August 18, 2008
Posted: 12:15 PM ET

(CNN) – Both Barack Obama and John McCain have released statements reacting to the resignation of Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf:

Read the statements after the jump

Obama:
"President Musharraf has made the right decision to step down as President of Pakistan. It is in the interests of his country and the Pakistani people to end the political crisis that has immobilized the coalition government for too long. I have long said that the central terrorist threat to the United States lies in northwest Pakistan and Afghanistan, and not Iraq. US policy must focus on assuring that all elements of Pakistan's government are resolute in shutting down the safe havens for al Qaeda and the Taliban. There can be no safe haven for terrorists who threaten the American people.

"A year ago, I advocated that the US move from a 'Musharraf policy' to a 'Pakistan policy.' I hope all of Pakistan's friends will now seize the opportunity created by Musharraf's exit to focus on the urgent issues of today: confronting the threat of extremist violence, dealing with food and energy shortages, and helping the Pakistani people build a stable, secure, democratic future."

McCain:
"The resignation of President Pervez Musharraf is a step toward moving Pakistan onto a more stable political footing. Pakistan is a critical theater in countering the threat of al Qaeda and violent Islamic extremism, and I look forward to the government increasing its future cooperation.

"There are serious problems that must be addressed. The situation in Pakistan's frontier regions requires immediate and continued attention, and I hope that the elections for President Musharraf's successor will serve to reconcile the Pakistani people behind a leader who can solidify their government internally. It is critical that the United States continue to work in partnership with the Pakistani people and their democratically elected government to tackle the many challenges we both face."

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton


BC FOR OBAMA   August 18th, 2008 5:24 pm ET

Wow, Texas and Tennessee are really showing their racist colours in this post today.

Obama baby!

Brogers   August 18th, 2008 5:14 pm ET

The reason America is at peril is the same as those in smaller countries in Europe. That is the lack on intellectual honesty, candor and concern for all Americans. We don't have to argue, the dye is cast and the world will look back and think of 911 as one of the smaller happenings of this war which in reality begain decades or more ago. Whichever party wins – the world will become less safe. A general concern for our fellowman would be helpful, but most people haven't a clue and are unwilling to face thier fears so they just complain, whine and point at other people mistakes as if they are pure. If you are going to lie, lie to everyone else, but stop lying to yourself about the challeges you face. As I said, no need to argue with me about what the future holds – I don't know who will make the best President and don't care if that person does thier best.

ran   August 18th, 2008 5:09 pm ET

THIS ELECTIONS CAN'T GET HERE FAST ENOUGH FOR ME THEN ALL THE PUMAS/REPUBLICANS CAN GO AWAY FOR THE NEXT 8 YEARS IF NOT LONGER.

Obama is the dumbest candidate ever   August 18th, 2008 5:04 pm ET

Did Obama even know who Musharraf is?

Denise   August 18th, 2008 5:01 pm ET

I am reading the post and ind RJ's response to Obama Nation amusing. It worries me that in tis, one of the most important elections we have ever had, and people do not bother to make sure the info is correct. RJ, Obama Nation is so inaccurate, I do not even know where to start. Every news organization has already stated as much.

No, not everybody is reading it. The book shot to the top with a * next to it because the book was purchased in bulk by members of the GOP. Corsi promoted the book on pro-GOP afiliations, and on white supremicst radio stations. White supremist? What does that tell you.

McCain will not win. It is summer, wait until after Labor Day. McCain will not be happy with the results. He is not happy now. He is loosing badly in state polls, and Obama is giving him fits in states that McCain should win hands down (C), NM). He has lost IA, WI, and PA.

Please Love Me and Post My Stuff   August 18th, 2008 5:01 pm ET

Do you really think either of them actually wrote those statments. Why do you think they have advisors and speach writters. They wrote very nice pieces for both of them to put their names to.

Wes   August 18th, 2008 5:00 pm ET

Washington Post – Dec. 28, 2007
"I continue to believe Musharraf has done a pretty good job, done a lot of the things that we wanted him to do," McCain said,

Brian   August 18th, 2008 4:57 pm ET

This is a total McSame flip flop… just a few months ago he was PRO MUSHARRAF. Just like the current administration that has been propping him up for eight years.

Oh the tangled web the Republicans weave.

J. Dean, Juno Beach, FLORIDA   August 18th, 2008 4:55 pm ET

BY THE EXIT OF PRESIDENT PARVEZ MUSHARRAF, WE WISH THE SAME COULD HAPPEN TO GEORGE BUSH, DICK CHENEY AND, WHY NOT, OLD MAN JOHN McCAIN. AFTER ALL ALL OF THE ABOVE WERE PLAYING THE SAME GAME WITH THE SAME TEAM.

Ian   August 18th, 2008 4:53 pm ET

Didn't we help put Musharraf in office?

Voter   August 18th, 2008 4:47 pm ET

Obama is a babe in the woods on foreign policy matters. But he is too cunning for words.

SAVE US FROM OBAMA – the greediest man alive!

Obama is teaching us that elections are all about MONEY and not about the American people at all!

Jason   August 18th, 2008 4:47 pm ET

Obama bothers me as he is never really clear on what he feels is needed in Pakistan. He talks alot about Pakistan and the threat of terrorism there, but always dodges the "would you go to war in Pakistan" question. We need straight answers.

Liars and Cheaters   August 18th, 2008 4:44 pm ET

If McCain didn't know the questions before hand, why did he shout, "yes, yes, yes" before Warren finished asking the question about teachers? Warren could have been getting ready to ask him if all teachers should be burned at the stake for all he knows (that is if he didn't have forehand knowledge.)

Indian Guy   August 18th, 2008 4:42 pm ET

To all the people here questioning Obama's judgement,

India has been suffering because of Pakistan-sponsored terror for decades. It is Obama who correctly pointed out that Pakistan has to be taken to task.
US Foreign policy sucks. No wonder we indians support the Soviets anyday (Atleast, they keep their word)

arc, Lugano CH   August 18th, 2008 4:40 pm ET

Tennessee August 18th, 2008 4:25 pm ET
Does Obama even know who the guy is?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you? Thank God for google, huh?

Independent NYC   August 18th, 2008 4:38 pm ET

Okay I'm sure there is video tape somewhere but McCain never advocated for Musharraf's resignation or a coalition government intervention to claim the political strife. In fact, he has been an unshakable ally to him until it appeared Musharraf could and probably would be impeached. This is a flip – flop and double somersault. Where is the media?

Bob Indianapolis, IN   August 18th, 2008 4:38 pm ET

Thanks to Pelosi and manistream media, we get to enjoy our little war criminal until the bitter end…come on Jan.20th!

Paris   August 18th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

It was Obama that said he unilaterally attack Pakistan if he had intelligence that Bin Laden is there.
It wasn’t John McCain it was Obama who was willing to bom, bom and bom.

Billie Jo Morrison   August 18th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

McCain chooses Leiberman for VP and it's all over but the shoutin' for O'Bama and Joe (has been) Biden. Democrats turned on Lieberman when Leiberman needed them most and now Leiberman will help keep the Presidency where it belongs . . . with the Republicans!

Enlightened Voter   August 18th, 2008 4:36 pm ET

Hey Election Watcher – Where is mccain's VP choice????????????????? you moron.

Tired of W, OH   August 18th, 2008 4:35 pm ET

RJ, the only ones reading that book will be pathetic Limbaugh groupies like yourself that wouldn't have voted for Obama in the first place. The only purpose that book serves is to make its author rich while little boys like you read it under the covers at night and moan.

Paris   August 18th, 2008 4:34 pm ET

Kevin are you stupid or just close-minded?

John McCain said his oe moral failure in life was his first marriage.

John McCain was a leader and Obama showed what he is: a junior senator.

Idaho Thoughts   August 18th, 2008 4:31 pm ET

When did we as Americans loose our tastes for thoughtful arguments and decide that one word canned answers were the sign of a good leader. When McCain answered this weekend that we need to defeat evil – no thought – just words – did it occur to him that this is what Osama Bin Laden thinks he is doing now – defeating the evil that he believes is America. Did he consider that this is what the Spanish were doing during the inquisition. Obama tried to make the point that yes – evil exists, but often in our efforts to defeat it, we ourselves lose track of the evil that we perpetuate on others in the name of good. We don't defeat evil by blindly attacking. It is when people become so sure of their simple positions that we get led into doing horrible things in the name of defeating evil – and yet the American people seem to be swayed more and more by the simple words than they are by the thoughtful words. Are we not smarter than this? God help us if we allow Mccain and the republicans to convince us that we should fear the thoughtful and calculating in favor of the hotheaded "act now and wonder what happened later" leaders that they are portraying themselves to be.

Foreign Observer   August 18th, 2008 4:27 pm ET

Good to see that the bloggers are holding CNN's feet to the fire on the McCain/Warren corruption. Note that the McCain staff has only said "he didn't hear the questions," NOT "nobody called him on his cellphone and told him all about them." The evasions have a clear ring of how-can-I-lie-without-technically-lying.

Tennessee   August 18th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

Does Obama even know who the guy is?

Obamalism   August 18th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

You people act as if Bush and the GOP enjoyed working with Musharraf. They didn't get to choose who was leading Pakistan. You work with what you've got. Same with Russia. It's similar to that thing that obama keeps preaching about. It's called………..wait for it……………………….diplomacy.

Election Watcher   August 18th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

What's with this Obama VP business? Can't he decide, or is he just stringing everyone along to think their favorite candidate will be his pick? Either way I think it's a lot of nonsense and doesn't speak well to his leadership abilities.

wulli   August 18th, 2008 4:16 pm ET

I find it amazing that the PRESS really wants to keep quiet about the fact that both Rick Warren and McBush lied when that said the he was in the cone of silence. Clearly he knew the questions, he was so eager to answer that sometimes Rick Warren could not even finish the question. Sad to have somebody like that run for president.

tim   August 18th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

writing in hillary….for obvious reasons.

Steve - Wyoming   August 18th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

Typical US middle-east policy. We cozy up to a dictator and then act surprised when he turns out to be scum. My enemy's enemy is NOT always my friend.

Sylvia   August 18th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

Obama was right all along. REpubs do not get it and use bad juddgement each time. I'll take judgement over experience any day. You can't teach an old dog new tricks, I guess. McCain is a good example of that.

PG   August 18th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

Its amazing how many of these Obama haters are so uninformed. Are these really Americans willing to vote for Panamanian McCain????

lil   August 18th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

What did mccain say?
bomb,bomb,bomb

Jean   August 18th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

Why use "The Obama Nation" as a voter's guide??????

This election is too important to take a narrow approach to decision making.

The American public is more informed thinkers than that.

VB Lincoln Park NJ   August 18th, 2008 3:57 pm ET

There is no doubt that Senator McBush had some questionsd in advance of them being asked.

We should also remember that he opposed the improved GI Bill, while Senator Obama voted in favor.

My only question about that is WHY??

Mike, TX   August 18th, 2008 3:57 pm ET

Obama is such a liar. He suggested nothing of the sort. A year ago his ONLY foreign policy platform was his opposition to Iraq. Come to think of it, that is still his only foreign policy platform.

Howard Dean, think about revising the primary process before you present another flyweight dead-head as the nominee. You've done your country a great disservice.

Greg Pottstown, Pa.   August 18th, 2008 3:57 pm ET

What do all you dems think about Obama now saying that his income tax plan will not go into affect for another ten years. lot of good that will do for us. What happened to we need change now. Anyone notice that every time McCain takes him to the mat he roles over and changes his plans.

Clare   August 18th, 2008 3:57 pm ET

Obummer included himself-its all about me me me obummer! LOL How weak and BORING
I like McCains response-Way to go !

Danel   August 18th, 2008 3:56 pm ET

If mcCain utter any words without "my friends or surge" more than likely they take it out from wikipedia. Why can't they hire a speech writer?

Tennisguypitt   August 18th, 2008 3:49 pm ET

Obama's excellent judgment strikes again!!!

Obama '08

Debby   August 18th, 2008 3:47 pm ET

I have to laugh Obama keeps saying oh I have long said. WHEN???? I watch his stumps and all his debates with Hillary and never heard him say this. I have heard him say the war in Iraq was wrong a bunch of times, then flip and say oh the surge is working.

KC   August 18th, 2008 3:41 pm ET

Gee they both said the same thing.

Listen Up...   August 18th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

Remember way back when HRC and McCain were clowning Obama for his comments about Pakistan. WELL, guess who was on the money! Face it Obama haters, he does a country good.

Anonymous   August 18th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

"Mr. McCain, speaking in New Hampshire, also sought to convey leader-to-leader chemistry when he called Mr. Musharraf a “personally scrupulously honest” man who deserved “the benefit of the doubt” on uniting Pakistan." Dec. 29, 2007, campaining in NH

Brendan H., San Antonio, TX   August 18th, 2008 3:38 pm ET

Before John McCain states that he'll lead a day and night manhunt for Osama, let him tell us when his wife, Cindy, will release her tax statements and how he qualified to get into flight school ahead of many dozens of better qualified candidates.

We're waiting, McBush!!!

Terrence (Winston Salem, NC)   August 18th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

JUDGEMENT!!!!

Obama 08

Walter   August 18th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

With buddies like McCain, Musharraf didn't need any enemies.

It's amazing how fast these straight-talking, maverick, right-wingers can turn on someone when it suits them.

McCain is a weather vane, blowing which ever way the wind is headed. If the Democrats hadn't nominated the weakest of their major candidates, we'd be planning McCain's funeral right now.

Anonymous   August 18th, 2008 3:36 pm ET

It makes me want to vote for McCain just to put him in his place. Who does he think he is?

Let me guess: Texas?

Donna in ID   August 18th, 2008 3:35 pm ET

It is to bad that we didn't have a Pres. that would admit that he was screwing up and not doing the right things for the USA and resigned. Then we could have impeached Chaney and really cleaned house.

Farrell, Houston, Tx   August 18th, 2008 3:34 pm ET

Now McCain can enter "the gates of hell" in search of Osama bin Laden.

Eric   August 18th, 2008 3:34 pm ET

It's nice to visit some websites, like the Vets against McCain. It was clear, although the media tried to cover it, that McCain never really supported the troops. He would only use his past as POW to gain some votes. But I was unaware of the degree of moral decrepitude this guy was capable of. No wonder Obama is more popular among the troops and veterans.

-Ignored pleas of POW/MIA Family Members for his political influence in the overall POW/MIA Issue as well as with their individual cases

~Verbally abused POW/MIA Family Members in public and private

~Attempted to negatively influence those who testified before the 1992 Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs

~Diminished legislation that gave oversight and protection to the families

~Dismantled protection to any future servicemen that go missing.

ProudToBeDemocrat   August 18th, 2008 3:33 pm ET

Rick Warner is a lying pastor he lied about Mccain being in a closed room, when Mccain's compagn admitted mccain was not in a room. I do not know how Obama can trust this people. Mccain new all the question before hand, he was answering them before the guy finised his question.

Ikem Umealo   August 18th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

On Pakistan Obama has an edge because he remained insightful and knew that a Policy that focuses on the people of Pakistan will always be more expedient that a policy that simply allies a president Musharraf to Washington. Experience did not teach this to John McCain.

Isidore Tamo   August 18th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

Wasn't McSame and president Bush the best advocates for Musharraf? Another flip-flop from McSame. He will say and do anything to win some votes: not this time.

Enlightened Voter   August 18th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

Obama's judgment as usual is right on the money. Mccain's is flawed as usual. BTW was anyone tired of the POW stories during the forum? Is war all this clown ever thinks about??????

FRANK O.   August 18th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

RJ, if your decision to select as our next leader is based on a book called "Obama Nation", I beg and pray that you and people like are in VERY small numbers and that people like you have no net effect on the election outcome. But alas! my prayers have not been answered before and as a result of which our great nation is in the tumultous state it is in right now.

I shall continue to pray for the better judgement of people and for betterment of this great nation.

Lord Help Us All!

ALLAN USA.   August 18th, 2008 3:31 pm ET

If no HRC —no Obama.

LS   August 18th, 2008 3:31 pm ET

McCain left out the phrase "my friends" and the word "surge". If McCain really wrote this, he would have used those two phrases.

Who are we kidding, McCain can't even discuss anything without someone first telling him what to say. And besides, McCain doesn't speak for the Republican party anyways.

Yeah McCain really wrote this . . .sure, uh huh, we believe it – but not really.

johnt   August 18th, 2008 3:31 pm ET

how much does it coast to buy the white house?and will sen. obama be able to readjust to a simple sen. or a presidents measly salary, after the donor money stops coming in. or does he expect his followers to keep donating forever

Judgement over Experience   August 18th, 2008 3:30 pm ET

Your judgment as usual mccain is flawed. The US should have been watching Pakistan as Obama suggested instead of INVADING Iraq over a lie. And in about two weeks you will be saying we need to step into Pakistan to 'settle' their country. You mccain, as you proved in the forum, are all about war. I will go with Obama because I love my country.

Abby   August 18th, 2008 3:29 pm ET

RJ, no one with an open mind is reading a discredited author looking for truth. no one looking objectively is reading that book. So you red-staters who already made up your minds and are struggling for money can make the con-man even richer by buying his book and he will laugh all the way to the bank. Good luck.

JM   August 18th, 2008 3:29 pm ET

PUMA………………………………………………………….

Obama 08 voter   August 18th, 2008 3:28 pm ET

RJ -

if you havent learned, the Obama Nation is nothing but complete and utter lies. WAKE UP! This is why america is in dire threat

Angelo   August 18th, 2008 3:28 pm ET

McCain and friends showed BAD JUDGEMENT when he concentrated on Iraq instead of Afghanistan. See McCain, you are now turning around and saying Obama was right that Afghan is where the terrorists are NOT Iraq!!!!

Kevin   August 18th, 2008 3:27 pm ET

No doubt the media will try to make Obama look bad with this story.

The media has dropped the ball this elecion. If Obama had an affiar, they'd be all over him about it. It would be on the front page.

But nobody in the media bothers asking John McCain about his affair on his first wife.

Why?

Explanation:
CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC are a bunch of cowards. They are a disgrace to journalism.

EDW   August 18th, 2008 3:26 pm ET

LAUGHABLE:
Nicolle Wallace, a spokeswoman for Mr. McCain, said on Sunday night that Mr. McCain had not heard the broadcast of the event while in his motorcade and heard none of the questions.

“The insinuation from the Obama campaign that John McCain, a former prisoner of war, cheated is outrageous,” Ms. Wallace said.

SO THE SAME MAN THAT CHEATED ON HIS 1ST WIFE CAN BE TRUSTED IN ALL THINGS BECAUSE HE WAS A POW??????????

I will win   August 18th, 2008 3:25 pm ET

Same mistake Hillary made – she was over-confident and now Obama's arrogance is showing through. This is going to cost him the election.

It makes me want to vote for McCain just to put him in his place. Who does he think he is?

Monica, Texas   August 18th, 2008 3:23 pm ET

I remember Obama talking about Misharraf nearly a year ago….McCain you were late on this one

Concerned INDEPENDENT CT voter   August 18th, 2008 3:23 pm ET

Obam was right all along!

-V

Torrance, CA   August 18th, 2008 3:22 pm ET

I applaude Musharraf's decision to finally step down, under the threat of impeachment.

Now, will anyone help us get rid of the 3rd member of our own AXIS of Evil and impeach GW Bush? Although we only have him as president until Jan 21st 2009, noon, maybe if the articles of impeachment include garnishing his lifetime salary of $400K per year, our children will get some help in burdening the costs of HIS WAR on the WRONG TERROR…or

after HE declared Victory in May of 2003, the American Taxpayer bills him for the costs which have mounted from that time.

Oh, by the way, the 3rd member of our axis of Political Evil was the UK's Tony Blair.

McCain:SmallWeakCowardlyMan OffersMoreOfTheSame TearsOthersDownToBuildHimselfUp   August 18th, 2008 3:22 pm ET

So did Grampy McCain't lift his response off Wikipedia again or this manufactured from some other "source"?

Abby   August 18th, 2008 3:21 pm ET

Mr McCian, I thought the republican administration loved Musharraf…Another HUGE miscalculation to add to that of Russia/Georgia? We need a leader with good judgment!!

Obama for Peace. Obama for America.

RJ   August 18th, 2008 3:18 pm ET

NO, OBAMA, YOU WILL N – O – T WIN! Because everyone is now reading "The Obama Nation" and finding out what kind of a shyster you really are!

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