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Title: McCain says he could lose over war issue
Source:
AP
URL Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/mccain
Published: Feb 25, 2008
Author: LIZ SIDOTI
Post Date: 2008-02-25 15:42:49 by richard9151
Keywords: None
Views: 269
Comments: 19
6 minutes ago ROCKY RIVER, Ohio - John McCain said Monday that to win the White House he must convince a war-weary country that U.S. policy in Iraq is succeeding. If he can't, "then I lose. I lose," the Republican said. He quickly backed off that remark. "Let me not put it that stark," the likely GOP nominee told reporters on his campaign bus. "Let me just put it this way: Americans will judge my candidacy first and foremost on how they believe I can lead the county both from our economy and for national security. Obviously, Iraq will play a role in their judgment of my ability to handle national security." "If I may, I'd like to retract 'I'll lose.' But I don't think there's any doubt that how they judge Iraq will have a direct relation to their judgment of me, my support of the surge," McCain added. "Clearly, I am tied to it to a large degree." The five-year-old Iraq conflict already is emerging as a fault line in the general election, with the Arizona senator calling for the U.S. military to continue its mission while his Democratic opponents urge speedy withdrawal. While most Republicans still back the war, many independents and Democrats don't. That presents a significant challenge for McCain and an opportunity for either Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton. McCain acknowledged the war will be "a significant factor in how the American people judge my candidacy." The lead Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, McCain has consistently backed the war although he's long criticized the way it was waged after the Saddam Hussein's fall. He was an original proponent of President Bush's troop-increase strategy, having called for more forces on the ground for several years. Last spring, McCain went all in on the war by embracing it as Bush took heat for boosting troop levels to quell violence. "We can fail in Iraq," McCain said Monday in an Associated Press interview. But, he added: "I see a clear path to success in Iraq." He defined that as fewer casualties and Iraqi troops taking over security to allow U.S. forces to return home. "All of us want out of Iraq, the question is how do we want out of Iraq," he added. McCain has signaled that he plans to make Iraq and national security a major part of his general election campaign. Daily, he accuses both Obama and Clinton as wanting to "wave the white flag of surrender." Democrats, for their part, are arguing that McCain's candidacy is simply a continuation of Bush's "failed" policies. They have seized on a previous McCain remark in which he suggested that U.S. troop presence — at some level — could extend 100 years or more. At a town hall-style meeting in suburban Cleveland, McCain accused Democrats of distorting that comment and sought to explain. "The war will be over soon, the war for all intents and purposes, although the insurgency will go on for years and years and years. But it will be handled by the Iraqis, not by us," he said. Like after other wars, he said, the United States then will decide "what kind of security arrangement we want to have with the Iraqis." While McCain attracts voters across the political spectrum, he is sure to face resistance this fall for his Iraq position in Ohio and other swing states that have seen high numbers of residents die in Iraq. Over the next eight months, McCain said he would take the same approach when discussing Iraq that he's taken all year as he won primary after primary on his way to securing the GOP nomination. Speaking to reporters on his bus, he said he would "tell them that I understand their frustration and their sorrow over the sacrifice that has been made and then I try to explain to them what's at stake and what's going on there now. And that's the best I can do." McCain said his candidacy will be successful "if I can convince the American people, the people of Ohio, that this is succeeding, that the casualties will continue down, although there are occasional spikes." "So I have to, and I believe can, make an argument that the surge is succeeding, that we will end this war and have the Iraqis take over those responsibilities as we more and more assume support roles and then withdraw," he added. McCain recalled reading a USA Today poll that he said showed most people believe the troop-increase strategy is succeeding, and said: "Now, still the majority of Americans want out of Iraq. And, I understand that, too. So do I." The survey actually found that 43 percent — not a majority — said the troop increase is "making the situation there better," up from 22 percent in July. Asked why he asked to retract the "I lose" remark, McCain said much else could impact his chances. "We've got many months to go before the general election," he said. "But is Iraq an important part of the judgment that people will make of me, of course." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I never thought I would see it, or say it, but with the distaste that America obviously has for the queen, I could see McINSane in the Decider's seat. Esp. with a staged 911 event in the summer/fall. I just can not see America voting in a black Muslim. Not going to happen, so, either the dems step in and save the queen, or......................... The survey actually found that 43 percent — not a majority — said the troop increase is "making the situation there better," up from 22 percent in July. And the sheeple prove once again why they are the sheeple.....
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#1. To: richard9151 (#0)
"It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brush fires of freedom in the minds of men." -- Samuel Adams (1722-1803)‡
"It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brush fires of freedom in the minds of men." -- Samuel Adams (1722-1803)‡
Light at the end of the tunnel.
Yeah, sometimes that "light at the end of the tunnel" is a locomotive headed your way. Who in their right mind still thinks George W. Shrub had a good idea in invading Iraq (with his various stated reasons) and ultimately trying to force a highly factional population to live under "democracy"?
Our citizens do not deserve a President as good as Dr. Ron Paul. What we deserve is higher taxes, more government inefficiency, war, regulations and devalued currency.(me) "I am further of opinion that it would be better for us to have [no laws] at all than to have them in so prodigious numbers as we have." the operative words
Two wings of the same bird. Vote all you want, the flight plan doesn't change.
If he had an honorable bone in his body he would commit sucide on broadcast TV.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" Admiral Borda committed suicide for far less.
Most of the cars in the handicapped parking have military veteran insignia elsewhere on the vehicle. And lately, there are a few young looking veterans in those spots. How is McCain going to explain away all those anti-war votes from the military itself?
'He will make Cheney look like Gandhi.' Tom Lantos died of natural causes as an old man.
'He will make Cheney look like Gandhi.' r u home?
Two wings of the same bird. Vote all you want, the flight plan doesn't change.
Now, see, I would make an exception and watch TV for that!
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest.
Uh uh. No no! Not his job! That job belongs to those who count the votes...... its a Diebold thingee.
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest.
Rush Limbaugh will explain it for him. Remember, those are "fake troops."
No. I am in a inet cafe outside of Nadi, tomorrow night I leave Fiji at 22:0 on 27 FEB and arrive at colorado Springs at 17:00 27 Feb. So I will arrive before I leave. Nice trick, yes? Cough cough.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" Traveled to Saginkota (sp) today and had a pretty good time. For a few hours it was not raining. The inland Fiji is very pretty, volcanic forests and got high enough to be in a pine forest. The beach was evident from the bus trip, and I tried to walk to it from the village. Went three K down a dirt road past off the Hwy, past a bunch of goats in the sweltering heat. Made it to the beach, but it was low tide and was two hundred yards of muck to the surf. But I could see the inaccessible turquoiose ocean. Really have not had an excessive amount of luck on this whole trip. Oh well, not been sick, only a $400 camera stolen, no broken legs ....yet anyway, so Ill call it a victory, if the jet doesn't blow up tomorrow. Prolly not planning an a return trip to Fiji next month, or so. Mexico seems a lot better.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" Cough cough. I returned from Vietnam on New Years Day, and celebrated it three different times in three different countries because of time changes. And I might add it "was" a most happy new year.
And the men who loan money to governments, so called, for the purpose of enabling the latter to rob, enslave, and murder their people, are among the greatest villains that the world has ever seen. And they as much deserve to be hunted and killed (if they cannot otherwise be got rid of) as any slave traders, robbers, or pirates that ever lived. ... Lysander Spooner
Well, I can see he is no danger of committing suicide them.
"The difference between an honorable man and a moral man is that an honorable man regrets a discreditable act even when it has worked and he is in no danger of being caught." ~ H. L. Mencken
That had to hurt.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" I remeber the last time I flew back from Guam to Hill AFB in Utah with my National Guard SF unit that had done annual training in the Northern Marianna Islands. I was awake and was on the flight deck of a C-141 talking to the crew watching the accelerated sunrise as we aproached the California coast. I really enjoyed that. Have a safe trip, and I hope the jet lag doesn't get you too bad.
#2. To: richard9151 (#0)
#3. To: richard9151 (#0)
he added: "I see a clear path to success in Iraq."
I've already said too much.
#4. To: MUDDOG, all (#3)
Light at the end of the tunnel.
Michel Eyquem, seigneur de Montaigne (1533–1592)
#5. To: catcher (#4)
Who in their right mind
#6. To: richard9151 (#0)
#7. To: tom007 (#6)
I've already said too much.
#8. To: richard9151 (#0)
U.S. conservative pundit Pat Buchanan, imagining presidential hopeful John McCain in the White House.
#9. To: MUDDOG (#7)
U.S. conservative pundit Pat Buchanan, imagining presidential hopeful John McCain in the White House.
#10. To: tom007 (#6)
#11. To: tom007 (#6)
If he had an honorable bone in his body he would commit sucide on broadcast TV.
#12. To: robin (#8)
How is McCain going to explain away all those anti-war votes from the military itself?
#13. To: robin (#8)
How is McCain going to explain away all those anti-war votes from the military itself?
#14. To: christine (#10)
r u home?
#15. To: All (#14)
#16. To: tom007 (#14)
So I will arrive before I leave. Nice trick, yes?
#17. To: tom007 (#6)
If he had an honorable bone in his body he would commit sucide on broadcast TV.
#18. To: noone222 (#16)
and celebrated it three different times in three different countries
#19. To: tom007 (#18)
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