Flashback: In Dec. 2007, McCain Rejected Calls For Musharraf’s Resignation, Called Him A ‘Key Element’
Flashback: In Dec. 2007, McCain Rejected Calls For Musharraf’s Resignation, Called Him A ‘Key Element’
Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf resigned today in order to avoid impeachment charges for illegally seizing power and mishandling the economy. AFP reports that Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) “welcomed” the decision in a statement:
The resignation of President Pervez Musharraf is a step toward moving Pakistan onto a more stable political footing. Pakistan is a critical theater in countering the threat of al Qaeda and violent Islamic extremism, and I look forward to the government increasing its future cooperation.
While McCain praises the resignation today, the developments also highlight McCain’s poor judgment on the matter. In Dec. 2007, after Musharraf imposed emergency rule and after Benazir Bhutto was assassinated, McCain resisted calling for Musharraf’s to step down, calling the Bush ally a “key element”:
COOPER: Is there any other option but Musharraf?
MCCAIN: I think that the new chief of staff of the army is a person who’s clearly going to be a player, because the army will play a role in whatever and however any unrest is addressed. But I think Musharraf, as the president of the country, is probably — and he has stepped down from his military position, as you know — is probably also a key element.
Throughout Musharraf’s reign, Pakistan’s woes grew, including an abysmal economy and a growing al Qaeda, to name a few. McCain, however, stood by Pakistan’s dictator:
– Called Musharraf a “personally scrupulously honest” man who deserved “the benefit of the doubt” on uniting Pakistan. [12/29/07]
– “I continue to believe Musharraf has done a pretty good job, done a lot of the things that we wanted him to do … I would like to give Musharraf some credit for taking the measures that we asked him to do.” [12/28/07]
– “Prior to Musharraf, Pakistan was a failed state. … They had corrupt governments and they would rotate back and forth and there was corruption, and Musharraf basically restored order. [12/28/07]
Caroline Wadhams and Brian Katulis have more on Musharraf’s resignation.
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21 Responses to “Flashback: In Dec. 2007, McCain Rejected Calls For Musharraf’s Resignation, Called Him A ‘Key Element’”
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I'd love to hear about something McCain HASN'T flipflopped on...
August 18th, 2008 at 4:49 pm<em< in my dreams...
August 18th, 2008 at 4:52 pmAmerica's President George Bush resigned today in order to avoid impeachment charges for illegally seizing power and mishandling the economy. AFP reports that Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) “welcomed” the decision in a statement:
closing tag in 3, 2, 1...
August 18th, 2008 at 4:53 pmAny minute the five o'clock "troll-ey" will arrive, and they will try to enlighten us how matrial law is a good thing and grampy mclame was correct in supporting musharraf
August 18th, 2008 at 4:55 pmMcIIIrd Loves him some dictatory mushy...
August 18th, 2008 at 4:59 pmWell duh....Musharef had NOT resigned yet. Now that he has, McCain never said anything positive about him in the past...get it together TP!
August 18th, 2008 at 5:03 pmThroughout Bush’s reign, America’s woes grew, including an abysmal economy and a growing al Qaeda, to name a few. McCain, however, stood by America’s dictator:
And just why is Bush still in office?
August 18th, 2008 at 5:04 pmThe way this man changes his reality, I think they've been asking the wrong candidate about drug use....
August 18th, 2008 at 5:06 pm"Throughout Musharraf’s reign, Pakistan’s woes grew, including an abysmal economy and a growing al Qaeda, to name a few."
Works just as well this way:
"Throughout Botch’s reign, USA’s woes grew, including an abysmal economy and a growing fascist, corporate RePugniScum Party, to name a few."
August 18th, 2008 at 5:09 pmBut I think Musharraf, as the president of the country, is probably — and he has stepped down from his military position, as you know — is probably also a key element.
Which "key element" is that? Insanium?
August 18th, 2008 at 5:28 pmHow old is this guy again ?
August 18th, 2008 at 5:41 pmI really think that we need someone who's blood flows a little faster than molasses.
How idiotic and ill-informed must one be to welcome political turmoil in Pakistan? Don't get me wrong, Mushy had to go, but a power vacuum in Pakistan could turn very ugly, very quickly.
What's McSpin going to say if "evil" fundamentalist Muslims end up in charge?
August 18th, 2008 at 5:47 pmMcIIIrd has hisself a powerful case of Dicktater Envy.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:48 pmWhen McCain was questioned about his flip flop (as if) he responded, "Blah, blah, blah, POW, blah, blah, blah surge."
August 18th, 2008 at 6:28 pmNow Keith it is unfair to blame McCain's stupidity on his age, he was dumb even when he was young.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:29 pmpete,
Is it really politcal turmoil? I was under the impression that this is the results of a "peoples movement" which indicate stability and a chance for democracry to set in.
If you know something different I would like to hear it. What is the international community saying?
August 18th, 2008 at 7:22 pmPakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf resigned today in order to avoid impeachment charges for illegally seizing power and mishandling the economy.
WHAT?!? IS THAT ALL???
why wouldn't they wait until he ILLEGALLY INVADES a sovereign country, based on FALSE INFORMATION AND LIES... and ILLEGALLY SPIES on his citizens... and sets up ILLEGAL TORTURE PRISONS... and TRANSFORMS THE JUSTICE DEPT. into a political machine... and ROBS FROM THE TREASURY for, er, oh...
i guess that's covered under "mishandling the economy"...
what else then?
jeez...
August 18th, 2008 at 7:32 pmwhere's mcchimpy patriotic bs flag pin?
August 18th, 2008 at 7:35 pm"where’s mcchimpy patriotic bs flag pin?"
Next to his head inside his a$$hole!!
August 18th, 2008 at 8:11 pmOddly enough, it seems that the problems with the so-called election and questions about the fairness (and survival of the contenders): this would seem to even push for even more questions about Musharraf.
And Grandpa thinks that these factors are good things that make him want to lend support ?
August 18th, 2008 at 8:54 pmBozo The Neoclown Says:
Any minute the five o’clock “troll-ey” will arrive, and they will try to enlighten us how matrial law is a good thing and grampy mclame was correct in supporting musharraf
August 18th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Not trying to pick on you, but some typos are funny.
"...matrial law..."? You mean, like, the mothers are in charge? I guess McCain's mother would make him take that stance.
Or did you also mean "marital" law? Yeah, McCain would support laws against gay marriage, so that's correct, too, as far as the religious right is concerned.
As for what you (obviously) meant, "martial law", yeah, his mother and the religious right would probably go along with that one, too. :)
Have a good day. (I gave you a recommend. No hard feelings.)
August 18th, 2008 at 9:30 pm