Campaign confirms Palin did not go beyond Iraqi border
(CNN) – Sarah Palin did not visit troops in Iraq, a spokesperson for the Republican VP nominee confirmed Saturday, as new details emerged about the extent of the Alaska governor’s foreign travel.
In July of last year, Palin left North America for the first time to visit Alaskan troops stationed in Kuwait. Palin officials originally said her itinerary included U.S. military installations or outposts in Germany and Kuwait, and that she had visited Ireland. An Alaska spokeswoman for Palin had said Iraq was also one of the stops on that trip.
The Boston Globe reported Saturday that Palin visited the Iraqi side of a border crossing - but never journeyed past the checkpoint.
Earlier: McCain defends Palin's experience level
Earlier, campaign aides confirmed reports that Palin’s time in Ireland on that trip had actually been a re-fueling stop.
(UPDATED with campaign statement after the jump)
The Obama camp – which has increasingly accused the McCain campaign of deliberately lying in ads and on the stump – was quick to highlight to that story, along with a news report that explored whether the McCain campaign have been sending out wildly inflated crowd estimates.
The McCain team has twice pointed to law enforcement as the source for those estimates – but the same officials denied to Bloomberg News that they had provided the numbers cited by the Republican nominee’s campaign.
"The McCain campaign said Governor Palin opposed the Bridge to Nowhere, but now we know she supported it,” said Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor in a statement. “They said she didn't seek earmarks, but now we know she hired a lobbyist to get millions in pork for her town and her state. They said she visited Iraq, but today we learned that she only stopped at the border. Americans are starting to wonder, is there anything the McCain campaign isn't lying about?”
A Palin spokesperson also confirmed Saturday that the governor had visited Mexico on a personal vacation trip. She has also visited Canada.
UPDATE: The McCain-Palin campaign issued a statement late Saturday in which they said Palin had traveled into Iraq, although she did not go beyond the border crossing:
"Last summer, Governor Palin travelled to Kuwait where she visited Alaskan National Guard troops deployed to the war in Iraq at Camp Arifjen. While she was there she travelled to the K Crossing on the Kuwait-Iraq border, and a quarter mile into Iraq. According to the General who travelled with her, while she was there she presided over a re-enlistment ceremony of an Alaskan National Guard soldier. En route back to the United States, she travelled to Ramstein Air Base in Germany. While in Germany, Governor Palin visited wounded soldiers at the Landstuhl military hospital. She then returned home. She has also visited Canada, as well as Mexico for a vacation."
From CNN Politics
- DOJ preparing to allege corruption against Democratic senator March 6, 2015 07:15 pm
- Why the biggest challenge to Hillary Clinton 2016 might be the Clintons March 6, 2015 02:32 pm
- Jeb Bush aides used private domain for public business March 6, 2015 11:09 am
- White House grumbling over Clinton damage control March 6, 2015 04:53 pm
- Hillary Clinton asks State Department to release some of her emails March 5, 2015 10:14 pm
- Alternatives to Hillary Clinton 2016 March 5, 2015 08:12 pm
Did they actually say that she visited the troops in Iraq? This is just junk news. It is high time that the media gets on with the issues that plague or nation and stop all this drama. Let us make up are own minds, I like cnn. but it's definitely, one sided.
The whole McCain campaign is a joke!
Horrible! This McCain-Palin ticket is full of lies. We can't trust them, period.
I'm not surprised at all. I doubt that anyone keeping track of the lies, smears, and distortion the McCain-Palin campaign have been constantly giving to the american people is surprised either.
The McCain campaign seems to have a new motto: LIE.
I am suprised by the lies McCain camp is dishing out to the American people.
I will be disappointed if American are gullible to these liars and elect these liars (McCain/palin) ticket into the white house.
'Tayo
wow. this woman's resume gets thinner and thinner as her so called "accomplishments" are repeatedly discredited. first the bridge to nowhere distortion of facts, no this? what's next?
Is there anything she and McMaverick haven't lied about? Ummmm, that would be no.
So basically, she hasn't had any experience with foreign policy, and has lied to us on all of it. Typical Republican........no maverick, and the only change to Washington she will bring, is an amendment that forbids freedom.
This is the first act of McCain. There should not be a second act.
The more we learn about her, the more lies we find!!!! Goodbye Palin- go back to Alaska- you are not fit to be VP! go back to being a hockey mom!
OBAMA/BIDEN
Oh great, another thing this McCain/Palin camp is lying about.
If we can't trust McPain to run a clean & HONEST campaign...how can we trust them to run our great country?! Sure, he served our country for years...but somewhere along the line ol' John lost his integrity.
Active Duty USAF
15.5 years
Proudly Donated To Sen Barack Obama & Can't Wait To Vote For Him!
Wow, if vacations in Mexico and Canada qualifies you as an expert in foreign relations and to be vice president and president then my family should be running the country. Heck, my father in law can be UN Secretary. What a joke is the McCain/Palin ticket. It is an insult to me
Just more lies, and really want to vote for this ticket.
Just more lies, and people really want to vote for this ticket.
What next ? Are we sure this LADY is the Governor of ALASKA ! ! !
More lies from McCain.
So. If we accept lies as the basis for our vote, then do we even understand the common definition of democracy? I prefer to be ruled by a truth-seeking, people-oriented person who understands my daily needs– not just an image in a mirror.
This woman is NUTS and shows just how desperate McGimmick really is.
How Pathetic!
She says, "I did not blink...I would not blink..." I have always thought that stance described a poker player who is bluffing, which is the impression I got of her after watching her interview with Charlie Gibson.
Another lie. America please wake up. She is bad for America. THe Republicans should not be allowed to get away with this.
Why are we focusing so much attention on the Vice Presidents experience level. How about Obama's experience? Running a campaign is not experience. David Duke used the same line when he was running for Governor of Louisiana. The only thing that make Obama not worthy is his race.
The McCain campaign said Gov. Palin opposed the bridge to nowhere, but now we know she supported it," said Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor in a statement. "They said she didn't seek earmarks, but now we know she hired a lobbyist to get millions in pork for her town and her state. They said she visited Iraq, but today we learned that she only stopped at the border.
Americans are starting to wonder, is there anything the McCain campaign isn't lying about?"
Get rid of these two McBumbs. Vote for Obama
I'm not surprised. Quite frankly I find the whole McCain-Palin campaign to be disgusting, dispecible and shameless. They are absolutely unworthy of any respect.