying that we are all Georgians. He doesn't speak for me. Bush is still president, and it was presumptious of McCain to jump into this as if he were really chosen to be speaking for all Americans.

No. McCain's an opportunist. He thinks war is foreign policy or vice versa. He talks about "success" in Iraq, but cannot define what "success" is. He has a vested interest in Georgia. Georgia is portrayed as the victim, but Georgia invaded South Ossetia. Russia overreacted. McCain's a warmonger and must be muzzled.

Obama is sending aid to Atlanta, he thinks the Russians have invaded the south! His rock star status has not prepared him to be this countries president. It's prepared him to read a teleprompter.

NO IT HIGHLIGHTS HIS IGNORANCE AND EXPOSES THE DANGER IN ELECTING SUCH AS HOT HEADED IDIOT. THE FRENCH NEGOTIATED THE PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN GEORGIA AND RUSSIA, BECAUSE NEITHER BUSH OR MCCAIN CAN NEGOTIATE THEIR WAY OUT OF A PAPERBAG WITHOUT A THREAT

Barbara I love you gal and I'm 70.
Been around the block a few times and thought only I remembered that statement Mr. McIdunno made about not having enymore wars and sending our young men to fight over oil
Your the only one who has raised it a number of times God love

McCain is already trying to start another war? This time wuth Russia? This man is crazed and dangerous. Somehow it shows strength to be belligerent? No wonder why he got the name "Bomb 'em if you got 'em Johnny." At least Obama gave some room for a mutual cease fire, which has now occurred, while warning Russia stop its aggression. McCain would have had us on the verge of WWIII. Wake up America, McCain is a hot-tempered impulsive old man. Only Obama can lead us in a strong and civilized way, with good judgement!

No. It does not.

I'm not Georgian.

The Russians should be cast aside globally and sanctioned in the same manner the EU has handled Iran. Cease trade of raw materials and future research and technologies necessary for the production, manufacturing, and logistics as long as they intend to stand hostile. Punish them economically first because of the fact that they are neither a huge factor nor a substantial benefit to world economy in the first place. And don't be fooled it takes one who has never been in the military to believe for one second and post a very uneducated comment concerning the capabilities the US military.

All American living in McCain's demented Alzheimer world are Georgian today, how about the Ossetians that Georgia wanted to run over and got trampled in the process, why not give me the news and let me interpret it as I want, AN EYE FOR AN EYE, EVERYONE GOES BLIND.

NO.

they highlight that his so called strength on this issue is all a farce.

No. This does not show McCain's strengths at all. It does show: first, McCain is too bellicose. McCain's aggressive approach could ruin already tenuous relationships with important foreign allies. Keep in mind, if the U.S. is planning to have an effective sanctions against Iran, we will need Russia's compliance.

Second, McCain's comments emphasize his propensity for saying the wrong things. Earlier, he made a comment about "bomb, bomb, bomb Iran." Today he accused Russia of returning to its old empiracle ways. Both of these comments would draw unneeded ire from countries that the we cannot afford to go to war with. McCain comments perpetuate the perception of America as being violent, gun slinging cowboys. That's a perception we no longer can afford. Unless we are willing and are desirous of actually backing it up with military force.

Third, McCain's comment about speaking for "all Americans" is extremely presumptuous. My heart goes out to Georgians, but my heart goes out to every group of people suffering from oppression, like the people in Darfur, Sudan. Perhaps McCain felt compelled to bring every American into the fold because his adviser Randy Scheunemann is a former lobbyist for Georgia. I wish I knew how much moey this former lobbyist contributed to McCain's campaign.

No former Georgian lobbyist has deposited any money into my bank account. So I don't have any reason to identify with the plight of Georgians any more than I do to identify with the plight of anyone else. McCain did not speak for me.

Wow, people! Could there be a more representative group of what is wrong with the U.S.A, then the sad lot of you who have posted comments about this article?

When did it become wrong to stand for something in this country? If you do, and then you stick by your choices then nobody will respect you. Instead they will call you insensitive, a bigot, or intollerant. While there are many who fit that description in the United States of America, most don't, but will quickly be painted into that corner anyway if they do not conform to whatever the popular secular beliefs of the day are.

That is the big problem with what is going on right now with Barack Obama and all of his promises of change. So, is Washington broken, or is just the republican part of it broken? Do we need real change, or do we just need to change the party occupying the white house?

WAKE UP PEOPLE! The Senate and Congress will be controlled by democrats (which I am sure most of you are excited about). If you think for a single second that Barack Obama is going to have any leverage to step accross the isle to deliver non-partisan politics for the good of all of us, then you are a certified MORON. Barack Obama won't have the power or the connections required to really change gov't in the U.S. Plus, after the first round of mistakes he makes, or when he doesn't deliver all these wonderful changes, then the American people will turn on him too. No sacrifice please, only fast and easy gratification! The only reason people are listening to him now is because they are pissed off because in their minds George Bush has robbed them of the instant gratification they are apparently entitled to by birthright!

Wake up, nothing is going to change. Even if we get out of Iraq immediately, we still have to hunt terrorists and take care of them before they take care of us, so we are going to be waging a war….most likely for the rest of our lives, or until we convert to Radical Islam. The sad part is that would require a sustained sacrifice on our part, and heaven forbid that happen and mess up all the instant gratification we are entitled to! We are talking about people who would walk into your home, stare you and your children in the eye, and then kill you with no regret or remorse if given the chance to do so. Do you all honestly believe if you close your eyes they will just go away? Maybe that new BMW you bought will get them to change their minds! Seriously. After Obama pulls every troop from Iraq, only to have to chase terrorists elsewhere….then what? Just bring em all home and hope like hell that the entire radical muslim population who wants to kill us all just magically dissapears. I sure hope so because I cannot bear the thought of them making us continue to chase them around forever because that will definitely rob us of that all important instant gratification we all need so badly!

Wow, people. That is some very excellent change you are all banking on! Let me say that I am not extremely excited about John McCain either, but I will take my chances on the guy who was born and raised in a time when it was OK to stand for something, and sacrifice, for anything at all, was actually viewed as a good thing and not the end of the world.

Don't forget, please, that McCain is the same guy who doesn't know the difference between the Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq, thinks Iraq and Pakistan share a border, and also thinks that Czechoslovakia still exists.
If he finally got something right regarding Georgia, that's great, but he's still a nincompoop most days.

Mccain is nothing but a war hungry pig. Go ahead ad vote for him all you puma pigs out there, if you cant get your dear little back stabing Hillarry girl in there. If she puts her name in their then it is just all lies how she is supposed to be for Obama. I knew a person could not trust her Willy. Willy might as well go join Mccain they are two of a kind who can cheat on their wifes and we want that kind of people running the white house.

McCain suggested that G8 should go back to being G7 expelling Russia. I think that is a good course to take — there is no talk of starting a war with Russia. I think overzealous Obama supporters are disingenuous in claiming that McCain is leanining towards starting new wars. Having a backbone and standing up for good democratic principles is a necessary qualification of being the President of the USA. Pandering to totalitarian regimes whether in Iran, Russia, China, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Saudi Arabia or wherever, is not an appropriate policy for the USA and other leading democratic countries, even if it lets you have a million-people love-fest in Berlin.

I can only hope that the United States will borrow more money from China and South America to fight a new Cold War, and further compound our deficit. It will be great to have no job and an idiot like McCain leading the charge!

Talk about Obama being presumptous, MMCain sure sound a lot like that to me. Hey cnn are you going to run that tonight, tomorrow or this week? Barack got blasted by CNN FOX and all the rest FOR ACTING PRESUMPTOUS like he was already president. Please talk about MCCain own, thankyou.

America…we have a leader..and he's not a rookie!

McCain is the ONLY choice between the present choices.

I 'm beginning to believe that John McCains needle is stuck on his record ! That happens when you have nothing else to talk about.

November 4th can't come fast enough !

It's incredible that after 8 years of Bush's cowboy foreign policy which cost thousands of lives, and made the whole world hate us, McCain's identical "shoot first, ask questions later" approach is considered a "strength".

It's truly incredible.

CNN, I'm deeply dissapointed by your bias.

At least people like Olbermann or O'Reilly are honest about their partisanship.

A question: Did McCain and his foreign-policy adviser and Goergia lobbyist, Randy Scheunemann, possibly inadvertently, send the wrong signals to the volatile President of Georgia ecnouraging him to send its army into South Ossetia?

CNN, the way you spin this article is clearly biased!

McCain is showing his "carpet bomb first, ask questions later" approach, and Obama shows his more measured, common sense approach.

As you can see from the way I phrase that, I'm an Obama supporter. But that's ok, because I don't claim to be a non-partisan media outlet, I'm just a voter.

But you are CNN, and are supposed to be un-partisan. When you give a title such as "Does the crisis in Georgia highlight McCain's strengths?" to an article in which he makes very inflammatory, immature and counterproductive statements against the 2nd largest nuclear power on the planet, you are CLEARLY being biased and irresponsable.

You are being deceptive in your attempt to reinforce your artificially created narrative that McCain is strong on national security, when in fact he was wrong on the most crucial foreign policy decision of our lifetime – the Iraq invasion.

Shame on you! You're supposed to be impartial!

To Both Candidates: If you can't really do anything, about the situation that come up, personally; but, all you can say is "what you would do; if you could"……(Just Words). I think you, shouldn't say anything, let the real President handle his job, of doing that. Your real chance, to be the real President; could be nearer than you think………………………..we still have a "real President" in office, or did you'll forget?

McCain, just like Reagan, recognizes the seriousness of what Russia could do to the free world. Obama is no fool, but he is too optimistic about Russia's intentions. Putin has been speaking like a cold war dictator for the last three years.

McCain's primary strength is to see threats as threats, and not just as distressing events in a far off nation.

um, no

Hello;

McCain is one of the heads of the Senate Arm Services Committee. There should have been some type of prediction on the Georgia-Russian conflict through the US intelligence community before it even happened. The CIA, FBI, CID, OSI, ONI, and NSA spy agencies of this country were too busy spying on American citizens so they had no time to spy and prevent potential foreign military conflicts. A terrorist could plant a bomb under the chair of any US spy agency rep and they would not know it well until it goes off. This is your FISA agreement doing its work.

Charlie D of Atlanta, Georgia.

McCain Please allow some of us to live to be as old as you. Just be'coz your live is at sun set does not mean that you should drag the lifes of young Americans to war so that their lifes can end before they really get as old as you are. I have never seen a selfish human being like you – You bain-wash Americans into believing that war is the only answer to all the problems. Georgia and Russia need to talk and not fight. You should understand old man that Georgia was the aggressor but Russia used excessive force. Don't take sides because they help you advance your selfish nature, Use you bain and wisdom. Experience is northing without wisdom and undrestanding – unfortunately that's what you lack

The issue with Russia and Georgia as far as the United States goes is the responsibility of the present administration, even if many people have no trust in the President and his advisers, they are in charge until next January. John McCain and Barack Obama have no authority in this. "The 3:00am quick response" applies to events affecting the United States. If John McCain thinks he heard the 3:00am call, he was dreaming.

Bushy McSame has no strength in this area. We are stretched so thin by their war of choice in Iraq that we couldn't help Georgia if we wanted to. Besides on what basis do we call for Russia not to invade a country that did not attack it? Until we replace the band of tryants in Washington with some sane leadership (from Obama's team). How can we expect our friends or our enemies to take us seriously.
as of 8:58 August 12,2008 here is the time line to a sensible government:

Days 160 days, 16 hours and 2 minutes .

after that things will either get a little better or a whole lot better…. it depends on voter turn-out.

How COULD it? His "experience" as a Commander-in-Chief is the very same as Barack Obama's………………nil.

No, it highlights Senator Obama's strength; that is, Obama saw the value of diplomacy over empty threats. McCain just saw an opportunity to try to score political points.

What strength? Acting tough? And again, neither one is president yet, so they don't have THAT much clout in foreign affairs. And don't forget…there are other parties besides the Democrats and Republicans!

That old wrinkled white hair dude, don't speak for every American. Shows just how out of touch he is. Besides, Russia was the victim here. Bush administration dropped the ball

Americans want to keep our Founding Fathers great foresight in
writing the our Constitution and insuring that our great country maintained the Checks and Balaces of Power in the three branches of our governemt : between the Executive, Legislative and Judicial
branches. The Democratic Congress under Nancy Pelosi has failed to do anything for our country and people in the two years they have had the majority. They stand to gain even more seats in the Congress in this election , largely because of the very unpopular
ratings of the Bush Presidency. It is better for us as a nation to have
the balance of a Democratic congress and a Republican President
who happens to be more qualified than the (Obama) democratic candidate.. McCain is not George Bush, McCain is more experienced than Bush or Obama. BTW, we have not been hearing any voices against Obama form the Islamists or leftists.

American, please the time for us being split as Dems and Rep must stop. The sad truth is, presently we are extremely weak.
1. The War in Iraq has weaken us, financial, spiritually and physically.
Instead of going after Bin Laden. A senseless war and he is still
at large. We are no safer than a few years ago. Only poorer.
Please if you can, name me one senator who child or children have
been in this war? Leave Iraq to enter another war with Russia,
China joins with Russia. Bin Laden thanks to McBush is still at large may decide to attach again. Because we are now in two wars.
Do you really think he's not keeping track.

2. Government has been running a mock. Endless lies & distortions of the truth. They are not representing America any more. We have very, very little allies. This stupid go it alone idea. Shot first, do bother to ever ask. We'll make it up as we go along.

3. Stop being so greedy;we need to get with the program. Let us educate our selves. Stop taking for granted what our government says as the truth. We need to be our own reporters. Many countries have found ways to lessen their dependance on oil. Let us first fix OUR house, OUR collapsing house, before investing in some one elses.

WE TOGETHER CAN MAKE AMERICA RESPECTED AND PROVIDE A BETTER AMERICA FOR OUR CHILDREN,

No, McCain's response to the Georgia problem only shows that his top foreign policy advisor IS A PAID LOBBYIST FOR THE NATION OF GEORGIA!!!
Don't believe me? Look it up!

old soldiers never die they just want to run for president and keep wars going. i wish mccain put on some war gear and go out and fight any war he think is necessary. if he had to risk his life he would not be so war hungry.

PIERCE. The Dog lost. Say goodnight and go home. Only thing HRC should pick is her nose.

Well, the fact that, once again, Obama is slippin' over to McCain's position on a foreign policy issue may indicate that, yes, McCain does posess a certain acumen in this area that Obama may be lacking.

Mr.McCain Sir you spoke from the heart, with great confidence and strength about this war. If you feel like that about them why don't you extend the same feelings toward your own countrymen? The Iraq war is and was a crime, I believe that You know that. Say what you know to be true and bring our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan and you just might have a chance.

McCains rhetoric on this subject clearly highlights his total inadequacy when it comes to sensible foriegn policy.

It seems like McCain is just waiting and hoping for a war. Look how excited he gets when he talks about it. If this man is elected he will take us to war within the first year he is in power. He will go out looking for a reason. Is this what we want for our country? Wake up people! Let's use diplomacy and reason, not threats and precious soldiers to solve world problems. We need Obama to lead this nation.

Go Bama!!!!

I don't like the fact that McCain act like he is the president when he speek to Gorgias president.

War is fought by brave people who kill each other without knowing each other for the benefit of people who know each other but do not kill each other.

AMERICA, AMERICA, AMERICA, WHAT A DEFFERENT BETWEEN WHAT RUSSIAN IS DOING NOW AND WHAT USA DID TO IRAQ, AND HOW JOHN McCAIN IS GOING TO HUNDLE IT, I HAVE NO IDEAR COZ RUSSIAN WONT LISTEN TO HIM AS THEY DID NOT LISTEN TO INTERNATION COMMITEE WHAT ATTACKING IRAQ. PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN WAR THEY WILL KEEP THEMSELVES IN WAR, MY PRAYERS TO INNOCENT BLOOD DUE TO BLOOD OIL. THERE IS NOTHING USA CAN DO COZ THEY ARE BAD EXAMPLE. LETS HOPE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN PEACE THAN GUN WILL HELP

OTTAWA, ON

No McSenile just a war monger and he cant get my vote…My first vote goes to Obama!

YES!!!!! And it also show how WEAK is Obama.

NO he does NOT. John McCain comes across as clueless, he's saying pretty much the same thing he did about Iraq, same song, same verse. I mean he has NO power or authority to make any decisions, HE'S NOT THE PRESIDENT, oh, but his close buddy is!! Wow….

while these politicians ignore the will of 70% of the people, he has the nerve to speak for us and say " we are all georgians"! these people do not speak for me, i speak for me! look what all this 'experience' has got
us…owning trillions of dollars, fighting 2 illegal wars and wanting to start another with Iran, making threats tio Russia, China, Korea! when are we going to take back our government from these tyrants that want to rule the world at our expense?

Each candidate has made a statement showing their resolve to end the crisis. They might take a lesson from Dr. Armand Hammer on how to deal with Russians. That is, stand outside their gate and yell at the top of your lungs until they let you into the house for a chat.

It highlights more lobbyist connections for McCain. One of his chief strategist, Randy Scheunemann, lobbied for Georgia and accompanied McCain's speeches today. Strength? I seems to reveal ulterior weakness.

McCain = Special interests
Obama = American people

I'm still getting moderated CNN. How come?

Europe will be the next "Super Power"… You seem to want to keep shrinking from your responsibilities… We are the Great USA….
You only get to be Champion, when you fight every Contender….
Business is Business. Cruel isn't it???????????/

Does the crisis in Georgia highlight McCain's strength's? NO!!!
and why would it? He hasn't said anything accept that there should be a cease to the conflct. Hell that's a NO BRAINER. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican you are saying there should be a cease to the conflict. I just don't understand why we would even question that the crisis would highlight his strength. Unless you're a Republican then you would say Oh DEFINITELY!! HOGWASH.

I don't know that it shows McCains strengths as much as it shows Obama's weaknesses.

Russia will challenge the next president the same way that they challenged JFK.

Obama is an amature whereas McCain is experienced.

I know who I am voting for.

Senator McCain does not like war anymore than Obama does.
McCain is a war hero and knows what war does to nations and people. He is however much more mature in judgement and haa a lot more experience than an unknown Obama who has been sailing along on the "Change Theme" but nobody seems to know what "Change" Obama is trying to do. He is largely vague on his rhetoric . More important nobody knows who the real Obama is.
His background is murky . His Agenda is even more murky since he has virtually nothing to give him credit for in his short unremarkable career as a politican. He was a State Legislator just 4 years ago and even there has no record of any meaningful and lasting lehgistive record.. Even more than that he has no administrative Experience.
His rise to prominence as a politician and his primary victories are a direct recult of the MEDIA coverage that favored him. In short Obama is a MEDIA Created Image and a Media darling. So much so that Obama's camp had shown a pseudo-Presidential SEAL on the rostrum of his campaign speech platform. He also had been welcomed in the LEFTIST groups in his European tour.

Yes, this time it did. Even a blind squirrel stumbles onto a nut every once in a while. Good for you McCain. Promise to bring home our troops now and you might have a chance.

Yes. Anyone is stronger than a 1 year Senator who is in charge of a committee he never even held a meeting for.

BO thinks that one trip to Europe and a speech at a rock concert in Germany is enough to qualify him for President.

I pity our country if he's elected.

america our beautiful young adults DO NOT HAVE TO die in a sense less war that got no where. We need to mind our bizz and repair us first before helping another country.

obama 2008

The fact he's being opportunistic about a war highlights volumes, but not strengths.

Eastern Europe! So far away… Your shrinking USA…

It only shows his cold war mentallity. I know the main stream media might ignore this but we saw and heard Putin point out that some politicians in the US( obviously, McBush). Are we going to slide back to the cold war era again, being that McBush already went full war focussed on Russia. Threatening Russia is not what we need. America needs someone who would employ diplomacy before anything else.

In the famous words of Whitney Houston " Hell to the naw "

No more war please, he doesn't undertstand difference between strength of Iraq and Russia. 1st we can't win, 2nd we are busy in un called for war in Iraq.

He will be the worst president as he can only thing about is WAR.

The United States has been agitating Russia for the past several years. Perhaps if we had a bit less of the Cold War era ideology this wouldn't have happened.

Not necessary good for McCain. In the Gallop Tracking Poll, McCain is performing poorly these few days after the crisis.

I guess a lot of Americans are afraid to have another cold war with Russia worrying about Russia's nuclear missiles raining down on America.

Just think about Iraq, only a couple of thousand soldiers have died from the war for over five years. Majority of Americans are now against the Iraq war. At the beginning, two thirds or three fourths of Americans supported the war. But Americans cannot accept the human and economic loss.

Americans cannot stomach the cold war with Russia anymore. As long as Russia does not threat America directly, most Americans will accept the mild positions against Russia. McCain has taken a losing position!

I am pretty much sure Georgia will lose the two provinces. When U.S.A. and Europe stripped Kosovo from Serbia, I knew that was what would happen. When Kosovo became offcially independent from Serbia, Russia threat to make the two provinces independent too. Russians have just been waiting for the chance. Georgia does not have power to take the two provinces back and people there want independence from Georgia. Russia will let the two provinces become independent. If U.S.A and Europe applied the same standard as they used for Kosovo, they should accept it too.

All this shows me is that he is QUICK to want to fight…we already know he has a terrible temper…that last thing I want in office is a man with ANGER ISSUES and loves to fight first and then ask questions/get details….

No, it highlights his ambitions. That's it.

Actually it confirms why it would be scary to have this man as president….For all his "saber rattling" this seems to be his first response to any American crisis. How many wars will this man engage the U.S…..everyone should be afraid, very afraid!!!

Let Russia do as it pleases. Why is the US butting in? We need to finish the mess we're already in. This could only lead to World War 3 if we try to stop the Russians. Let them take Georgia. They shouldn't have shot the planes down.

What happens to the "Peace Movement" in this country? Nobody seems to protest Russia, so I guess "peace" only applied selectively. For all the people who accused McCain of being a "war monger", I don't see anybody accuses Putin and Medvedev of being "war criminals" for invading Georgia.

Obama is weak and doesn't have a position of his own, as the article stated, Obama is just following McCain's lead in condemning Russia. Obama is a fraud and an empty suit and certainly not qualified to be president of the US.

No I do not think it highlights anyones strength. How hard is it to say "I think they should stop", duh…anyone can believe in that statement. Plus no one really knows the real truth behind this incident, only what the "media" says. We need to keep our nose out of this and use diplomacy to portray our beliefs, there is a reason for everything and I don't think we know enough about the incident to make a strong statement. But thats America for ya, the world police.

I didn't know Johnny Mac had any strengths! Oh, does warmongering or war brokering count?

Do Americans really view this as McCain's strength? the fact that he is being so aggressive towards Russia? he has shown no diplomacy or statesmanship….just threats. Does America really want to be engaged in endless war? Yeah, he knows war – he knows how to win wars and that is by winning….(hee, hee). Need I mention that he hasn't actually ever WON a war? he was a POW. Its time to stop making wars and make peace….set the lead with PEACE – that shows true leadership and courage. OBAMA 08

absolutley not….

McCain's aggressive stance has already been identified as a ruinous path.

One thing we've learned is even if you can get a bunch of Americans whipped into a frenzy and shouting "USA, USA,USA….

it doesnt mean your right…..
or your smart….
or that you know what the hell you're doing…..

Oh…..and Victory in Iraq begins with Justice here at home…..

Has Senator McCain explained how he got into flight school ahead of better, qualified candidates yet?

This is what happens when we continue in this so called nation building. Why is it we only want to nation build / influence peddle
where there are natural resources to be had. John McCain and the (IRI) will continue to put this country in danger all for money. Country's are tired of being exploited.

I seriously find it pathetic how many people want to just sit here and use the "mcsame, mcthis, mcthat" buzzwords in their banter.

Barack Obama wants "negotiation and talk"

Talk… while there are guns being fired, bombs being dropped, and aggressions already on the war field.

Obama = Idiot.

Talk is cheap when it comes to Russia. All they have ever understood was force. Thats all.

I'm probably not going to vote for Obama, but McCain's bellicose response to a situation that is outside of America's interests frightens me into definitely never voting for him. I don't want our president to increase tensions with Russia and risk causing a new cold war over what amounts to a regional conflict. Where McCain's judgment is so fatally flawed is the fact that Georgia made a major mistake invading a region that was basically autonomous, in the name of nationalism. While Russia's response went too far, that doesn't excuse that Georgia was in the wrong here too and provoked the conflict. Mind you, Georgia's not the most democratic nation either, but I guess they're OUR kind of non-democratic nation…Every day I lean more towards Bob Barr.

Wow look at all you ignorant people… Probably 95% of you never served your country you cowards. All you whine and complain about is warmongering…

You follow an empty suit, with NO experience, he is a JUNIOR senator. He has no experience with anything to do with foreign policy besides giving speeches to Germans.

He plays the race card whenever he is exposed for actually starting the issue.

He HAS FLIP FLOPPED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS… ONE TIME WHILE HE WAS ON VACATION.

He makes his own policy, realizes how wrong he is, see's smart voters polling the opposite way then he changes his mind, and FLIP FLOPS.

HE NEEDS A COIN FOR HIS VP… SO HE CAN FLIP IT TO MAKE HIS DECISIONS.

I'm not sure if CNN will allow this, but it's really the best way to say it: Russia's got the world by the balls right now and they know it. They've got a sizable, poised conventional military, a worldwide nuclear deterrent, ever-increasing energy wealth, and a Security Council veto that allows them to attenuate various international issues, blowing hot and cold at times, to their benefit. To a rather worrisome extent, it is Russia that controls the situation with Iran, and perhaps even North Korea. It's time for the US to make nice with anyone who'll have them after the last seven years and to conduct themselves as though they are finally aware that they are but one voice in the world.

McCain wants to start WW III. He is making empty threats and thinks that by being macho with no practical strategies and tactics to support his threats, he can get elected. Get real. We don't want a war monger.

obviously,, mccain wants to take credit,, even if he doesnt deserve it,,, in fact hes talkin on issues that obama was before ,, now mccain wakes up and talks,,,,, umm says something about memory hh?? he cnt think for himself so he needs his staff to listen to obama to get ideas,,, ummm i can say one thing, if mccain ever did get the nomination, we as americns are in worse trouble than we are now,,, obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!! now and beyond

All you Obama supports are BRAINWASHED NAZIS.

Obama doesn't know anything about Georgia which is why he is in hiding in Hawaii.

lila August 12th, 2008 7:30 pm ET

"McCain = 4 more wars! Why only have a war in Iraq and Afghanistan when you can have a war with Iran and Russia too!"

Lila that is so funny 'cause it is so true of the warmongering John, who never imagines a war he never likes.

Like Napoleon and Hitler before him, Bush has been using Georgia, Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, etc to poke, antagonize and torment the NUCLEAR-ARMED Russian Bear, who just wants to relax in his own Russian space.

Bush's failed foreign policy is at the root cause of this avoidable conflict.

Fortunately for us the Russians are showing restraint and not completely overrun the reckless, genocidal, silly and "we should not spare bullet with these people" Saakhasvili.

"Today, we are all Georgians" … Not me.

"I told him that I know I speak for every American when I say to him, `Today, we are all Georgians."

Diplomacy at its best …

It could be funny, listening to someone making such a fool of himself … on the other hand this man could get president of the Unites States of America in 2008 … oh my god!

What this little international crisis illustrates is that Barack O'blah-blah has no clue about foreign policy, and it also illustrates how Obama has acted since he first entered the race – he has no experience and does not know what to do or say until he is prompted and taught. That is why O'blah-blah generally waits to answer important questions opting to see which way the political winds are blowing – what position his opponents take; what the media and political pundits say; and what the polls say. Then, when it is safe for him to say something – he uses his skillful oratory skills to pretend he knows what he is doing. This is not how we want the US to be led.

If Sen. Obama wins the Presidency, and has a Republican as his vice President, I wonder who will run this country. Will it be "experience" or "hope for experience". I wonder what the future holds. Only time will tell.

Obama should not have spoken in Germany because he is not yet President, so says McCain. So who's the celebrity now? Can't wait for Paris to put him in his place again. Or maybe he can get James Dobson to pray for a rain-out in Russia. While W is hugging bikini clad volleyball players, John has a chance to play Berry Goldwater. But wait, it was Ronald Reagan that ended the Cold War, so are the Republicans ready to go for WWlll?

oh, by the way, lets not forget that McAin'ts foreign policy advisor, Randy Scheunemann, was a lobbyist for Georgia before joining the old man's campaign. hmmm, will we be seeing any Donald Rumsfeld-Saddam Hussein style photos with Scheunemann and Saakashvili???

i personally dont want to find out.

Absolutely not. Talk is cheap. Russia knows that we have exausted all of our resources in Iraq. What does McCain plan on using to back-up all of that big talk. Besides, he is not the president and should not speak as if he is.

Absolutely not!!! His response is a joke. It shows just how much out threats are meaningless to the world. The Russians know that we we can do nothing to them so to make such threats speaks to just how out of touch McCain is. Bush actually sounded much better than McCain.

Obama 08/12

McCain has problem adjusting to the realities of the new world order. That wrinkly lunatic needs to be reminded that war prison experience and success of military surge in Iraq are not enough qualification for the office of American president. Perhaps his vision of change for America is to start WWIII.

Dr. Strangelove McSame only knows how to be angry, talk tough, and scare people. Any strength he should normally have gets abused because of his temper.

It (so far) has showed the pompous elitist old presumptuous anal cavity to be nothing more than awar-mongering ego-maniac of biblical proportions.

His blasphemy in some of his ads has turned me off.

And Last, I AM NOT GEORGIAN and he does not speak for me, my friends.

Go Obama '08 – diplomacy over war war war war war

Believe me, if Americans do not want to have war with Russia, nor Russia want that. If Georgia was already member of NATO, we have had already peace restored in region and none ot hese escallations would have happened. Russian is just shameless country always getting as much as it can.

It already tried to conquer Georgia in 2008, however succeded in 1921 and 1801, they entered Finland in 1939, hungary in 1956, Checkoslovakia (Chech republic and modern Slovakia) in 1968, Afghanistan in 1979. Would you like more?

It could be risky to put someone in the top job who still has a fude to settle. He was a POW and may still be angry at someone or still feels the need for revenge, and the only way to ease his pain is to bang someone or start a fight, a war so he may be able to get it out of his system. Now this person would be only putting self first, and would be the perfect person to keep away from the phone at 2am, 3am, 4am, 5am cause they will not make a good judgement call.
Vote for world peace, vote Obama.

As far as I can tell, McCain hasn't said anything about attacking Russia. All I've seen so far is a clear, albeit bold, condemnation of 21st century tyranny. What puzzles me is how so many Americans seem to think it's more important to childishly pick away at insignificant semantics than to discuss to any degree the actual issues.

No. It doesn't.

The fact that so many voters still cling to the utterly false notion that McCain is stronger on foreign policy is, quite frankly, alarming.

Sofia! Named after the Capital, no doubt… Another ex patriot of Europe…

And, of course CNN was just about to mention that the head of McCain's campaign previous job was as a lobbiest for Georgia, right?

Unfortunatley while I would have liked to have help with Georgia WE HAVE NO TROOPS FOR IT. We lost our big stick with Iraq and Obama is right in saying now all we can do is to first be diplomatic. Then if Russia still fought georgia then Europe would be all for getting militarily involved. We are unable to fight by ourselves until we get out of Iraq and redeem ourselves in the global communities eyes. I mean we invaded Iraq which was a nation that did not attack us first.

I can think of no better example of how the old ways, the old mindsets that McCain represents MUST change if we want to see a different kind of result. Sure McCain has experience, but it is all based on the old cold war model of international relations.

Obama has the ability to appeal to other countries from a different mindset, a different model. And make no mistake, his approach is NOT one of pacifism or appeasement, it is one of strength. But he is willing to engage our adversaries, and most importantly rally our allies to our cause, in ways that the Bush administration, and a McCain administration, can never do.

So no, this moment of international tension is not McCain's moment. It only speaks clearly as to why we need the change that Obama brings.

which strength?, what did our president do, except making calls, there's pretty much nothing we can do, we squandered our goodwill in Iraq, and now any major power can easily pounce on the little ones claiming that the world would be safer without them, we've eaten our supper so early in the morning. Goodnight

Please note that McCain does not speak for me, nor is he "My Friend". His presumption of spokesperson for all Americans is nonsense.

Obama was right. Even in a bar fight, people talk first before the blows are struck. Give discussion a chance….then blow them out of the water. McCain is old school, Cold War era that has no place in today's world. BTW, im military. I go where im told to, but I still have an opinion, Thank God for our founding fathers.

No. I think crisis shows a bravado, an arrogance about McCain. His hard line talk scares me and leads many to wonder could this guy be more radio active than Bush.

Regrettably, the ill advised war in Iraq, strongly supported by McCain, has worn out our military and emboldened nations such as Iran and Russia. McCain's tough rhetoric is similar to that of someone who has inherited a fortune, squandered it, yet still reaches for what has become an empty wallet.

If McWAR thinks that he is speaking for all Americans he is wrong again. Let somebody go tell McWAR that I will not go fight for GEORGIA under any circumstances. He said "Today we are all Georgians!" I am not and will never be. Foreign medling has brought hardship to ordinary Americans and today the only thing I hear is the foriegn policy (WAR) credentials of John McWAR who 3 times could not pronounce the Georgian President's name correctly yet is ready to commit American lives in another war. Tell McWARmonger we do not need another war. We need somebody who can fix this economy in this Internet Age and he is not that person because the Stone Age mentality has possessed him.

SImple answer,no,it does not highlight his power

in reading al this tripe, I firmly believe that the whole of the American people, have completely lost their sense of normality, and are all as crazy, as the leaders, that are in power.

GOD PLEASE HELP AMERICA, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY ARE DOING!!!!!!!!

What kind of strengh? He is John McCain. Have you forgotten Paris?

It saddens me to see the type of comments that are shown here. The lack of respect is astounding. I hope that the Obama supporters here aren't representative of Obama supporters in general.

As to the issue at hand, the USA looked really weak after this incident. The fact that Georgia is one of our best allies in the Caucus states and in fact is one of the few countries in the world that likes Americans, and we barely had any strong rhetoric against Russia, let alone any further steps.

I love the way the Obama-bots call for party unity and want a republican as VP? Get real you mindless fans, the party is democrat, not repubacat? Who will run for President, God Forbid, if Obama should win the election and serve his term? What if a fanatic eliminated Obama, who do we want as President? The person to take his place is the VP. I cannot believe Obama would pick a republican as VP and expect any kind of party unity in November. His fans are pretty crazy, but I can't believe they could be that stupid. Maybe they are as dumb as I first thought they were. Whomever McCain picks as VP is, without a doubt, a hairs breath away from the Presidency. The party expects Hillary to be so loyal to the party, but Obama can pick a republican as VP, go figure. I will write Hillary on my ballot in November….

I'm not convinced that McCain's tough stance is what American's want to hear. I don't know anyone who thinks another war for America would be good. I think most people would rather see a measured response. I certainly don't want another hot head getting us into a war we don't need.

How can you guys say that McCain 'loves war;?? You must consider the fact that he was a prisoner of war in the Vietnam year for approximately 8 years, being tortured goodness knows how. I think that someone who went through THAT misery must harbor a few rebellious feelings AgAINST war, wouldn't you think?

It (so far) has showed the pompous elitist old presumptuous anal cavity to be nothing more than an ego-maniac of biblical proportions.

His blasphemy has turned me off. I AM NOT GEORGIAN and he does not speak for me my friends.

Go Obama '08 – diplomacy over war war war war war

"Barak Obama is right: The violence should stop. Georgia should not have intervened militarily initially, and Russia should not have responded with military force. John McCain is quick to resort to military force, that is his area of expertise." As a military officer I agree that OBAMA level headed, calm approach in previous speaches when he spoke about this issue in 2007 and after the incident highlighted his judgement and leadership style. McCain is a fake and all he know or want to do is launch another WAR, against Russia, China, Iran and continue in Iraq…Americans should be very wary of John McCain he definitely has an agenda and not even George Bush support him forcefully, they are all doing what is necessary tactfully because he is the party nominee and I wonder what ethics do any of them really have when they know McCain is "crazy", he is a hot head and his thumbs do not need to be on those launch pads to the nukes. Only OBAMA clarity of thought will prevent us from dooming ourselves at least for the next 8 years. I rather buy my time with OBAMA than get blown up under McCain! He crashed 5 plans how is that for leadership, resourcefulness or responsibility?

Wow…you Obamaphiles are wacko's. He didn't say he wants to go to war with Russia. Just because you talk tough doesn't mean he wants to go to war. War monger is about as dumb as flip flopper. What would Obama do? He didn't know what to do. Just let them into the other country and maybe we can have tea and crumpets…
I hope you enjoy being the world's doormat, having every country walking all over you while your savior is in the white house and you all are holding hands and singing Kumbaya.

Uhbama initially said when Georgia was invaded we needed to protect Atlanta.

Enough said.

I certainly would take McCain's decision making over anything the nut case, real estate maker, anti-Christian, liar about the Iraq war and terrorist Supporter OBAMA would make. I like the comments the lady asked about whites voting for blacks. I got news for you it's not white vs black than bothers me. It's common sense and not all the baggage Mr. OBAMA seems to have in his background that bothers me. You asked if he was white would I vote for him on his policies? NO I WOULD NOT. No morals, liar, crook, no experience, listening to the likes of Rev. Wright for 20-years is enough for me. You say he is a man for the people what people African Americans. Ask the IL. people if he has done nothing for them?

WORD JUST IN: The Russian Salad Dressing in the Congressional Cafeteria has just been renamed Freedom Salad Dressing….

How presumptuous. He certainly does not speak for me . HE just proved what we all surmised .. HE will be a WAR president.

Hey Pierce…

This article has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with Hillary.

Mr.McShame tries to make up for his shameful conduct while a POW by beating his drum and rattleing his sabre at every opportunity….my friends. Besides, he follows the Republican agenda, start wars to instill fear in the American populace, only the children of the "little people" will die in war anyway….my friends.-Pathetic.

My friends, McCain's theatrics only show he is in strong alignment with the Bush pro-War in support of oil strategy.

Let me give you some straight talk. McCain may have portrayed himself as a maverick in 2000, but now that he's clinched the Republican nomination we've seen his express run straight off its tracks toward the Bush agenda. The train lost its bearings and flipped, and it flopped, and now we are well… where we are.

Obama '08/12

This situation reinforced my negative opinion of McCain.

He has the wrong kind of experience. If you spend 26 years doing the same thing, responding in the same way, no matter what the circumstances, is that experience or insanity?

We need good judgment in the White House. Only Obama can give us that.

TO A MAN WITH A HAMMER, EVERYTHING LOOKS LIKE A NAIL
–Mark Twain

McAin't is a crazy jingoist!!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

McCain's comment scare the heck out of me. Tough, cowboy talk, including an immediate threat to kick Russia out of the G8. He's always had a thing against Russia and he stands alone, more bellicose than Bush or any of our most important allies.

Sorry… today we are not ALL Georgians. That's the difference between Obama and McCain.. McCain jumps out and makes statements before even finding out what the conflict was about. Did he even bother talking to Putin to find out why the attack even took place?

Georgia was terrorizing and exterminating entire groups of people who wanted to live free of the current government.. people who wanted to call themselves Russians. Rather than working with these people… Georgia treated them like Saddam did in Iraq… he executed them. Russia went into Georgia in defense of those people who wanted to separate themselves from the Georgian dictatorship.

Did Russia do things the right way… I'd say no way. Were they justified.. maybe not. But learn the facts before making stupid statements like "We are all Georgians today" McCain is an Idiot.

You all will be buried in your own blood should you pick such a man like John McCain for President of your country. This man is just sick to death to start WWIII. He'll bomb anything that brings back to his mind his past as POW. He'll bomb China, bomb The Koreas, Bomb, Bomb, Bom Iran, nuke Russia… And the list will go on and on… We' re watching you closely, Americans… Don't shoot yourselves in the foot(as you're used to say)!!!

What strengths?? Just because he was a prisoner of war makes him qualified?? I am sick to the teeth about brave John McCain..what about all the other vets ..he didn't fight that immoral war alone, he never won it either and that is why he is so obsessed with "winning" Iraq.. McCain needs to take a nap and give up this game.

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!

John McCain is a great American who loves his country and has sacrificed for his country. I trust his judgement .

McCain's strengths, if you can call it that, is to talk tough. He is all hat and no cattle. All show and no go. This is a man who is easily confused on current events. Doesn't know the difference between Sunni and Shiite. He still thinks there is a country called Czechoslovakia! Strengths? PUH-LEASE!!!!!!!

I don't see what the problem is. Can't President Bush just speak to "the soul" of Putin? The President presented such close ties between Russia and the US but Russia only seems to present us with a solitary finger. I also fail to see how McCain as president would be more effective, especially if he follows thru on his promise to bomb Iran. Perhaps this is a poor cliche for this presidential cycle, but we can't be the pot calling the kettle black.

The events in Georgia only goes to show that the likes of McCain are a dying breed. America would have been quick to send troops to Georgia but for the fact that the world order has changed. Economic domination is far more effective now than sheer brute force. America's resources have been stretched thin in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, beneath the Pacific Ocean and in different military bases worldwide.
A number of grim economic realities such as the value of the Dollar, Credit Crunch, high energy prices, widespread property foreclosures have also conspired against America to underscore America's waning global influence. McCain would have been relevant if the war he knows how to win is the one against these economic realities and not the same old failed ones America has waged. Only a nit wit will sound off this way.

Answer to derrick 7th from top: Yes, Americans are fools because they voted Bush in twice. Nuff said

They complain about the Cost of Living! About the Job-Market. You lose business, when you lose World-Standing… Complain as you will. But you will lose even more business; more loss of Face.
If you do not get it "Right" this time. "We don't wanta Leader" in the World, They would rather have a Wimp, like Obama.
"The Guy who Bends in a Breeze…

I don't know? Does CNN's inane analysis highlight the stupidity of Republican sympathizers?

Maybe they can next ask if his "tough" words solved the crisis. What schlock. Free your brains people.

For both candidates, it is all just talk. Neither is in a position to take any action, military or diplomatic, so the question of who said what first or who’s sound bites seemed stronger is really all just posturing.

The media doesn’t help when the coverage focuses on the impressions of how the candidates sound, without giving the background needed to understand the situation. From this article you would never know that it was Georgia who first launched a military incursion into South Ossetia and Abkhazia; and that the conflict within Georgia over the sovereignty in these regions has been simmering for a long time. By entering Georgia and taking military action that was totally disproportionate to any claim that they were trying to quell the initial violence, Russia clearly took advantage of the situation. But the fighting started with Georgia attacking South Ossetia and Abkhazia to put down the rebels in these breakaway regions.

AND that really is the problem we face in this election. The issues we are confronted with are a whole lot more involved than the simple sound bites that make it to the air, or the commentators “analysis” of polls on which candidate the people thought sounded stronger. The public is woefully uninformed on the issues and unwilling to take the time to get to the point where they can make an informed judgment.

IF we don’t make the effort to become knowledgeable voters, then we deserve the government the spin machine of contemporary politics sells us.

I doubt very much if McCain's or Obama's response to Russia invasion of Georgia will have any affect on what Russia does. Neither of them have anything now but talk and we should expect them to address the situation, but to talk tough or not is just talk.
Talk as tough as you want when you have not authority to do anything but talk.
I could call for Russia to immediately to withdraw or they would suffer serious consequences and what does that do—NOTHING, I HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO DO ANYTHING BUT TALK,
The same as John McCain and Barak Obama.

Let me understand this: "Russia WANTED to the bomb the oil pipeline," and somehow couldn't achieve it?
Is there any sane person who can possibly take that statement as anything other pure, lying propaganda?

Jack, so far McCain has only done what anyone with any moral sense of value for democracy would have which is, speak out against the actions of Russia. Strength I don't think so.

McCain brought up the cold war and sounded like a 20th century figure and not a 21st century leader. And the whole G8 thing is so childish because it seems like a club that only the best belong to. Politics can really turn me off….

This old Fart would only make matters worse!

No, if McCain is filled with all these experience and have good judgment he should have known Iraq was a bad idea. Where are those Republicans Idiots with go at it alone way of thinking. Go stop Russia, oh shoot u can't. We can't even get more soldiers into very needed Afghan.

And he doesn't speak for me. Scary that he thnks he does, he's not the president

I find it funny that "Liberals" who portend to care for freedoms and civil rights are the first to head for the hills if Freedom needs to be defended with force. Power flows from the barrel of a gun, and right now Russia wins because they will use it.

Yes it does. McCain IMMEDIATELY reacted to protect the attack of a Democratic nation. You Dems say Russia invading Georgia is just like US invading Afghanistan or Iraq but you FAIL to realize that Georgia is a Democratic elect government and leaders. Afghanistan and Iraq were under Taliban and the dictator Sadaam Hussein.

What don't you understand? And then Obama followed in McCain's footsteps…duh…McCain is ready day one. Obama is amateur hour…

Contrary to what McCain's supporters say, his position shows his weakness on foreign policy and further, his similarities to Bush Jr. In other words, McCain lacks any diplomacy in dealing with foreign policy. His stance is an empty threat, since Russia knows we are dangerously overextended in Iraq and lack the ability to stop them. Only fools would listen to his diatribe.

McCain sounded like he's tough, and like were not commited to two wars currently. As a 24 year old male I for one think he would start the draft back up to start another one. America the sleeping Giant is asleep, the Russian Bear is flexing his muscle, And McCain is the demwit that would set the stage for the confratation,

Obama is out of the picture now, I would like to see how tough he talks.
But I do like the idea that he spoke with people in other countries before making stark criticism of Russia, why aren't they a strng ally?

Even though, personally, i am rooting for Obama, i feel that McCain SHOULD feel for such peril and devastation to other countries; in this case, Georgia. As for Iraq, half of our nation's men are fighting in it, so of course it is a critical issue to speak of!!

just shows hes out of touch. being a war monger is not a stength.
if obama would have done what mcbush done by telling a nother country that the u.s.backs geogria . mccain would have tiedinto obama kor acting like he thought he was already elected presdient.

Yeah, right… it does just the opposite. It just goes to show how quick McCain is to want to fight. He's like the big oaf playground bully who starts a fight with his big talk and then runs and hides while his unwilling followers are left to the dirty work and take the punches and get the bruises.

It seems to me that Sen. McCain is quick to bring us into a war with Russia. His comment about Russia ambition to bring back the old Russian Empire might fuel Russia's aggression more. Fierce negotiation on both sides, Georgia and Russia, I believe is the best way to agree on peace. Criticising Russia to the point of fueling their anger is the wrong approach. I agree more with Sen. Obama's approach that all sides show restraints and stop this armed conflict.

Well, we don't need any war mr. mcdrillwar.

iT'S MY OPINION, THAT HILLARY HAS A LARGE FOLLOWING
AND HAS WORKED HARD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I'M NOT
SAYING SHE WOULD MAKE A GREAT PRESIDENT LIKE WASHINGTON OR LINCOLN YOU KNOW BEFORE BIG MONEY,
HOWEVER I THINK WHO EVER PIC'S HILLARY WILL WIN.

I personally feel that McCain must focus more on America's issues.

It just shows he is a war-monger .. who can't wait to get his hands on the red button … Mc Cain and many other Repubs see force & more force as the only resolution to a conflict …

If the United States had not intervened in Georgia Russia probably would not have invaded. Russia is paranoid and for good reason. They have been invaded too many times. And here we are monkeying around in the countries that used to be part of the USSR and putting in missiles or anti-missiles and obviously they are going to get nasty. We came unglued when Russia tried to put missiles in Cuba and we still have a problem with Cuba. We need to use sound judgment when dealing with Russia and other powers. Threats and talking tough are for children and McCain, I think, is long past being a child. Although the way he is acting lately I wonder if dementia has begun to set in.

Yeah it favour McCain because he is a war winner. Remember McCain adviser said if there is another terrorist in America it will favour McCain.

If McCain was the president he would have started war with Russia.

I think McCain has a clear message…..and it reminds me of George W Bush. How much would it take to get John McWar to " bomb bomb bomb somewhere"?? Lord help us and the free world if he gets elected.

Mccain acting like he is the President and Mccain has no right to claim he is speaking for all American!! The media need to call Mccain on acting like he is President and speaking for every American

I guess the implication of this ticker is that the hawkish and warmongering position John Mccain is the better than the measured and balanced position of Obama . Obama's position provides leverage ,is more responsible and more receptive for all parties though very tough and firm.
I have obsereved most are either favorable to Mccain or negative to Obama even though the pundits touts that Obama gets more media coverage.

I'm curious no one questions McCain appearing too presidential – talking about his lengthy proposals and taking stands President Bush should take. I recall not too long ago Obama in Europe started a storm of critizism for appearing too presidential, hmm there is a double standard when it comes to these two candidates. I wonder why that is! Could it be that when it comes to Obama everything he says or does is open to scrutiny just because he is AA? I think the US should mind their business and stay out of Russia's before we bite more than we can chew. Someone need to put a muzzle on McCain before he start another world war. This man is dangerous for America's security. His eyes glows when he speak about military conflict and that is very telling.

From: One American who would like to live in a peaceful world.

What strength? The guy is a puppet.

Yes, and then McCain went on to say cold-war type stuff about "Russian Empire" wanting to spread and take hold again – he is continually on edge. I don't trust McCain with the button. He's the type to escalate conflicts because he can't control his temper.

What strengths? America has lost her moral authority and it will take a lot of work to hopefully regain world respect someday. This is not done by jingoism and cowboy diplomacy. What's happened in the last 8 years is surreal. The fact that almost half of America is still too blind to see this is even more surreal!

Hi Jack

>"I think it's very clear that Russian ambitions are to restore the old Russian empire."

That's a message McCain has been saying for months.>

That's the problem for months he has not been offering any real new dialogue…the same old ways of dealing with foreign policies…the world is not impressed by this same old way…a real change in foreign policy is long over due and in need of acknowledging our own mistakes! Have we already forgotten Irak just to name one! How many times do we need to train and equiped soldiers abroad to protect our need for oil…it is a slippery terrain. We need open dialogue about resources being paid for our needs in return for peace and respect of human rights… but that is probably to dreamy for McCain to actually give real talk…

His response is that we should go on the offensive when we don't have the resources to do so. I'm sorry old men of the Republican party, but war is not the solution to every problem this world faces anymore. We aren't living in the times of WWI or WWII when right and wrong was so clear and agreed upon by the nations of this world. In a world as complex as the one we live in today, it's time to start dealing with complex issues with thought and wisdom, not some knee-jerk bully approach that may have been the solution in the past.

Half yes, half no. Everyone wants for the fighting to end and for both to pull back…. remember the Georgia launched its own operations. Calling everyone to stop is a good thing. However, some of McCain's rhetoric belongs more in the cold war and few wish to go back to those days. Unfortunately its one of those 'stuck in the past' things that can be used against him.

Not even a bit. McCain can posture all he wants, but he has no leverage with Russia. They are still the monsters of years ago, brutally murdering their own former citizens by the score. McCain wants to stay in Iraq for 100 years…we have no moral hgh ground left.

Shame on all war mongers.

Mccain has no integrity to comdemn Russia , for he gave Bush authorization to invade Iraq, which is also a sovereign country

This must be a clear example of CNN stirring the pot and hoping it boils over.

In fact I have wondered why none of the analysts have noted that this shows there is is no 3:00am moment! How could this highlight McCain's strengths? What could he or Hilary or George Bush do?

McCain's attitude will lead us into a war that we cannot win and please stop trying to arm McCain with blanks!

This Georgia incident shows that most rational Americans would communicate with the Europeans and the rest of the world to jointly condemn Russia's aggression and encourage an immediate ceasfire. To give him credit for looking into Putin's eyes and seeing the KGB is plain loco!

Lennox Fraser
Toronto

No vote for Obama..You ppls who are for him make me sick,,The way you talk about the clintons is a disgrace to you and Obama and also to the dem party..Bill Clinton was 1 of the best presdend we have ev er had are ever will have..there will never be another like him,,he was the greatest…I am a dem from Texas,I will vote for mccane,,all my family and will do like wise..You Obama ppls have disgraced this party shame on you dirty mouth ppls..And leave John Edward and his family out of this it none of your business let them work this out God will help them but he sure don,t need your help.."God bless the Edward family God loves you

McCain thrives on war, so expect war!

McCain = 4 more wars! Why only have a war in Iraq and Afghanistan when you can have a war with Iran and Russia too! And Obama made a pointed statement about calling a cease fire and America working with NATO for peace negotiation. Not anything like trigger happy John who has the pompous presumptuousness to think he can speak for us all. Condoleezza Rice had to come out and back track for what Bush and McCain said yesterday and make it clear that the USA will only be involved in a joint diplomatic effort with NATO. Um, just like what Obama called for. Condoleezza Rice wanted to try and stop all escalation and antagonistic rhetoric but McCain will have none of that. McCain is a hot headed warmonger.

McBush promised us months ago in the primaries "……. we will never have to go to war for oil again ……"

HE'S a LIAR !!!!!!!!!!

Yes!

This is soooo stupid, if McSame is elected next thing you know we're gonna charge off to war with Russia because somehow they were behind the 9/11 attacks as well!!

Answer: NO!

John McCain doesn't speak for me!

I don't like what I in Georgia, but there is no comfort in hearing John McCain pontificate.

Couple of clarifications for McCain. If Russia had decided to take out the oil pipeline they would have.

Secondly, though Georgia is an ally (well sort of) it seems to me that the Georgians themselves provoked this issue.

Secondly, what are we really going to do with Russia? Bomb them, I think every American should think really really hard before making that decision. Russia still has a huge military and don't forget a couple of thousand nukes!

We need cooler heads than what McCain has demonstrated this week. I think McCain has already shown the cards he has to play and they don't look good.

On a side note, does this mean that McCain thinks Americans are now Georgians. Does he believe that this means it is an attack on America?

Speaking for all of the American people… talking about what America will do…. Now who is being presumptious?

No it highlights his weakness for tough talk and military options if things aren't done the "republican way"–especially to a world leader who, if he spits, a whole lot of people could drown.

McCain criticized Obama's trip to Iraq and his discussions with their president and said Obama was being presumptuous. Looks like old talk-out-the-other-side-of-his-mouth is doing the same thing. Tough talk from an old man means nothing to Putin, and if McCain were president, Putin would laugh in his face and tell him to stick to ruling his own country. Go ahead, McCain, tangle with Putin if you want to–but I warned you……

I don't think we pose anythreat to russia our goal is to get out of Iraq but still see who has the best war record

Let our current President take care of this crisis. Its important that the candidates stay advised and up to date with the situation as well as emphasizing international diplomatic pressure, but lets not turn the grim reality of a country in conflict into a few extra chips for McCain's stack. We are in the middle of an illegal terrorist campaign in a foreign nation. Until we clean up our own mess, we have little to say against Russia.

NO IT DOES NOT, IT JUST SHOWS JUST HOW MUCH HE LOVES WAR.

McCain's stance highlights what is wrong with th Bush policies and the way he handled international politics. There is no place for threats and insults untill you have talked to both sides and have determined who the aggressor is.
Afterall, when USA invaded IRAQ, it was, it is still wrong. What moral justification has the US to tell other countries who to invade or who not to?
The present US is weak, ineffective, morally bogged down on the international scene and militarily exhausted.
We need a cool headed President, who will project the strenghts of this country. Threats have never worked, never wil.

Now is where experiance counts. And there is no room for flip flopping.

Folks:
Let us get real! This shows McCain is McSame McBush. All war mongering and no wisdom in foreign policy issues. Let us go out and bomb Iran, Russia and feel high about our military power.

It does not take a rocket scientist to know that Russia is not Iraq. That reckless cowboyism in war would not help. Russia has the biggest reserves of oil and natural gas in the world, it is as much a military power as the United States. Does McCain really want to go and fight Russia in its backyard? It would be a total disaster and that is what McCain wants. Another world war. McCain has no visionary wisdom despite 26 years in political Washington DC. McCain go and bomb Russia in Georgia and all the European capitals including major cities in the US would see the wrath of Russian long range missiles.

McCain is a pathetic war monger and has a brainless penchant for war despite his so called experience in national politics!

no

No, this only shows how trigger happy he is. He is a war monger with no diplomacy in him. His statements only instigates! It will be a mistake to vote for him. If elected be ready to fight with IRAN, RUSSIA AND CHINA. John McCain will lead to the end of the world.
FOR EVERY MOTHER, BE READY TO GIVE YOUR CHILDREN FOR MORE WARS. HE HAS SAID HE KNOWS WAR, HE KNOWS HOW TO WIN WARS.

Actually it does just the opposite. We have no resources to wage any type of millitary response to Russia. they know that and so does McCain. So he is just a paper tiger saber rattling. Actually it makes Obama's platform of restoring our moral authority and agressive diplomacy look even more appealing, because at this point that is all we really have… well now that I think about it I don't know if we even have that.

John McCain has no right to claim that he speaks for every American. Certainly he does not. Both sides in the Georgia-Russian violence have resorted to military force to solve a problem or problems that could be resolved by diplomacy. Barak Obama is right: The violence should stop. Georgia should not have intervened militarily initially, and Russia should not have responded with military force. John McCain is quick to resort to military force, that is his area of expertise. Had we used diplomacy instead of force in Iraq, we would all–the entire world–be better off today. I want to see John McCain learn how to negotiate peacefully, and I don't want to have him speak for me in glossing over the complexities of this current dispute in Georgia.

Not necessarily. The problem with his train of thought seems to be that the threat of conflict is in the best interest of the US and not diplomacy. He agreed with the war in Iraq over faulty information, so I think his judgment can rightly be brough into question. Tough talk does not sway me in this case because of the delicacy of the situation. I think the French president Sarkozy handled this crisis best and McCain better take note of diplomacy.
I think Obama exhibits more caution, which is exactly what you want. The tough talk of McCain makes the US look so hypocritical.
Jack, I think McCain better back up and take note of his campaign before it spirals out of control.

Yes, he overplays any issue that might give him a chance to saber-rattle. He seems to be just having a fit to start another conflict. This is old think and, I believe, indicative of his age – just one of the reasons I would hate to see him win the presidency.

I don't understand how can the crisis in Georgia helps McCain. The United States of America has lost all credibility and her leadership role in the world, it takes France to lead. That sad.

McCain criticizes Obama for the warm welcome that he had in Europe, he wants to alienate the United States like Bush and Cheney did. This man has no vision for this great Nation except he's campaigning for President under the credential of former POW and Vietnam Vet.

By the way, United States lost the Vietnam war. We invaded Iraq uder the pretext of WMD and if Russia is invending one of her old Republic, so be it. Georgia is not a member of NATO at least not yet and the Russian is doing exactly as this current administration has conducted itself.

So let's be realistic, McCain old idealistic views for America is no more than what we already get with this current administration. All those Obama haters are upset simply because he's Black. If Obama was white, his rating in the poll would have been in the 60 or 70% over McCain. Tell it like it is. Shameful!

The US should mind its own business. We don't need another GI-McCain -JOE causing more harm then helping America. No one likes war period.

If america voted bush who is a fool to be president; then americans might as well vote mcain.

Only fools make the same mistake twice…the question is are americans fools?

McCain and oil pipe Line, Bush and oil pipe Line. What does Bush and McCain have in common "oil pipe Line” Bush and McCain are only interested in countries that has oil pipe line, that's shame. Georgia should have done there maths well before playing war games with Russian interest. McCain is a noise maker….low IQ

John McCain comes across as a war monger–we are still tied up in Iraq–McCain loves war–we need to fix our own country , and that is putting our country first as far as I am concerned. Obama will put our country first.

The only thing McCain seems to be comfortable in is talking about war and how we must win at all costs. This does not bode well for those of us who would like to see more peace and more environmentally friendly actions.

Maybe he thinks that it is politically advantageous to wave a broken stick?

CNN is a joke. Only publishing nice things about old John. Fact is, the guy is old, boring, and senile. There. I said it. We are not "all Georgians" today. We are AMERICANS! Unfortunately, G.W. Bush speaks for all AMERICANS, McIdiot. Shut up, sit down, and think of something original. By the looks on your face, even you didn't believe the crap you were trying to sell today. Shame on you.

Hey why is no one talking about McSame's Presumptuousness by claiming he " speaks for every American" … ?

Even Busch does NOT go that far in his Russia-Georgia conflict statements …

We need one foot solider."war end" in deplomancy.

oh please no at hing he says highlights his strenghts, he will take us ALL back to war, if not with Iran, then Afghanistan or Russia,

all he thinks about is WAR

As Barack Obama said in his energy speech a little more than a week ago, we can be subject to the whim of rogue leaders from oil-producing countries, or we can take control of our own destiny, end our addiction to oil—not just foreign oil, but oil—conserve, ride our bikes, our buses, force automobile companies to manufacture energy-efficient cars. Or we can do the same thing we've been doing, we can continue to use oil for our every want of convenience and need and go into crises every time some country invades another.
And by the way: why is everybody so pissed at Russia? Georgia first invaded South Ossetia. Sure, Russia was opportunistic and over-reactive. But they ceased fire today, right? What about us? We were just opportunistic and over-reactive in our invasion of Iraq, we were stupid and devious.

Considering McCain's commentary was primarily lifted from Wikipedia, I'm going to have to say it does NOT highlight his strengths. BTW, what ARE his strengths?

The support of this failed administration has made us weaker around the world. Throwing our resources into Iraq has made us impotent to other threats.

Cowboy diplomacy will not help, and ultimately, it seems negotiation has helped the situation.

I don't consider McCain being a War Monger a "strength". Remember, what we got with electing a war hungry idiot?
Besides, with Bush tearing apart our troops in a pointless war, what strength do we have against Russia? The only way Russia would listen is if was to the U.N. Oh wait, there is a candidate who already realizes this. His name is Barack Obama.

Will has a point! and what would McCain really be willing to do. go to war with Russia over Georgia? i think not.

THE old man probably has already forgotten who he was talking about and will invade Canada be cause it is closer.HE and his puppet Lie-berman will find some other country closer to Israel so he can protect his first love of country ,no matter how many AMERICAN TROOPS IT takes or how many potentialAMERICAN LIVES it costs.

He is a war-monger, so this is right up his alley… He thrives on it… He wants to start a war with anybody, Russia will do just fine.

It's awful PRESUMPTUOUS of McCain speak for all Americans. He doesn't speak for me. Russia can have Georgia for all I care.

To Will in NJ–So, you think we pose no threat to Russia? Try again. Of course, if Obama wins, then we won't be a threat. All we'll do is sit on the sidelines of a fight like a little old lady saying "stop, stop–you be good". We'll be the biggest joke of the world. I bet Putin (who is REALLY in charge of Russia) has an Obama for President bumpersticker on his car.

No, no…. a thousand times, no!!

John McCain vehemently blamed the Russians right out of the box, even while the fighting was still centered on S. Ossetia.

While, at THIS point, it is clear that Russia overstepped, and has now clearly pursued a campaign at least to humiliate the Georgian leadership, and, at worst, to overrun Georgia and seize control, that was in no way the case on Friday, when GEORGIA triggered the conflict by moving aggressively into its renegade province.

But McCain was blustering about Russia from the beginning. In a sick way, he got lucky in retrospect. Just as easily, Russia could have turned around on Saturday after securing the province, and McCain would have looked exactly like what he is: a blustering fool.

In essence, McCain has demonstrated perfectly that he is no different from the George W. Bush of 2003. Except in that case, Bush's bluster ultimately got belied by the facts. But in NEITHER CASE do later developments justify precipitous, reckless actions and rhetoric.

In contrast, Sen. Obama called for a peaceful resolution at each stage, at first reserving judgment as to blame. As it became clear that Russia was in the wrong, Obama condemned Russia's overkill, and did so forcefully. The difference from McCain is that Obama considered the facts, and considered changes to the facts, instead of just shooting off at the mouth.

Settle down, McCain! How experienced can you be when you takes sides with Georgia so quickly before it's even clear how this whole thing got started? I don't think he wants a second Cold War, he just doesn't realize what consequences comments like these have on the international stage. Please think before you talk, McCain!

Sadly, the crisis in Georgia reveals the bankruptcy of Bush's and McCain's foreign policy in at least three areas: 1). Our overextended military commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan; 2) our lack of attention paid to a resurgent Russia; 3) our poor relations with major allies.

McCain will bluster and swagger and talk military rhetoric, but he is as incapable of dealing with the real 21st Century issues for Russia and the Middle East.

Perhaps, does he realize Georgia isn't part of the Soviet Union anymore?

You know, this is what they want. I know that's what they want.

But let's be realistic here, we're not gonna go as far as to start a war with Russia…..we might be crazy but we ain't stupid, LOL!!

Is just as politics as usual baby…

"After he spoke to the Georgian President, Obama's tone got stronger."

Isn't this political expediency or what?!

It doesn't highlight anything about McWar.

Why is it 98% of the world population does not want war and yet the 2% of the controlers who have the inmense power to start wars. The ordinaryyoung person doesnt hate anybody in a foreign country until the power tells them that those people are dread enemies and we must kill them. People just want to live out their lives, have children and watch their grandchilren grow. They do not want to die because the money sees a way to get more money. However, if we are told the Japanese are a cruel brutal race(which they are not) and they are out to destroy us, we will answer the call and either get killed or killed! Don't you remeber how quick we became friends with them the day after the war ended? The cover of a national magazine had the picture of a little Japanese baby crying in the middle of the street. When will we learn wars are fought for money. All this crap about defending America is just that CRAP. What do the religeous leaders say about war? Now they are saying muslims are devils. That riles up a lot os christian fanatics They worship the same god you christians do! Preachers of any faith should tell their flocks to become concience objectors and not someone wanting to go out and kill someone just because the powers feed him daily with lies and distorted rumors.
In world war2 I visited the grave of my football coach when I was stationed on guam. He was 27 years old with a promising future. You
want to know who the anti christ is it is the huge corperation that send your sons out to die so they can make more money

McCain's tough talk mirrors Bush's "axis of evil" and "bring 'em on" challenge, and we've seen how successful Bush foreign policy has been. All this swagger and, yes, arrogance have ignited conflicts and harmed our international standing with our allies. In these dangerous times, we need a diplomat in the White House, not another gunslinger.

Both talked tough. The difference was, McCain talked tough immediately, Obama used diplomatic language initially and then talked tought after due consultation with the Georgian president. One believes in "Shoot first, ask qeustions later", the other believes in "look before leap". One would start a war without having to, the other will quell a war if he can.

We don't want another war. Someone please tell John McCain to stop the "tough talk and sable-rattling". Russia isn't listening and at this point, there isn't too much the U.S. can do other that call for Russia and Georgia to negotiate a cease fire, which from what I just heard on CNN, both countries have agreed to do this. Diplomacy needs to be implemented more BEFORE picking up weapons and firing them!

Why is McCain acting like he is president how argot is that. But to answer the question No I don’t think he gives him an edge in any way. The only thing McCain and war have in common is that fact that he was a POW which that is it. He needs to stick with what he does best pretending to be a leader and being a grumpy old man.

As much as neither candidate would ever want tragedy to show their ability to lead, the answer to the question is yes, this does show John McCain's strength and just as eye opening is how it exposed (yet again) Mr. Obama's inability to first come to a decision, then coming to a weak decision till he finally arrived at where Mr. McCain had been all the while. It makes voting for McCain incredibly easy.

Can someone tell these leaders that the Church Age is over ?

"Analysis: Does the crisis in Georgia highlight McCain's strengths?"

LOL! No, unless the word "strengths" refers to "dangerous, aggressive, futile talking"!

Seriously… This situation was defused by the president of France, who had the good sense to meet with the president of Russia to work out terms of a cease fire. The president of France used diplomacy!

What did Bush do? He "warned" Russia to stop its aggression. Or what? WWIII? Genius move, Mr. President!

What did McCain do? He talked tough, too. Yeah, that's going to solve the problem.

I'm afraid that McCain's "shining moment" might come in the form of a glowing mushroom cloud if he manages to become president. He has just demonstrated what DOESN'T work.

Meanwhile, Obama favors communicating with all parties in a conflict to try to find a solution. This is exactly how the current peace in this conflict was achieved. Also, no amount of wars and troop surges will be able to stamp out terrorism. Indeed, it's all of the stamping out that gives rise to new terrorists. Instead, Obama's idea of doing positive things in the world (such as reducing poverty and starvation, etc), and leading by moral example, to reduce the social conditions that give rise to would-be terrorists, is the only way to reduce terrorism that will succeed in the long term.

So, again, McCain's behavior in this crisis was the exact opposite of highlighting a strength. McCain is not the one we want deciding America's response to a "3 A.M." call in the White House. Obama has the approach that will keep America safe, and that will promote peace and prosperity, and goodwill toward our country.

McCain again was just doing what he thinks the electorate wants to hear and not being honest. The fact is the U.S at this point in time have very little leverage to make Russian do ANYTHING. We lost it all folks and soon will do to China, and maybe India at this pace.

The U.S has backed Georgia for years which led the Georgians to develop a sense of being Untouchable….We even encouraged them to provide troops for the Iraq Occupation to bolster our International Support.

When the Russians started the Onslaught, where was the U.S Administration….Nowhere to be Found except for McCain making loud and empty noises………

Because the U.S was considered part of the problem, France had to mediate the Cease Fire and not the U.S.

WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!

what strengths? mccain doesn't have any foreign policy strenghts, it is all an illusion so please spare us!

If the allegations of Georgian atrocities against South Ossetians prior to the Russian invasion turn out to be true it will be politically troublesome to demonstrate solidarity with Saakashvili. McCain will look like hes cozying up to tyrants, drawing further parallest to Bush and Iraq. Obama needs to be more direct; caution is fine as long as it doesnt turn into a 'deer in the headlights' moment.

Russia seems to have completely over-reacted, but I'm not convinced they are totally at fault.

I'm unimpressed by Bill Schneider's "analysis". Claiming objectively that yelling really loudly about something is a "strength" is anything but sound analysis.

Of course, that's what I'd expect from CNN these days.

This conflict highlighted the vast difference in approach from each. McCain was to the point, not very negotiable, yet diplomatic, but in no uncertain terms the defender of freedom.

Obama, on the other hand, came off sheepishly, disconnected, with a lack of urgency and not in control of the situation.

If I was in a plane out of control, I wouldn't think a second time of my preference for McCain to straighten out and get us home. Obama does not inspire me as far as being a leader in foreign affairs, and this lack of leadership is very troublesome to turn over the keys to the presidency.

Obama is basically the teenager who's not to be trusted with the parents' car keys.

Oh please the cold war its the Russians that are fighting eachother they seem to want this war with eachother not us. McCain's statements don't even emphasis another cold war so where is this coming from.

Tell John McCain to go and sit down and shut-up. America does not need another war! Georgia should have weighed the risks and possible outcome of their attack on Russia. They are correct to DEFEND what is theirs, but, it must be done through careful, thoughtful and measured stragegizing, NOT BOMBING AND SHOOTING, especially when you are ill-prepared.

Georgia did pretty much what the U.S. did to Iraq

How him do what? He has done nothing in 25 years or so
BARACK THE VOTE !!!

Does it matter that McCain's campaign team includes Randy Scheunemann, who until VERY recently, lobbied for Georgia?

Seems convenient to me…

It sure does. McCain is ready, while Obama is not.
Clinton Democrats for Cynthia McKinney in 2008!

NO. It shows that he can rattle a saber at a very powerful nation – exactly what we DON't need anymore. It is time for Humanity to move on a bit I think. The FRENCH solved this thing – not McCains saber rattling.

When McCain heard that the Russians had invaded Georgia, McCain dusted his 1960’s Vietnam uniform and was ready to declare war on Russia, until one of his aides clarified that the Georgia invaded was the small republic of Georgia in southwest Asia, Caucasus region.

Now McCain, looking to score some cheap political points, is beating the drums of war, saying things like Russia wants to “revive the old empire” and other scare tactics from cold war era. McCain is still stuck in the 20th century and all he knows is the old Soviet era.

But there is a small little fact that McShame forgot in his deteriorating and senile mind. All this crisis was GEORGIA’S FAULT! Georgia is our ally and we need to defend and stand by our allies, but stupidity has no excuse. President Saakashvili made the big tactical error of invading South Ossetia knowing that Russia wouldn’t like it and would respond. I don’t know what that guy was thinking. Did Saakashvili really believe that the U.S. and the West would bomb Russia and start WWIII because of him?

It is no surprise that the only response from the U.S. is condemning Russia’s actions as disproportionate response. First we do not have arguments to go against Russia on this and second thanks to the damage that McCain’s friend, George Bush, has done to our standing and reputation, we almost have no leverage anymore.

This is another example why McCain is unfit to be commander on chief. Can you imagine a president McCain, that all he does in an international crisis is beat the drums of war and start threatening everybody with violence. But remember that McSame is Bush third term so, that should not be a surprised.

This is From Russia With Love, just for McCain. He could not have asked for a better opportunity to bang the war drum and raise the specter of Reagan's arch nemesis from the dead.

I think this crisis shows that McCain is a very brash and presumption man. He is not our president yet, yet he made this proclamation: "And I told him that I know I speak for every American when I say to him, ‘Today we are all Georgians.’” I do not like Bush or his policies but he is still the president and if anyone has to the right to speak for "all Americans" — and that is always doubtful it is the ELECTED PRESIDENT of the USA and not one who presumptively thinks he is now the elected president. Hopefully, he will not be our president because he already seems to be very confrontive with threatening "warlike words" and a deep desire to take direct military actions towards Russia — Reagan's old evil empire resurrected.

I agree. The most alarming thing about this crisis is how little Russia or the international community is paying attention to what the US says or the agenda we propose. This is a reflection of the failures of Bush and McCain.

Its terrifying and disgusting that McCain was waiting for a crisis. The only card he has is fear. I refuse to believe that will be our criteria for the next president.

That style of black and white diplomacy has failed, unequivocally.

Lou Dobbs just showed the destruction in S Ossetia that was inflicted by the GEORGIAN invasion; all the time talking about Russia.
Even Bush recognised the Georgian's attacked first, why can't McCain and Lou Dobbs?

Taking advantage of the Russia/Georgia conflict by paying lip service to Saakishvili and his supporters doesn't count as STRENGTH in my book.

If McCain had any depth he'd explain his position in full detail, which means he's define, or at least outline, how he would handle the Russians on every front from foreigh policy to human rights.

This will never happen.

Cnn, please post everything that senator Obama have said in his last talk with reporters from Hawaii. Don't leave the important things he has said and consentrate on what you choose to comment on. Let the people read everything. Senator Obama' s response is measured , smart and leaves room for negotiation, unlike McCain who sounds as if he is ordering the Russians around like a bully. Putin or Medvedev aren't leaders America can or should bully. We can't effort that, not now nowt later. This show how dangerous McCain will be as a hot headed temper commender in chief. We need Senator Obama's cool thinking and judgment.

It's sad that war is going on over there… But really McCain?

Why should I care at this point when you McCain who have been in Washington for so long doing dirty work for rollover politicians, the end results are people like myself hurting from lack of economy relief…

We didn't need the war in Iraq….

America's current president is a cowboy action dude with limited vocabulary who you're currently imitating in your actions.

Please quit with the offshore drilling bit and now the tough act on international crisis and give solutions that are realistic and beneficial to America.

No, not all the facts were in, and in fact, Georgia was not blameless. Russia went into overkill, literally, which is when Obama toughened his stance. McCain wants to start the cold war all over again by his continuous nasty retoric against Russia. They are a much stronger nation than they were in the 70s and 80s, and a much bigger threat if they are isolated. Interesting that it was France that brokered the ceasefire. There was a time when we would have had the moral high ground to do that. Hard to tell a nation not to invate a sovereign nation, when that's exactly what the U.S. did.

The Georgia situation highlights Obama's style as a problem solver, not McCain's. It underscores McCain's weaknesses. As we see today, communication and understanding, leading to cooperation are leading to resolutions in Georgia between the Russians and the Georgians. That process is a natural for Obama. McCain would be trying to find a way to instigate, magnify and prolong military campaigns. So what we have is a choice between a Presidential style and a juvenile delinquent style. Take your pick folks! Also please note that the Russians and Georgians didn't need Americans involved at all to get going on the road to resolving that issue. So put it back in your pants, Neocons!

NO – IT SHOWS HE IS ANOTHER BUSH COWBOY THAT DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO RESOLVE CONFLICT. AS WESLEY CLARK SAID, JUST BECAUSE YOUR IN THE MILITARY DOESN'T MEAN YOU MAKE A GOOD LEADER. LOOK AT BUSH! ALSO THE SURGE LOOKED LIKE A SUCCESS BUT IT WAS MOSTLY DUE TO THE TRUCE WITH THE TRIBAL GROUPS (AL SADR) AND LITTTLE TO DO WITH THE SURGE.

"Russia should immediately and unconditionally cease its military operations and withdraw all forces from sovereign Georgian territory," the Arizona senator said Friday.
Or what? We'll send high school ROTC members, because I don't think we have any troops to spare.

We do not need another 4 to 8 years of simplistic, un-thought-out, knee jerk foreign policy.

All Mcacain wants is to get us in another needless war….Republicans scare the helkl out of me with all their sabre rattling!

I agree with the last sentence of the article. Here's my problem: The fact is this crisis is over because of a measured response and not from overarching threats, thus a deal was made. If it came down to a game of chicken with boycotts etc Russia would win because it could have cut off natural gas to Europe (their only source).

Obama's position was on target with everyone else based on facts on the ground. The first two days Georgia was pretty much the "bad guy" (if there is such a thing) because they started the crisis by attacking South Ossetia hard. McCain blasted Russia pretty much for coming to the seperatist's aide while everyone else was trying not to make both sides angry before they knew what was going on. Until Russia decided to turn a Peacekeeping operation into a "lets show them who's boss" power play, countries rightfully started to side with Georgia.

As a side note, didn't everyone blast Obama for going overseas (which McCain suggested), his media over exposure, "setting" policy and acting too Presidential? Now McCain is doing the same thing and not and making speeches about the issue while Obama makes simple statements about his opinion while taking time off. Now the media is attacking Obama for not being Presidential and being on vacation (which the media and the american people suggest he do because of his media coverage).

Obama can't win, he miught as well just do his own thing. People need to make up there minds what Obama's negatives really are.

Two months ago I posted in the CNN BLOGS that Bush would have to manufacture a new crisis or war to help McCain in the polls!
Did American officials have a hand in the Georgian invasion of the Autonomous State of S Ossetia?
WHY does Russia support the independence of S Ossetia, while the US does NOT? S Ossetia's claim to independence is actually stronger than Tibet's!

No, we need less threats and we need to disclose what our true involvements are.

What toughness? do you think Russia give two hoots about what Mcsame said NO. Thanks to Republican morons USA has lost it leadership in world politics.

Will, NJ:
Not much on what comprises the military in the US, are you?

I AGREE WITH:

Why isn't CNN posting anything mentioning how McCain's speech on Georgia had sentences taken out of Wikipedia word-for-word?

Does quoting Wikipedia on a foreign policy issue show EXPERIENCED leadership?

If Sen. Obama had made a similar move, it would be a huge story.

Why isn't the press asking serious questions about John McCain's leadership?

He has essentially the same foreign and economic policy positions as Bush, and he has shown a similar failure to choose tough executive decisions over loyalty to friends (eg. Charlie Black, Phil Gramm, and Randy Scheunemann).

McCain needs to explain how the same morally and politically bankrupt policies that have run our country into the ground over the past eight years is a remotely acceptable plan for moving forward over the next four.

Once again, John McCain has taken the old, used, tired & standard line that was so much a part of American politics in the pre-Obama era. Obama, on the other hand, has kept true to his word and offered a level, measured response. There is an arguement to be made, that Russia is not the aggressor in this conflict, but rather, the savior. Obama's response takes that point of view into consideration. The US support of Georgia, like so many of the Bush administration policies, is a dubious one at best.

John McCain as always, with his "bulllying and sable-rattling" tone and approach to everything! ENOUGH ALREADY!!! That is how we got into this mess with Iraq that has been going on for over 5 years now! The U.S.A. must not be viewed by every nation all over the world, as the "bully with the big stick", interfering in every country's problems and making demands when we are in no position to do anything, as our troops are overstretched in Iraq and Afghanastan – thank you very much Bush and McCain!

While it is true, Georgia supported the U.S.'s war in Iraq, that we should have never been involved in I might add, by sending 2,000 of their troops to Iraq, I must point out that Georgia had a goal of their own in mind when they provided support to the U.S. They want to become a part of NATO and gain the support of the international community, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, as a soverign nation that has NATO in mind as a goal, they should have consulted with the western/international community BEFORE launching an attack on Russia to maintain the integrity of the Ossetia boundaries (which IS a part of Georgia, but still in confict). Because, the international community probably would have warned them that Russia's response will be disproportinate and inappropriate, but at least they will have been better prepared.

The larger problem with John McCain shooting off his mouth with all of this tough talk and ominous, threatening sounding tone is that NO ONE IN RUSSIA IS LISTENING! Why, because they along with the rest of the international community know that there is nothing the U.S. can do to stop the violence in Georgia. The decision has to come from Russia and Georgia. Least we all forget, any attack on Russia by the U.S., will cause Iran to become involved!!! Do we really want that?!! Despite the fact that Russia wants to also become a part of NATO and partner with the international community, they are the type of country that will risk that opportunity simply because they too want to show the world how tough they are. In other words, cut off their nose to spite their face. The best solution to this fighting is a firm statement from the U.S. to Russia that highlights Georgia's sovereignty and the integrity of the land that is a part of Georgia, and a request for Georgia and Russia to negotiate a cease fire, which is basically what Senator Obama has proposed. Please, NO MORE SABLE-RATTLING AND TOUGH TALK FROM JOHN McCain, at a time when the U.S. is already in the midst of two wars! I for one do NOT WANT TO GET IN A WAR WITH RUSSIA AND IRAN, because that'ls what's going to happen if we get involved in this mess with Georgia and Russia, JUST SO THAT JOHN McCain can look "tough" on t.v. and try to earn votes!

No.

It tells us that he is another COWBOY with a different color hat.

NO! It highlight's his willingness to go to WAR first instead of talking. Just another shoot from you hip person (aka bush) . If this person got into office we would be in WWIII before his first year was up. People open your eyes we can not let this happen VOTE OBAMA AND ONLY DEMOCRATS.

All MCcain can see drill,drill,drill for oil right now right here without plans for new developments for energy that can be in use many,many years before a drop of oil can be in use.He can only see wars,wars,wars as the only answer to any conflict that we as american may have with any other country,We can not stand four more years of the bush years.

McCain called for Russia to "unconditionally cease its military operations" or else, with no specifics.

Barack called for mutual withdrawal, negotiations, conditions, and serious talks regarding independence for the two breakaway regions.

Barack's tactic won the day…and McCain has more experience?

Plus, why was Sarkozy running the cease-fire effort and not Rice, Bush, etc.

Considering McCain quoted Wikipedia several times in his speech on the Georgia/Russian conflict (an encyclopedic website even my 14 year old daughter says is unrealiable), I'd say that no foreign crisis serves as a beneficial opportunity for him.

Hey McWarmonger – we talk to folks in other country via the "internets".

How can you say you are friends with the Leader of Georgia and you can't even pronounce his name?

McLiar is a warmonger – McLiar is a warmonger – oh, it''s ok, there's a pipeline running thru that country – another war for oil. ANOTHER WAR FOR OIL.

THIS WAR DOES NOT HIGHLIGHT MCCAIN STRENGTH, WHAT HAS HE DONE TO STOP THIS WAR, NOTHING. HE'S DOING A LOT OF THREATENING, BUT NO SOLUTION. OBAMA, STATEMENT DISCUSSING HOW TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER IS THE BEST WAY, IF YOU AWAYS THREATENING SOMEONE, IT WILL ONLY ESCALATE THE SITUATION.

MCCAIN STATEMENT ON YESTEDAY CAME FROM WIKIPEDIA.

Hell no, all this old fart will do is cause World War III..

Redneck4Obama

"Does the crisis in Georgia highlight McCain's strengths?"

To answer your question – No it does not since he had to plagiarize part of his answer from Wikpedia. If anything it highlights his weaknesses and shortcomings.

Things younger than John McCain:
Howdy Doody
Area Codes
FM Radio
Peany Butter & Jelly sandwiches
Automatic Car Transmissions
40-Hour Work Week

I'm leaning towards voting for the presidential candidate NOT endorsed by the worst president in American history.

what strengths? his forgetfulness? his terrible geography ("georgia, doesnt that border florida??"), dont even TRY to pretend mccain is strong on foreign policy, we arent buy that load of cr@p!

"…right, strong, clear, principled — the kind of president we need in the White House," said Senator Joe Lieberman"

shut up LIEberman, you are a bigger joke than grampa!

no story here, folks, move along….it's all about the OIL; it ALWAYS is with the neoCONs

For a man who taunts his foreigh policy credentials I am supprised that Mccain does not understand that any effective foreign policy does not start with a beligerent position. Mccain doesnot understand that starting with such position limits a leaders option because he will have already played his last card. It is important to start with a firm but measured approach before commiting to any position in such crisis otherwise you end up starting a third world war.

Mcain should understand that a measurd position allows a leader to make his opponent look bad in the eyes of the world thereby isolating him. this is a lesson George Bush is just learning 7 years into his administration. I hope it doesnot take Mccain that long to learn.

Say, Russia refuses to stop fighting ,then what? is Mccain going to send US soldiers to kick the Russians out of Georgia? Mccain may sound tough on Russia but in the end US and Europe needs Russian as much as Russia needs them. Only when an initial measured response fail should a leader adopt an escalated tone. that way your options are not limited. you also keep your opponent on balance not knowing what you are going to do next.

Mccain ; Learn from Bush's Mistakes: Do not start another cold war just so you can win an election. You kick Russia out of the G8. US economy needs rebuilding, starting another arms race is not the war to go at the time when you don't want to leave Iraq.

NO – - McCAIN’S WEAKNESS IS SHOWING, AND HOPEFULLY THE COUNTRY CAN SEE!!

McCain and his NeoCon Cronies only have one gear:
“Threats of Throwing More Young American Souls at Crisis the GOP Policies Have Created”. Bush's threats to place missile on Georgian soil and aimed at Russia has created this mess. Haven't we down this road before – - Can you say "Cuban Missile Crisis"?

We need fresh new CHANGE of BIPARTISAN IDEAS.

McCAIN IS STUCK IN THE COLD WAR DAYS!!

i bet their invasion of georgia is less damaging and more lucretive (for them) than our war in iraq.

sigh….even a disintegrated republic can manage a war and cease fire terms better than us…

MC CAIN stands for freedom for all people he is aware of the domino theory…….not the domino game on your e phone GET IT/// CAN'T WAIT FOR MY PHONE TO RING//// HOPE HE DOESN'T SELL my e mail address when he loses….

Well, we might be weakened by our frivolous war in Iraq, but despite that weakness we still have a strong arm. America is just in this state that if we keep blundering, yes, China and Russia will overpower America. But if we keep on fighting for a stronger economy and push for an international relations front that can walk the tight rope of diplomacy and force, and not allow Russia to impose itself on other countries, we will be okay.

The fact that Georgia, a country whose president is aiming to create an American like democracy was not overthrown proves to the weakness that still prevails in Russia and its military. And if you read the reports the break away regions were not conceded to Russia…so Georgia might be weakened, but with the alliance of the former USSR states they'll be okay I think anyway…

No. We do not have the bearing anymore to do anything about Russia and their aggression towards our allies. All we can afford to do is sit back and watch, so McCain and any other politician doesn't have the bearing to make a difference.

What a bizarre headline! The Georgia crisis highlighted what the US doesn't want to hear: the strength of the European Union, and, voila, the French President. In other words, McCain was spectacularly wrong, and Obama, who argued for diplomacy, was exactly on target.

We need a statesman, not a guy who will only level ultimatums.

This has shown just how weak a leader Obama would be during an international crisis. Looks like The One is more of a zero

we can scare the russins with harsh language on our televisions which they dont watch.

McCain = Saakashvili

Do not need really need another hot head on the world stage?

What strengths? Oh, I forgot – Fear, Smear, Mock and Lie. Truth be told McLame is clueless on 21st century foreign politics and policies so he thinks his 60's era cold war "bomb, bomb, bomb" approach is "good for America" because he knows "how to win wars". Excuse me while I stifle my gag reflex…
This is the same guy that said Obama was "acting presidential" but this Bozo goes around speaking, acting and thinking he already is!
And by the way McLame, you DON'T speak for this American so cut the crap saying you speak for "all Americans".

The U.S. is totally impotent to affect the Georgia-Russian conflict.
Our military is committed to the Iraq fiasco and Russia is very aware of our predicament.

Our invasion of Iraq with very flimsy justification makes it very difficult to keep a straight face when Bush tries to criticize Russia.

Russia doesn't care what we think or what we want. They'll do what they want to do just as any other country in the world. Thanks to George Bush the United States has no respect from anyone.

IMO this current (now resolved) crisis show his weakness and not his strength. With dollar at its lowest, Gold & Oil prices hitting highest ever and not 1 or 2 but three World powers on the rise (Russia, China & India) we Americans can't even in the darkest of our Imaginations think of going in any sort of active or cold war. While we are spending Billions on this War, other rising world powers are spending Billions on strengthening there economy and there Military Might.

A good example can be seen from this War where Russia retaliated/attacked Georgia while all western powers did was blow some empty rhetoric. This war stopped then Russia wanted it to stop and but when France of US wanted it to End. This was a Military display not against the Georgian people alone, rather this was a display to show the entire world that Russia is still strong.

Senator McCain blew it away when he said "pipeline that the Russians tried to bomb".

As reported by BP, the pipelines are intact and all reports of any such bombing are false. The same was reported by Turkish Foreign ministry office and Russia denied these allegations.

Yet Senator McCain continues to use the fear mongering card and repeats this false claim. I don't refute that The Red Army is indiscriminately bombing cities but for some one who is Running for the highest office should know better not to stick to a claim which has been deemed false.

As they say, "FOOL ME ONCE, SHAME ON YOU. FOOL ME TWICE SHAME ON ME".

NO. What we need is strict diplomacy with the aid of other countries. The US need to re-establish its allies.

McWarmonger needs to stop shooting off his mouth – talking trash to Russia when Russia knows we can't back it up. Really stupid. Bush and company have done everything possible to render us impotent with respect to the political and military leverage we use to have. And yet CNN continues to praise McWarmonger for his irresponsible grand standing this week on the Georgia/Russia conflict.

The US Media & McCain are full of disinformation – Georgia invaded South Onrettia first and killed over 2000 civillians.

McCain was dishonest in his explanation of the the situation, playing it up as if Russia attacked first (lie). Also, McCain deceptively used emotional buzzwords (Georgia is a sovereign "democratic" country full of "christians") with the intent to tug at the heartstrings of the American people. Also, McCain plagiarized portions of his Georgia speech from Wikipedia – google it if you dont believe me.

McCain believes in hammers so much that he thinks everything looks like a nail. Using the hammer is only solution to suggest. Obama has a more steady temperment and the judgement to step back and figure out which tool is the best one to use in different situations. Sometimes it does require a hammer, sometimes something else is better, sometimes a combination of things is best. McCain is not showing leadership by always suggesting that the answer is a hammer, when not every situation is a nail.

Let the UN handle this, McCain. We don't have any leg to stand on regarding that war in Georgia since we did our own invading in Iraq. Who are we to tell Russia anything?? Georgia started it in the first place. Check out McCain's lobbyists ties to Georgia. VERY Interesting…….

McCain's comments have seemed a little too aggressive to me. They remind me more of the cowboy "diplomacy" – the "you're with us or against us" type of talk – that we've had under Bush. This actually makes him a less appealing choice to me. He appears to much like a hot heard – speaking before he thinks.

Barack Obama seems more like he subscribes to Teddy Roosevelt's idea of speaking softly, but carrying a big stick. Obama, with his more measured, but equally decisive comments, seems to be the better diplomat and the kind of leader this country needs, and has been desperately lacking.

Yes, Russia severely over-reacted in their attack, and ultimate invasion of Georgia. Yes, their move into Georgia and complete lack of any sign that they will back off is a sign that they are using this as an opportunity to take back a former part of their country by force. (although the unanimous calls from around the world for them to back off may have now given them pause if the latest news is any indication)

However – The Georgian President definitely wasn't thinking clearly about possible consequences when taking the actions they took against south Ossetia.

For a man who taunts his foreigh policy credentials I am supprised that Mccain does not understand that any effective foreign policy does not start with a beligerent position. Mccain doesnot understand that starting with such position limits a leaders option because he will have already played his last card. It is important to start with a firm but measures approach before commiting to any position in such crisis otherwise you end up starting a third world war.

Mcain should understand that a measure position allows a leader to make his opponet look bad in the eyes of the world thereby isalting him. this is a lesson George bush is just learning 7 years into his administation. I hope it doesnot take Mccain that long to learn.

Say, Russian refuses to stop fighting then what? is Mccain going to send US soldiers to kick the Russians out of Georgia? Mccain may sound tough on Russia but in the end US and Europe needs Russian as much as Russia needs them. Only when an initial measured response fail should a leader adopt an escalated tone. that way your options are not limited. you also keep your opponent on balance not knowing what you are going to do next.

Is this a joke? McCain had to look up Georgia on Wikipedia to give a speech on it and that's supposed to show his strength?

Does he have one?

The US Media & McCain are full of disinformation – Georgia invaded North Onrettia first and killed over 2000 civillians.

McCain was dishonest in his explanation of the the situation, playing it up as if Russia attacked first (lie). Also, McCain deceptively used emotional buzzwords (Georgia is a sovereign "democratic" country full of "christians") with the intent to tug at the heartstrings of the American people. Also, McCain plagiarized portions of his Georgia speech from Wikipedia – google it if you dont believe me.

I cannot emphasize enough – I AM AN AMERICAN – I AM NOT GEORGIAN !!!!!!!! McWarmonger DOES NOT AND WILL NOT EVER SPEAK FOR ME !!!!!

McCain is the worst person for these kinds of situations, stuck in Vietnam wanting to fight any country at the drop of a hat. Forget about diplomacy big john says just attack. It was the French who got this mess stopped. People who actually can think are best suited for these types of crisis.

McCain talks tough because he can't do anything about this. All we need right now is for some blowhard Republican telling another country not to invade someone. Our record right now is not a shining example of a caring peaceful nation.

Will,
The war in Russia-Georgia is not identical to the war in Iraq. There are stark differences between the two conflicts. Iraq was proven to be run by a dictator, while no such evidence exists in Georgia's case. US attacked Iraq after it did go to the UN. The attack was illigal (I agree), however there was support for it by some countries, the US senate voted on it, the world public new about the US trying to go to war for weeks. The world did not wake up to US being in war without any prior knowledge. Ultimately, the outcome is an illegal war, just as what Russia did, however the methods and road to war matter as well, and they are starkly different. US presented its case to the world, and it did have support from UK. Russia didn't present its case to anyone. It crossed the border to anther country, and no major Democracy supports its action.

An argument that Russia's behaviour is identical to US helps no one.

The Last Hurrah, of the "Soviet-Block". Russia must be really hurting in the World'sMarket, otherwise they would not have done this. This is their biggest mistake since Poland…

I support McCain,and will vote for him in November.However,he is incorrect on this issue.Georga,recieved exactly what they needed.The Georgan president is something like a small dog that likes to bark a lot but puts his tail between his lages when confronted.This is Georga.Russia,has every right to protect its interests just like the U.S. or any other nation.How would Americans feel if Russia had plans of placing military bases in Mexico or Canada? Would you like it? This is the goal of the U.S. and Nato.Estonia,Latvia,Lithuania,Bulgaria,and Romania,already belong to the E.U. and are all members of Nato or soon will be and remember these are all ex-Sovit States, to have Georga and the Ukraine join would completly isolate Russia. I understand there point of view.I'm sure most Americans are to dumb to know these countrys exist and where they are situated geographicly!

Strength? Just what we need…Bush's bullheaded foreign policy without his constraint.

He did not speak for the majority of Americans when he uttered "Today, we are all Georgians." Prior to this conflict, the ONLY Georgia MOST Americans knew was the the one that borders Florida. That comment is not meant to be snide – its true!!

Simply stating what Russia should do doesn't show any particular strength. Big deal. If McCain had any real sense, and any real international experience, he'd provide a solution that both sides can live with, or at least start talking about. Telling other countries what they should do has never worked very well. Can anyone think of a single situation in which our government has said, "What you should do is…." and the country has replied, "You know what? You're right. We'll start on that right away." Barking orders at other countries shows a complete lack of understanding of international policy and sensibilities.

McCain, like Bush before him, is a paper tiger…roars load but when you see what kind of solution he has you start to laugh. This world needs a "measured" leader someone that will think long term, not just what will get us by for now.

As a former Republician and more recently Clinton voter, I now see what we need and it's Obama!

Obama can't live up to or even improvise the skill, background and experience McCain has on his resume, his knowledge is proven with his track record, and years of service, compare the comments McCain made on the unfortunate military action of Russia, to the generic and whimsy statements made by genious Obama , McCAins Strenghts? are concrete and longstanding as evidenced by way of serving his country in the Senate, in war, and in the political process, he leaves Obama in the dust.

Maritza

Not even close! In trying to show how tough he is, he highlights his cold war mentality. He is still mired the 1950s while the rest of the world is in the 21st Century. Diplomacy is the key here, not imitating John Wayne. It's a new world now and forward thinking vision is the best way to protect our interests and security. He is spinning the events to introduce fear into our hearts and minds. How arrogant he is, talking to the Georgian president and speaking for the American people, sending Georgians a message! Even Obama acknowledged to foreign leaders that we only have one president at a time, and he was called down for being presumptuous. McCain is overstepping his boundaries, he's just a candidate, and the media isn't even flinching. How about some equal and fair-minded reporting!

Yes. It highlights he wants to start another war that we do not need! He is hell bent on staring a war just to prove he can! Shame on you John mccain:(

Given the state of the US economy and the over-extension of our military worldwide, 50-year-old attitude of brinkmanship with the Russians is completely unrealistic. Diplomacy is what is called for here, under the supervision of the UN and NATO. It has not been, and is not now, the Untied States' duty to police the world. The criminal actions of the Bush administration in Iraq should not be repeated; if the UN/NATO request military/humanitarian/diplomatic aid, then it should be provided, if not, then we should not involve ourselves with the politics of other nations.

Lets see what Rita Hauser, a prominent Republican and national intelligence expert who served in the Bush administration has to say:

"I think the little flare up we are witnessing in Georgia is another illustration of the different approach these two men are taking," she said. "McCain is bellicose: threatening to kick Russia out of the G8, use force if it is required. Obama is far more of the traditional position: turn to international institutions, call for reconciliation, call for an end of hostilities, but also be firm in his words. And that's the kind of leadership we need."

McCain proved himself to be a scary rabid warmonger with a bad temper, presumptuously threatening Russia before Bush could get the first word in. A vote for McCain is a vote for World War 3 and a mushroom cloud over your city

NOPE! Not at all. Obama/08

haven't we had enough of a president who talks tough without knowing all the facts? here's some facts… one of McCain's senior advisors made hundreds of thousands of dollars lobbying on behalf of the Georgian government. what a surprise that McCain came out of the gate guns blazing on the side of the Georgians. why is it that we had to rely on the french to negotiate a cease fire? where has the United States' diplomacy gone?

I cannot emphasize enough – I AM AN AMERICAN – I AM NOT GOERGIAN !!!!!!!! McWarmonger DOES NOT AND WILL NOT EVER SPEAK FOR ME !!!!!

How can we possibly demand that one country not invade another for oil??? It's more of the S.O.S. and he sounds and acts like dubya.

..OH…..and, by the way, if THIS is an example of how he would handle a foreign crisis, by the time he got finished, he would have us involved in Wars all over the world.

Let's face it. This guy sounded like he was just spoiling for a fight.

So, In my humble opinion, this certainly did NOT highlight his strengths.

It brilliantly showcased his diplomatic weakness.

No, it just shows how eager he is to get us involved in yet another international conflict? It just shows his presumptiousness because he overstepped President Bush with tough rhetoric before it was neccessary. I don't trust him and this is the reason why!

John McCain, to that crisis: right, strong, clear, principled — the kind of president we need in the White House," said Senator Joe Lieberman, who joined McCain at a campaign event Tuesday.
Oh yea two OLD Farts ……….. Remember the Invasion Of Iraq
….. I suppose Putin feels just like you did about the UNJUST WAR in IRAQ ……2 Beds available at the Senior Center for McAttack and Liberman

In a word NO.

No, McCain doesn't understand the complexity of the situation. He is just posturing as usual. Diplomacy is the obvious answer since we do not want (or cannot afford to) start a war with Russia.
I agree with Will, NJ that the US is in a difficult position regarding Russia since we have invaded a sovereign state illegally.

No, the old fool started talking confrontation with Russia when #1 Russia's economy is growing while the US economy is stagnating, #2 The US is bogged down in Iraq and hemoraging money and material there, #3 China holds our debt, and can side with Russia and nuke our economy, #4 Russia is a net exporter of Oil and can tank our economy by shutting off oil supply to Europe and Asia, #5 The world borders on hating the US, and I doubt they would side with the US in a confrontation with Russia.

Such is the legacy of George W Bush, that McCain wants to carry on. I hope most Americans can see that we cannot threaten Russia like we used to any more. They are still the only country that has the capacity to destroy the US.

A simple negotiation, like what France has apparently successfully performed, works much better than McCains empty and foolish rhetoric.

DOES GEORGIA-RUSSIAN CRISIS HIGHLIGHT McCAIN's STRENGTH?

Answer: NO

[1.] McCain already has blown it with threats of force! The "Shoot-First Response" and threats to rattle the Old Russian Empire only serves to inspire Russians back to the Cold War days. We already have enough of that with Bush and the Iraq disaster.

[2.] How can you compare candidate's response when one is suppose to be on vacation after 17-months of campaigning? Remember, John McCain had nearly four weeks off between March and June when Obama and Clinton were still battling. (Shame on you Hillary!!).

[3.] Very interesting to notice John McCain was issuing more threats than President Bush. If Senator Obama had did the same, the McCain camp would be screaming that Obama was arrogant and acting like he was the President. HYPOCRISY FROM THE McCAIN CAMP!!

When Obama spoke with some Middle Eastern leaders, McCain supporters accused him of being arrogant and "acting like he's already the President." Evidently, they don't mind so much when McCain acts like he's already President. It just goes to show that people who claim to stand on principle usually don't.

Obama is our best hope for peace

Do we still have an acting president or not….You think Russia cares. while they were attacking Georgia, Putin was seating next to Bush and talking to him during the Open ceremonies of the Olympics…
Electing McCain will be the biggest lost of opportunity to make the USA shine again around the world….

We do not need another war.

Esp we are talking about protecting aggressor who killed 2000 people and was going to evict 100,000 to get some realestate.

We should not protect/help madman. Since when killing civilians became acceptable as long as it is done by our "friend".

We should have consistent foreign policy. No more war for oil, or non-existent WMDs

Like the man said, "I don't get the economy but I know how to win wars!!!" Saddle up America!!!

Yes exactly…the U.S. lackd diplomatic integrity and is in no position to preach to Russia about affairs in their own region.

McCain if anything would be even worse than George Bush and is a war-mongerer.

How is it his strength when RICK Davis his campaign tug lobbies for Georgia

Why do you think war is the only threat we can make Will? International relations are about diplomacy and trade. War with Russia would just be foolish and wouldn't accomplish anything. The stick we carry is the ability to refuse trade with them. We can stop shipping them American products and more importantly, stop buying Russian goods.

You would think that somebody who has been tortured in a war would be the first to want to avoid one. It has been proven repeatedly that engaging commercially and diplomatically with nations is a better way to get them over to "our side" than bellicosity and sabre-rattling. This is true of China, and it is true of Russia. The more interdependence you have commercially with another state, the more each side has to lose when in conflict. Neocons don't understand that concept, and believe that you shoot first, and ask questions later. I'm sick of this approach, and I'm sick of paying for this neoconservatism at the gas pump and everywhere else.

McCain's comment on the Russian Empire overlooks the fact that it was the Georgians who started the fighting, apparently thinking the West would come to their aid. So McCain looks at best biased and at worst reckless against a major country we need to deal with for our own good. Not the glowing leadership qualifications we look for in a President.

hell no, georgia is hopeing sen mc cain and the repugs would follow him in his war mind. messing with the russians that we need to deal with iran,that old man making songs bomb bomb iran, they should die from our cigarettes that are exported to them. sen obama puts us in good standing around the world again. you see when sen obama made his statement for russia, putin&medevev to stand down and the french president went over we got results. asap. carolyn,ca.

Obama is a "Sally".

how can it prove his "strengths"? he hasn't had to do anything anyone can talk tough, that doesn't mean you have sense enough to figure out when to act tough. plus he mispronounced the Georgian president's name 3 times (albeit the same mispronounciation each time. I guess he should get positive consideration for that?). McCain keeps talking about his foreign policy strengths and abilities, but i haven't ever heard exactly what those strengths are. going places and shaking peoples hands is not foreign policy deision-making and that holds true for both candiates. one of the only things Bill Clinton has said recently that I agree with is that one could argue that no one is ever prepared to be president, even someone who was vice-president for a number of years. i don't think what McCain or Obama say about the Georgian-Russian conflict means a heck of a lot.

McCain has only one strength: Fear-mongering/War-mongering. But we Americans are too smart to fall for it. We already decided for CHANGE

what strength are you talking about. The French president is the man, he went to Russia to resolve the conflict. Tough words does not resolve conflict. also, why should we blame the Russians, you have forgetting what we did at Iraq. Hipocrates.

No because so many Americans are suffering right here in His face and feel this should be issue number 1.

No. McCain doesn't have any strengths left. The man can barely speak and when he does saliva drips out of the side of his mouth.

McCain is the empty suit, not Barack Obama. He has been issuing statements regarding the Georgian situation since last April. John McCain was busy ignoring it until he could become the opportunist! And, of course, no one says anything about his senior advisor being a paid lobbyist for Georgia. No conflict there…right!

McCain made a statement, and Russia didn't hear it. Obama made a statement, and Russia didn't hear it. They could care less about candidates, and about the USA. We're not the same superpower we once were, in case you didn't know…

Why is it that McCain wants the U.S, to engage in yet another conflict? We have enough enemies aready. We do not need any more.

Obama 08

Boama's an idiot:

c'est moi, moi et moi says Obama. Obama's worldview as expressed in Berlin is much closer to the whining, hand wringing critics of Truman, Kennedy and Reagan than it is to the views of these three stalwarts of freedom.

Obama's response to evil in the world is not "We are staying in Berlin, period," "Ich bin ein Berliner" or "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."

His response is "everybody hold hands and sing Kumbaya, cuz golly gee if the world will only 'act as one,' all our troubles and all the bad guys will go away." Ein Reich, Ein Volk, Ein Obama

Mccain has no strengths to highlight

CNN asked: "Does the crisis in Georgia highlight McCain's strengths?"

No, but it does bring out his stupidity and inner warmonger.

I will take Obama's measured approach anyday. McCain has the same cowboy mentality that Bush has had over the last 8 years and look where we are today. I want someone who measures their words not talk a lot of rhetoric. Wake up America. We need someone with Obama's intellect and coolness.

I think McCain runs a big risk of overplaying his hand with the Russia issue. It shows that he's stuck in the past, still thinking in terms of the Cold War instead of the 21st Century. The American people don't want another war, cold or hot.

and HERE IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MCCAIN AND OBAMA

Obama was prepared for what some inthe media are calling a "3AM Moment". While McCain reads Wikipedia and consults his Campaign Foreign Policy Advisor, who is a lobbyist for Georgia, Obama speaks to President Kaashvili and Condi before he speaks.

(You know… gathering facts and ensuring a level of appropriateness BEFORE speaking and trying to make political hay out of tihs)

DEAL WITH IT PEOPLE… DEAL WITH IT !!!

What it highlights is how dangerous it is to have a President who only knows about the use of military force.

McCain's answer for everything is confrontation. That approach is what has broken our military and destroyed our alliances.

If America were not in the disastrous position that McCain and people of his ilk have put us in, we would be able to respond more effectively when our genuine national interests really are at stake.

As it is, the rest of the former Soviet possessions are watching our helplessness and fearing for their hard-won independence.

America cannot afford another four or eight years of mindless militarism.

it looks like this picture has been altered to make his profile and jaw more prononced. Can someone look into this deception?

This highlights Senator McCain's utter incompetence. He seems fully willing to wield our over-used, mis-used, spent, and weakened military wherever there is a conflict (especially one that involves oil).
He is making blind threats with no ability to back them up with our military spread thin throughout the world fighting on illegal war and one legitimate one.

Not at all, instead you'll see how much Bush he is,,,,

NO

Does John McCain have any strengths?He must – let's see…

He left his first wife (who was loyal and devoted to him all the years he was a POW in Vietnam) for a young blond beer heiress (who was able to catapult his political career with her connections).
He mockingly printed his opponent's face on a dollar bill, then called his opponent out for "the race card" when Obama merely made reference to the incident.
He refuses to release the majority of his military records, yet touts his military experience as his main credential to be President.
He looked right into the camera and denied it when Obama referred to McCain as a continuation of Bush policies, although his voting record shows him agreeing with the President 98% of the time.

So that must be it – McCain is an opportunist, a liar and a sellout.

Seems like there is an international crisis every four years right before the election, strengthening the Republican nominee. The difference this time is that anyone would be hard pressed to say that the U.S. instigated this. As usual, the price of gasoline will go down and international affairs will become more important as we head into the winter, giving the Republican the presidency. I guess that's a good thing, considering the alternative.

It shows he's a hawk in the same mold as Bush. Let us rush to judgment without understanding the place and the situation. Looks like we will have more wars with McCain…not time for diplomacy.

So how does saying that Russia should stop fighting mean anything to the Russians and therefore shows how strong McCain is. And since Right wing nut Joe Lieberman, the new flip-flop party animal, agrees with John McCain, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

Barack Obama gave a strong measured comment and when he was able to get some facts, gave a stronger comment. Of course the Russians aren't going to listen to him either. But at least, Obama didn't try to start up the Cold War like McCain. He knows the Cold War is over doesn't he? Didn't Lieberman tell him?

Be afraid, be VERY AFRAID.

What strengths? Sure he got shot down in Vietnam and was a POW, bummer of a deal no doubt. But he wasn't a good Navy officer (check his service records), never commanded anything of note, never was placed in strategic decision making positions there, and performed so poorly in the Navy that he had no real future there, so he quits. He has a terrible voting records towards Veterans and Veteran policies. He plays fast and loose with the facts, and hopes that people are too stupid to realize the difference between being a "qualified military commander" and the reality that he "once served in the military in a role in command of nothing substancial, then quitting because he had no future".

How does that qualify him as having "strengths" on military matters?

Add to that the Edwards-style repeated cheating on his loyal but disfigured-wife, then leaving her for a rich 25-year old heiress, a woman whom he publicly derides and calls a "c * nt" – and I think it's clear that he's not qualified to lead a cub scout troop, much less the free world.

No it scares me. He may be more an of expert a war and I'm only saying maybe. He seems to like to fight to me and where will he get troops from – start up the draft?

McCain is being presumptuous to say he speaks for all Americans, in any situation. McCain doesn't have the authority to speak for all Americans.

John McCain publically claims to "speak for all Americans." Did I miss something? Is he the President?

Talk about arrogance!

Are you sure McCain knows which Georgia you're talking about?

Yes!!!!!!!

GO PRESIDENT MCCAIN

In response to an issue:

(a) refer to being a POW
(b) threaten war
(c) push for tax break for wealthy
(d) propose drilling more oil
(e) redirect w/ lie regarding opponent

~
This is not a McCain strength by any stretch, he's frigging scary

Are you kidding? McWar is a war loving nut…

No!

McCain has no strengths CNN. When will you folks stop attributing positive qualities to this non compos mentis pretending to be a senator?

He sure is acting Presumptious………………..already deciding that Russia wants to go back to the old Russian Empire……….what actual evidence can he produce to back up that statement??? I believe he over stepped his bounds. That is not a sign of good leadership!!!!

Russia has us over a barrel for our illegal war in Iraq, it will take us years to rebuild our standing in the world. Shame on Bush/Cheney/McCain illegal war.

Taegan Goddard, at the respected politicalwire.com, is reporting (http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/08/11/a_case_of_plagiarism.html) that McCain's recent speech on Georgia was plagiarized from Wikipedia.

So much for his extensive foreign policy experience.

This man couldn't talk his way out of a paper bag even on a good day when he halfway lucid and full of the right medication. Wrong, unclear, belligerent, mismanaged, ill-informed and steals his talking points word for word off Wikipedia to make a major statement on the crisis. I think his knowledge of foreign affairs is as sharp as current White House Press Liar, Dana Perino's.

No. It highlights his weaknesses. Obama is the winner here. McCain's tone was, as usual, needlessly antagonistic. McCain just doesn't do diplomacy. The slightest provocation leads him to confront other countries. McCain is dangerous and cannot be trusted as our commander in chief.

MCCAIN 08 IGNORANCE WE CANT COUNT ON !!!!!

PUTIN could care less about MCCAIN he won't be President Anyway.

I love how McCain criticized Obama for being to presidential and stating we are "fellow citizens of the world," and now McCain is basically doing the same thing.

McCain first response to any crisis "dictator like"…and basically threatens war if you don't do as I say. McCain thinks everyone should listen to America. MCCAIN WE HAVE NO MORE TROOPS FOR ANOTHER WAR….!!!! Obama is more rational and waits to get all the facts and speak to the parties effect by the crisis before he issues a position.

This just shows that McCain will throw America into as many wars as he possible could….

I was appalled at John McCain and his ARROGANCE as he pretended to be our President; making demands and rattling his personal saber as he practically declared war against Russia and threw 'Official State Religion' of "Christianity" into the fray to boot, effectively demeaning all other religions in the world in his efforts to gain votes.

I have a beautiful Bible and if I had a chance I think I would thump him with it.

I am NOT a Georgian. I am an American!

Furthermore, McCain is NOT President and he better scramble right back down off that particular pedestal on which he so presumptuously perched himself.

McCain demands immediate withdrawal by Russia…
Yeah? Or what, Johnny boy? You ain't in any position to do anything.

And parently given your "huff and puff 'til I blow your house in" style comments, you would have us get involved in another military mess by responding too quickly with inappropriate demands.

The US is no longer in a position to demand anything from anybody. We have lost the respect friedn and foe alike once had for us.

Yours is a tired old song, John McCain. You show no dipolmatic skills what-so-ever. Please retire….

Look – most people have already made up their minds on who they are going to vote for. I'm just so glad Obama is leading and has so much more support behind him because if McSame were somehow to get elected, the entire World would ROAR in collective laughter and disgust. Our reputation in the world would finally be completely ruined because we can't elect anyone new – anyone with any different ideas and ideals – we just keep on electing the same old pasty white men who are ill equipped to handle the most important job in our Country. Don't let Bush have another term – this country simply can't withstand another 4 years of what we've had over the last 8 years.

We need a change and no matter WHAT you say about Obama, he Is a change.

NO!!! This does not highlight McCain's strengths! It highlights his 90% agreement with Bush/Cheney policies.

We don't want "more wars. more wars." We can't police the world. I don't understand why everyone is touting McCain's foreign policy crendentials. They're a joke.

The rest of the world agree with Obama. If that isn't foreign policy clout then what the hell is?

Initially, Barack Obama's tone was more measured.

"I think it is important at this point for all sides to show restraint and to stop this armed conflict," the Democrats' presumptive presidential nominee said on Friday.

AFTER HE SPOKE TO THE GEORGIAN PRESIDENT, OBAMA'S TONE GOT STRONGER

(you know… because you don't just go in guns blazing like SOME cowboy diplomats)…. will someone PLEASE tell me what is wrong with KNOWING THE FACTS BEFORE MAKING A DEADLY DECISION????

"No matter how this conflict started, Russia has escalated it well beyond the dispute over south Ossetia," the Illinois senator said Monday.

the 'appropriate' response…..

NO he is wrong to be threatening a super nuclear power,without the benefit of the whole story.
How come good old MCTrigger happy McWar did not say bomb bomb bomb,Russia afraid of the return nukes, now can everyone see why Iran has need to worry about their security, it is a deterrent…period!! they can't have em then you shouldn't either. Now we are all Georgians Today,how come he never said we are all Darfurans or Rawandans or Palestenians today!!!!

CNN would not print this anyway they prefer silly lies an gossip!!

Sanity in 08 Vote Obama

i guess your words would carry more weight john if you wouldnt have voted for the invasion of iraq (an illlegal military action of our own)

To be honest, I'm more interested in that blonde in the ad with the pink number on the right, than I am a 72 year old.

Look – most people have already made up their minds on who they are going to vote for. I'm just so glad Obama is leading and has so much more support behind him because if McSame were somehow to get elected, the entire World would ROAR in collective laughter and disgust. Our reputation in the world would finally be completely ruined because we can't elect anyone new – anyone with any different ideas and ideals – we just keep on electing the same old pasty white men who are ill equipped to handle the most important job in our Country. Don't let Bush have a second term – this country simply can't withstand another 4 years of what we've had over the last 8 years.

We need a change and no matter WHAT you say about Obama, he Is a change.

It seems to me McCain's attitude is a case of "don't do as I do just do as I say." Didn't we attack a sovereign nation? Hasn't he made threatening statements regarding Iran? McCain's campaign must think we are too stupid to remember and over look his huge ego and hypocrisy.

Yes, McCain was all over Russia on this and if you noticed Obama's first reponse was very weak and he has now come around to give a stronger tongue lashing. Obama…Change you can count on.

no

It so far has showed the pompous elitist old presumptuous anal cavity to be nothing more than an ego-maniac of biblical proportions.

His blasphemy has turned me off. I AM NOT GEORGIAN and he does not speak for me my friends.

Go Obama '08 – displomacy over war war war war war

What do you mean, CNN, McCain's strength? McCain is a warmonger, no differenct from Bush. I do not see any strength in that. I see fear!

"I think it's very clear that Russian ambitions are to restore the old Russian empire."

(sigh)…… and then they stopped today…. what a bummer for mccain

I'm sure John McCain is eating up this crisis right now. Nothing like a little war and mayhem to boost the popularity of ones political ambitions.

McCain has no strengths when it come to war, just same old tired rhetoric. I want a presidet who thinks before shooting his mouth off. I found it funny him trying to take the moral high ground and tell Russia is should not invade a sovereign nations. Is he now taking back his war vote on Iraq? We invaded a nation with much less provocation than Russia.

Strengths? He has strengths? So far all he has done is told us about Obama's weaknesses.

It does show that he is more qualified than Obama. But that does not say much. A pet monkey would be more qualified than Obama.

Yes, McCain looked sharp in his immediate recognition of Russia's agression. The other guy had to talk to Wesley Clark, John Edwards, Bill Richardson, his wife, etc. before he could manage a decent statement.

One has to wonder, if Putin did not have such a free hand while we were busy protecting the Carlyle Group's and Haliburton's profits, would he have made this bold move…..

When things like this happen I don't think you can help but consider what both candidates would do if this situation turned even uglier. I for one would feel much better with McCain leading the country. We had one appeaser named Jimmy Carter try the BO approach and it got us nowhere.

NO strengths at all…McCain has proven himself to be mentally unstable under any circumstances as well as the most insulting candidate/person I've ever seen. I don't trust McCain with this country, our money, our economy, getting off oil…McCain gives us NOTHING but a bitter old man who cracks insulting jokes and tells lies in his ads.

If his strength is reading the text of Wikipedia regarding Georgia, then.. yes.

if his strength is lifting the line from 911 "Today we are all American"

(insert Georgia)..

THEN YES…

At least McCain has a clue. They are at war and the talk has to be immediate and tough. It is not a playground spat. Obama saying "ah gee wizz lets all just be friends" doesn't cut it. What would Obama do as president? Send Oprah over there to convince them to put their toys away? Send Rezko to buy them off? Wake up people!!

PUMA — Vote McCain

Oh goody… another Cold War. Just what we needed to move forward.

Stupid, stupid are we willing to break out the Nukes children? The Gop is so stupid with all there tough talk! All they do is talk trash and do nothing. Our country is so broke and our Military is so beaten up from that War in Iraq. And these guys are talking more trash, and making more threats Russia knows we are not going to do anything.

Oh I know lets take out another loan from China and lets fight Russia. Just think back during Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 just think if McCain was president. You would all be dead and all of your children would be dead. Thank God Obama has a cooler head than hot headed Mcwar that thru his first wife under the bus!

Just think back during Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 just think if McCain was president we would all be dead your children and my children.

It actually points out his weakness. His policy is "bomb everything and fight for more oil", except we have no available troops because of his support for the Iraq war. And he is too blind to see that the world now ignores us with impunity because of it.

Or maybe the risk is that McCain is pretending Georgia is innocent in all of this?? The goal should have been to stop the violence, not to goad Russia.

McCain failed big time in my eyes. And I am not impressed by Obama staying on vacation throughout this.

LOL NO! Or am the only one who has been watching the News and all of the almost daily fumbles of Mr. " Foreign policy expert" Making up non-existant borders and speaking with AUTHORITY about Countries that no longer exist. Pretty much eliminates him from the " Can Think on their own without a cheat sheet " Club.

Unfortunately, no. After McCain supported Bush's misguided efforts in Iraq, I find it difficult to trust him with judgment on national security. In contrast, Obama has been correct on many of these foreign policy issues; therefore, he gets my support in this election.

Leave it to the Republicans to use the threat of war to win a presidency. Their past campaigns have been used the fear factor, just like Bush did, and McCain seems to be using it as well. We, as a nation, should not be involved in this. This is a European problem, and France, etc. should be the ones chastizing Russia, not America. But, as usual, we get involved because this involves Oil!!!!

Interesting that McCain references an oil pipeline. Is he trying to suggest that the Russians invaded Georgia over oil??? Hey John, there's a pipeline, an oil pipeline that starts in Iraq. The USA invaded a soveriegn nation for oil. Our soldiers are fighting a war for the Big Oil companies and the American Taxpayer's money is being washed in Iraq into clean profits for big defense contractors.

Talking tough doesn't make you strong, or principled.

Not really. It shows me that McCain would rather start trying to reconcile the situation by escalating tensions with his idiotic comments about Russia and their President and Priminister.

Instead of diplomatic solutions he already wants some kind of military action. He is all ablout fearmongering and war is all this shows me about him.

short of something dramatic happening between now and november, i have already made up my mind.

obama08

NO! Anybody can make a speech. Isn't this what McCain always says about Obama? All McCain did was state the obvious. He has shown that he is going at it alone instead of asking the real President permission to speak the way he has. Furthermore, he has burned his bridge with Moscow (if he were to become President). Therefore, this cowboy behavior has proven him inept.

THIS OLD MAN NAMED JOHN McCAIN HAS NO IDEA ABOUT WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT.
THE GREAT VILLAIN IN THE RUSSIAN-GEORGIA CRISIS IS THE PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA, NAMELY MIKHEIL SAAKASHVILI. NO MATTER WHAT NAIVE OLD MAN JOHN McCAIN SAYS WILL BE REDICULOUS. THIS OLD MAN JOHN McCAIN BETTER KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT. McCAIN SHOULD GO TO SCHOOL TO UNDERSTAND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS, RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT AND ESPECIALLY REGIONAL POLITICS THAT COVERS AN SPECIFIC REGION LIKE CAUCASIA. IT SEEMS McCAIN KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT CAUCASIA.
OLD MAN JOHN McCAIN WAS WRONG ON IRAQ, IRAN, PAKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN, NORTH KOREA, SUDAN. WE HAVE SEE NAIVETY AT ITS BEST WITH THIS OLD MAN JOHN McCAIN.
JUST BRING BACK OUR BOYS, OUR HEROES FROM IRAQ.
GOD SAVE AMERICA AND OUR MILITARY FORCES.

Who wants to talk about sovereignty, loss of human life, or territorial disputes, when we have pipelines to worry about.

McSame 0Not!

I dont believe this Old poop is trying to misues the situation.He is the worst person on earth and am gonna pray everyday for his early demise.!
Trust me, its good for not just the US, but the whole world.I choose not
to see another war waged in the name of ..what do the repugs call it? – yeah – "FREEDOM" ! Total BS !

Mccain, how can we try to be the moral authority, when we are responsible for the deaths of over 1 million Iraqi civilians? We cannot say anything that doesn't make us look like hypocrites because of what we have done. In the meantime of letting Russia become stronger, we cannot say or do anything to condemn this. I will say this though; Georgians started it, Russia responded with a iron fist, what do they expect? Putin is more of a worldwide threat, than Saddam Hussein ever was. . .

Not for me. Of course I didn't see that he had any strengths. His statements to Russia to cease military operations, withdraw forces, and stop the armed conflict is quite amusing coming from a man who stated he would stay the course in Iraq for 100 years if that was what it would take!

So, guess it's ok for him and his twin bro Georgie to ride into the country of their choosing and shoot em up, blow em up, bomb em to bits and shock and awe em into paralysis but no other Nation is allowed to play their game! They rule the world with a free reign! Giddy Up…

Why not report on McSame's extramarital affairs whilst his wife was convalesing or tell about how Georgie was able gave up the booze, it would carry alot more substance and give us alot more bang and pop for our buck! Strengths? Are you turly serious? I'm still laughing!

What strengths? Hmmmmm, another mention of oil. Just great. Let's go into another war. It's always been about the oil. I could care less what Lieberman has to say. Who asked him anyway? Dumb and dumber.

Something is wrong with American intelligence!
I wonder if the American Intelligence services are out of touch or if the Republicans in office prefer their repub crystal ball.

They got it WRONG in Iraq – STRIKE ONE
They can’t find Bin Laden – who have made American look like fools – STRIKE TWO
They did know it was coming in Georgia – STRIKE THREE

Very dismal record!!!

CNN needs to follow up – is the Intelligence Services or is it the Republicans?

Bush said he looked into Putin eyes…But now I wonder if Bush knows his body parts?

In most democratic countries most people would say… Enough is Enough!

Mr. Schneider you call Obama’s response ‘ measured!
I call it weak, undeceive and not leader like.
Russia invaded a sovereign country and all Obama had to say was “for all sides to show restraint’?

On the other hand I found McCain’s response very clear and to the point and ready to deal with the crises.
Where Obama had to go back and fine-tune his response and come back with a stronger one!!

But as president you don’t get second chances to fine-tune your response when people are being killing.

I am voting for a leader not an intern.

******Russia should immediately and unconditionally cease its military operations and withdraw all forces from sovereign Georgian territory," the Arizona senator said Friday.********

What he SHOULD HAVE said was…….

*****The United States should immediately and unconditionally cease its military operations and withdraw all forces from sovereign Iraq territory," the Arizona senator said Friday.*******

To bad this didn't actually happen………………………………..

Well at least Mc Cain didn't call them Soviets etc, Obama, looking like a this doesn't mean anything I'm already the Presumtive President. I have a feeling I prefer Mc Cain on the world frount as long as he keeps his language unprovocotive. Obama, not sure has he ever dealt with potential xpolsive situations don't know of any he leaves me wondering if he is appeaser or just out to show us he is smooth…..???

McWar's depends are wet…..he hasn't gotten any sleep trying to find a

way to get us into the Georgia war. I listened to the BS that he tried to

feed us and almost puked. But one thing that did stick out of his

speech was about the OIL yes OIL in Georgia. So McWar and Bush

can have it both ways…..A WAR FOR MCWAR and OIL FOR BUSH

Will somebody tell me what EXPERIENCE McCain has? He has sat on committees for 25 YEARS…. he was in the Navy 50 YEARS ago… WHAT EXPERIENCE??????????????????????????? Look at how he has run his campaign…….. PROBLEMS GALORE!!!!!!!!!!

No. Actually his weaknesses because McCain seems to be stuck back in the Cold War mentality. We need a more progressive view of the world and its threats. We don't even ave enough troops to finish the job in Afganasthan so we definitly shouldn't go picking fights in other places. McCain = Sabre-rattlling.

ABSOUTELY NOT! It dispays his eageness to engage any enemy OR PERCEIVED enemy with military force as his prime objective. He appears to have an obsession with voilent knee jerk action that lacks forethought and naunce. It is as if he has a reaction formation issue from being a POW. THE ENIMY'S EVERWHERE AND MUST BE DESTROYED. Please, keep him away from the black suit case with the red button!

What about sovereign Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan territory? Oh sovereignty only matter to Republicans when it's not America do the invading.

Today's Campaign Contest: Count the Young White Women in McCain's Anti-Obama Video
August 12, 2008 9:30 AM

How many young white women professing adoration for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, can you count in this anti-Obama web video that the campaign of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, was sending out yesterday?

One…two…three…four…sure are a lot of young white women in this thing….

Why do you think they put so many young white women professing their love for Obama in what is clearly an anti-Obama video? What would possibly be negative about young white women liking Sen. Obama?

When asked, the McCain campaign says they took the video from local news packages, but of course that doesn't explain anything.

- jpt

UPDATE: McCain campaign senior adviser Mark Salter writes to say: "All we are suggesting is 'the kids think he's dreamy. But should he be president?'"

UPDATE 2: Looks like the McCain campaign has taken the video off youtube.

NO!

Exactly! War hawks have no place when there is no army they can thrust at our enemies on a whim's notice.

"I told him that I know I speak for every American when I say to him, `Today, we are all Georgians."

I'll speak for myself thank you very much, and I am most certainly NOT a Georgian.

No, but it does highlight the possibility that we can be dragged into another war with the wrong Pro-War President.

No he is a candidate running for POTUS. At this time he could enact any action of his true direction at this time. So at this point it is a bunch of strong rhetoric. The only think I see is what possible direction each candidate may go in. I am more in favor of Senator Barrack's approach. Every action doesn't require a I gonna getcha reaction. Look at the President of France, he went to the table and started talks and look at the results. May not be long term for the moment, but it's a start and buys time and hopefully peace. Less lives lost and only cost him a plane ride and a few meals.

If McCain was President now we would be at war with Russia!
He does not know when to shut his mouth and when to open it!

McCain is weak on Foreign Policy.He knows nothing about what's happening in Georgia except for that he has lobbyist ties to the oil in Georgia. I heard Obama's comments and he spoke with common sense on Georgia.Obama respected Russia but he also condemned them.McCain is a person who was captured for 5 years which seem to indicate atleast in his case that he wasn't exactly a great soldier.

Anyone think Russia is going to listen to old man McCain? I don't think so. He's trying to act tough but he's not. And America is tired of being the big bully telling people what to do. Maybe McCain should be asking what's wrong and what we can to to help resolve the situation. But McCain loves war. I'd love to hear from McCain's elementary school mates and how many of them he beat up. McCain was a POW who tried to kill himself and that doesn't make him fit to be POTUS. And being 72 doesn't help his case.

every single issue that pops up, from gas prices to Iraq to the war in Georgia, they ALL highlight McCain's strengths. The question should be, all hype and pomp and circumstance aside, exactly what highlights Obama's strenghts? Speaking to cheering crowds in Germany but not saying much of anything isnt it.

Nope, not at all. I don't see how we can lecture Russia on this one, considered we did the same thing. Difference is, we're still there and still fighting about why we went their in the first place!

McCain doesn't have any strengths.

He's a wannabe Democrat with no executive experience and thinks he's qualified to be President because he sat in a whole in Vietnam.

Strengths?

I'm still looking for one.

The President vows to protect and defend the United States and our Constitution.

John McCain is more than qualified for that job.

Obama is frighteningly unqualified and I do not trust him to do the job.

I am enthusiastically supporting John McCain. He was exactly right about Russia – A REAL 3 AM MOMENT!

I feel that McCain is stronger when it comes to international crisis. Obama says what he needs to get by – it's obvious he tried that tactic again and it back-fired on him.

Also, George Bush's comments on the invasion are a joke! He has the right to criticize another country's actions after what he did in Iraq? He told the UN Security Council that we didn't need their approval; we would do what we want. He should be tried as a war criminal with over 30K deaths he caused.

No, it only makes clearer McCains only foreign policy strategy is antagonism and conflict.

O YES HE & GEORGE HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB THUS FAR'

TWO PURELY RUN WARS, THAT ARE DRAINING US DRY.

YOU WANT MORE OF IT? ELECT MCSENILE & YOU WILL GET IT.

I think John McCain would be more likely to use American Soldiers before considering all the options….like he did with Iraq. We needed to stay and finish in Afganistan and he voted for the war in Iraq.

Don't even go there!

OBAMA 08….McBush = war war war and more war…no thanks yah old goat

Ken

Only if McCain's strengths are going to war. Remember he doesn't talk with foreign countries. SO how would McCain fix the problem? Attack!

McCain does not care about millitary families! He votes against GI Bill becuase to many would leave the milltary. McCain thinks everyone should serve but that the governmet give no benifits. I don't care if he is a vet but he is just like bush forceing more wars on us.

What lies would McCain tell us to fight Russia now? shoot between Iraq, Afgan, Iran, and Russia where do we go for BinLaden? oh ya he doesn't care about him…….

—-Arizonaians AGAINST John McCain

Rarrr! Russia bad, America good!! Raarrrrrr!

yeah, that's quite a strength….

We pose little threat to Russia. Financially, we are in bed with both Russia and China. That is why you hear Bush say, stop this and stop that but we no longer have the power to push. All of our forces are tied up in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention that we HAVE NO MONEY.

If you consider McCain finally remembered the name of the country he was referencing, then it's a victory I suppose. He actually showed poor judgment by speaking out so bluntly – for purely political purposes – while the current president – lame cluck, though he is – is out of the country. McCain should have shown restraint and a sense of propriety. And he and his surrogates have the gall to accuse Obama of acting like he's already president.

Yeah, its going to do us all a lot of good to talk tough to Russia when they know we have nothing to back. No military power (thanks to Iraq). No economic power (thanks to high oil and gas prices). No international community support (thanks to the Iraq invasion). Now's the time for some tough and skilled diplomacy. We don't need another cowboy.

I will gladly answer your question Mr,Schneider, when you first answer mine, Do you still think Obama has a white women voting problem?
The Primaries proved that most of your analysis were way off the mark so i tend to give little credit to your articles.

Not at all ! In fact it shows what more and more people are coming to realize. mcBush is far to quick to respond with aggression when diplomacy would work better. War is an instrument of policy to mcsurge, rather than the measure of last resort. McWar has already alienated most of the Worlds leaders rendering him totally ineffective as a potential world leader himself. As hard as it is to believe. McBush will be even less respected on the world stage than Bush himself.

You McCain Supporters Can Have Him.

"All we are suggesting is 'the kids think he's dreamy"
This Is What They Do Best!

One…two…three…four…sure are a lot of young white women in this thing….

Why do you think they put so many young white women professing their love for Obama in what is clearly an anti-Obama video? What would possibly be negative about young white women liking Sen. Obama?

When asked, the McCain campaign says they took the video from local news packages, but of course that doesn't explain anything.

- jpt

UPDATE: McCain campaign senior adviser Mark Salter writes to say: "All we are suggesting is 'the kids think he's dreamy. But should he be president?'"

UPDATE 2: Looks like the McCain campaign has taken the video off youtube.

What strengths do you mean? There is no war he doesn't like? This man was active duty for a few short weeks and now is using his 5 years he sat in a POW prison as strength to be Commander in Chief. I just don't get it. He served less active duty than most grunts. He practically failed out of military school and wasn't Admiral material. And he is no friend to Veteran causes. I don't see any strengths in this man as far as Commander in Chief.

John McCain has been an opportunist all his life. He has never worked a day in his life in a real job…

Any real crisis certainly can't help but highlight Obama's strength: his ability sound important while flinging flowery rhetoric and making empty promises.

Not sure that this strength is exactly what Obama wants highlighted, though.

Too bad reality keeps getting in the way of his delusions of grandeur.

The leaders of the Democratic Party have failed us all…

Go John , GO. Don't let the wimp Obama get you down. He's not tough enough to be our president.

I WILL BE SUPRISE IF THIS WASNT ANOTHER FEAR TACTIC TO MAKE JOHN MCCAIN LOOK TOUGH.WHY PRESIDENT BUSH AINT COME OUT STRONG ON THIS ISSUE I WOULDNT BE SUPRISE IF THE RUSSIA WASNT PAID TO DO THIS AMERICA IS A SPOOKY PLACE TO LIVE IN BECAUSE THE RICH WILL DO ANYTHING TO BE IN POWER IF IT HAS TO TAKE SOMEONE LIFE.

IT SURE DOES, IF YOU ARE THE SAME MORON HE IS.

MAN HAS BEEN USELESS & WRONG FOR THIRTY YEARS.

HOW DOES THAT TRANSLATE TO STRENGTH I DON'T KNOW.

HOW CAN WE TELL THE RUSSIANS NOT TO DO WHAT WE DID?

HE HAS BEEN AN IDIOT. HE WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN IDIOT.

NO HE WILL GET US SCREWED IN A QUICK WAR…

OBAMA…..08

NO, He's Not The President Yet!

WHO DIED AND LEFT MCCAIN IN CHARGE. GOD FORBID, SOMEONE STOP HIM NOW BEFORE HE DESTROYS US ALL. FRANCE AND RUSSIA ARE TALKING DIPLOMACY AND MCCAIN WANTS TO START A WAR. STOP MCCAIN NOW.

McCain has been wrong too many times to count in his 26 years in government. I dont trust him and I will NOT be voting for him

The United States might still have a stick to carry if it hadn't been broken in their illegal war in Iraq. What threat do we pose to Russia?