McCain Falsely Claims Jones Report Doesn’t Say Political Reconciliation Is ‘Key’ To Progress In Iraq
McCain Falsely Claims Jones Report Doesn’t Say Political Reconciliation Is ‘Key’ To Progress In Iraq
Yesterday on NBC’s Meet the Press, host Tim Russert asked Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) about Maj. Gen. James Jones’s report to Congress, which concluded that the U.S. presence in Iraq currently is conveying the impression of being an “occupying force.” It also questioned the administration’s approach of trying to achieve security before political progress:
RUSSERT: [Gen. Jones] said the current administration’s thinking is that you cannot have political reconciliation without first having security. He says it’s the opposite, that you cannot have security…
McCAIN: He doesn’t say it’s the opposite.
RUSSERT: …unless you have political reconciliation.
McCAIN: Tim, I’ve known Jim Jones for 30 years. It’s not what he’s saying. What he’s saying is we have to have now political progress; and he, like all of us, are very frustrated by the lack of political progress, that the Maliki government has not done the things we want them to do.
Watch it:
McCain may have a long relationship with Jones, but apparently he didn’t bother to read Jones’s report, which found:
Political reconciliation is the key to ending sectarian violence in Iraq. … [T]he single most important event that could immediately and favorably affect Iraq’s direction and security is political reconciliation focused on ending sectarian violence and hatred. Sustained progress within the Iraqi Security Forces depends on such a political agreement.
Additionally, on last week’s edition of Meet the Press, Jones stated that while “both” security and political gains are important, “reconciliation” is “more critical” and “absolutely the key to measurable and rapid progress.”
The White House and its right-wing allies have recently attempted to dismiss attempts to evaluate progress based on political benchmarks. Last week, outgoing White House Press Secretary Tony Snow claimed that they were “something that Congress wanted to use as a metric.” Actually, as The New York Times noted, it was “the White House and the Iraqi government, not Congress, that first proposed the benchmarks for Iraq that are now producing failing grades.”
Transcript:
MR. RUSSERT: General Jones did say that, but he said something else, and let me start with that…
SEN. McCAIN: Sure.
MR. RUSSERT: …Senator McCain. “Although the administration has said repeatedly that security improvements will create `breathing space’ for Iraqi sectarian and political forces to move” towards “national reconciliation, the Jones commission turns that equation on its head, saying that long-term security advances are impossible without political progress. Despite all that remains to be done on the military front,” the Jones commission “says, `the single most important event that could immediately and favorably affect Iraq’s direction and security is political reconciliation. Sustained progress within the Iraqi Security Forces depends on such’” an “`agreement.’” So the president’s strategy has been…
SEN. McCAIN: Now, now wait a minute. First of all, that’s a Washington Post story interpretation of General Jones’ report.
MR. RUSSERT: He was on this program last week and acknowledged that’s exactly…
SEN. McCAIN: Yes. And he acknowledged exactly that. And he also acknowledged that without the, the military security situation, it was also impossible for…
MR. RUSSERT: But…
SEN. McCAIN: …the political situation…
MR. RUSSERT: But what he said was…
SEN. McCAIN: …to move forward.
MR. RUSSERT: …the current administration…
SEN. McCAIN: And he also said that…
MR. RUSSERT: Let me just finish, because he said the current administration’s thinking is that you cannot have political reconciliation without first having security. He says it’s the opposite, that you cannot have security…
SEN. McCAIN: He doesn’t say it’s the opposite.
MR. RUSSERT: …unless you have political reconciliation.
SEN. McCAIN: Tim, I’ve known Jim Jones for 30 years. It’s not what he’s saying. What he’s saying is we have to have now political progress; and he, like all of us, are very frustrated by the lack of political progress, that the Maliki government has not done the things we want them to do. And we have every right to expect it and, unless there is political progress, that we are not going to succeed in Iraq.
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55 Responses to “McCain Falsely Claims Jones Report Doesn’t Say Political Reconciliation Is ‘Key’ To Progress In Iraq”
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Why is it that Flip-Flop McCain is the only person who knows what other people are thinking? Almost sounds like he's lying.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:06 pmAh, I'm so going to mis Snowjob's misleading statements.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:10 pm*miss
September 17th, 2007 at 2:10 pmFlip-Flopper eh? Isn't that what the right used against the left (rather effectively) in '06?? Wasn't it not that bad a thing back then, and Kerry wasn't really a 'flip-flopper' and it was all just politics??
September 17th, 2007 at 2:12 pmMcCain says something that is the exact opposite of reality. Different day, same sh*t from this brain dead moron. Retire, you have been marginalized.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:13 pmI heared that them thar Iraqis don't like one another, well I'm decidering that they should get along, have a BBQ, that always makes people get along. Course with all them guns we have given those Sunies and them Shitites will just make them safer, like us here in America, we have lots of guns and we don't have any gun violence here. And besides ol'ironsides McCain is my go to guy, he signed that Bush Loyality Oath and kissed the ring, I love that part, hehe, here kiss the ring, hehe...Babs more pretzels.
Pull my finger.....hehehe
September 17th, 2007 at 2:17 pmI thought McCain was really arrogant on MTP yesterday. Even dismissive of whatever Kerry or Timmy had to say. I've never seen him so rude. It looked like he was trying hard to hide his disdain.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:19 pmPolitical Reconciliation will not keep American forces in Iraq -
Bush dont do "Political Reconciliation"
Rumfeld dont do "nation building"
Gereral Tommy Franks "we dont do Civillian Casualty lists"
September 17th, 2007 at 2:22 pmComment by Don't Do It. — September 17, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Please take some more Ritalin and try to stay on topic. I know it's difficult for you but please try.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:22 pmIraq should just sell its oil to China in Euro's and kick the Americans out
September 17th, 2007 at 2:24 pmOh snap. I'm right, you're wrong. You must be a republican, because you were just smearing McCain. Or a hypocrite.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:24 pmAgree with Wilco. McCain was just plain childish and I kept having to remind myself that this guy was actually running for president. He looked more like he was arguing to the principle that he didn't start the fight on the playground.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:25 pmFred, it seemd it should've been the other way around: Kerry sounded like he was running, McCain just sounded like a jerk.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:26 pmNot that I WANT Kerry to run....
Iraq should just sell its oil to China in Euro’s and kick the Americans out
Comment by Tobey Tall — September 17, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
That would be an act of war in GWB's world. The Middle East are merely the custodians for assets used & required by the U.S.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:27 pmbtw, when you know someone for 30 years you can disregard things they actually say cus you know what they meant to say. It's like finishing each other's sentences. I wonder if Jones & McCain do that thing where they each take an end of the spaghetti in their mouths and suck until they meet in the middle. That would be cute.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:29 pmOff Topic but too good not to post:
Quote:
"A moment I've been dreading. George [Bush] brought his ne're-do-well son around this morning and asked me to find the kid a job. Not the political one who lives in Florida. The one who hangs around here all the time looking shiftless. This so-called kid is already almost 40 and has never had a real job. Maybe I'll call Kinsley over at The New Republic and see if they'll hire him as a contributing editor or something. That looks like easy work."
Ronald Reagan in his recently published diaries, May 17, 1986.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:29 pmCaptain Coo Coo Bananas McCain and the Wing Nut Express reporting for duty.
-GSD
September 17th, 2007 at 2:30 pmBut hey, it's not as though McCain is a man of strong character, so why expect more?
September 17th, 2007 at 2:30 pmThanx, Paul. THAT'S hysterical.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:31 pmComment by Paul E. Scott — September 17, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
Too good not to post but unfortunately it's not a true quote.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:32 pmFlip-Flop McCain stands for more of the same old BS that people are tired of hearing. Last November voters told republicans what they think of their "augmentation" crap.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:32 pmIraq should just sell its oil to China in Euro’s and kick the Americans out
Comment by Tobey Tall — September 17, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
Uhh, isn't that why we invaded Iraq in the first place?
September 17th, 2007 at 2:32 pm"Straight Talk Express" of the old McCain has morphed into the all-slop-and-slime-lie machine typical of the Bush crime family members.
The Bush puppet regime will collapse as soon as we start withdrawing significant numbers of our 150,000 troops and 170,000 armed mercenaries. This puppet government has virtually no popular support among the citizens of Iraq. Why do you think there is such a strong resistance to it?
News: now Blackhawk Corporation has its very own fleet of armed helicoptor gunships... Iraq has become a shooting gallery for our vicious armed thugs... no rules apply to our mercenaries. No wonder the Iraqis hate being occupied... They are being occupied by our Mafia...
September 17th, 2007 at 2:34 pmPaul, Dave C - true or not true?
Validation, one way or the other.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:35 pmFlip-Flopper eh? Isn’t that what the right used against the left (rather effectively) in ‘06?? Wasn’t it not that bad a thing back then, and Kerry wasn’t really a ‘flip-flopper’ and it was all just politics??
Comment by Don't Do It. — September 17, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
That was '04, in '06 we cleaned the Right's clock, and will do so again in '08, and on into the future, until America is returned to its rightful place as the world's leading liberal democracy.
LIBERAL democracy.
that's LIBERAL.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:41 pmValidation, one way or the other.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — September 17, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
It's not a real quote from Reagan.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=6580
September 17th, 2007 at 2:43 pmYeah, '04, my mistake. But still, regardless of any clock cleaning, the idea of any 'liberal' calling anyone else a flip-flopper after the Kerry incident is a bit ridiculous.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:44 pmhow bout this 'straight talk':
“Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who has long identified himself as an Episcopalian, said this weekend that he is a Baptist and has been for years.â€
[kinda like that religious affiliation–challenged troll who's not sure whether he's baptist or catholic]
September 17th, 2007 at 2:46 pm#16: Unfortunately, this quote isn't real:
http://snopes.com/politics/satire/Kinsley.asp
September 17th, 2007 at 2:46 pmUS SENATE Floor, Circa NOW
Robert Byrd of West Virginia talks about the anniversary of the US CONSTITUTION signing.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:47 pmMaybe McCain meant the other Jim Jones.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:48 pmIsn't it about time for McInsane to give up the ghost? He's dropping the polls like the Titanic and continues to make a blathering fool of himself when he is interviewed. No doubt he suffered some brain dysfunction as a result of his torture and he has cancer so one has to wonder why he just doesn't opt out for making his peace with the world, sit down, and finally STFU!
September 17th, 2007 at 2:50 pm#31: I was just thinking the same thing - the Jim Jones of the "toxic kool aid kind". Same diff.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:51 pmYeah, ‘04, my mistake. But still, regardless of any clock cleaning, the idea of any ‘liberal’ calling anyone else a flip-flopper after the Kerry incident is a bit ridiculous.
Comment by Don't Do It
So we are still discussing ancient history? Rather than discuss the present day post, we have to go back in time? Distraction is a tool employed by those who do not have adequate facts at their disposal. It is used to obfuscate the topic at hand and move away from the discussion. It is no wonder the right is so scattered. They all seem to relish the past, and not the present day. I guess with the incredible successes Bush has brought to us, you would want to stay in the past. Folks lets try and focus on where this country is NOW, not then. BTW, Clinton is not President any longer - just so there is no misunderstanding.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:52 pmDon't Do It sez:
So, the fact that a Democrat reversed his position once now gives all Repubs carte blanche to engage in the same behavior, in perpetuity?
Its that really what you're saying?
September 17th, 2007 at 2:58 pmSo we are still discussing ancient history? Rather than discuss the present day post, we have to go back in time? Distraction is a tool employed by those who do not have adequate facts at their disposal. It is used to obfuscate the topic at hand and move away from the discussion. It is no wonder the right is so scattered. They all seem to relish the past, and not the present day. I guess with the incredible successes Bush has brought to us, you would want to stay in the past. Folks lets try and focus on where this country is NOW, not then. BTW, Clinton is not President any longer - just so there is no misunderstanding.
Comment by Tom — September 17, 2007 @ 2:52 pm
That's a pretty long post about nothing for someone who wants to discuss the present day post.
When did I say I was supporting McCain, or that I am on the right? All I said is that it was stupid to call him a flip-flopper. Is '04 really ancient history? If I wanted to discuss the politics of the Dinosaurs, that would be ancient history perhaps.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:58 pmwe all know senility is starting to hit John McCain hard. Combined with the devastating reality that his long-time dream of being POTUS is fast slipping away for ever, and its not hard to see why former Maverick John McCain is now nothing more than Crazy Liar John McCain.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:58 pm.
The fact that John repeatedly lies isn't so much news as it is common knowledge.
September 17th, 2007 at 3:00 pmWhat's news is that he is still able to get some face time on these worthless talk shows.
McCain is so far behind in the polls and has no money which makes him mad. He was upset and lying but what I noticed more is that he is sick really sick. During the hearings with General Petraeus, McCain's hand was shaking and during the MTP show he was hiding that hand. Now McCain has two things to be worried about one is the campaign and the other is his health. Even Fred Thompson looks like the medication isn't working and he might not make it. Now as for Rudy he's got it going on with the man/woman thing. Mitt is now trying to hide the headlines of a fellow Mormon who is charged with sex offences against a 14 year old along with many wives. Then Mitt has his fund raiser who has been molesting kids for years in his school.
September 17th, 2007 at 3:01 pmwe all know senility is starting to hit John McCain hard. Combined with the devastating reality that his long-time dream of being POTUS is fast slipping away for ever, and its not hard to see why former Maverick John McCain is now nothing more than Crazy Liar John McCain.
Comment by yowzer — September 17, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
I think he's trying to capture the huge part of the Republican base that's feeling nostalgic for the "forgetful Reagan" years.
September 17th, 2007 at 3:03 pmThat’s a pretty long post about nothing for someone who wants to discuss the present day post.
If I incorrectly tarred you with the 'right' label, I apologize. Mine was a post designed to bring present day into the picture. With the issues facing this country, talking about '04 seems a little silly IMHO. It may fit this post concerning McCain, but McCain is just a loser anyway. He will not be the candidate, and he will not make a blip in the polls. This country needs patriots willing to help us in the present day issues - not whether Kerry was a flip-flopper or not. After all, it is the present day issues which may or may not start WWIII.
September 17th, 2007 at 3:10 pmBut still, regardless of any clock cleaning, the idea of any ‘liberal’ calling anyone else a flip-flopper after the Kerry incident is a bit ridiculous. -Dont do it
You mean after the, "Read my lips - no-new taxes!" the idea of any 'Conpervative' calling anyone else a flip-flopper is ridiculous.
It surely didn't stop Rove and crew from doing so in 2004 now did it?
September 17th, 2007 at 3:12 pmThis is a heretofore overlooked part of the statement. What exactly does McCain and the Bush administration want them to do? Oh yes, submit fealty to the US and give up the oil.
September 17th, 2007 at 3:14 pmDo you honestly think politcal reconciliation is possible if we declare defeat and leave Iraq to AQ? AQ was responsible for over 30% of all deaths in August afterall. Are they going to let the Iraqis form freedom and democracy if we just left them?
September 17th, 2007 at 3:29 pmJohn Kerry did a fairly remarkable job in deflating McCain's tired and inaccurate filibuster of the interview.
September 17th, 2007 at 3:32 pmRoger_Rhetoric sez:
Link, please.
September 17th, 2007 at 3:32 pm"Are they going to let the Iraqis form freedom and democracy if we just left them?
Comment by Roger_Roger — September 17, 2007"
the same could be said about the saudi gov't.
September 17th, 2007 at 3:35 pm"the idea of any ‘liberal’ calling anyone else a flip-flopper after the Kerry incident is a bit ridiculous.
Comment by Don't Do It. "
You have it backwards. the idea of any con changing his or her positon after the "kerry incident" and not expecting to be hammered is what is ridiculous. I guess repbuclicans don't flipflop, they change the past.
September 17th, 2007 at 3:38 pmComment by Roger_Roger — September 17, 2007 @ 3:29 pm
Do you honestly think that AQI will take over Iraq if we were to leave?
September 17th, 2007 at 3:38 pmThe AQI that has been targeted by Sunni and Shiite as well as Kurds?
The AQ that makes up a single-digit percentage of the terrorists in Iraq? Iraq will likely NEVER have a democratic government - at least as we know it - because ther culture, religion and customs won't allow it - something GW and his friends might have investigated before invading. But Iraq may form some kind of federation, or other kind of government that can work within the world - but it can't be imposed on them. They'll have to figure it out themselves. Our being there simply inflames those who want us (infidels) out of their land. Chaos will surely reign when we leave - but it reigns now - we have provided aid and instruction -- it's time to go home.
Frankly Roger, the Iraqi's don't seem that interested in Freedom and Democracy. They don't think like us, and aren't us. They don't have a history of freedom and rebellion. The question that should be asked, can Iraq consider political reconciliation with the presence of thousands of armed foreign troops? And can they make political progress, if the oil revenue is distributed to US companies, instead of the Iraqi people?
September 17th, 2007 at 3:41 pmWhy didn't Russert call out McCain on his stroll through the Baghdad market? The shop owners that spoke to McCain's folks were subsequently murdered, he had high-powered security surrounding him and gunned helicopters overhead, all the while touting the great security and progress? This is nuts.
Call McCain out. He's a posturing liar.
September 17th, 2007 at 3:48 pmMcCain has blood on his hands. . . the blood of the Iraquis that he used as tools to prove his agenda.
September 17th, 2007 at 3:55 pmMcCain is lying through his teeth. He knows exactly what the report said, but he's got his head so far up Dubyas butt he can't tell the truth anymore.
September 17th, 2007 at 6:14 pmUmmmm...I don't see the contradiction between McCain and Jones...
Russert: (Jones is saying)...you cannot have security…unless you have political reconciliation.
McCain: What he’s saying is we have to have now political progress.
Jones: "Political reconciliation is the key to ending sectarian violence in Iraq" and “reconciliation†is “more criticalâ€...
If anything, McCain didn't contradict Jones, he contradicted himself (and Tim) by essentially saying that Jones didn't say we needed political reconciliation, and then saying Jones said we needed political reconciliation.
September 17th, 2007 at 7:44 pmHere is virtually the entire segment on Meet The Press with Kerry and McCain -
VIDEO
http://beta.redlasso.com/Community/ClipPlayer.aspx?i=fc90713d-4bba-4831-b134-4dd9dcf6a76d
and here is the last 5 or 6 minutes of it -
September 18th, 2007 at 2:08 pmhttp://beta.redlasso.com/Community/ClipPlayer.aspx?i=f6af7092-eec3-4db3-9004-07fcefacf979