McCain: Iraq surge is working
McCain said Wednesday the Iraq surge is leading to success.
WASHINGTON (CNN) – White House hopeful John McCain said Wednesday he believes the surge in Iraq is working, and thinks that if the situation in Iraq continues to improve, so will Americans’ attitudes about the war.
“The situation has dramatically improved,” said McCain during a press availability on Wednesday. “If we can see the same progress in the next 7 or 8 months I think most Americans would be satisfied.”
The Arizona senator is seeking the Republican presidential nomination.
However, he added that the Iraqi government still has work to do in order to progress.
“I believe that the (Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki) government understands that they have to make some progress,” he said. “And I have done everything I can to urge them to do so.”
McCain is a vocal supporter of the Iraq war and the decision to increase the number of U.S. troops in the country..
- CNN Political Producer Xuan Thai
There are some who will never believe the surge is working because they need America to fail in Iraq in order to advance their political agenda – which is to elect Democrats.
ThirstyJon
Shades of Vietnam.
We are always "turning the corner" but somehow we never seem to complete the turn. I'm weary of turning; I'm ready to have turned.
Let's see the surge is working, casulties are down, but then again we are not conducting intensive combat operations on a daily basis either are we. Do you think that might be a reason as to the lower casulties.
The Iraqi government is still incapable of running Iraq. The Iraqi military is still incapable of performing its mission, the Iraqi police are still feared and despised by the very people that they are not protecting. So what has changed.
New strategies (through no help of the administration) appear to be working in some areas of Iraq, but they do not involve troop surges, they envolve partnerships and working together with the tribal leaders. The situation in Iraq can not be resolved with the use of military forces.
Now we have been training the Iraqi army how long, how many battalions have we trained for the Iraqi military, how long does it take for us to train an American combat battalion? We could have retrained the entire US military in the time we have been trying to train the Iraqis, sometimes when dealing with losers you just have to cut your loses and leave.
Senator McCain and I do agree on one thing however, waterboarding is torture and is illegal and he should know.
It is excellent that the troop surge in Iraq has reduced violence in Iraq. It is my hope that the Iraqi government and Iraqi people will step up and take full advantage of the opportunity that America and it's allies have provided.
After 3.5 years, it is difficult to digest the fact that many of my fellow Americans are actually hoping that our mission in Iraq will fail. Their hate for President Bush and Republicans in general prevail over what is best for America and the world: A peaceful Iraq.
I will pray that our mission in Iraq continues to improve so our brave troops can return to their families.
I am not republican or democrat but McCain is one of the only republicans I would vote for. He is smart and knows what he is talking about.
I don't think enough time has gone by to know if it is working or not but i also know i would never have the right information to make that call. I love how all you people out there think you know all about Iraq and what is going on. Really? I think maybe people are so close minded to it at this point it dose not matter what happens everyone will say we are losing and should pull out with out really knowing anything. I am disappointed.
Does it occur to anyone with a brain in the USA that the candidates on both sides of the Nomination procedure are responsible in one way or another for the mess we're in both politically and financially? Can we not find someone to run for President who actually cares about us for a change?
Oh my, well, since the "surge" is working so well, he can address the diplomatic employees who will be forced to fill posts at the US Embassy in Iraq? Some have called it death sentence. Hmmm....This is their policy of their making. They do need to take up residence along with Ms. Rice, oh yes she needs to be there. How do they think the troops feel also getting a death sentence? Oh, they are dipolmats and this should not happen to them? Well the "surge" is working, so what's the problem?
Uh-oh... bad news for the Dems.
They have to much politically invested in America's defeat.
James, Tampa FL
I have some great waterfront property for you!
I love all these liberals who can not and will not accept good news from iraq. The surge is working. US deaths are down. We are closer to winning this war and getting out.
You libs are vested in defeat. You have hated bush and the war from day 1. The worst thing that could happen, in your minds, is for the US to win. So when good news comes out of Iraq because of a plan that libs blasted, you libs will think of any reason to discredit it.
I don't like McCain either, but you can not deny it. He is right here.
LIKE IT OR NOT, THE TROOP SURGE IS WORKING.
Pete in Denver Co
Why don't you look into Ron Paul. He's got the answer.
He's bald, he's not going to win. Enough said. How many baldies have we had since TV?
LIKE IT OR NOT, THE TROOP SURGE IS WORKING.
Posted By josh
There's absolutely no fullproof data to support this claim, in either the media, or your post. And just WHY are you so excited to lend blind support to someone who's intent to go to war was so extremely premeditated??? The war was a farce upon its initiation, and the "surge" is farce chapter 100. I fail to understand what benefit any American realizes, from our continued lop-sided mid-east policy. If we weren't so hi-jacked in regards to our policies, we would have been staying home, and getting a 30+ year head start on eliminating the need for oil.
It's obvious that the oil money is worth FAR MORE to the cartel that controls both the money, and Israel policy in this country, than is the welfare of those who really built this nation...its outrageous that such a large number do not see this for what it is.....
"The surge is working? OMG, only because the US backed Shiite are killing the all the Sunni. C'mon John, you're about as lost as Lieberman"
Lieberman isn't lost....he knows EXACTLY what he's doing...and that is by far the most frightening thing about it. Biggest supporter of AIPAC, and its subversive impacts on Americans...
Sorry to spoil your “choose to lose” party libs but the lack of doom and gloom headlines, from the corrupt media, is proof that John knows what he's talking about.
Bush, the LIBERATOR! Ha Ha!!
McCain just shows what a moron he is every time he opens his mouth.
CNN,
Did my comment offend one of you? Is your department run by Pravda?
Unlike some I won’t apologize for the truth. Where there is smoke there is fire!
McCain: Iraq surge is working
Posted 10/31/2007 05:00:33 PM
Current 11/1/2007 03:00:00 PM
39 Comments???
PUUUUUWEEEEH!! I smell CNN corruption under this ticker too..
Military lives are not a numbers game. Millions of Iraq's have fled their homes. Afganistan is a total disaster. Oil prices are "surging". Americans are in billions of debt with CHINA! McCain needs to stop chanting the same old Bush rhetoric which accounts for him being low in the polls. Let Al-Maliki take care of his own country and his friend Ahmadinejad with help him.
Yeah right McCain, Like you said "Baghdad was safe" as you walked around in a bullet proof vest, armed guards and air security!
Barack Obama
Needs to start ANSWERING questions re: What his plans for CHANGE are!
So far Ive heard a lot of him saying we need to change the status quo. But HOW does he intend to accomplish this? What are his plans/ deadlines : The War in Irac
Healthcare, The econmy?
His charisma, and good looks are NOT going to ACCOMPLISH change anymore than his WORDS or PROMISES without plans.
This candidate lacks the REQUIRED EXPERIENCE!
Barack Obama
Needs to start ANSWERING questions as to WHAT his plans for change are!
So far I've heard him
SAY we need to change the status quo. But HOW does he PLAN to do it?
WHAT are his PLANS for: The WAR on IRAC, HEALTHCARE REFORM,The ECONOMY?
His Charisma and good looks are NOT going to ACCOMPLISH change any more
than his WORDS or PROMISES of CHANGE WITHOUT a PLAN OF ACTION!
This Candidate LACKS the REQUIRED EXPERIENCE!