McCain Flip Flops, Now Says He Would Not Consider Redeployment Under Any Scenario
McCain Flip Flops, Now Says He Would Not Consider Redeployment Under Any Scenario
In a recent interview with The Politico, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said that if his escalation strategy for Iraq fails, then he would consider redeployment:
“If this strategy doesn’t succeed, we will have to devise another strategy,” McCain said. “But I have to hasten to add there are no good options.” One of those options, McCain said “is to withdraw to the borders (of Iraq) to try to keep other countries from interfering. Maintaining our bases in Kuwait and other places. There are a lot of scenarios.”
It didn’t take long for McCain to backtrack from redeployment. Last night, in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, McCain said under no scenario would he consider withdrawing troops, even if escalation fails. He said he would only consider it when “we have the situation under control.” Watch it:
In the interview, McCain also said Vice President Cheney was wrong to state that there have been enormous successes in Iraq. McCain claimed he has “bitterly disagreed” with the “failed strategy” for more than three years. In fact, here’s what he said approximately a year ago:
I think the situation on the ground is going to improve. I do think that progress is being made in a lot of Iraq. Overall, I think a year from now, we will have made a fair amount of progress if we stay the course. If I thought we weren’t making progress, I’d be despondent.
Transcript:
COOPER: Is there any scenario in which withdrawing troops would be acceptable to you, or redeploying them?
MCCAIN: Not until we have the situation under control, to the degree that the Iraqi government can exert its influence through most of the country, that you start with the — that you move forward with a political and economic process.
COOPER: So, success is crucial before the U.S. can pull out in any meaningful way?
MCCAIN: That’s my view. And that view, by the way, is held by the majority of experts that I know about the region.
[...]
COOPER: Vice President Cheney told Wolf Blitzer last week that there had been enormous successes in Iraq. Is that your belief?
MCCAIN: No. No, it’s not. I think we’ve had a failed strategy which I bitterly disagreed with for more than three years.
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65 Responses to “McCain Flip Flops, Now Says He Would Not Consider Redeployment Under Any Scenario”
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Seems like a severe case of snapping synapses.......
January 30th, 2007 at 12:11 pmHow could anyone seriously consider voting for John McCain for president? He seems to be just bending with the wind.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:14 pmAnd to think, THIS IS THE REPUBLICAN FRONT-RUNNER for President in 2008!!!
January 30th, 2007 at 12:16 pmThe oil companies must be pissed at McCain. . . they gave a ton of money to the repubs to get military permanent US military protection for their investments in Iraq and then McCain said we're going to leave! Ops, I guess a few irate oil CEO's were on the horn to John faster than he could fall asleep. They really need to give him the complete play book, if he's going to keep talking about Iraq.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:23 pmOh sweet baby Jesus....he actually said 'stay the course'.
Someone get McCain a copy of the new Repuke talking-points...he's obviously still working off the old list.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:24 pmWhat a spineless putz! Give it up, McCain. No one believes you or even wants to hear you, anymore. America wants leaders who are committed, not NEED to BE committed.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:24 pmUnder what conditions would McCain be so despondent he'd remove himself from the pool of humanity?
January 30th, 2007 at 12:24 pmI wonder how much money AIPAC is giving him?
January 30th, 2007 at 12:25 pmProof positive that McLame has sold out to the oil companies. He's been "convinced" to stay in Iraq forever!!
January 30th, 2007 at 12:25 pmIn the 2002 run-up to the elections, the Bush Administration smeared Mc Cain and his family in brutal, disgusting ways. The impughed his wife's mental competency, his daughter's legitimacy (by making racist comments) and other snipes. That Mc Cain can even allow himself to be in the same room with His Decidership shows that he (Mc Cain) is a man of zero character, an out-and-out whore.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:25 pmthats a man who doesnt believe in accountabilty.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:25 pmchief republican loon mccain has cracked.
putting mccain in the White House to succeed bush would be THE most irresponsible thing Americans could do.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:26 pm.
John " I will say anything to get elected' McCain is a joke ! Stick a fork in him because he's done as a credible candidate.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:26 pm"If I thought we weren’t making progress, I’d be despondent."
Maybe a year ago McCain still had a shred of honesty left in him. He sure looks despondent to me. Or on drugs. Or both.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:28 pmhttp://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=727495
THE ISRAEL FACTOR
John McCain, Republican
Current position:
Senator for Arizona (elected 1986)
Curriculum vitae:
Born: 1936
Spent five years as a POW during the Vietnam War
Ran unsuccessfully against Bush in 2000 for Republican presidential nomination
Memorable quotes:
# "We haven't taken the military option off the table [for Iran], but we should make it clear that is the very last option, only if we become convinced that they are about to acquire those weapons to use against Israel...I think that if they are capable with their repeatedly stated intention, that doesn't mean I would go to war even then. That means we have to exhaust every possible option. Going to the United Nations, working with our European allies. If we were going to impose sanctions, I would wait and see whether those sanctions were effective or not. I did not mean it as a declaration of war the day they acquired weapons." (Interview in The New Republic, October 16, 2006)
# "Of course, we don't want to see the House of Saud taken over by Islamic extremists and go the way of Iran with the fall of the Shah. But we also have to understand that, unless there is progress in Saudi Arabia, sooner or later they will fall." (September 11, 2006)
# "There can be no comprehensive peace accord between Israel and the Palestinians until the Palestinians recognize Israel, forswear forever the use of violence, recognize their previous agreements, and reform their internal institutions." (May 2006)
# "In the wake of yesterday's Palestinian elections, Hamas must change itself fundamentally - renounce violence, abandon its goal of eradicating Israel and accept the two-state solution. These elections are evidence that democracy is indeed spreading in the Middle East, but Hamas is not a partner for peace so long as they advocate the overthrow of Israel." (Statement released the day after Hamas won the Palestinian elections, (January 26, 2006)
# "The Oslo accord failed because it was based on the premise that the Palestinian and Israeli peoples could live peacefully together. The security fence will test whether they can live peacefully apart. There will be further negotiations on the exact geographic location of the fence that can be agreed upon by both parties. The United States is happy to consult and advise, but the people that determine the security of the state of Israel is the Government of Israel." (Press Conference with Silvan Shalom, August 19, 2003)
# "I think the Israeli people would agree that we can't wait for rogue regimes like Iran, Iraq, and Syria to develop the weapons that would seriously challenge Israel's defenses, and our own. I think Israelis would agree that a posture of robust deterrence against aggression is no longer enough in this age of weapons of mass destruction." (Speech to American Jewish Committee, May 2002)
# "Terrorism is terrorism, whether in the form of professional killers who crash civilian aircraft into buildings or amateur murderers undistinguished by anything other than their willingness to take innocent lives. A political solution to the conflict with the Palestinians is the best answer to Israeli insecurity, of course. But no moral nation--neither Israel nor America--can allow terrorists to chart the political course of its people. No freedom-loving nation can tolerate a terrorist state on its border. And no great nation can abandon the obligations of moral clarity for the convenience of situational ethics. If we are serious about the values we in America and Israel live by, and the opportunities we would like all people in the Middle East to enjoy, we can allow terrorists no role in the political process." (Speech delivered at the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, April 2002)
# "In addition to her moral commitment to Israel's security, America must provide Israel with whatever military equipment and technology she requires to defend herself, above and beyond what we supply today if necessary. Our support for Israel must intensify, as threats to Israeli security have intensified." (AIPAC conference, June 2001)
January 30th, 2007 at 12:30 pmOne of those options, McCain said “is to withdraw to the borders (of Iraq) to try to keep other countries from interfering."
Or helping...
January 30th, 2007 at 12:33 pmOr keeping the Iraqis from running away from the bloodbath...
If you don't like what McCain has to say... just wait five minutes. He'll change his mind.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:33 pmComment by DM — January 30, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
Or making sure the oil is all for US...
January 30th, 2007 at 12:35 pmIs he okay? Somebody check him for dementia.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:35 pmHe said he would only consider it when “we have the situation under control.â€
Control...this is what it is about for the Repugs. What right do you have to think you should control another country that you have attacked with no justification. A blanket of babble and lies is not justification.
America is the threat to the rest of the world. Now do the American People want to be part of that or do they want to stand up against it? Maybe a tax cut would convince you to go and kill a few more people in some far off place you know nothing about?
A general strike until the President and Vice President resign may be one option. It might be a long uncomfortable strike? From where is stand, anything is better than alternately sucking on your thumb and with your head up your ass.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:36 pmUnder what conditions would McCain be so despondent he’d remove himself from the pool of humanity?
Comment by RUCerious
Well before the last elections he did say if the Democrats took both houses, he would kill himself. LOL
January 30th, 2007 at 12:38 pm#21 - Thanks Wayne, I seem to remember that, but wasn't sure.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:40 pmSo the only question is,
His rope or mine?
"Senator/Governor/Congressman, since the bush junta has no intent to leave iraq if you're elected do you pledge to set a timetable that will have us out of Iraq within one year of your inaugaration?" We should ask every dem candidate this question. Except for Kucinich The tap dancing would be intertaining.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:40 pmMore incoherent ramblings from everybody's favorite brain-damaged war monger. McCain GO AWAY!!! You have zero credibility to speak on any matter. He has been proven wrong again and again on Iraq. I really hope they nominate this moron for PRes.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:41 pmMcCain is going to need another shovel and two extra hands soon.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:42 pmIf I thought we weren’t making progress, I’d be despondent.
You mean despondent like those of us who live in reality having been feeling about our continued occupation of Iraq?
The difference is, Mr. McCain, you are in a powerful position with direct influence over whether or not this problem continues. Instead of ending the occupation to prevent despondency (to say nothing of death), you use massive denial to do so (and the dying continues).
January 30th, 2007 at 12:43 pm#21
Well Wayne, since he rarely means what he says, and never follows through on anything, I supposed holding our breath for that occurence would be an effort in futility, unfortunately.
Is McCain off his meds, or what? This guy is certifiable. How can anyone even begin to entertain the thought of electing him, for any office, ever again?
January 30th, 2007 at 12:45 pmWould McCain's "two extra hands" be his VP running mate? If he wins the primary (and I would not be surprised if this is all but prearranged), who would want to run with him?
January 30th, 2007 at 12:46 pmChange the song, and the dance will change.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:47 pmNice move McCain. Very good.
how do you want your eggs mister?
answer; scrambled, no over easy. No, in a cup. wellllll....omelette would be better. No, how about benedict?
raw and inserted through each nostril
January 30th, 2007 at 12:47 pmMaybe McCain's self-destructive behavior stems from a guilty conscience for colluding in the swift-boating of his fellow war hero (and flip-flopper) Kerry ... more thoughts on the impact of his flakiness in the fall election:
January 30th, 2007 at 12:56 pmhttp://www.culturecloud.com/Articles/00001801/The_Real_John_McCain.aspx
The current senior senator from Arizona will say anything to get nominated and elected president. He is using the playbook of the current demented, corrupt president. Remember "I'm a compassionate conservative?"
So, anything the current senator from Arizona says can be considered a lie until proven otherwise.
Moral of this story:
January 30th, 2007 at 12:57 pmSeen one lying NeoCon, you've seen them all!
Is John McCain still alive? I thought he promised to commit suicide if the Dems gained control. He should take care of that.
January 30th, 2007 at 1:06 pmIf McCain wasn't as delusional as Bush he'd be despondent right now like the rest of us.
This man will never be President.
January 30th, 2007 at 1:10 pmI honestly can't believe I thought I would vote for this guy less than a year ago. Poor John McCain has sold his soul to the republican devil for his last chance to be President.
January 30th, 2007 at 1:12 pmMcCain is a failure. He failed his mission in Veitnam and was caught and tortured for it. I will never understand why some consider him a hero. They should have killed him when they had him.
January 30th, 2007 at 1:16 pmHey McCain -remember how it was when you were held prisoner, back when? That's HOW I FEEL now with the likes of you and your creepy party friends babbling all your lies, lies, lies. Shut the hell up and keep your shit-for-brains for yourself. You're a waste of my precious time and you only serve to irritate me and make me use filthy language. Now, go F- yourself, ya bastard.
January 30th, 2007 at 1:19 pmMcCane is one good example of bad mental health. Term limit's, age limits, shrink exam;s and thorough back ground check's should be mandatory to public office....If all the above were done we would go far in cleaning up the house/senate and white house...If done tomorrow we would have to hold a new election....
January 30th, 2007 at 1:22 pmhere is one of the first reports of McCain's suicide statement.
Remember the Republicans were also bragging about the "bulletproof" gerrymandering that would prevent Democratic takeover of the house.
All the gerrymandering did this time was prevent what would have been a truely historical shelacking.
McCain got the mid terms wrong, he is wrong now
-----------------------------------------------------------------
By Dan Gearino | Wednesday, October 18, 2006
TODAY: (Updated 1: 32 p.m.) DES MOINES — U.S. Sen. John McCain answered with some dark humor when asked today what he would do if Democrats gain control of the House and Senate.
“I think I’d just commit suicide,†he said with a smile.
“I don’t want to face that eventuality because I don’t think it’s going to happen,†he added.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
January 30th, 2007 at 1:26 pmNo doubt about it, the last shred of McCain's tattered credibility has taken the straight talk express out of town.
January 30th, 2007 at 1:29 pmWhenever I see a picture of McCain from now on I always stop with this image in mind...
McCain sucking his election finger and then holding it out to the wind...and then going that direction of course.
January 30th, 2007 at 1:36 pmMcCain sucking his election finger...
Comment by Joanie Doe ®™ — January 30, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
Is the "election finger" the middle finger? 8-))
January 30th, 2007 at 1:41 pmHE would not consider redeployment ??
I must be totally uninformed.
Just what signifigance is there in what this man would or would not consider ?
January 30th, 2007 at 1:57 pmHe should just commit suicide and get it over with.
January 30th, 2007 at 2:00 pmDear John,
Would you consider trying Cheney, Rumsfeld and Bush for High Treason on 9-11 as a good option?
Sincerely yours,
January 30th, 2007 at 2:02 pmThis guy flip-flops more than a fresh-caught striped bass on a hot wooden pier.
January 30th, 2007 at 2:02 pmCan you feel it? The political winds are starting to blow in a different direction ....
January 30th, 2007 at 2:18 pmSTOP DIGGING JOHN!!!!
January 30th, 2007 at 2:20 pmCan you feel it? The political winds are starting to blow in a different direction ….
Comment by Jason M. Hendler
No Jason, I think that was your own wind, blowing out of your ass.
January 30th, 2007 at 2:27 pmwhat did Mcain read the latest polls and learn he was alone in his thoughts....
January 30th, 2007 at 2:35 pmWhat a flip floper, he has lost all credablity!
McCain might not actaully remember all the stuff he said. That's even more of a reason he is not fit to be President.
January 30th, 2007 at 2:41 pmThis guy is just DONE politically, he simply doesn't know it. His attempts to position himself for a primary victory with the conservative right are rendering any general election victory impossible.
January 30th, 2007 at 2:45 pmI really do hope that McCain is the Republican candidate. It will give his opponent so much material to work from. Talk about the ultimate flip-flopper. The democrats can have a ball with that one.
I suspect that the Republicans are getting very nervous at the thought of McCain as their presidential candidate. And if I hear the words "straight talk" used in the same sentence with the name McCain one more time I think my head might explode. I can't believe that the MSM is still talking about him in that way.
January 30th, 2007 at 2:54 pmMcCain sucking his election finger…
Comment by Joanie Doe ®™ — January 30, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
Is the “election finger†the middle finger? 8-))
Comment by dixie blood — January 30, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
Now THAT was funny!!
January 30th, 2007 at 3:08 pmThat was freakin hilarious.
ROTFLMAO hahaha LMAO
Why can't we be clear. Bush and all GOP candidates (including McCain) want the US to stay in Iraq. There is no plan to leave. Bush policy is aimed to make it possible for US troops to stay for a decade. No steps are being taken to allow withdrawal to be a possibility.
Bush and the Republicans don't want to leave Iraq and are not trying.
January 30th, 2007 at 3:12 pmI hope this jack@ss wins the primary!!!
This is a bigger flip flop that what was portrayed by Kerry!!! And yet, NOT one wingntu has called him on his gaffe's???
Interesting...
January 30th, 2007 at 3:28 pmSounds to me like McCain's got either senile dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Either way, the man is not fit to be POTUS.
January 30th, 2007 at 3:58 pmLet's pause, and listen to the sanity of a True American Patriot, Russ Feingold (such a contrast to the bumbling, word fumbling Shrub.)
January 30th, 2007 at 5:07 pmSadly, McCain may the sacrificial swine who is being pushed forward into the line of fire.
January 30th, 2007 at 5:28 pmThere will be a far more sinister personage stepping to the front line of the line when McCain totters to the floor.
This same tactic was used to promote Harriet Miers onto the Supreme Court, who was eminently unqualified, unwanted, and just plain repulsive. And who should emerge from behind her bullet riddled carcass.......a Chief Justice who has yet to show his true colors...........
Another example is John Bolton to be U.N. ambassador.. clearly doomed from the start, he didn't last, and look who emerges from behind his shredded corpse to coast into the position...... Khalilzad Oil Man..........
Any one else notice this pattern, or have I been out in the woods to long.........?
John McCain, 1993: "I can tell you what will erode our prestige. I can tell you what will hurt our viability as the world's superpower, and that is if we enmesh ourselves in a drawn-out situation which entails the loss of American lives, more debacles like the one we saw with the failed mission to capture Aideed's lieutenants, using American forces, and that then will be what hurts our prestige."
Funny how so many republicans were such doves during the Clinton administration.
January 30th, 2007 at 6:16 pmDoes this guy ever say anything he can stick to?
January 30th, 2007 at 7:45 pmMcCain is seriously wacked out - in the years he's occupied the spotlight he has turned, twisted and flip-flopped more than John Kerry in a Neal Cavuto wet-dream. What else could reasonable people conclude, except that he is dangerously inconsistent and liable to sudden and dramatic swings in direction and expressed purpose. Aside from his military cred. (nimd you, he's no Jim Webb) the guy has painfully little to offer in terms of real policy proposals, and anything he does advance is the direct result of some polling freshly taken. His window of opportunity closed a few years ago, and many are neglecting to tell him that. That being said, I hope the RNC pisses away its last nickel trying to push him as a candidate - him, Giuliani, and/or Gingrich. Inifinitely thick "fear goggles" would not be enough to get any of those three clowns elected.
January 30th, 2007 at 8:04 pmI'm just gonna stop listening to McCain. It's too painful.
January 30th, 2007 at 8:43 pmMccain says:
I think we’ve had a failed strategy which I bitterly disagreed with for more than three years.
How can McCain say such a thing with a straight face?
If I had any respect left for this man, it is gone now. It wasn't too long ago that he and Lieberman were talking about their support for a "sustained surge":
“There are two keys to any surge of U.S. troops: to be of value, it must substantial and it must be sustained,†he declared in a speech at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), a think tank that is home to some of the most hawkish strategists on Iraq.
[...]
McCain “is taking a position that is not based on putting his finger in the air and gauging the direction of the political winds,†said his ally, Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent Democrat from Connecticut who just won re-election. “He is doing what he sincerely believes is best for the national security and safety of our country…. John’s taking a gutsy positionâ€
McCain calls for substantial, sustained surge
Wow. Simply wow. I am speechless...
January 30th, 2007 at 9:22 pmI disapprove of your use of the term "flip flop" in the headline. It's bad when conservatives pin it on liberals and it's equally bad when we try to pin it back on the right, because it discredits the process of decision-making and changing your mind.
True, many people who "flip flop" are just tacking with the winds of public opinion, but some may be reacting to changing circumstances or learning from their mistakes.
January 31st, 2007 at 9:55 am