McCain raises impeachment - if boots hit ground in Syria
WASHINGTON (CNN) - After endorsing President Barack Obama's plan to launch military strikes against Syria, Sen. John McCain warned the president would face impeachment if he were to put "boots on the ground."
McCain told Phoenix radio host Mike Broomhead on Thursday that the president had "bungled" the entire handling of the Syria crisis and would open himself up to impeachment hearings if he overstepped the limits of the authorization before Congress.
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"No one wants American boots on the ground," McCain told the KYFI audience. "Nor will there be American boots on the ground, because there would be an impeachment of the president if they did that."
While McCain said he still supports the current plan to intervene in Syria, the Arizona Republican's statement seems to reflect his contentious Thursday town hall meeting with some Phoenix constituents. At the meeting, McCain, who has favored a more robust American response to the Syria crisis, faced intense criticism.
"We didn't send you to make war for us. We sent you to stop the war," one man said.
Despite his warning to the president, McCain spoke out in favor of the Syria authorization again Saturday, endorsing former Army Gen. David Petraeus' endorsement of the administration's plan in a tweet.
Only one of three Republicans in the Senate Foreign Relations panel to approve the measure, McCain has vocally advocated for a stepped-up American response to alleged use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government. He even refused to pass the White House resolution out of committee until it included provisions to bolster Syrian opposition forces deemed moderate.
McCain's support for action hasn't stopped the Arizonan from blasting his former 2008 presidential rival for inaction.
In an interview on CNN's "The Situation Room" on Tuesday, McCain told Wolf Blitzer the president needed to "explain to the American people" why urgent action in Syria is necessary. The Republican senator also said President Obama made a mistake by consulting Congress instead of immediately launching a bombing campaign against the Syrian government.
"It's common sense you don't warn them and give them plenty of time to disperse," McCain said.
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Here goes John going back and forth. I am for letting the air fire power of taking care of business. But this is hardly the time to be talking 'Impeachment'.
When will this fool just keep his mouth shut?
"A mistake consulting Congress..."
He's the only one saying this, so he must be right.
So mr war-monger thinks Obama messed up. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
John McSame is so pathetic, as are all republicans.
I remember a time, not that long ago, when republicans like McSame were saying how unamerican it was to NOT support Bushy in his Iraq debacle. Way to rally around the President, senator McSame.
So tell me senator: why do you hate America so much?
McCain is a loose cannon.
Go back to playing video poker, McAlzheimers.
.
Well, now that "John" has given us his infinite wisdom and guidance, I can rest easy KNOWING that President Obama you know ("that one") the one we elected over you, will make the right decision.
Good night.
McCain is right the plan made in the 90's failed because of Iraq. The need for Iraq oil and control for a position for an attack on Iran. So many joined in as the oil business men set up the Taliban as Gov. Bush invited them to tour the US as the 2 billion dollar deal to drill in Afghanistan. Former CIA and Unocal contractor Karzai was set to be President. With the lies and a weak Saddam he was the target. Israel waited as the US next move was Iran. McCain expressed that when he ran for President. McCain saw no Nation can trust the word of the US since the Bush lies. Obama refuses to go to War with Syria and this hurts the McCain/Graham/Cantor War Profiteer contractors as they did well witht the US wasting 3 Trillion dollars in Iraq alone. Few remember NATO joined in the Afghanistan mission but no one accepted the illegal invasion of Iraq and Bush had to pay UK, Australia and Poland. Obama better watch his back the War Hawks are working overtime.
How the frac would this tottering, senile warmonger know? He was playing poker and just raised the bet when he heard the buzzword...WAR! Please, Arizona....put his senile butt to bed...
As if anyone cares what John McCain thinks anymore.
Friggin' chump is all I can think of...at least he had Palin to back him up...and she's quite silent lately, no?
McCain is a low-life. He's been the proponent for military action in Syria and was photographed sitting in group of terrorists. Now he makes critical comments about the President's attempts to provide military support? What a POS!
Obama counted on more support from the EU than he got...these countries are sick of messing with the Middle East...Nothing ever gets settled. Now, even France is waffling. I don't think that "bungled" is the right word...it's more like he misread the tea leaves. Obama should back off and let the UN play out on the topic. We definitely should not strike alone. McCain is correct about one thing...Obama risks a huge and awful reaction if he does that!
Not surprising to see McCain (the never-saw-a-conflict-we-shouldn't-intervene-in-guy) objecting that our intervention wasn't fast enough, although lacking any legislative input.
Double agent!
These remarks coming from a presidential candidate that sang, "Bomb, bomb, bomb. Bomb, bomb Iran." What an idiot.
Thank God, this idiot John McShame did not win the 2008 presidential election. He would have doomed USA.
Obama's plan is working perfectly. He's got everyone running around chasing their tails without firing a shot. Notice there hasn't been anymore chemical attacks.
McCain PLZ shut your f–k'n mouth. If he had bombed without congressional approval we would never hear the end of it. I think a few drones and some well targeted strikes should get the point across. Otherwise the "red line" is meaningless.
Arizona needs to realize that this is about enough out of this loon.
McCain PLZ shut your mouth. If he had bombed without congressional approval we would never hear the end of it. I think a few drones and some well targeted strikes should get the point across. Otherwise the "red line" is meaningless
I like and respect John McCain but he is just plain wrong about Syria at this juncture.
Sir, your honorable, Senator McCain, I don't get you. Right now you are talking out of both sides of your mouth because we know how much you loves the war. Sir when my a ss was beat good for staying outside too late, I never did that again. Why does war fascinate you so, especially given your level of service to this country that we can never repay?
Does McCain mean like George W. MORON screwed up Iraq and Afghanistan?
Or like he picked one of the dumbest women on the planet, Sarah THE BIMBO Palin to be his running mate? The minute she opened her mouth, he was doomed to lose the election.
McCain has one thing right, Obama dropped the ball on this. My guess, he does nothing. Next thing you know radical Islamist will get a hold of those weapons and you can kiss Israel good bye. Eventually they will make their way over here and your pacifistism will not help the poor souls they land on.