McCain makes unannounced stop in Iraq.
By on Mar 16th, 2008 at 9:38 am
McCain makes unannounced stop in Iraq.
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) “arrived in Baghdad on Sunday for a surprise visit with Iraqi and American diplomatic and military leaders,” a U.S. official said. “This is his eighth visit to Iraq. He’s accompanied by Sens. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Before the trip McCain said the visit was a fact-finding venture, not a campaign photo opportunity.”
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Not a campaign photo op? “Put away the cameras, boys, it just wouldn’t be right for me to look all martial and manly while the Democrats look like sissies…”
March 16th, 2008 at 9:47 amFrom John Burns, in today’s NY Times:
In truth, what the majority produced was less a vote for democracy than a vote for a once-and-for-all, permanent transfer of power, from the Sunni minority that ruled in Iraq for centuries, to an impatient, and deeply wounded, if not outright vengeful, Shiite majority.
What has followed has been predictable. For close to two years, the Shiite religious parties that won the December 2005 election have clung tenaciously to their new-found power, and the Sunni parties, mostly unreconciled to an Iraq ruled by Shiites, have maneuvered in ways intended to keep open the possibility, ultimately, of a Sunni restoration. Nothing, in short, has been settled.
March 16th, 2008 at 9:49 amWonder if he’ll be hosting any fund raisers while he’s there? Also, he’s pretty good buddies with both Lieberman and Graham. Wonder if either will be his choice for VP? If so, that should be the death knell for his candidacy.
March 16th, 2008 at 9:52 amMcCain,Lieberman and L.Graham cannot even announce they are visiting Iraq…yet they keep painting a rosy picture of what’s happening in Iraq.
March 16th, 2008 at 9:55 amTheir so called ‘fact finding’ visits are no more than ‘photo ops’ which will be used to sell McCain in the coming election in November.
Shopping for rugs again, eh?
March 16th, 2008 at 10:01 amI think he’s shopping for a more even-tempered and objective disposition since he finds folks there calmer and more secular. Plus the hooker-lobbyists are cheaper.
March 16th, 2008 at 10:20 amOf course not – this is not the straight talker himself taking a walk in Iraq with Lieberman and Graham in tow, along with photographers — this is not grandstanding — this is not the politician who has sold his soul for temporary political expediency.
March 16th, 2008 at 10:29 amCan he just STAY there?
March 16th, 2008 at 10:55 amSurprise visit? I heard, on some news program, that McCain would also be visiting Iraq on his trip to the Middle East…a day or two ago! Anyone else?
March 16th, 2008 at 10:59 amOk, I’m out of here until they fix this site. I am tired of writing a good post, forgetting to copy it before I hit the post button, then being told I’m posting too fast even though it is my first post of the day. Of course when I go back, my post is gone.
TP, fix this site! I’m off to spend my time at HP. At least it works.
March 16th, 2008 at 10:59 amHe’s probably receiving some military retirement benefits – doesn’t that qualify him to be re-called for active duty? That may be how he “stop loss(es)” his presidential campaign.
He, Lieberman & Graham = The three musketeers. Wow!!
March 16th, 2008 at 11:00 amThe next presidential administration……
Are you sure this is where Cheney said to meet for lunch?
March 16th, 2008 at 11:04 amThe Chicago Tribune editorial board has exonerated Obama 100% regarding his involvement in the so-called Rezko scandal. This is no small feat, as the Trib has a conservative editorial board, and the Trib is the paper that broke the Rezko story in the first place. Who’d have ever imagined that sitting down and candidly telling the truth could get you out of a pickle? There is now nothing more of substance that the Republicans can throw at Obama. We may have our first Teflon Democrat in a very long time.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:17 pmoops!
March 16th, 2008 at 12:19 pmThat was from Americablog — but I did read the Trib myself, read the editorial and the two page spread on the interview.
“Surprise visit” as in “sneak in and out for fear of being killed by terrorists”.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:32 pmIs Lindsey redecorating? Does he need new floor coverings already?
March 16th, 2008 at 1:12 pmAnyone know where McCain’s son is stationed in Iraq ? He went over before December.
March 16th, 2008 at 1:12 pmmccain’s probably fundraising there…under the slogan ‘1000 Years More’.
He’s also probably spearheading arrangements for bush’s farewell victory parade down Bush Boulevard through the center of Baghdad.
March 16th, 2008 at 1:45 pm.
Bullet proof jacket, a squadrom surrounding him… hummmm is he bying ruggs again??????
March 16th, 2008 at 2:08 pmObama/Clinton need to refocus their attention on this blatant misuse of Federal dollars (State Dept/Pentagon) for campaigning. McCain, Lieberman & Graham were just in Europe FUNDRAISING. How can you say that you spent 1/2 of the trip with the focus on fundraising (and you take your cochair & Senate support staff) and not call this a violation of federal law???
March 16th, 2008 at 2:19 pmGotta keep those National Security Credentials up to date now. Needs to look like he knows what he’s doing. Oh….wait
March 16th, 2008 at 2:20 pmWhy bother going over there to “find facts”? Larry, Moe, and Curly already know what they think: the surge is working. Why not save government dollars and stay home to report on the surge the way they do on the Daily Show: standing in front of a Baghdad backdrop.
March 16th, 2008 at 3:32 pmAnd he’s going to continue going back to Iraq until he actually does find a fact. It make take years, but he will do it.
March 16th, 2008 at 3:41 pmMethinks the three stooges should have been accompanied by their wives, girlfriends and/or boyfriends, Ms. Nancy Pelosi, Ms. Laura Bush,Ms. Jena Bush, Ms. Laura BushII and Ms. Dana Perino. Maybe next time they can all get together for a “romantic” adventure.
March 16th, 2008 at 3:49 pmBut this guy stops by Senate WHEN?
March 16th, 2008 at 4:50 pmHis stark white head is quite a target — if not for a bullet, certainly for skin cancer. Anything for a photo op, right, John?
Too bad you can’t go back to the rug market for those $5 purchases — I understand Sadr has take it over.
BTW, who paid for this trip — you were in Europe fundraising this week — are you saving your receipts?
March 16th, 2008 at 5:14 pmHmm.
McCain and Cheney, both in Baghdad, at the same time… highly secure location, tightly controlled by US military and private mercenary armies like Blackwater, safely away from the prying eyes and pesky questions of non-embedded reporters.
That’s convenient.
March 17th, 2008 at 6:45 pmMarie Says:
March 16th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
The Chicago Tribune editorial board has exonerated Obama 100% regarding his involvement in the so-called Rezko scandal.
Marie, is this a quote? Where’s the original? Can you post a link? How about the Trib editorial?
March 17th, 2008 at 6:49 pmDammit, ThinkProgress, FIX YOUR COMMENT SYSTEM. I just posted all the links I’d found, documenting Marie’s post. They disappeared, with no warning.
March 17th, 2008 at 8:05 pm