McCain Hypocritically Attacks Reid For Criticizing General
McCain Hypocritically Attacks Reid For Criticizing General
The Politico leaked word today that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) was critical of outgoing Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Peter Pace and Iraq commander Gen. David Petraeus during a conference call Tuesday. Reid reportedly called Pace “incompetent.”
Within hours, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) released a statement charging that Reid’s remarks were “incredibly disappointing” and “highly inappropriate.”
McCain’s outrage is pure hypocrisy. Last February, when Gen. George Casey stepped down as the top U.S. commander in Iraq and was nominated as Army chief of staff. McCain was highly critical of his appointment, going so far as to issue an “extremely rare public reprimand” to Casey during a Senate hearing:
While there are very pressing questions about the future of the Army, you will, of course, in this hearing be asked to review the mistakes in American strategy in Iraq during your command, how the previous Iraq strategy was formulated, why it failed, and why it was not changed sooner, and the lessons that were learned…And you’ll need to explain why your assessment of the situation in Iraq has differed so radically from that of most observers and why your predictions of future success have been so unrealistically rosy.
Apparently only John McCain gets to have an opinion on high-ranking military officials.
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Wow, is this symptomatic of that affliction formerly known as senility, or what?
June 14th, 2007 at 4:08 pmDesperate for GOP votes, me thinks.
IGNORE THE TROLLS - Debate good, Trolls bad
June 14th, 2007 at 4:08 pmI can’t believe McCain would be hypocritical. He’s a maverick.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:08 pmI know there’s all sorts of proof and facts. But he’s a maverick.
Is he still polling in the double digits?
John McCain is a war hero with years of combat experience.
Peter Pace is a distinguished marine and the first to head the JC.
Harry Reid is a gaming commissioner.
I know whose opinion I value!
June 14th, 2007 at 4:13 pmMcWho?
June 14th, 2007 at 4:16 pmI know whose opinion I value!
Comment by m12
But do you know how many people value your opinion. Apparently not.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:16 pmMcCain, being hypocritical???
SAY IT ISN’T SOOOOOOOOOO!!!
June 14th, 2007 at 4:17 pmSome of the “Conservatives” remind me of toddlers - they are “in the moment” and have no concept or care of what they have said or did in the past.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:17 pmDidn’t we learn about electing presidents with dementia after Reagans appearance at the Iran/Contra hearings? McCain should start advocating for stem cell research and give up his other aspirations. Time is obviously running out for him.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:18 pmSome of the “Conservatives†remind me of toddlers - they are “in the moment†and have no concept or care of what they have said or did in the past.
Comment by Robert
And it’s all about me, me, me and my taxes, my taxes, my taxes. Just like a bunch of toddlers with no boundaries.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:19 pmThat Politico report is a piece of garbage.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:22 pmI’m not sure McCain has “years of combat experience”. I’m pretty sure he flew combat missions for less than a year before he managed to run his plane into NV flak. But he has years of POW experience.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:22 pmBut do you know how many people value your opinion. Apparently not.
Comment by shane
Outstanding Shane! perfectly stated. Yeah, that’s right m12, McCains a war hero. Who said that? Its awful he was a POW, but a war hero? Stop it…Just remember, anybody Bush appoints is a loyal follower of Bush - nothing more and nothing less. If Pace was appointed by Bush, then he is by rule - a loser who puts his loyalty to ‘dear leader’ before his loyalty to the constitution. Another simple answer to simple questions….
June 14th, 2007 at 4:22 pmBig difference between McCain questioning Gen. Casey to his face at a public congressional hearing where Casey has the opportunity to respond and Reid talking about Pace and Petraeus behind their backs to a bunch of bloggers.
Nice try, TP….But the two incidents are not even remotely similar.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:23 pmBlah, blah, John McCain…blah, blah, war hero…blah, blah, Peter Pace…blah, blah, distinguished…blah, blah, Harry Reid…blah, blah, gaming…blah, blah, ad nauseum…
June 14th, 2007 at 4:24 pmIt just seems so incongruous that he would not remember what he says about a particular high profile person only months ago.
And if he did not remember himself, (red flag) where are his advisors to bring such an obvious error to mind?
Leading to the question: Do McCain and his people honestly think no one is going to notice?
Or maybe this is just his way of hoping to simply belong in a future GOP administration, something like Ambassador to Paraguay….
June 14th, 2007 at 4:26 pmExley, go back and read the story and try to stay on topic. I know it’s difficult for you but up your dose of Ritalin and try again. Thank you.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:28 pmNice try, TP….But the two incidents are not even remotely similar.
Comment by Exley
Because you and the other neocons say so. The times they are a changing. And progressives don’t need a bunch of treasonous neocons to tell us what to do or say. You wouldn’t vote for a Democrat if your life depended on it so who care what you think.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:30 pm“F@ck you!!! I know more about this than anyone else in the room!!!”
-John “Family Values” McCain
June 14th, 2007 at 4:33 pm05/17/07
Outstanding Shane! perfectly stated. Yeah, that’s right m12, McCains a war hero. Who said that? Its awful he was a POW, but a war hero? Stop it…Just remember, anybody Bush appoints is a loyal follower of Bush - nothing more and nothing less. If Pace was appointed by Bush, then he is by rule - a loser who puts his loyalty to ‘dear leader’ before his loyalty to the constitution. Another simple answer to simple questions…
Years of military service discarded and called a loser by an American citizen he tried to protect.
Gee, I wonder why military officers hate the Democratic Party.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:33 pmGee, I wonder why military officers hate the Democratic Party.
Comment by m12
If members of the military hate the Democratic Party so much why did their votes have to be caged? Just wondering why all those ballots were thrown out by you Republicans if they are on your side.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:37 pmThe Politico lies again.
and exley is dumb enough to fall for it
There’s your Republican party for you.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:39 pm.
Buck Fush
June 14th, 2007 at 4:40 pmIt is a real shame that you are so stupid that you are unable to defend your position and must resort to giving yourself cute user names in an attempt to build your self esteem .
Perhaps it is that you are unaware that not one single Democrat in the house or senate voted against Gen. David Petraeus . the Problem is that if anything go right in this war it makes Democrats look bad . Remember
good for the Country , bad for Democrats . Thats why you never hear ” Its The Economy Stupid anymore . : P
Losers There’s your Democrat party for you.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:41 pmFunny, no one who was on that call remembers this nonsense about “incompetence.” Petraeus wasn’t even mentioned by name.
I wonder if the PolitiDrudge will pony up their sources? Or is this another snipe hunt by the rightwing’s favorite closet-case?
June 14th, 2007 at 4:41 pm.
if mccain were really a tough guy and a hero he’d be dead, because we all know only cowards surrender.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:42 pm#21
I think you’re confused…it was your hero Gore who tried to block the Florida absentee ballots.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:42 pmnot to spoil the fun or anything, but first of all, the supposed “comments” by Reid are being said by others on the call to have never happened. also, Gates was out and being moved into a token position. he had been dressed down already. i’m sure that mccain sees a difference between speaking derisively about someone no longer in charge on the ground and someone who is.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:42 pmSo criticizing veterans at any point in their lives is wrong?
June 14th, 2007 at 4:43 pmNo matter what they say or do?
What a twisted view.
If McCain were truly a war hero he’d be dead because only cowards surrender.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:43 pm…..
huh, what, did you (McCain) say something?
June 14th, 2007 at 4:44 pmThats why you never hear †Its The Economy Stupid anymore .
Yep, no Democrats are talking about this lousy economy. Right.
You truly are stupid enough to be a conservative. Go serve your betters, slave.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:44 pm.
Forget what McCain said. How did he smell today? Does he have any of that Aqua Velva action going on? Perhaps a hint of the post-shower passing of gas, which I frankly find quite stimulating in a purely masculine way? Can we get an intern to get a nose up McCain’s ass? Let’s move people, we got a show to put on in less than an hour!
June 14th, 2007 at 4:45 pmForget what McCain said. How did he smell today? Does he have any of that Aqua Velva action going on? Perhaps a hint of the post-shower passing of gas, which I frankly find quite stimulating in a purely masculine way? Can we get an intern to get a nose up McCain’s arse? Let’s move people, we got a show to put on in less than an hour!
June 14th, 2007 at 4:45 pmThe Politico is no better than a Gossip Sheet for the Wingbats on the right. Just like Matt Drudge. And just like a Gossip Sheet there is no corroborating evidence and no attribution for the remarks that Sen. Reid ALLEDGELY made about Gens. Pace and Petraus.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:46 pmAnd as usual the Wingbats went batshit crazy about a non-story. Bunch of rubes!!
I think you’re confused…it was your hero Gore who tried to block the Florida absentee ballots.
You mean the ones that were “corrected” by Republican officials in-country? Yeah, that has everything to do with the military, right? USAF officer testified that they had all received double ballots.
Nice banana republic you pukes are running. Too bad you’re losing control.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:46 pm.
McChaos needs to relax. That vein on the side of his head is about to explode.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:53 pmOn second thought, be totally outraged, yell scream and stomp your feet!
Better yet, take off your shoe and pound on the podium with it!!
He does look a little like Nikita, doesn’t he?
Desperation.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:53 pmYears of military service discarded and called a loser by an American citizen he tried to protect.
Comment by m12 — June 14, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
Sounds like a good description of you, You’re12, talking about John Kerry or Jack Murtha.
Oh, but I forgot — IOKIYAR.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:54 pm#16 It just seems so incongruous that he would not remember what he says about a particular high profile person only months ago.
And if he did not remember himself, (red flag) where are his advisors to bring such an obvious error to mind?
Comment by heyzeus
Me thinks he spent a few too many nights racking up Hanoi Hilton Frequent Stayer points and the impact is now in full view to the world.
As a fellow Veitnam combat Vet, I am sorry to see this happen but it seems one logical explanation.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:55 pm#39
John Kerry was a General like Peter Pace?
Unlike Pace, Kerry is actually a loser. He lost the election.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:00 pmPosing tough questions in a senate hearing when a general is sitting in front of you with the ability to defend yourself is way different than hurling insults to appease the base, when it is clear that the general will be in no position to defend himself.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:00 pmAt this rate of turn-over, we’re going to be completely run out of leadership within the arm. we’ll have to start promoting Privates straight to Gen.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:04 pmBuck Fush
It is a real shame that you are so stupid that you are unable to defend your position and must resort to giving yourself cute user names in an attempt to build your self esteem .
Comment by Harry Truman
It’s not as if YOU would do something like that, would you….er, Harry?
June 14th, 2007 at 5:04 pmUnfortunately for McCain, he left his gonads in S. Carolina during the 2000 Primary when he rolled over and played dead for Dubya and PudgeBoy Rover. And now he is trailing a flip-flopping Mormon, a flip-flopping ex-mayor and a TV actor in the polls.
HMMMMMM!!!! Any correlation there?
June 14th, 2007 at 5:05 pmMcCain is senile, and criminally insane, so ignore his rabid remarks.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:05 pmMcCain is insane…I mean batshit crazy.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:10 pmupside00
Yes the correlation is related to Americans getting their news in 30 second sound bites. And the fact that polls are the opinion of 1,001 Americans. Then only 20% of voters vote in the primary, so you smell special interest? So the candidates in the general election are there because of the very few Americans. If you ask me, all of the current politicians in congress are acting like children. BTW, Harry Reids office will not confirm or deny the report in the politico blog.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:16 pmYears of military service discarded and called a loser by an American citizen he tried to protect.
Gee, I wonder why military officers hate the Democratic Party.
Comment by m12
If the military officers you just built into ’strawmen’ are fighting to defend the constitution - not bush - then they should be proud of my god given, inalienable right to express myself, no? Or is it you who feel an american citizen has no right to speak his/her mind? For your information, I live 500 yards from the main gate at Miramar Marine Air Station. I know those brave soldiers ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT my right to express myself and to criticize the idiot who put them in harms way. You seem to not like my criticism, and then you project YOU OPINION onto our brave soldiers. The soldiers would say to you the very same thing as I do: STFU! Clear? Clear!
June 14th, 2007 at 5:17 pmRhetoric Buster -
I agree with you on the Childish Congress…. the only adults in this group are Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich… and because of your soundbite and special interest comment, neither has a rat’s ass chance to get nominated, let alone elected!
June 14th, 2007 at 5:21 pmOkay, that tears it. Politico needs a new name.
GOPolitico!
June 14th, 2007 at 5:22 pmMore than 30 years ago; I killed for my country. I was awarded a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. Corrupt, incompetent, politicians made me a murderer.
Now? Corrupt, incompetent, politicians are turning a new generation of American Heroes into murderers.
The whole lot of them, including the traitorous Dems., should be in The Hague facing a War Crimes Tribunal.
That being said, I know why the leaders of our military are being purged. You see, Men like Gen. Pace have a bad habit of telling the truth. That truth could hang our beloved Prez and his minions.
There is no way Bush and Company will allow honorable military men to face the questioners. And, being good soldiers, they will accept personal disgrace.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:29 pmPete -
I too, had a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart but I threw them over the WH fence back in the Day….. challenging another illegal and immoral war. Guess we never learn from our past and are destined to repeat it.
Shows what we get for allowing unqualified and immoral leaders to be elected.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:33 pmJohn McCain has a very favorable personal story. He would be leading the pack except for one major problem…the voters aren’t Buying what he is Selling. Voters, particularily Independent Voters, have made up their minds about Bush’s Iraq War, and they want it over.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:35 pmMcCain is constantly reshuffling his campaign staff, hoping to get his message to the voters. The voters get the message, and the results are NO SALE.
Bottom line- Bush is the commander and chief that got us into this mess with his lies. Now all these military guys are just falling on their swords. And McCain got hit in the head too many times. He should be bashing Bush and not defending the military. Bush bashes them when they disagree with him and the Dems. bash them when they act like puppets for Bush.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:43 pmIt looks like Politico got another one wrong. They really ought to just hang it up. Politico Story Saying Reid Called Generals “Incompetent” Is Denied
June 14th, 2007 at 5:50 pmJohn Kerry was a General like Peter Pace?
Unlike Pace, Kerry is actually a loser. He lost the election.
Comment by m12 — June 14, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
Who said anything about “General”? Here’s what you said:
Years of military service discarded and called a loser by an American citizen he tried to protect.
Show me where that restricts your comments to a General.
And may I point out that you made the brilliant move of proving me right by calling John Kerry, who absolutely had “years of military service” a “loser”.
Well done, You’re12.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:52 pm#20 m12
Gee, I wonder why military officers hate the Democratic Party.
Gee, I wonder what foul little orifice of yours provides you with such ‘knowledge’. Got any sources for that besides the one you’re sitting on?
June 14th, 2007 at 5:54 pmOff topic…but as a nurse…that thing on his jaw doesn’t look great. I can’t fathom how someone can have a tumor removed and have the area be 10 -15 times bigger.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:54 pmOh Please Republicans! Please make McCain your nomination for president!
June 14th, 2007 at 6:03 pm#35 Comment by Jim Wolf359 — June 14, 2007 @ 4:46 pm
And as usual the Wingbats went batshit crazy about a non-story. Bunch of rubes!!
No they didn’t. This their job! Leaping on whatever negative, degrading lie or distortion the Rovian machine cranks out. The destruction of reputations is central to their approach to winning. Gore, Kerry, and yes, even McBush in the 2000 primary is proof of that. Here they are working on Reid.
So don’t misread what is going on. These trolls, Drudge etc. know EXACTLY what they are doing. And they do it with great glee! Calling them “rubes” for doing what they are doing is exactly what they want! It shows them you don’t get it, and can be easily distracted by their shit.
“Rubes” and stupid, they are not. These words give them more credit than they deserve. They are despicable, mean spirited people who enable those with evil intent.
June 14th, 2007 at 6:05 pmReposted from yesterday
Sign on and add to the list of trolls not shown.
Comment by JPV — June 11, 2007 @ 1:52 pm
HEY GUYS, CAN WE MAKE A PACT, WITH EACH OTHER, TO COMPLETELY IGNORE THE TROLLS FROM NOW ON?
Comment by Buck Fush — June 11, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
“IGNORE THE TROLLS CLUB.â€
Good idea, guys!!
Why not take this list you started and expand it to include the rest not listed yet, and also as Trolls change their “handle.†Then automatically (cut & paste) post it on every thread on TP about, say, every 25 posts. All of us anti troll folks can post it if we see it hasn’t been posted in a while. Especially on troll heavy threads. “Members†can add their names as they wish forswearing communication with the trolls. Repetition is the name of the game! (Put the word “Reminder†on top in bold)
What do you think folks? Shall we band together formally? If I don’t hear from anyone I will begin to post it anyway.
IGNORE THE TROLLS CLUB
Members:
Buck Fush, JPV, Merlin
Reminder
Don’t Read A Trolls Post

Don’t Respond To A Trolls Post
IGNORE THE TROLLS - Debate good, Trolls bad
Here are the trolls currently posting on TP.
m12, Patrick1, Jake, Valiant Venus, Pres. Clinton, MAF54, Mr. President,
June 14th, 2007 at 6:11 pmComment by m12 — June 14, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
Hey shit for brains. You are a f%cking loser for being in the 28% made up of knuckle dragging troglodtyes who listen to the lies of the reichwing enough to belittle real servicemen and defend worthless cowards like the drunken AWOL coward in the White House and his side kick, five deferment coward, Dick Cheney…hell they are all cowards who know absolutely nothing about the military or war, except how to use others to stay out themselves. Go play with yourself…you are the loser, asswipe.
June 14th, 2007 at 6:15 pmWhat’s McCain hiding in those cheeks of his? Acorns?
June 14th, 2007 at 6:19 pmReposted from yesterday
Sign on and add to the list of trolls not shown.
Comment by JPV — June 11, 2007 @ 1:52 pm
HEY GUYS, CAN WE MAKE A PACT, WITH EACH OTHER, TO COMPLETELY IGNORE THE TROLLS FROM NOW ON?
Comment by Buck Fush — June 11, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
“IGNORE THE TROLLS CLUB.â€
Good idea, guys!!
Why not take this list you started and expand it to include the rest not listed yet, and also as Trolls change their “handle.†Then automatically (cut & paste) post it on every thread on TP about, say, every 25 posts. All of us anti troll folks can post it if we see it hasn’t been posted in a while. Especially on troll heavy threads. “Members†can add their names as they wish forswearing communication with the trolls. Repetition is the name of the game! (Put the word “Reminder†on top in bold)
What do you think folks? Shall we band together formally? If I don’t hear from anyone I will begin to post it anyway.
IGNORE THE TROLLS CLUB
Members:
Buck Fush, JPV, Merlin, Mr. President
Reminder
Don’t Read A Trolls Post

Don’t Respond To A Trolls Post
IGNORE THE TROLLS - Debate good, Trolls bad
Here are the trolls currently posting on TP.
m12, Patrick1, Jake, Valiant Venus, Pres. Clinton, MAF54, Mr. President,
June 14th, 2007 at 6:29 pmm12:
John McCain is a tortured fool who condones torture. You, however, are simply a fool.
Go back to your troll cave and have mama troll read you the funnies.
June 14th, 2007 at 6:29 pm#64
Who let the dog out?
June 14th, 2007 at 6:40 pmWhy the need for insults, these stories can be discussed with ideas. I find the Dems and Repubs are the problem. I have been trying to find a political blog that my classes can read, but with all the insults and expletives, this will not be it. I have to get twelve year olds interested in civics, but the lack of fact in the arguments and raw animosity is appalling. Later!
June 14th, 2007 at 6:53 pmWhat the heck do you guys mean by troll - Republicans?
June 14th, 2007 at 6:54 pm#69 Troll = Bottom Dwelling, knuckle dragging, 28% troglodyte or moron who supports anything the thugs in the crime family does, usually a paid asswipe who works for the RNC. They are ignorant asswipes.
June 14th, 2007 at 7:32 pmKos says the Politico story was untrue–a fabrication. Reed never said these things according to the people that were there. The story needs to be reconsidered.
June 14th, 2007 at 7:43 pm#68 go to romper room.com
June 14th, 2007 at 9:05 pmi’ve heard mccain bleeting on about failed strategies and mismanagement of the war but has he actually ever said what his strategy would have been? - i’ve never heard his recipe for success but i imagine it would go something like”….you stay here and guard the oil..whoops!,i mean guard the girl….the rest of you come with me - we’ll head them off at the pass”
June 14th, 2007 at 9:36 pmIn what history book is it written that the American people were in danger of being attacked by the Vietnamese? McCain was fighting a war, suffered as a prisoner and should be respected for his service to our glorious nation. But at no time was any American soldier protecting any homefront American from the Vietnamese.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:46 pm#70 Comment by kasinca — June 14, 2007 @ 7:32 pm
#69 Troll = Bottom Dwelling, knuckle dragging, 28% troglodyte or moron who supports anything the thugs in the crime family does, usually a paid asswipe who works for the RNC. They are ignorant asswipes.
Sorry, kasinca, this is not the definition of a troll. This is your angry rant in answer to what appears to be an honest question. Go and look up “troll” on Wiki before you rant your angry and ignorant opinion at other people who don’t deserve it.
June 14th, 2007 at 10:00 pm#68 Comment by Rhetoricbuster — June 14, 2007 @ 6:53 pm
You said:
Why the need for insults, these stories can be discussed with ideas. I find the Dems and Repubs are the problem. I have been trying to find a political blog that my classes can read, but with all the insults and expletives, this will not be it. I have to get twelve year olds interested in civics, but the lack of fact in the arguments and raw animosity is appalling. Later!
If you are still here:
June 14th, 2007 at 10:07 pmTry the DailyKos website. I guarantee it to be what you are looking for. It is unfortunate that there is so much anger expressed here, but that appears to be its function. A place to rant and express severe anger and frustration at the direction this country has been going in.
Good luck
McCain needs to go home and check into a facility for people afflicted with senile dementia. He will never be President.
Had he any dignity left, he would bow out gracefully from the race. Clearly, he is beyond dignity.
June 14th, 2007 at 10:45 pmMcCain is a Bush enabler. He has pledged to carry forward the same strategy as Dubya…what used to be called “Stay the Course” but which lately more and more Americans would likely characterize with the single word “lunacy”. Why is ANYone listening to McCain at all?
June 14th, 2007 at 10:59 pmMcCain Hypocritically…
*** Oxymoron Alert ***
June 15th, 2007 at 7:31 amIt never ceases to amaze that with all that has happened in Iraq our military still seems to be above all critisism. After 4 years of failed policy and 500 billion spent, the situation is worse than ever.
The simple fact is, the U.S. military has approached the war in Iraq with an incredible combination of arrogance, ineptitude and ignorance. Their initial war chants of “meeting the ememy at a time and place of our choosing”, “applying massive force” and of course “shock and awe” has been replaced by this whiny “we’re overstreched”
Bush does not have the wherwithal to stand up to the army brass, and has acquiesced all policy making to the “commanders on the ground”. He even fired Don Rumsfeld at their behest.
It’s high time we stopped glorifying our military and start demanding results.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:37 am“Time of War” be damned!
It is NEVER inappropriate for a free adult American citizen to criticise his government or military leadership.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:31 pmhe has NO chance whatsoever and is running scared. that is how desperation acts, fellas, that is how it sounds.
June 19th, 2007 at 1:27 pm