Think Progress

McCain: Iraq was the ‘first major conflict since 9/11.’

By Satyam on Jul 24th, 2008 at 4:20 pm

McCain: Iraq was the ‘first major conflict since 9/11.’»

Cenk Uygur notes that “the media missed” a false statement from Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) recent CBS interview where he incorrectly claimed the surge “began the Anbar Awakening.” When asked by Kate Couric about whether the money spent on the surge would have been better spent in Afghanistan, McCain claimed Iraq (not Afghanistan) was the “first major conflict since 9/11“:

McCAIN: The fact is we had four years of failed policy. We were losing. We were losing the war in Iraq. The consequences of failure and defeat of the United States of America in the first major conflict since 9/11 would have had devastating impacts throughout the region and the world.

Watch it:

Clearly, Afghanistan was the “first major conflict” that the U.S. fought after 9/11. But in 2003, McCain said the U.S. could just “muddle through in Afghanistan.” As Uygur stated, “They never saw Afghanistan as a priority.”

Digg It!

UpdateRawStory notes that CBS again "scrubbed" this gaffe from its television interview. Watch it:



Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date

91 Responses to “McCain: Iraq was the ‘first major conflict since 9/11.’”

  1. Who Misspoke Today? Says:

    Rub a dub dub, scrub the flub!


  2. robbez_92107 Says:

    You guys had better quit pointing out how senile McSame is.
    You’re going to piss the old coot off.


  3. Zooey Says:

    Shorter McCain: Someone stop me!


  4. Badmoodman Says:

    RawStory notes that CBS again “scrubbed” this gaffe from its television interview.

    - - The McCain Campaign must have incriminating photos of Les Moonves.


  5. Blame Canada Says:

    Damn liberal’s running CBS! Doing everything they can to make St. John look good. (wink)


  6. satirev Says:

    Senile dementia would be the diagnosis here, once and for all. Either that or he’s spinning lies intentionally which I doubt is the case since he probably can’t remember what he ate for breakfast this morning. Poor old, tired, grandpappy McNutbag.



  7. scytherius Says:

    My God . . . he’s stupid even for a Republican.


  8. Hussein McCain Says:

    Who better than Katie Couric to scrub the little senator clean.


  9. Bobwurst Says:

    Will someone please remind me why mccain wants media attention?


  10. Uncle Ho Says:

    does that mean we did not invade Afghanistan in 2001?


  11. satirev Says:

    I suppose he subscribes to the adage: Even something negative is newsworthy?? It sure beats visiting grocery stores as he has been today while Obama walks on water to the tune of tens of thousands lining up Tiergarten Park and welcomes him with open arms, cheers, and much love. It must be hell being John McSame.


  12. Hussein McCain Says:

    Jim, Why don’t you define “not major” and we’ll explain why you’re wrong.


  13. satirev Says:

    That’s how pathetic it will become once his full story gets out - his past military blunders which cost the lives of 138 of his crew coupled with his adultery with Botox Cindy for which Nancy Reagan holds nothing but contempt for him. Then his recent filandering with Ms. Iseman - you know the blonde bombshell lobbyist who resembles a much “younger Cindy”?? She seems to have vanished from the landscape. Rumor has it that she was “paid off” to vanish until after the elections.

    VICKY ISEMAN IS MISSING! ANYBODY KNOW WHERE MS. ISEMAN HAS GONE?


  14. Bobwurst Says:

    ignore wilke, he’s one of those mctrolls:http://www.johnmccain.com/ActionCenter/BlogInteract/BlogInteract.aspx

    If jimmy posts enough times he wins a package of Depends with the presidential seal on each one!


  15. satirev Says:

    Uncle Ho: That means that these twisted, sick neofascists will rewrite history if permitted to do so.


  16. shoeless Says:

    Jim Wilke Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    Define “major.”

    Big. As in, you are a major idiot.


  17. Bobwurst Says:

    The only people dumber than mcbush are the fools who support him.


  18. bob hussein lablah Says:

    At this rate he’s going to need a new nickname—how about McQuayle?


  19. satirev Says:

    Why in the hell would anyone continue to watch CBS or support any of it’s advertisers when they are editing out the truth? They’re nothing more than whoring propagandist megaphones for the RepubReich. Boycott CBS and any corporation associated with it. The people do have power - it’s called the power of the purse. Use it to make your voice heard.


  20. aceomalley7 Says:

    The market closed and I’m back - you people do provide comic relief…


  21. misshusseinmolly Says:

    You know, if McCain just had minor brain farts like normal people, I wouldn’t mind so much. Even the “Iraq/Pakistan border” could be explained by an intent to say “Iran” instead of “Iraq” — McCain wouldn’t be the first one to misspeak on that one.

    But when he cannot place the Anbar Awakening chronologically with The Surge, and he completely forgets about Afghanistan, this is indicative of a mind with loose hinges. Do we really want this person running this country?


  22. satirev Says:

    Bobwurst: And if you take stock of true McCrazy supporters, you will locate the biggest bigots, liars, and hypocrites in this country. Bullies and hypocrites.


  23. satirev Says:

    missmolly: I’m with you on the “excusable brain farts” of being a 70-something. That comes with the territory. The test for dementia goes something like this: 1) If you lose your keys and you find them hiding under today’s paper, then you’re “normal”. 2) If you lose your keys and you find them in the refrigerator, then it’s probably nursing home time. I fear that McLiar falls into that category as his embarrassing gaffes continue. I’m concerned that he’s totally lost touch with truth, history, and even reality. Maybe it’s his PTSD which was dx’d years ago?


  24. Witch1 Says:

    I think I saw all this in one of the Harry Potter movie’s….The wackie guy’s head start’s to spin, his false eye pop’s out and he explode’s, right?…Scary to watch, keep me posted after the explosion, will ya….Blessings


  25. Zooey Says:

    aceomalley7 Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    The market closed and I’m back - you people do provide comic relief…

    July 24th, 2008 at 4:33 pm

    Piggle Wiggly closes this early?


  26. satirev Says:

    I’m certain that by the time November rolls around, McScary will have shot himself in the foot so many times that he’ll finally be “lame”. Now all we have to do is watch those taking the polls who are being told to spin that the numbers are 50/50. That’s THE ONLY WAY the GOP hacking can take place. We KNOW that the numbers are not 50/50 right now yet they continue to spin it as such. DO NOT BELIEVE THE POLLS. In order to rig an election, you have to also rig the Pre and Exit Polls - this is integral.


  27. satirev Says:

    And we know that the GOP is doing everything within their power to hack this coming election. Too many people’s futures hinge upon it. Just look at the incredible number of Bush surrogates and co-conspirators who will be going down. BTW, where the hell is the pudge-face Rove these days? Maybe he’s gone down the toilet and has taken Vicky Iseman along with him??


  28. aceomalley7 Says:

    Like I said…comic relief…


  29. satirev Says:

    aceomalley7: I guess you simply love comedy and farce then if you’re watching the stock market? Psst….your mentality is showing.


  30. satirev Says:

    I’d say that anyone glued to the stock market all day is a clown of the first order.


  31. satirev Says:

    I think we’ve got this one pegged - A$$clown Repturd would be my guess.


  32. satirev Says:

    later, TP buds! Just popped in to say hello and stir the brew a bit.


  33. nofltwlt Says:

    McCain is just Bush is a really bad disguise. McCain is just another buffoon who will continue to squander the health, wealth and security of our nation to make the rich, even richer.


  34. Oval12345678 aka James K. Sayre Says:

    Were his latest Gaffe-o-matic mis-statements made before or after his lunch at a German restaurant in German-village, Columbus, Ohio? Too much sauerbraten, eh, McCopycat?


  35. Bobwurst Says:

    “My friends, the surge was was the first major war since 9-11-44 when we invaded France to drive the Confederacy out of the Philippines, once and for all.”


  36. Leftside Annie Says:

    Crikey. I’m waaaaaaay tired of McMistake.


  37. shoeless Says:

    nofltwlt Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    McCain is just Bush is a really bad disguise. McCain is just another buffoon who will continue to squander the health, wealth and security of our nation to make the rich, even richer.

    Well sure. He doesn’t deny being a Republican.


  38. Bobwurst Says:

    aceomalley7 Says:
    Like I said…comic relief…

    So this one masturbates while thinking about clowns?


  39. Buckie Boy Says:

    Afghanistan was just one of those have to do’s to not look weak, Iraq was a lie for their Corporate Buddies….Cheney Secret Energy Meeting anyone?


  40. Bobwurst Says:

    Annie, can we start calling him Mcstake?


  41. pete Says:

    Someone still watches CBS? At least Faux leaves most of the worst of their BS intact. Of course, they’re proud of it so it’s a bad example.

    And Dan Rather is wondering why Katie is still employed.


  42. nycbassist Says:

    I think he’s employing a hypnosis trick, to lull us all to sleep with his continuous drone of a voice. McCain knows how to win wars. Senator Obama wants to win elections and lose wars. McCain knows how to win wars. I will ask no questions. I will obey. Please, let’s get this election over with. Can we have it tomorrow? I can’t stand hearing any more of this horse’s ass.


  43. miatch Says:

    McCain is dumber than Bush.


  44. Buckie Boy Says:

    aceomalley7 Says:
    The market closed and I’m back

    Did you get extra absorbent Depends? You should for all the dropping you do here.


  45. MCMetal Says:

    Jim Wilke Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    Define “major.”

    July 24th, 2008 at 4:25 pm

    A military rank …………


  46. MCMetal Says:

    aceomalley7 Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    The market closed and I’m back - you people do provide comic relief…

    July 24th, 2008 at 4:33 pm

    And you provide us with so much material to work with , assomalley………


  47. Shayne Says:

    Jim Wilke Says:

    “10,000 people died in Kansas”

    Actual death toll: 12

    The audacity of incorrec

    WTF?


  48. StratRat Says:

    aceomalley7 Says:

    The market closed and I’m back - you people do provide comic relief…

    July 24th, 2008 at 4:33 pm

    I knew it. He is a clerk at the $0.99 cent store down the street from where I live.

    So your boss said it was ok to back out into the real world - and without a leash? Wow, I am proud of your recent accomplishments. Now if you could find a backbone, that would be cool.

    Got plastic sheets?


  49. Zooey Says:

    It’s clearer all the time that the Republican party is again jerking around McCain. They really cannot be serious about this candidate.

    Come November, I wouldn’t be surprised if the ticket reads Romney v. Obama.


  50. Badger Says:

    The Taliban are on the Rise. Bin Laden is releasing monthly videotapes from his Safe Haven in Pakistan. Afghanistan leads the world in Poppy Production. We don’t have the troops to turn this situation around, because our troops are Mired in Iraq.

    I’d say this was a MAJOR Problem, Mr. Wilke


  51. RUCerious Says:

    QUICK! Post your resume for ‘gaffe scrubber’ on the McIIIrd staff. They need shitload of talented ‘editors’ to loan out to the various networks to ’sanitize’ his bullshit.


  52. nanlichi Says:

    Jim Wilke, when McWirestouching needs another rim job he’ll call you.

    It makes you look cheap to keep giving them away.


  53. ralph the wonder llama Says:

    I think Buckie Boy hit it on the head.

    By “major conflict” McStake (h/t Annie) meant those on the PNAC schedule. Afghanistan was an aberration, therefore it doesn’t count.


  54. RUCerious Says:

    So AsshoMalley sold his mom at the stock market today?


  55. alexmayhave2020 Says:

    You know what, if we never would have gone into Iraq we would not have to listen to this dribble everyday, all day. Instead we could spend more minutes and more money on domestic issues. Don’t these people realize this? I am tired of listening to the same talking points from this man and the like, day after day.


  56. RUCerious Says:

    And here I thought the stock market was for buying and selling cows! Oh. Right. It is…


  57. bob hussein lablah Says:

    Jim Wilke Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    Define “major.”

    Why don’t you ask the families of the fallen and maimed to define “major”?


  58. pete Says:

    Badger Says:

    The Taliban are on the Rise. Bin Laden is releasing monthly videotapes from his Safe Haven in Pakistan. Afghanistan leads the world in Poppy Production. We don’t have the troops to turn this situation around, because our troops are Mired in Iraq.

    I’d say this was a MAJOR Problem, Mr. Wilke
    July 24th, 2008 at 5:07 pm

    One mustn’t forget the, battle hardened, fighters from Iraq who are reinforcing the Taliban. While a handful of fanatics keep us pinned down in Iraq, they can prepare to do to us what they did to the Russians. And most of them are probably carrying weapons supplied by us!


  59. Shayne Says:

    Jim Wilke Says:

    List the casualties in Afghanistan prior to our entry into Iraq and then list the losses in Iraq. That was McCain’s point and all the chest beating and hair splitting doesn’t help.

    McCain doesn’t know what point he’s trying to make but you do? Is your dementia more advanced?


  60. ralph the wonder llama Says:

    Jim Wilke Says:
    List the casualties in Afghanistan prior to our entry into Iraq and then list the losses in Iraq. That was McCain’s point and all the chest beating and hair splitting doesn’t help.

    Tell that to the family of Pat Tillman.


  61. Cal Malenky Says:

    McCain can’t get through a day without a blunder.
    Not fit for POTUS.


  62. texaslady Says:

    JW - to the families every loss is major..facts are bush entered Afganistan first, let OBL go purposely to be able to invade and occupy Iraq. McCain is campaign weary, the RNC needs to “let him quit” for health reasons. He is not able to handle the Presidency, even stalwart conservatives can see that.


  63. texaslady Says:

    JW have you asked yourself why Mccain’s comments have to be “cleared up and re worded or explained? Something is off here, think about it.


  64. JMOHR Says:

    This is not really a misstatement on McCain’s part. The neocons actually believe that the Afghanistan operation was at best a sideshow to the real goal. Their goal was always to remove Saddam and then to confront each other country in the Middle East that was considered a threat. Thus, they would next go after Iran, Syria, and possibly Lebanon until they were compliant client states of the US.

    They do see the entire middle east as being comprised of radical Islamic groups attempting to eliminate western influence. They seem to believe in a high degree of cooperation amongst these groups. Thus McCain is perfectly consist with his view that Afghanistan was not a major conflict.

    Sorry, but true.


  65. bob hussein lablah Says:

    Jim Wilke Says:
    List the casualties in Afghanistan prior to our entry into Iraq and then list the losses in Iraq. That was McCain’s point and all the chest beating and hair splitting doesn’t help.

    So Afghanistan wasn’t a major conflict until after we invaded Iraq? What, did we invade Afghanistan twice? (DOUBLESPEAK DOUBLESPEAK)

    Is this sort of like the surge starting before the surge actually started?


  66. StratRat Says:

    Thus McCain is perfectly consist with his view that Afghanistan was not a major conflict.

    Sorry, but true.

    And they were wrong about that also…….NEXT!


  67. Hussein McCain Says:

    Jim, It’s like with you and the oil spills. Unless it’s the worst, to you it’s not major. Seems like a childish way of viewing things, no offense to children.


  68. pete Says:

    Hussein McCain,

    That’s the problem in a nutshell. From Grand Daddy Bush on down, they have a very childish point of view. They want what they want and they want it now. They don’t bother listening to ANYONE once they make up their mind. They throw tantrums. And, because of their own guilty thoughts, they think there’s a Boogy-man under their bed.

    What’s worse is that they, like children, are unable to understand that older, and wiser, minds even exist. George Bush is the most well known and obvious example. He REALLY BELIEVES he’s smarter than everybody else!


  69. nanlichi Says:

    I give up JW, just keep lapping away, no matter how cheap it makes you look. I am sure John appreciates the squeeky clean cheeks.


  70. StratRat Says:

    Jim Wilke Says:

    Use your head and concentrate on the big issues, not picking nits.

    Hmmmm. When you are using your head on McCain, does he insist that you call it ‘the big issue’? That’s kinda creepy, no?


  71. bob hussein lablah Says:

    Jim Wilke Says:

    Use your head and concentrate on the big issues, not picking nits.

    And keep letting McSurge ignore Afghanistan until he loses the election…fine by me.


  72. Bobwurst Says:

    Jim Wilke Says:
    Use your head and concentrate on the big issues, not picking nits.

    Jim Wilke Says:
    “10,000 people died in Kansas
    Actual death toll: 12″

    The audacity of incoherent.

    But keep posting jimmy, you’ll win that decoder ring yet!


  73. Hussein McCain Says:

    Jim, Afghanistan, that’s one big nit, huh?


  74. Bobwurst Says:

    Maybe jimmy gets more points for posting on multiple threads. That would explain why he posts a non sequitur or two and then scurries away.


  75. pete Says:

    The wholesale price of heroin is down. Mission accomplished!


  76. RUCerious Says:

    MUST

    KEEP

    EYE

    ON

    BALL…


  77. Cats r Flyfishn Says:

    Sounds like John McCain is “confused” again. It seems to be happening more often lately.

    During an interview with Brian Williams, Obama discussed how much energy it takes to campaign and to take this whirlwind trip to other nations. Barack said that this is preparing him for the role of the Presidency, a 24/7 job. The campaign is beginning to really wear down McCain. He just physically can’t keep up and this is why he is always “confused”. He’s half asleep whenever he is in front of the camera.


  78. curious Says:

    The fact is Katie Couric, not known for her brains, probably did not know he made an error. But even if she had, I doubt very much if she would have corrected him or tried to obtain more information. She shows her lack of understanding regarding world history every night.

    She does not do her own research or editing. I would bet a million dollars someone does it for her. But I understand this is her last year with the news department. Then she can go back to soft news interviews.

    I will never forget when she first began doing the CBS nightly news. She had a segment called free speech. She would have famous people on for five minute periods to give their spiel on free speech. I knew she was no intellectual. But when she stated that,”free speech is a privilege.” I winced when she said it. The Constitution says free speech is a right. I felt if she did not know that, she knew nothing. As it turned out, that short lived segment featured almost entirely the right wing talkers.

    Even with an old man running for President, she could not or would not do a better, informative interview. And as it was CBS changed what he said to her. Let’s hear it for the free objective press.


  79. pete Says:

    More news from Afghanistan.

    Anyone who really thinks we can hold either country, indefinitely, is nuts. Smart weapons don’t mean sound strategy. And there is no sound strategy for an occupation. And further proof that there’s no reason for them to fight us, at all, if we we are not over there.

    Why on earth would a terrorist risk the near certainty of being thwarted in more U.S. attacks, when Chimpy has provided so many targets “over there”? They have their own issues to settle once we’re gone. Are people really suggesting that we can’t handle the eventual winners?

    Are people really afraid that it will ever be plausible to unleash a wave of spectacular terrorist acts in this country, because we bring our military home to do their rightful job of defending us instead of enforcing our presence where it’s not wanted?

    Are people naive enough to believe that ANYONE can pose a significant threat against the full resources of our military?

    Are people so forgetful that they fail to realize that NO COUNTRY has EVER been immune to terrorism? That the biggest threat is always home grown? And that there are insane people in ANY group who will resort to terrorism when they think it’s deserved?

    Are people insane enough that they don’t realize the best way to avoid foreign based terrorism is to NOT PISS THEM OFF!

    http://www.reuters.com/ article/ worldNews/ idUSISL11901520080724?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews


  80. MCMetal Says:

    Jim Wilke Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    Use your head and concentrate on the big issues, not picking nits.

    July 24th, 2008 at 5:49 pm

    Okay

    Bigger issue : Saddam or Bin Laden ? Who did and continued to do more damage ?

    This is why the joke that the GOP is “better” when it comes to the military or all things having to do with them , is such a laughable and fictitious notion………


  81. upside99 Says:

    Wow, looks like jimmie boy just got enough GOP Posting Points for that bobble head McDepends doll he has always wanted. It will go on the dash next to his bobbly ass KKKarl doll he won a few months ago.


  82. shaun Says:

    another verbal blunder that he will no doubt get away with - and did everyone see him try and explain his mistake on the surge and anbar?? - that was priceless!!! - he made absolutely no sense and AGAIN somehow gets a pass!! - why aren’t the dems climbing all over him when he has these senior moments? - he’s giving ‘em enough ammo seemingly on a daily basis - they better go at him and quick because scary thing is,he’s not too far behind in the polls


  83. tokin librul Says:

    miatch Says:
    McCain is dumber than Bush.
    July 24th, 2008 at 4:56 pm

    i expect they’re about the same, iq around 115-120. completely average, over-privileged white males…


  84. ralph the wonder llama Says:

    upside99 Says:
    Wow, looks like jimmie boy just got enough GOP Posting Points for that bobble head McDepends doll he has always wanted. It will go on the dash next to his bobbly ass KKKarl doll he won a few months ago.

    Nah. He’s so over that bobblehead doll. Now that it’s summertime, he’s going for the McCain ‘08 picnic cooler! He can carry a full six-pack in it, with ice!


  85. job6879 Says:

    Bush to McCain: “OMG, I think I sent the troops to the wrong
    country!!”

    McCain to Bush: “Vietnam?”

    Bush to McCain: “No man, that ended back in, well duh, stop
    confusin me?”


  86. RandomChaos Says:

    Zooey,
    Thanks for the link to the speech!


  87. WesleyJI Says:

    if this is all you people can think of to bash McCain over, then you might have a little trouble come November!


  88. WesleyJI Says:

    Zooey, i believe you once said to me “you won’t vote for Obama because he is a black man.” Well, guess what: I AM BLACK! Not every African American is playing ignorant and voting for Obama. There are us who know McCain is a better choice for president. I am the kind of person who Obama’s spiritual advisor calls “a negro who just doesn’t get it.” McCain is the best choice for president. Period.


  89. kathy Says:

    “LobbyDelegtes.com is a great tool, I have contacted all my State Delegates for free through email, I have come accross another tool from the same company http://www.statedemocracy.org its also free and I can contact my lawmakers, apply for an absentee ballot & voter registration and on election day I can locate my polling places. Great tool…. use it”


  90. rewinn Says:

    Let’s get the names right, please:

    McCain

    McCouric

    McCBS


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