McCain On Iraq War: ‘This Issue Isn’t Going To Be Around In 2008′
McCain On Iraq War: ‘This Issue Isn’t Going To Be Around In 2008′
In the February ‘07 issue of Vanity Fair, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is quoted telling a group of conservatives last October that the Iraq war “isn’t going to be around in 2008.”
According to Vanity Fair, an audience member told McCain, “The war’s the big issue. Some kind of disengagement — it’s going to have to happen. It’s a big issue for you…in 24 months.” McCain responded:
“I do believe this issue isn’t going to be around in 2008. I think it’s going to either tip into civil war … ” He breaks off, as if not wanting to rehearse the handful of other unattractive possibilities. “Listen,” he says, “I believe in prayer. I pray every night.” And that’s where he leaves his discussion of the war this morning: at the kneeling rail.
Later, McCain told Vanity Fair editor Todd Purdum, “It’s just so hard for me to contemplate failure that I can’t make the next step.”
Quotes attributed to anonymous McCain advisers also suggest that the Arizona senator — who passionately supported the initial Iraq invasion and is leading the charge for escalation — now sees his initial support as a liability:
Asked whether, knowing all that is known now (no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, no effective Iraqi army), McCain would have still supported the invasion, his aides say he doesn’t view the question in such simple terms. …
“He stands by his support for doing something,” one aide said. …
“If you knew we were going to lose, would you still be for it?” the aide asked. “That’s a different hypothetical question, that he doesn’t have to answer yet.”
Read the full Vanity Fair article HERE.
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76 Responses to “McCain On Iraq War: ‘This Issue Isn’t Going To Be Around In 2008′”
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Neither will you, McCain.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:01 pmThe author of the McCain doctrine should get used to contremplating failure.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:02 pmLater, McCain told Vanity Fair editor Todd Purdam, “It’s just so hard for me to contemplate failure that I can’t make the next step.â€
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:02 pm- - Yes, I certainly want another president who's detached from reality and cannot fathom an unpleasant or unwanted outcome to events he can't control. Geeze, you'd think these guys were running for City Dog Catcher.
Anyone got a nice big Panda sticker for McCain?
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:03 pmWow, how far has McCain fallen. One moment talking about the possibility of civil war and where our involvement is and jumps to prayer? As a citizen, I'm glad you pray Senator. I'm sure you were voted into office to do more than pray.
Also “It’s just so hard for me to contemplate failure that I can’t make the next step.â€
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:04 pmIsn't this the pathway to failure?
Too late Johnny boy. Edward has tagged your "McCain Doctrine" and is in the process of making sure you wear it everywhere you go.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:07 pmUh, ok, then. That relieves me cuz, you know, its not like all kind of atrocities have been commited in the name of some God.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:11 pmLook at that picture of him. He is one lost dude. Scary
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:11 pmHe's delusional. No amount of prayer is going to turn things around. The one good thing to come out of this war is that it's destroyed the Republicans chances for at least the next 2 election cycles. And McCain is history if he continues down the path to lala land.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:14 pm“It’s just so hard for me to contemplate failure that I can’t make the next step.â€
Now there's a risk analysis...NOT! And, John, praying to your Deity isn't going to get us out of Iraq. A plan for withdrawal (one that even addresses milestone, setbacks and/or failure) and no more "war" funding gets us out. Say good-bye to your candidacy. We don't need another stay-the-course-bullheaded-W-Type.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:15 pms - dyaa suppose his shirt collar is cutting off his arterial circulation to his brain???
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:15 pmHe better start learning to contemplate failure. Once he hitched his wagon to the Bush-a**, he's been riding toward failure. And prayer isn't going to save you from the reaping of what you have sown.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:17 pmWhy is the perception of losing so difficult for these men?
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:18 pmSo the best solution this President would-be has is to pray?
Pathetic.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:19 pmShock and Awe
Surge and Accelerate
Do you think the Bushies have T-shirts with S and A monogrammed that they didn't want to waste.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:19 pmGreat point, RUCerious, the "McCain Doctrine" will be his albatross. He really does seem to be imploding. I don't know how he could NOT be aware that staying with this hawkish policy is going to leave him high and dry when the tide turns. I used to have respect for him, he does have a good sense of humor, but he's just plain creepy and pathetic now. He'd better be praying for his own soul now.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:19 pm“It’s just so hard for me to contemplate failure that I can’t make the next step.â€
that comment should end his candidacy right now. we do not need another figurehead who has no ability to consider all options.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:20 pmSo McCain can't contemplate failure? We already have a guy in the White House who can't contemplate failure - we don't need another one.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:23 pmMcCain will be the one not around in 2008 - and neither will
George W. And that won't be a moment too soon.
Bush says he prays too, John. He's still a stupid failure.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:24 pmWell, he must be praying that Americans forget that he'll sell his soul to whoever will vote for him regardless of their view of the world.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:25 pmWishful thinking on McCain's part.
He knows that if Iraq is still an issue in 2008, he is toast.
And the rest of the Repukes will be toast too.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:25 pmSo Johnny believes in prayer. Funny, it didn't help Catherine Harris!
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:27 pmHis prayers will make the Iraq War and all of its chaos go away. Why hasn't he been using this power earlier? Someone should put him in touch with Pat Roberts. Together they could rain the rightousness from the sky like.....well....rain.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:27 pmHe said he believes in prayers...but would like to send 50,000 more young people to fight for this war without clarity. His words tells a lot about the foggy mind he has and the illusion world he is living in...He provided no constructive approach other than simplistic meaningless description of the serious problems we have because of this war in Iraq. Has he been drinking with Lieberman lately?!!!
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:34 pmMcCain is a Bush Republican and the last thing America needs is another Bush Republican.
Repeat until Nov. 2008
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:37 pmWhat does believing in prayer mean anyway? I believe in prayer, I know that prayer exists, if only because it does for John McCain.
Does he mean that he believes that by praying it solves whatever problem the prayerer is prayering about??? Because if that's the case, I've been missing the boat all these years. I could pray for a million dollars, I guess McCain believes I'd get the dough, huh?
I wonder though. I can only assume that among the billions of people who pray, at least 1% of them pray for peace on Earth. I guess the successful prayers are praying for something else...
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:42 pmNO NO NO!!!! PULEEZE let him be there to run in 08!
This will be fun to watch. While his head was so far up the Bushco Boyz asses, he lost sight of what reality is.
Just think what Olbermann will do to him, after Dubya has finally decomposed.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:44 pm#28 Therein lies the hypocrisy. Who would Jesus bomb? Who would Jesus torture?
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:44 pmUn-freakin-believeable.
HOW DARE YOU, McCain. This 'issue', as you so euphemistically put it, is going to be around for decades, if not centuries. That's how long it's going to take before the hideous wounds this cabal of bloodthirsty pirates we call the 'administration' has inflicted upon this country and the world in general heal. 'It's not going to be around in 2008', huh? I'll tell you what's not going to be around in 2008, you jackass...the thousands and thousands of American soldiers and innocent Iraqi civilians that had to die because of this idiotic war of choice. In 2008, you go tell their families that this 'issue' isn't around any longer. I expected more of a serviceman, McCain...I really did.
Or perhaps because he couldn't think of any other possibility that would sound plausible.
Prayer, huh? That's great. Our President maintains that he prays all the time, and look where that's got us.
Here's something for you to consider, McCain. Those Iraqis we just can't seem to subdue pray to...and they do it five times a day. You better buy some kneepads, McCain....you've got a lot of catching-up to do.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:49 pm#28 --" What does believing in prayer mean anyway'? For McCain , It means 'pandering' for religious conservatives votes.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:49 pm“Listen,†he says, “I believe in prayer. I pray every night.†And that’s where he leaves his discussion of the war this morning: at the kneeling rail.
Because that has worked so well for us so far... Idiot.
Fine pray to your sky daddy or golden calf for all I care - just DO something in addition. That way at least something will actually happen.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:52 pmde, de, dee.
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:55 pmNO NO NO!!!! PULEEZE let him be there to run in 08!
This will be fun to watch. While his head was so far up the Bushco Boyz asses, he lost sight of what reality is.
You got a point there.
I guess after the way W stole the last two main elections, I'd atleast like to see a moderate Republican get the nod - just in case we get stuck with Diebold picking whomever they run. I'd hate for it to be this emotional version of McCain. The original was much more tolerable. It actually possessed a spine...
Just think what Olbermann will do to him, after Dubya has finally decomposed.
Comment by upside00 — January 3, 2007 @ 3:44 pm
So that's what that smell is...
January 3rd, 2007 at 3:58 pmFine pray to your sky daddy or golden calf for all I care - just DO something in addition. That way at least something will actually happen.
Comment by unbelievable
Exactly. It must be an obligation for christians to look at Jesus as a verb, not as a noun.
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:07 pmKeith Olbermann summed it up best:
John McCain may still hear the applause of small crowds — he has somehow inured himself to the hypocrisy, and the tragedy, of a man who considers himself the ultimate realist, courting the votes of those who support the government telling visitors to the Grand Canyon that it was caused by the Great Flood.
That Mr. McCain is selling himself off to the irrational right, parcel by parcel, like some great landowner facing bankruptcy, seems to be obvious to everybody but himself.
Or, maybe it is obvious to him and he simply no longer cares.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16442767/page/3/
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:08 pmLater, McCain told Vanity Fair editor Todd Purdum, “It’s just so hard for me to contemplate failure that I can’t make the next step.â€
Stunning.
Divorced from reality.
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:15 pmExactly. It must be an obligation for christians to look at Jesus as a verb, not as a noun.
Comment by Juan C — January 3, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
LOL... Good one.
You know Juan, I would be happy if those who live their lives superstitiously would just do it in private. These blatant token outbursts of emotional religiousity met to stir the masses really make me want to puke. (and this IS teeh sugar coated version).
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:16 pm“If you knew we were going to lose, would you still be for it?†the aide asked. “That’s a different hypothetical question, that he doesn’t have to answer yet.â€
And that reponse is surely a campaign success that hasn't happened yet.
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:22 pmUnbelievable, we know the effort it took for you to restrain yourself ;-)
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:22 pmGood work!
This could help explain McCain's breakdown...
Democrats To Start Without GOP Input
Quick Passage of First Bills Sought
By Lyndsey Layton and Juliet Eilperin
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, January 2, 2007; Page A01
As they prepare to take control of Congress this week and face up to campaign pledges to restore bipartisanship and openness, Democrats are planning to largely sideline Republicans from the first burst of lawmaking.
House Democrats intend to pass a raft of popular measures as part of their well-publicized plan for the first 100 hours. They include tightening ethics rules for lawmakers, raising the minimum wage, allowing more research on stem cells and cutting interest rates on student loans.
But instead of allowing Republicans to fully participate in deliberations, as promised after the Democratic victory in the Nov. 7 midterm elections, Democrats now say they will use House rules to prevent the opposition from offering alternative measures, assuring speedy passage of the bills and allowing their party to trumpet early victories.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/01/AR2007010100784.html
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:25 pmObviously McCain is pandering to the Christian Conservative base that brought Bush to power over him. I don't think he wants that to happen again so he uses the "prayer" to connect with them. I suggest his timing is off. I could be wrong but the lengthening shadow of the Christian Conservative movement has passed. We may actually be returning to the world of sunlight and reality. Hopefully we are ascending from the dark ages to the age of reason once again.
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:33 pmUnbelievable, we know the effort it took for you to restrain yourself ;-)
Good work!
Comment by JaneESchneider — January 3, 2007 @ 4:22 pm
Wasn't intentional... I'm too tired to give it the usual attention (school started back) :)
So now that Wayne has his own blog are you thinking of starting yor own? :)
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:33 pmHe's a nut case and an opportunist. Maybe he can run with Pat Robertson.
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:35 pm“Listen,†he says, “I believe in prayer. I pray every night.†And that’s where he leaves his discussion of the war this morning: at the kneeling rail.
Humanists everywhere (including me) weep at the thought that this man might actually have slightly more than a snowball's chance in hell of winning.
Senator McCain, you can't rely on divine intervention to bring either war (Terror/Iraq) to an end. If there were going to be any, I think it would have happened by now. We mere mortal humans are going to have to work this out for ourselves.
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:41 pmUn - welcome back (Kotter!)
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:42 pmmy first evening of class is tonight.
If you were a religious person, I'd ask for your prayers.
But, knowing otherwise, swig or chug would be appreciated!
Jane, what's Wayne's blog url?
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:44 pm#48, never mind, I just clicked his link!!!
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:48 pmWayne, your on my media favorites!
And I will be picking your brain...
Un - welcome back (Kotter!)
LOL I wrote on the board "Welcome back! (I know you missed me)"...
my first evening of class is tonight.
Whatcha taking? Or teaching?
If you were a religious person, I’d ask for your prayers.
But, knowing otherwise, swig or chug would be appreciated!
Comment by RUCerious — January 3, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
LOL... You're a riot!
How about my support? If you ask me, I'll actually answer ; )
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:52 pmRUCerious,
I, um, I , er, I can't tell you how that makes me feel. :-)
Thank you, sincerely. I appreciate that. (Not to be confused with the way the president "appreciates" everybody. Like when on April 20, 2005, he said, "I appreciate my love for Laura." I'm gonna love having this Bushisms desk calendar.) Hope you enjoyed "The Craving".
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:55 pmGood thing you can't feel it when your brain gets picked.
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:56 pmI'll keep this simple for I could go into a tirade about what a complete sell-out McCain is and that he would and will do anything to be president. Anything!
I close my eyes and wonder about the world we're capable of having and then I open my eyes and see the disgusting piece of shit world that we've let a tiny few people ruin for us out of gluttonous selfishness. Eveyone deserves a chance to live. Everyone deserves an opportunity for a good life. And we have the resources to offer and maintain it.
I hope the day will soon come when we demand more of our representatives other than that they pray (maybe 'prey' would be more appropriate).
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:59 pmHe's more demented than I imagined.
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:59 pmSo now that Wayne has his own blog are you thinking of starting yor own? :)
Comment by unbelievable — January 3, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
No plans for my own blog. I'm having enough fun helping with Wayne's. Seeing what Wayne goes through to come up with stuff for his, I don't know if I have the dedication anyway. I might 'contribute' an opinion piece or something to his, so keep an eye out just in case!
January 3rd, 2007 at 5:06 pmI might ‘contribute’ an opinion piece or something to his, so keep an eye out just in case!
Comment by JaneESchneider — January 3, 2007 @ 5:06 pm
there ya go - that's the way to do it... heh...
January 3rd, 2007 at 5:27 pmUn - teaching Introduction to Programming at the CC.
January 3rd, 2007 at 5:39 pmYour support is unwaveringly welcomed! There are 27 inquiring minds to work with this quarter, what a load of fun!
Wayne, your ode to W's Craving was outstanding!
January 3rd, 2007 at 5:40 pmNo apologies for Mr. Poe on that one.
Spot on.
Keep up the good works, I'll be watching!
Progs, McCain has a much better chance of winning than anyone the Dems have offered up yet. Hillary is toooo two-faced not to be made into mincemeat by some slick political ad-man. Is there a position she has not flipped on? Obama is the fresh new face that won't be so fresh in 22 months. Edwards is mealy mouthed, but a brash opportunist. Someone should tell John Kerry he doesn't have a chance in hell - again. I listened to the Iowa Gov the other day - seems very moderate and came across well. But it seems after Iowa, unless he gets a tremendous tailwind, he could sputter and crash. But the Repubs secret weapon is Speakette Pelosi. When "normal" Americans have had their fill of her , Repubs just need to remind moderate voters from which party she belongs..... Thanks Nan!
In short, Hillary has the money but she is one tarnished piece of work. Her only chance is if McCain implodes.
January 3rd, 2007 at 5:41 pmWayne - Like when on April 20, 2005, he said, “I appreciate my love for Laura.â€
January 3rd, 2007 at 5:42 pmCan you imagine a more narcisstic comment??????
#58 RUCerious,
Thanks, I'll do my best. Since I prefer quality over quantity (a policy I wish I could get my lovely wife to endorse, but that's a subject for another thread, as the old folks used to say; well, the prescient ones), there may be some delay between posts. After a few days I'll stop putting the link to my blog in the URL here and return it when there's new content. But I do thank you for visiting my blog and I hope you enjoy some of the other things there, too. (I'll have to figure out how to get some of them back to where people can see them.)
January 3rd, 2007 at 5:45 pm60 RUCerious,
I think it's simply a problem of not having a very strong vocabulary. He says that a lot, and it often seems awkward and ill-fitting to the occasion. If this link to http://www.dubyaspeak.com works, you can see examples of how he loves to use that word. Try here. It just seems, sometimes, that there are other words he could use instead. I guess he just doesn't want to take the time to learn any.
January 3rd, 2007 at 5:51 pmGoogle on "McCaine" and "flip-flop" and your computer will blow up. The smartest political move I've seen in months is Edwards stressing the idea of the "McCaine Doctrine." Edwards is going to force McCaine to flip-flop one more time on this because, of course, it will not work. It didn't work the last time and it won't work this time.
January 3rd, 2007 at 5:57 pmPretty sure McCain will implode long before the election. He has been pandering to special interest, and making it very clear he is only interested in the presidency. He better hope that Iraq is not an issue in 2008, or he is sunk.
January 3rd, 2007 at 6:01 pm#59, MA, In case you haven't read a poll lately, 2/3 of this country is against the war and that number keeps getting higher. Only 12% support an escalation. There's little chance of any pro-war candidate winning in '08. And that includes Hillary.
January 3rd, 2007 at 6:06 pmHillary is not a "pro-war" candidate. She voted for an authorization to use force as a last resort. The resolution also included the stipulations that the administration would go back to the UN for another resolution and report to congress every 60 days on progress in discovering threats to our national security. Hillary says that if she knew then what she knows now, she wouldn't have voted for the resolution. That's pretty clear to me. Edwards says voting for the resolution was a mistake. I agree with that as well. Calling either one of these candidates "pro-war" is a corporate media trick because it blurs the distinctions between these people and real supporters of the war -- republicans.
January 3rd, 2007 at 6:26 pmOk so this guy was in a total cluster phuck of a war, was a prisoner of war for 5 years, was tortured. And has no logical answer to this mess, accept to pray?
What a knob.
January 3rd, 2007 at 6:47 pmThis man, mccain is a very intense looking, over achiever, wacko, who should not be running for anything but a ward room.
January 3rd, 2007 at 7:28 pmyuck
and down on his knees?
January 3rd, 2007 at 7:30 pmThe hanoi hilton was to much like guantanamo. Spent tooo much time.
January 3rd, 2007 at 7:36 pmIs george an exorsist? 666?
McCain,
STFU and DD
January 3rd, 2007 at 7:43 pmIts not going to be around because he prays...
Lord save us from your followers
January 3rd, 2007 at 7:47 pmIn short, Hillary has the money but she is one tarnished piece of work. Her only chance is if McCain implodes.
Comment by mighty aphrodite — January 3, 2007 @ 5:41 pm
McCain has already imploded. MA has joined Herr Hindler in the ability to predict election results.
January 3rd, 2007 at 8:24 pmMcCain sold out his country in service to the Republican Party once Bush captured the nomination. Remember Bush and his stooges villifying McCain? Remember McCain grinning like an imbecile when Bush later kissed his head? I do, and I vote.
January 4th, 2007 at 10:40 amThe one good thing to come out of this war is that it’s destroyed the Republicans chances for at least the next 2 election cycles.
Honey, your the delusional one if you think that the Republicans will not WIN the White House again in 2008!!!! Hillary will NEVER becaome Preisdent of this Country!!!!!
January 6th, 2007 at 7:13 pmHillary is not a “pro-war†candidate.
Hillary VOTED FOR the AUTHORIZATION for the War in Iraq. Sorry Left Wing Liberal Communists but she is Stuck with that VOTE!!!! No she is trying to run as far away as she can get away from it.... Hillary will SAY anything and Promise anything to get Elected!!!! She should run for local Dog Catcher..
January 6th, 2007 at 7:17 pmI hope the day will soon come when we demand more of our representatives other than that they pray.....
The problem with you Left Wing Liberal Cimmunist Demoncrats is that YOU WANT THE GOVERNMENT to HAND you everything.... GO GET A JOB!!!!
January 6th, 2007 at 7:19 pmDems have offered up yet. Hillary is toooo two-faced not to be made into mincemeat by some slick political ad-man. Is there a position she has not flipped on? Obama is the fresh new face that won’t be so fresh in 22 months. Edwards is mealy mouthed, but a brash opportunist. Someone should tell John Kerry he doesn’t have a chance in hell - again.
I think this is a very accurate assessment of the Democratic Candidates in 2008, and the reason that the Republican Candidate in 2008 will lead us into VICTORY for the 3rd time in a row!!!!! Mitt Romney, the Governer of MA. will be the Republican Candidate in 2008!!!!!!
January 6th, 2007 at 7:22 pm