After Four Years of Certainty, McCain ‘Not Positive We Can Win’ In Iraq
After Four Years of Certainty, McCain ‘Not Positive We Can Win’ In Iraq
During debate in the Senate last month, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) attacked his colleagues who demanded a strategic redeployment out of Iraq by asking, “The terrorists are in this war to win it. The question is, are we?”
It appears McCain’s answer to his own question is no. At a fundraiser for his presidential campaign last night, he conceded, “I’m not positive we can win this fight”:
“I’m not positive we can win this fight,” he told about 150 people at a $50-a-person fundraiser in a Highland Township barn. “But I believe we’re winning. The Anbar province is dramatically better and Baghdad has some neighborhoods that are much more secure.”
McCain’s doubts come after four years of predicting easy victory in Iraq:
– “Because I know that as successful as I believe we will be, and I believe that the success will be fairly easy, we will still lose some American young men or women.” [CNN, 9/24/02]
– “But the point is that, one, we will win this conflict. We will win it easily.” [MSNBC, 1/22/03]
– “[I]t’s going to be long, tough, very difficult, but … we can win.” [PBS, 11/10/05]
– “I believe that we can succeed and I believe the consequences of failure are catastrophic.” [CBS, 4/8/07]
– “We’re going to win. We will. We will never surrender.” [AP, 4/18/07]
Previously, McCain has attacked senators who have expressed doubts about the mission in Iraq like those he voiced yesterday, accusing them of “embrac[ing] the policy of surrender” and “waving a white flag to al Qaeda.”
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77 Responses to “After Four Years of Certainty, McCain ‘Not Positive We Can Win’ In Iraq”
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WHAT? Is McCain flip- flopping?
August 8th, 2007 at 2:32 pmSo you can buy those hats?
August 8th, 2007 at 2:32 pmOh, how cool!!! If the Anbar province is better, then I still have hope. /sarc
August 8th, 2007 at 2:34 pmSounds like another conservative hawk is getting ready to jump ship.
August 8th, 2007 at 2:35 pmWell, everyone else is MORE THAN POSITIVE!!!
August 8th, 2007 at 2:36 pm150 people at a $50-a-plate dinner? Let’s not get too worked up about McCain…
August 8th, 2007 at 2:41 pmHe looks like one of the Three Stooges when they pretended to be professors at Mildew College.
Now spread out.
-GSD
August 8th, 2007 at 2:44 pmI wouldn’t be surprised to see Rudy tap McCain as his running mate. He has great respect for the man. So do I for his 5 years in Hanoi.
August 8th, 2007 at 2:46 pmMcCain is a real war hero. John Kerry is not.
August 8th, 2007 at 2:47 pm“But I believe we’re winning. The Anbar province is dramatically better and Baghdad has some neighborhoods that are much more secure.†- John McCain
We are having positive results in Iraq.
This is the main reason that Bush is getting a bump in his approval rating, besides the very poor job the Democrat congress is doing.
August 8th, 2007 at 2:48 pmPatrolman Francis Muldoon, badge#723……………Fred Gwynne
August 8th, 2007 at 2:48 pmPatrolman Gunther Toody, badge#1432……………Joe E. Ross
Captain Paul Block……………Paul Reed
Patrolman Leo Schnauser……………Al Lewis
Lucille Toody (Gunther’s wife)……………Beatrice Pons
You know, what’s sad?
8 years ago, I may (key word : may) have voted for this guy.
Now, even my right wing friends feel he is off his rocker. When even they wouldn’t consider him a viable candidate, it’s time for McCain to check the pulse of the nation, and accept his fate, as “the best Republican never to get elected President”
(okay, that was pushing it a little, but hey, Mr. Atrophy of the Brain McCain will forget soon enough, eh?)
August 8th, 2007 at 2:49 pm# 6. 150 people at a $50-a-plate dinner? Let’s not get too worked up about McCain…
Comment by blackie — August 8, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
That’s exactly what I was thinking. If he personally attends a fundraiser that grosses $7,500, he’s not much of a contender!
August 8th, 2007 at 2:50 pm150 people at a $50-a-plate dinner? Let’s not get too worked up about McCain…
Comment by blackie
McCain is somebody who wants to get the money out of politics. Liberals used to believe the same thing, until they started to raise a lot of money. Now they have forgotten that principle.
August 8th, 2007 at 2:50 pmLadies like it when you keep your nose hairs trimmed.
August 8th, 2007 at 2:51 pmGeez, for $50 a plate you think he could lie a little bit. Did McCain have to ruin eveyone’s dinner with such pessimism? Afterall anyone who would pay $50 to eat dinner with McCain would have to be such a blind optimist to throw away $50 on thinking McCain could win the Presidency certainly needs to hear a little more BS than “I believe we’re winning.”
August 8th, 2007 at 2:51 pmThat fish jumped right into the boat! I couldn’t believe it!
August 8th, 2007 at 2:52 pmLen you ignored me on the other post.. Where’s the link to the 14% approval??
Here’s my post from the other thread:
Len,
You’re a liar…
http://www.galluppoll.com/content/default.aspx?ci=28324
Bush = 34
Dems in Congress = 37
GOP in congress = 29
You must be so proud to be the biggest loser of losers!
Much like when you brought home D’s on your report cards and your parents celebrated.
August 8th, 2007 at 2:52 pmGulliani couldn’t carry McCain’s jock. I don’t care for McCain’s stances and he’s nowhere near he was during the first go around of the Straight talk express but I don’t believe McCain would stoop to running mate status if he doesn’t get the GOP nod.
I can see him and Paul jumping ship and running on a third party ticket but not becoming Rudy’s #2.
August 8th, 2007 at 2:52 pmComment by dim wit — August 8, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
Liberals were all hot for McCain when he was running against Bush. Now they hate him again. Yes, you are a dim wit.
August 8th, 2007 at 2:52 pmRudy’s #2. Stinky.
August 8th, 2007 at 2:54 pmI can see him and Paul jumping ship and running on a third party ticket
Comment by hellinabucket
That is really far fetched. If you want a third party candidate, Nader is running again. He is a real liberal, Hillary is not.
August 8th, 2007 at 2:55 pm#15. I agree that the current system of fundraising is corrupt and needs to be changed. However, it is what it is, and until it’s changed, candidates still need to raise lots of money to get their message out.
The fact that he’s attending a dinner that will gross only $7,500 is pretty sad (for him).
August 8th, 2007 at 2:55 pmLiberals were all hot for McCain when he was running against Bush. Now they hate him again. Yes, you are a dim wit.
Comment by Len — August 8, 2007 @ 2:52 pm
Thanks Len! I’ve been using the name dim wit for weeks now and you are the first person to bite and call me a “dim wit!” Congratulations!
And as clarification: I was hot and bothered.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:04 pmGerbils enjoy apples, carrots, broccoli, sprouts and cauliflower.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:06 pmGeez, you might think that McCain was running for president or something and trying to tell everyone what he thinks they want to hear. Politicians never do this sort of thing…its puzzling.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:07 pmSorry, libs…
STALINISM LOSES AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 8th, 2007 at 3:08 pmrefresh
August 8th, 2007 at 3:08 pmAnd as clarification: I was hot and bothered.
What a dimwit.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:09 pm“#15. I agree that the current system of fundraising is corrupt and needs to be changed. However, it is what it is, and until it’s changed, candidates still need to raise lots of money to get their message out.”
Your second sentence contradicts your first.
“The fact that he’s attending a dinner that will gross only $7,500 is pretty sad (for him).”
Not really. When you don’t invite lobbyists, unlike Hillary, what did you think would happen?
August 8th, 2007 at 3:09 pmSorry, libs…
STALINISM LOSES AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Gregory of Nazianzus — August 8, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
Victory for the Republican al-Qa’ida is at hand!
August 8th, 2007 at 3:11 pmThanks Len! I’ve been using the name dim wit for weeks now and you are the first person to bite and call me a “dim wit!†Congratulations!
Comment by dim wit
You’re not the dumbest liberal here, I’ll give you that. But that is not saying much.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:11 pmWell, once i lit the fuse, I thought the damn thing would go off. Must have been a dud.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:11 pmMcCain has realized the futility of the war in Iraq. This is a good start. But what does he plan to do about it? Once conceding, he now must take action for his words. Has he thought about the issue of poverty? 78% of Americans agree that fighting poverty is an effective way of fighting terrorism [Borgen Project]. What does he say to that?
August 8th, 2007 at 3:12 pmI don’t think McCain has much credibility left among the left or the right. To much pandering, to much oddness. I don’t expect him to get the nomination. Even though compared to the other candidates he is a downright saint. I think support for Guilani makes sense to the wingtards. I mean if you are going to have a crime family in power, might as well get one who is clearly connected.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:13 pmVictory for the Republicans is at hand!
Comment by toasterhead
When Gen. Petraious declares the surge a success in Sept, what are you going to do then?
August 8th, 2007 at 3:13 pmWe’re going to Disney World!
August 8th, 2007 at 3:14 pmHas he thought about the issue of poverty? 78% of Americans agree that fighting poverty is an effective way of fighting terrorism [Borgen Project]. What does he say to that?
Comment by Erica
Cut taxes. This will cause economic growth in the country and lift all boats.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:14 pmMaybe McCain should have done what Obama did last night… point out where Al Qeada IS instead of helping spread Al Qeada into Iraq.
It was about time at least one democrat pointed out this fact on national TV.
McCain had plenty of chance to stand up and say “What about Osama?” but he didn’t. He is getting what he deserves.
Hopefully more democrats will follow Obamas lead and stop BSing us…
I understand what Hillary said about the nukes… but she should remember the images of people jumping out of the WTC towers to their death and then DARE the religious radicals to take over Pakistan… religious radicals with nukes == unconditional surrender… WWII style… If they dont want to take out Osama… well then we will… just tell it like it is and let them know the consequences of letting their religious radicals take over…. Biden keeps saying “Tell the facts” … well he is right and he is making a good start… but here is another fact he and the republicans and many of the democrats seem to forget… we can kick Pakistans ass WITHOUT getting into an occupation… upfront wide spread destruction seems to take care of the occupation situation… just like in WWII…
Call out those responsible… and then take them out… if Pakistan puts itself into the position of being a NATION STATE ENEMY… well … here come the bombers … wave after wave after wave…. THAT is how America won in WWII.
There is a big difference between being against war… and against foolish war… NEVER fight a war if you can… but if you do… dont hold back…with the possible exception being nukes because of their world ending nature…
My guess is if we call their bluff the Pakistanis will NOT let themselves be destroyed by America but will instead decide to shut down their wild west near Afghanistan.
The republicans are always so worried about what messages we might send Al Qeada… what about the message that you can attack America 911 style and just go camp out in Pakistan and get away with it… that sends a real bad message… a message that is an embarrassment to America that should never have been and should be rectified ASAP.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:14 pmI don’t think McCain has much credibility left among the left or the right. To much pandering, to much oddness.
Comment by Krazny
What you saw last night from the Dems was craven pandering.
McCain actually deserves credit. He stands on principle. He takes positions on issues at odds with his own party. This is called courage. It would be easy for him to flip flop like John Kerry did.
I can’t believe you libs have me defending McCain. But that is how insane you are.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:16 pmWhen Gen. Petraious declares the surge a success in Sept, what are you going to do then?
Comment by Len — August 8, 2007
Gen. Petraious will then be sent to McCain dinners to deliver the optimisic BS they are paying $50 to hear!
August 8th, 2007 at 3:17 pmExcellent point. Have you ever seen the movie Ishtar?
August 8th, 2007 at 3:17 pmMaybe McCain should have done what Obama did last night… point out where Al Qeada IS instead of helping spread Al Qeada into Iraq.
Comment by Gerald Gibson
Obama is just pandering to what the union members wanted to hear. He’s a sitting senator. He could introduce a resolution right now to go to war in Pakistan. But he’s all talk.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:18 pmWhat you saw last night from the Dems was craven pandering.
Comment by Len
Unlike the sheep on the right the democrats are made up of just about ever type of individual that isnt a rightwinger… that means they cant pander because they will get booed… which I saw a couple times last night… The people are sick of the shit and the democrats cant play that game anymore… that is why you see them saying things out on that stage they normally would not have… of coarse people are sick of them saying on thing on TV and doing another in Congress… which is why so many people among the democrats are against people like Hillary… they gave her a chances and she didnt use it… its time for change… for logical change… cut our dependance on foreign oil and take out the actual attackers not some messianic new world empire BS..
August 8th, 2007 at 3:21 pmObama is just pandering to what the union members wanted to hear. He’s a sitting senator. He could introduce a resolution right now to go to war in Pakistan. But he’s all talk.
Comment by Len
Why would we go to war in Pakistan? Didnt you learn a damn thing from Iraq and Vietnam?
KILL OSAMA… let the Pakistanis decide if they want to turn that into war.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:22 pmWhen Gen. Petraious declares the surge a success in Sept, what are you going to do then?
Comment by Len — August 8, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
We’re going to Disney World!
Comment by Marcus Aurelius — August 8, 2007 @ 3:14 pm
Now THAT’S funny! ;)
August 8th, 2007 at 3:23 pm#34, Len.
Is it true that McCain doesn’t take money from lobbyists?
Also, I’m an Edwards fan. He’s one of the few candidates that actually cares more about the country than about the next election.
Hillary is a robot - not nearly as satanic as Bush - but still smelling of sulpher!
August 8th, 2007 at 3:24 pm#54. Good points, Gerald.
I was happy to see the crowd boo when the candidates repeatedly veered away from their questions and went into the stump speeches!
It’s ironic that Kocinich and Biden (2nd teir guys) seemed to do the best. Maybe that will shake things up.
I pray that the Democratic base will begin to see Hillary as the robot/fraud that she is - that fake, calculated smile of hers is going to kill me!!!
August 8th, 2007 at 3:27 pmWhen do the attacks on McCain’s patriotism start?
August 8th, 2007 at 3:29 pmI thought Kucinich was extremely well spoken, it is unfortunate he resembles a woodland creature. I don’t think he has much chance at being elected.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:30 pmRemember, it was only a few months ago that McMouth in his photo-op proclaimed how safe it is in a typical Baghdad market(with 100 heavily armed body guards, helicopter gunships hovering overhead, sharpshooters on the roofs, and armored vehicles standing by).
August 8th, 2007 at 3:36 pm#49. When do the attacks on McCain’s patriotism start?
Comment by LibStl — August 8, 2007 @ 3:29 pm
Democrats don’t play that game! You’ve got Rove’s crap down pat: identify your own worst weakness, then claim your enemy has that weakness - repeat that same lie over and over and over and over - eventually knuckle draggers like LibStl believe the lie…
August 8th, 2007 at 3:36 pmSecond thoughts?
August 8th, 2007 at 3:49 pmThat assumes a first thought.
Some who might have voted for McCain 8 years ago realize that today, we would have a compromised man in the White House — come to think of it — he didn’t get elected and we still have the same result.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:52 pmDemocrats don’t play that game! You’ve got Rove’s crap down pat: identify your own worst weakness, then claim your enemy has that weakness - repeat that same lie over and over and over and over - eventually knuckle draggers like LibStl believe the lie…
Comment by Vet — August 8, 2007 @ 3:36 pm
WHOA!!! Slow down there. I meant by right-wing trolls. Why would liberals attack his patriotism? Did you not notice the “Lib” in “LibStl”? Take a pill, chappy!
August 8th, 2007 at 3:57 pmAnd Vet–Where do you get off callng me a knuckle dragger without having read any previous posts I’ve made. Granted, there haven’t been many, but I was going head to head with some trolls on a previous thread before coming to this one. Save that talk for those who deserve it.
August 8th, 2007 at 3:59 pmCaption Contest:
“They told me I could have a cap with a ‘D’ on it, so where is it?”
August 8th, 2007 at 4:01 pm“Second thoughts? That assumes a first thought.”- comment by RUcerious.
August 8th, 2007 at 4:04 pmMcCain: he was for “winning”, before he was against it. Flip-flop!
On the other hand, he can change his tune anytime he wants and pretend he never did. It’s what Bush loyalists do.
August 8th, 2007 at 4:08 pm“I’m not positive we can win this fight,†he told about 150 people at a $50-a-person fundraiser in a Highland Township barn. “But I believe we’re winning.”
What?!? Delusional just like everyone else who still stupports the Iraq train wreck.
August 8th, 2007 at 4:09 pmYou just have to have a little sympathy for John, tried being the rebel that didn’t work, tried being a team player and no one would pick him for their team. He just needs some time out to find his path.
August 8th, 2007 at 4:13 pmMcCain is trying to talk up the price of his Baghdad rugs on eBay.
August 8th, 2007 at 4:15 pm“The Man Who Wouldn’t Be King.”
August 8th, 2007 at 4:21 pm#55-56. Sorry, LibStl. I totally misunderstood your post!
I thought you were a troll saying that us libs were going to start bashing McCains patriotism, which is obsurd, of course!
August 8th, 2007 at 4:24 pmI thought you were a troll saying that us libs were going to start bashing McCains patriotism
Some of you libs have said that you wanted McCain to surrender to an al-Qaida group while he was visiting Iraq. Also, you libs have wished McCain physical harm while in Iraq.
August 8th, 2007 at 4:29 pmI’m referring to Snowball and willyloman
August 8th, 2007 at 4:29 pmCareful boys and girls, old Gregory can turn his arsehole inside out by the power of his rhetoric - patron saint of rhetorical contortionism is old Gregory. Christianity’s finest Spin Doctor ever.
August 8th, 2007 at 4:33 pmGregory: That view is definitely NOT shared by many people here. I don’t wish that on ANYONE. McCain will always have my respect as a war hero. I am one of those libs who really liked him 8 years ago. I think his age is catching up with him, in all honesty.
August 8th, 2007 at 4:34 pmComment by Vet — August 8, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
8 years ago, he hadn’t bent over and kissed Bush’s ring after he’d been savaged in South Carolina.
8 years ago, he had made a serious effort a bi-partisan campaign reform
8 years ago… etc
Since then he’s been George Bush’s personal ball-washer and as such deserves neither respect nor any further elected office.
August 8th, 2007 at 4:39 pmDidn’t I see the “Straight-Talk Express” teetering on the broken span of I35W in Minneapolis? By the way, how is it the “Straight” Talk Express when your campaign managers are getting arrested for offering to blow cops? You’re only straight if your on the receiving end, right?
August 8th, 2007 at 4:47 pmI can’t believe you libs have me defending McCain. But that is how insane you are.
Comment by Len — August 8, 2007 @ 3:16 pm
says it all. Len has been flushed, is now circling the bowl.
August 8th, 2007 at 4:50 pmMad Hatters War Policy
August 8th, 2007 at 5:15 pmAfter this surge and perhaps others if necessary the emotion terror will be forced to show up on the deck of the USS Mission Accomplished and sign a surrender agreement.
The March Hare tells me it is so.
McCain must have gotten his meds adjusted.
August 8th, 2007 at 5:32 pmThe reason McCain spent five years in a POW prison is, by his own admission, he was not a very good pilot. Look it up. He said he was shot down on his very first mission then conceded his mediocrity as a pilot. Now, he is not a very good politician either. He is in mediocre company, on both sides of the aisle.
August 8th, 2007 at 5:50 pmMcCain for all his talk doesn’t understand anything about this war and why we are losing the surge. He won’t acknowledge the civil war. The surge was supposed to give Maliki enough room to make political progress which he has failed to do. In the beginning of the war Bush went in with too few troops. Sending troops at this late stage is pointless. We can no longer win this war militarily. Maliki is unable to do what is being asked of him. There is still no oil law. The Shiia militias have not been disbanded. Al Sadr is stronger than ever. The Sunnis members have left the cabinet. Parliament has gone on vacation. No effort has been made to bring more Sunnis into the government via debaathification. Yesterday we lost 4 more Americans in Iraq.
August 8th, 2007 at 5:53 pm#55-56. Sorry, LibStl. I totally misunderstood your post!
I thought you were a troll saying that us libs were going to start bashing McCains patriotism, which is obsurd, of course!
Comment by Vet — August 8, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
Accepted. I should have made my intent clearer. I got a bit upset being called a knuckle dragger, so I’m sorry if I my responses were a bit curt. No harm, no foul. On to fighting the real trolls!
August 8th, 2007 at 5:56 pmIsn’t it amazing that fools get to the top of society and get heard?
There are thousands of well-educated intelligent people who should get to the top, but I guess they lack the required charisma or money or friends.
August 8th, 2007 at 8:18 pm