As Public Sours On Iraq War, McCain Distances Himself From Public Opinion Polls
As Public Sours On Iraq War, McCain Distances Himself From Public Opinion Polls
Sen. John McCain today issued a desperate defense of his escalation strategy, urging his audience to disregard the political will of Congress and the American people to begin a withdrawal. “Let’s put aside…the small politics of the day,” McCain said. “The judgment of history should be the approval we seek, not the temporary favor of the latest public opinion poll.” Watch it:
There used to be a time when McCain was fond of citing the latest public opinion poll to justify his Iraq policy:
“And we cannot cut-and-run. And I’m glad that 58 percent of the American people believe that we should stay the course, as well.” [Hannity & Colmes, 6/28/05]
A year later, despite the fact that the polls had turned against him, McCain was still falsely claiming that most Americans oppose a timetable for withdrawal.
In September 2006, McCain decided to go on the offensive and attack the American public about its position:
“Americans are really kind of schizophrenic about this issue,” Mr. McCain said just prior to a fund-raising lunch for Rep. Dan Lungren, a Republican of California. “They’re frustrated, and they want us to get out, but if we ask the American people if we should set a certain date or a calendar, they agree with the president, and with me.”
Now that McCain is squarely opposite the side of the people, he is desperately appealing to the “judgment of history.” Unfortunately for McCain, the judgment of history will be even harsher against the administration’s chief cheerleader of “the greatest disaster in American foreign policy.”
Transcript:
I know the pain war causes. I understand the frustration caused by our mistakes in this war. I sympathize with the fatigue of the American people. And I regret sincerely the additional sacrifices imposed on the brave Americans who defend us. But I also know the toll a lost war takes on an army and a country. We, who are willing to support this new strategy, and give General Petraeus the time and support he needs, have chosen a hard road. But it is the right road. It is necessary and just.
Democrats, who deny our soldiers the means to prevent an American defeat, have chosen another road. It may appear to be the easier course of action, but it is a much more reckless one, and it does them no credit even if it gives them an advantage in the next election. This is an historic choice, with ramifications for Americans not even born yet. Let’s put aside for a moment the small politics of the day. The judgment of history should be the approval we seek, not the temporary favor of the latest public opinion poll.
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64 Responses to “As Public Sours On Iraq War, McCain Distances Himself From Public Opinion Polls”
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Discounting this one, what's the over/under on how many posts before someone jumps on one of Jake's juvenile, jingoistic jeers? (Yeah, I've got a literary device and I'm not afraid to use it.)
It gets old, people.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:26 pm...
boy, he really needs to just shut up for a while.
Hire a spokesperson for his tours.
"don't speak, don't speak"
April 11th, 2007 at 2:31 pmHistory will not be kind to the McCains; they talk of history, yet know nothing about it. He is so afraid of another Vietnam, he's willing to risk breaking the military to avoid losing. A moral coward.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:32 pmHe was for the polls before he was against them.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:34 pmMcCain is a liar and political whore. If he is representative of the people in Arizona, then I say "Fcuk you" to them. If he does not, then I say to the people of Arizona, "Lay off the peyote and start doing something before you get us all killed."
April 11th, 2007 at 2:36 pmThis guy is nuts.Americans please do not allow another insane idiot in chief to be leader of your once great nation.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:38 pmMcCain saw the Republicans lose the house and senate in 2006 because America was souring on this war for non-existent WMD.
What does he need someone to hit him over they head with a frying pan?
And I though the Wabid Wabbit didn't have much sense.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:39 pmFlip-flop McJowls forgets that it's the will of the people that drives our policies...by voting out people like him.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:40 pmBush you, Pork Chop...
April 11th, 2007 at 2:40 pmComment by Badmoodman
Well worded, well written!
lol
April 11th, 2007 at 2:41 pmI have dry crap stuck to my butt as I sit here and type this.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:42 pmI love it! Most people bring up the fact that he is a waffler, but on this issue he stayed with his convictions. Maybe there is hope for Mcain afterall.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:44 pmI think McCain has mostly, pretty much, kinda, been consistent on this issue.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:46 pm“Let’s put aside…the small politics of the day,†McCain said. “The judgment of history should be the approval we seek, not the temporary favor of the latest public opinion poll.â€
I don't know about you, but I get real nervous when a politician starts saying 'history will vindicate me'.
I seem to remember Rummy and Chimpy echoing the same sentiment. Nice company you're keeping, John.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:47 pmJohn McCain, you're doin' a HeckuvaJob!
April 11th, 2007 at 2:49 pm#13.....like, McCain continues to commence to begin to start to get ready to distance himself further from reality...?
April 11th, 2007 at 2:51 pmThis has nothing to do with McCain flip-flopping on whether he listens to polls or not.
He only talks about them when they are in his favor, and ignores them when they don't agree with his views.
He wasn't fond of citing just any poll as you suggest. He was simply fond of citing THAT poll because it agreed with his views.
So again, he hasn't changed his mind on listening to polls, he's just always only listened to the polls that agree with him.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:54 pmWho are you going to believe?
Me or your lying eyes??
Richard Pryor, meet John McCain.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:55 pm#16, exactly.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:56 pmAs Public Sours On Iraq War, McCain Distances Himself From
Public Opinion PollsRealityThere that's right
Badmoonman, 45
April 11th, 2007 at 2:57 pmComment by Anonymous By Choice
Just like every other Republican in office (or trying to get into office) today.
"I only listen to 'THE math'."
April 11th, 2007 at 2:58 pmMcCain is insane like Old Bushies. Who does he think he is as he works for us. I am so tried of the Right Wing Nut Republicans. We need to impeach Bush, Cheney and their Admins before it is to late. This guy needs to resign. He will never, never, never be President.
God help us all.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:02 pmwhat a sad little man... desperate to grab just a little more power
April 11th, 2007 at 3:03 pmMcCain is not a schizophrenic; he's profoundly and totally mentall compromised! His campaign is toast now that he's effectively separated himself from the american people. There has never been a president elected who did not have the people supporting him to some extent. At this rate, McCain's numbers are flagging as the american people patently and totally reject him.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:16 pmMcCain is going down with the ship. Why he is backing the President I will never understand.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:16 pmIt's seems McCain has not been distancing himself from the Constant Koolaid he's been sipping.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:16 pmMcCain's "history" will indict him; just as it will continue to do to Bush.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:17 pmMcJowls isn't a flip-flopper now; he's gone totally over the edge - never to return again.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:17 pmMcCain = Psychopathic Liar
He should just drop out now, he's pathetic.
I am SO ANGRY today at the world and the events. Is there hope for a better world?
April 11th, 2007 at 3:19 pmWow, John, I've got a great idea. How about driving around Iraq in your 'Straight Talk' bus.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:19 pmRight-wingnuts like diseased-rabbit seem to think that stubbornly sticking to one's convictions is a desirable attribute. All it proves is that Bush, McCain, etc. are too f*cking stupid and faux-macho to learn from their mistakes.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:23 pmwhat a sad, sad man. an empty shell. there is no longer a soul in there, just an empty shell of a man.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:23 pmDear John:
You are looking really pale. Maybe you shoulr check with your doctor although it looks like you may already be dead.
Sometimes when a person is part of an evil plan they start dying from the inside out. If there's any life left in you at all please seperate yourself form the evil doers and try to regain some respect.
And dear, I wouldn't worry about the Presidency right now because it appears you'd be lucky to keep your Senate seat in the next election.
Sincerely,
April 11th, 2007 at 3:31 pmMother
It's so exasperating when these clowns evolk history as their saving grace. Well, historically these guys will still look like fools. Everyone will wonder why the attack-happy shoot-first-and-never-question crowd called themselves 'conservative'. Historians will be confused because people who claim to be Christian are the ones bashing compassion, the party in power during the worst attacks in US history are the ones falsely blaming the other side for being weak; and people still listen to incompetent leaders who have been proven wrong over and over again.
McCain sounds crazy now, and he'll sound crazy historically, too.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:48 pmCharges against Duke LaCrosse players droppped.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler — April 11, 2007 @ 3:44 pm
Do you also have ADHD?
This thread is about your boy king's illegal actions.
April 11th, 2007 at 4:02 pmRight-wingnuts like diseased-rabbit seem to think that stubbornly sticking to one’s convictions is a desirable attribute. All it proves is that Bush, McCain, etc. are too f*cking stupid and faux-macho to learn from their mistakes.
I don't think that- I do however think that changing views everytime a new poll comes out is a poor way to govern.
April 11th, 2007 at 4:17 pmCharges against Duke LaCrosse players droppped.
Comment by Jason M. Hendler — April 11, 2007 @ 3:44 pm
The only reason they were ever charged was racism and a district attorney trying to use that racism to get elected.
April 11th, 2007 at 4:19 pmHistory will most likely be even harsher on Dubya and his fellow GOPers than the media is right now. Iraq is a total and complete catastrophe. The genie is out of the bottle and there's no way to put it back. The failure in Iraq will go down as one of the biggest blunders in our history, right next to our misadventure in Vietnam.
McCain and other war supporters will not be remembered kindly. Bush will be demonized. It is sad to think that there are people who long for the days when they lived under Saddam's boot! Yes, people in Iraq would rather return to life under a dictator than live in the chaos and death that the invasion and occupation have brought them.
McCain is chasing after a swiftly-diminishing minority of war supporters. Ditto for the other GOP hopefuls. It is clear that the American people never wanted this war to start with and don't want it now. The president who ends this war will be lauded as a hero, unlike the one who started the war and will be remembered as a fool.
April 11th, 2007 at 4:21 pmMcCain over here Polls, public, presidency over here
April 11th, 2007 at 4:33 pmThe only reason they were ever charged was racism and a district attorney trying to use that racism to get elected. Comment by rabidbunny — April 11, 2007 @ 4:19 pm
The only reason you don't see racism, is because you're a racist. Prick.
April 11th, 2007 at 4:38 pmI don’t think that- I do however think that changing views everytime a new poll comes out is a poor way to govern. Comment by rabidbunny — April 11, 2007 @ 4:17 pm
What, you don't believe that democracy should rule? You don't believe the opinion of the people in a democracy should matter?
Figures. Fascist f*cks like you never care about the will of the people.
April 11th, 2007 at 4:40 pmInteresting that some here talk about how history will judge harshly Bush and the other crooks. Conveniently, they don't mention how history will judge the little people who ELECTED the criminals and sat back and allowed the crimes to be committed both in their complacency (laziness) and with their funding.
Yup. Just like history, both in our memories and the "history" books, makes a clear distinction between the "H" man and the people that elected him. That’s why when we refer to them it is always in the singular “Nazi†of course.
Fools.
April 11th, 2007 at 4:57 pmAlternate Headline
As Public Sours On Iraq War, McCain Distances Himself From Last Remaining Shreds Of Sanity
April 11th, 2007 at 4:59 pmHe's got the gall to call the American populace schitzophrenic....
April 11th, 2007 at 5:09 pmPolitician talk. Emptiness. Irrelevant.
April 11th, 2007 at 5:13 pmCan one of you history majors help me out here. It seems to me that anologies to IraqVietnam are not the correct ones to make. Isn't it and similarity to the USSR and Afghanistan that is the more correct one?
I know that it's popular to give Raygun credit for the fall of the USSR but wasn't it their endless, failed, unwinable and impossible expensive war in Afghanistan that brought the USSR down? Wasn't it Bresnev's hubris and delusional denial that kept them there until it was too late.
You historians can help but wasn't it our (Raygun, Abrams, the neocons) exact plan to bankrupt the USSR by supporting Bin Squatin and the Mujahadeen by keeping them fighting an unwinnable war?
BTW - How many more years could the USSR have kept going if it had an unlimited credit line from the ChiComs. Imagine the ChiComs rubbing their hands and licking their lips as they watch our Bresnev bring our country to the door of implosion.
April 11th, 2007 at 5:32 pmThe only reason you don’t see racism, is because you’re a racist. Prick.
I do see racism, the Duke lacross players were charged because of racism.
April 11th, 2007 at 6:03 pmThanks for discounting public opinion, McCain. I'm sure Hitler was thinking along the same lines as he swallowed the poison.
April 11th, 2007 at 6:03 pmI do see racism, the Duke lacross players were charged because of racism. Comment by rabidbunny — April 11, 2007 @ 6:03 pm
Thanks for proving what a racist and misogynist you are. The sad part is that you're such a bigot, you think you're the good guy. Typical wingnut.
April 11th, 2007 at 6:39 pmFlip-flop McJowls has dropped to third place behind Fred Thompson who is not even in the race...BWAHAHAHAHA!
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-poll12apr12,0,6959476.story?coll=la-home-headlines
April 11th, 2007 at 6:39 pmrabidbunny = ct, Jake, Patrick1, etc., ad infinitum
April 11th, 2007 at 6:40 pmBack on thread - McCain and Dennis Kucinich are the most honest pols running for President today. Both have an opinion based on their understanding of the problem and both have managed to stick to their guns (sorry Dennis! no pun intended...)
Of course, I believe Kucinich would hide behind his new wife if Islamic jihadists came through his front door. McCain has the moxie to take a stand against an impatient public and stand for the preservation of our country and culture. This is a man of principle - whether you agree with his stance or not.
April 11th, 2007 at 6:56 pmP.s. Headline - "As Public Sours On Iraq War, McCain Distances Himself From Public Opinion Polls".....God I HOPE so.....It's called L-e-a-d-e-r-s-h-i-p...
Tooodles..........
April 11th, 2007 at 6:58 pmBack on topic....because of McCain's cowardice and hypocrisy he has fallen to third place for the republican nomination...behind someone who is not yet in the race...
April 11th, 2007 at 7:01 pmP.s. Headline - “As Public Sours On Iraq War, McCain Distances Himself From Public Opinion Pollsâ€â€¦..God I HOPE so…..It’s called L-e-a-d-e-r-s-h-i-p… Tooodles………. Comment by valiant venus — April 11, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
Actually it's called DICTATORSHIP. In a *democracy*, leadership is when you deliver what the people want, effectively and competently. Just like when a General goes out and delivers what the commander tells him to do. He's not creating his own orders that defy the president, in order to show leadership - he's executing them. You're a st*pid c*nt.
April 11th, 2007 at 7:41 pmBack on thread - McCain and Dennis Kucinich are the most honest pols running for President today. Both have an opinion based on their understanding of the problem and both have managed to stick to their guns (sorry Dennis! no pun intended…) Comment by valiant venus — April 11, 2007 @ 6:56 pm
McCain is a dishonest twit that has waffled and flip flopped on every issue. Your ignorance of this historical set of events is typical of the sort of partisan hack b*llsh*t I expect from a st*pid c*nt like yourself.
Of course, I believe Kucinich would hide behind his new wife if Islamic jihadists came through his front door. McCain has the moxie to take a stand against an impatient public and stand for the preservation of our country and culture. This is a man of principle - whether you agree with his stance or not. Comment by valiant venus — April 11, 2007 @ 6:56 pm
McCain, a man of principle? BAHAHAHA, you HAVE to be joking? The same guy that said Falwell was a kook, only to beg for his support?
As for preservation of our country and culture, right wingnuts anti-american terrorist minded fools like you are doing a fine job of trying to destroy it from within. McCain is exactly the sort of principled person you are - UNprincipled. You'll do any immoral, dishonest and hateful act you can to get what you want. You don't value democracy, and you don't understand it. You're nothing more than modern day religious terrorist nazis.
April 11th, 2007 at 7:48 pmNo. 53 Comment by valiant venus:
P.s. Headline - “As Public Sours On Iraq War, McCain Distances Himself From Public Opinion Pollsâ€â€¦..God I HOPE so…..It’s called L-e-a-d-e-r-s-h-i-p…
"Leaders" of this kind don't get to lead at all, as they are not trusted to understand the situation when under fire. No one wants to follow someone up a hill who is only playing with a 51 card deck.
April 11th, 2007 at 7:59 pmThe people stuck a fork in him. McBush is done. So, please tell me what name you will be trolling under when McBush loses, so I can rub your nose in it.
No. 55 Comment by ValiantVenusGrewFromUranus
You’re a st*pid c*nt.
Heeeyyy, don't go insulting st*pid c*nts like that! They have far more integrity and smarts than trolls that stink up TP.
April 11th, 2007 at 8:07 pm#53 P.s. Headline - “As Public Sours On Iraq War, McCain Distances Himself From Public Opinion Pollsâ€â€¦..God I HOPE so…..It’s called L-e-a-d-e-r-s-h-i-p…
Would that be the maverick leadership or the other kind?
April 11th, 2007 at 10:41 pmTo actually listen to the American people. Are you kidding me?
They read way too much belief into the term "leaders". They should try to focus on "Representative" of the people. Which is not what is always in their moral superior mind which is best for the People.
That is the trouble, They aren't listening........................
April 11th, 2007 at 11:32 pmAmericans are really kind of schizophrenic about this issue?"---FOR LAUGHING OUT LOUD, HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH!!!!! LOOK WHO'S TALKING---MR. PASTY-FACED, FLIP-FLOPPING, SCHIZOID PSYCHOPATHIC SOCIOPATHIC HYPOCRITE AND LIAR John McPAIN!!!!
April 12th, 2007 at 12:32 amNOW COME AND LISTEN TO THE STORY OF John McCain
HIS NAME SHOULD BE CHANGED TO John McPAIN
THE REASON FOR THIS CHANGE IS CRYSTAL-CLEAR
HE'S A F*CKING HYPOCRITE WITH A SHIT-EATING LEER!!!!
A ROYAL PAIN IN THE ASS IS HE
WITH HIS DIABOLIC CHUCKLE AND "HEE HEE HEE!"
HE CAVORTS ON TV AND TRIES TO RAISE HIS OWN HOPE
HE'LL NEVER BE ELECTED IN 2008, THE EVIL DOPE!!!!!
McLame has more flip flops than a discount beach Store on the Grand Strand...I sometimes wonder if him, the Chimperor and others have any concept of reality whatsoever.... what about the missing parents and psychological as well as monetary damage this godforsaken war is going to cost our grandchildren.... grrrrrrrrr thats OK Fire Imus, but give Hannity,Coulter,O'really,ad nauseum a pass. keep the focus off whats really important.... can we say "Alberto"
April 12th, 2007 at 10:13 amWonder what his ex-wife would say on a character reference?
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0607.benen.html
April 13th, 2007 at 9:17 am[...] 2005, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) believed in polls: I’m glad that 58 percent of the American people [...]
April 14th, 2007 at 6:21 pm