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Does McCain think Palin was ‘right’ to call for an ‘exit plan’ from Iraq?

In an interview last night with an NBC affiliate in Portland, ME, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) argued that Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) is qualified to be vice president because she’s been “right on the issues.” Specifically, he said, “She was right on Iraq, Sen. Obama was wrong.” But when asked about her view of the Iraq war in March 2007 — just a couple months after Bush announced the surge — Palin said that the United States should “have an exit plan in place“:

PALIN: I haven’t really focused much on the war in Iraq. I heard on the news about the new deployments, and while I support our president, Condoleezza Rice and the administration, I want to know that we have an exit plan in place.

If McCain believes Palin was “right on Iraq,” does he then believe the surge was wrong?

Update ABC News reports, "On the anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history, Gov. Sarah Palin took a hard-line approach on national security and said that war with Russia may be necessary if that nation invades another country":

Palin advocated the accession of Georgia and Ukraine into NATO, meaning that if attacked again in the future, the United States would be bound to go to war.

"I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you're going to be expected to be called upon and help," she said.


61 Responses to “Does McCain think Palin was ‘right’ to call for an ‘exit plan’ from Iraq?”

  1. Leftside Annie says:

    Well of course. She was against it before she was for it.

    See? No problem.


  2. ScaryBrownHusseinChick (ThinkOutsideTheBush) says:

    He’ll probably say that disagreeing with someone you agree with is not disagreeing. It’s agreeing but in a different way.


  3. robbez_92107 says:

    You guys had better quit pointing out how McSame’s VP keeps contradicting him.

    You’re going to piss the old coot off.


  4. henry wallace says:

    What’s the difference between CIA psyops and Republican psyops? I don’t see any difference…it’s like it’s coming from the same source. Using these tactics on the American people is tantamount to ‘treason’, and it’s an impeachable offence for any public office holder.


  5. impeachcheneythenbush says:

    From the article about the interview:

    “And we’ve got to keep an eye on Russia. For Russia to have exerted such pressure in terms of invading a smaller democratic country, unprovoked, is unacceptable,” she told ABC News’ Charles Gibson in an exclusive interview.

    Russia WAS provoked by Georgia; the President of Georgia made a horrible mistake by invading South Ossetia, knowing full well that Russia would move in to protect them…or at least their claim to that breakaway region. If Palin thinks it’s quite okay if we go to war with Russia, then she is crazier than I thought. She really is totally clueless!


  6. Chuck Feney says:

    She must like ‘poking the bear’ as Scooter Libby would say.

    “Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov has accused the United States of emboldening Georgia to start a war in the Caucasus to test Russian resolve.”
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7609557.stm


  7. Bob says:

    Obama’s the one that’s been right on Iraq all along, including before the invasion. This has been proven with facts. Facts do not exist in McCain’s assessment of Iraq or Paln, so there’s no conflict in that regard.


  8. McWars says:

    Think of Russia as the helpless moose and we’ll be OK.


  9. Count Istvan says:

    Sarah says she’s going to take us to war with Russia. The Kingston Trio (you young’uns look that one up.)were right. Some lovely day someone with set the spark off and we will all be blown away.


  10. backup says:

    Approval of the war is trending higher:

    Opinions on the war in Iraq, on the other hand, have changed slightly, with a slight majority (52 percent) now saying that the war is an essential part of the war on terrorism. That represents a shift from 2006, when a majority of Americans said the war in Iraq was a distraction.

    Support for the Iraq war is also up slightly over the past six months, from 30 percent in June to 37 percent now.

    http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/11/terrorism.poll/index.html?iref=24hours

    And the war as an issue is becoming less important to many voters:

    But as Americans increasingly approve of the war, it becomes less of an important issue in their choice for president: Now, only 13 percent of registered voters said it was most important to their vote, compared with the 56 percent who named the country’s economic woes as their chief concern.


  11. Count Istvan says:

    Now, only 13 percent of registered voters said it was most important to their vote, compared with the 56 percent who named the country’s economic woes as their chief concern.

    Dumbasses the war is the reason the economy is in the tank.


  12. GeeDubs says:

    Or you can put lipstick on the moose before you shoot it and eat it.

    And backup, who cares if Iraq is less important as an issue in the election? The fact is that people are still dying and this should be stopped. And now Moose McBrain’s beard wants to take us to war to stop Russia? Let’s have some more dead bodies to hold up our ‘values.’

    Once this gets out to the general population, ole McGrumpy and his sugar momma are going to have to go around the nation saying Sarah didn’t actually say what Sarah said.


  13. belac says:

    I don’t get it backup…
    The War in Iraq is slightly less unpopular so Palin is right to provoke Russia?
    Do you believe that increased concern amongs voters about the economy is good for McCain?

    P.S. Bush’s brilliant anti-missle battery has gotten us TU-160’s in Caracas! Looks like the Republican’s are batting 1.000 in international relations!


  14. Badmoodman says:

    Palin advocated the accession of Georgia and Ukraine into NATO, meaning that if attacked again in the future, the United States would be bound to go to war.

    – - And you could barely see Joe Lieberman’s lips moving as she spoke.


  15. carsick says:

    I didn’t hear the following quote but in print it certainly reads more like Paris Hilton than the defiant broadcaster performance I saw in the news.

    “I mean, that is the agreement when you are a NATO ally, is if another country is attacked, you’re going to be expected to be called upon and help,” she said.


  16. Roket says:

    Clueless in Alaska and beyond.


  17. joe cantwell says:

    how’s war with russia

    trending, eh?

    *

    thank you.

    #


  18. Bob says:

    From rawstory:
    South Ossetia’s separatist leader on Thursday said his breakaway region will become part of Russia, which fought a war with Georgia over the territory last month, Interfax news agency reported.

    “Of course we will become part of Russia. We’re not intending to set up some independent Ossetia,” Eduard Kokoity was quoted as saying during a meeting of a Kremlin discussion group in the southern Russian city of Sochi.

    Interesting: ‘Terrorism’ doesn’t quite have the scare factor they’re looking for, so it’s back to the tried and tested ‘Cold War’ scenerio. Is there any doubt that M/P will lead to more war? We don’t have the resources. This is the doom ticket.


  19. GeeDubs says:

    Good Lord, I’m no policy wonk, but even I know that marching up to Russia’s doorstep with NATO, and putting missles in Poland and the Czech Republic is a really stupid idea. This doesn’t have ANYTHING to do with making the world a safer place, and EVERYTHING to do with keeping the military procurement flowing and the dollars amassing to the war mongering Republican flackeys and their rich buddies in subsidiary industries.


  20. samsuncle says:

    Palin said “war with Russia may be necessary”. To think that it is possible for her to be a heart beat away from the presidency is scary. Does she have a clue about the gravity of that statement?


  21. GeeDubs says:

    Well, if you’re the War Party, might as well go for the Big Enchilada (or in this case the Big Borscht).


  22. paleolib says:

    Now, now, this is the commander in chief of the Alaskan National Guard we are talking about here. She knows all about the Russian threat and after a few more stupid comments like that will be dispatched to Fairbanks to prepare for the coming invasion and provide all-American photo ops (but no questions please).


  23. KYJurisDoctor says:

    Another saber rattler is not what we need right now. OsiSpeaks[dot]com


  24. TAGG says:

  25. Badmoodman says:

    Gov. Sarah Palin took a hard-line approach on national security and said that war with Russia may be necessary

    – - WHEW! It’s a good thing she’s an expert on relations with Russia.


  26. ralph the wonder llama says:

    Hey Sarah — how ’bout we ask our allies the Germans if it would be a good idea to attack Russia, hm?

    Oh, I forgot — Gov. Palin knows more about dealing with Russia because, y’know, Alaska is right next door to Russia.

    Good call, Grampy.


  27. SP Biloxi says:

    Palin is more scarier than people can imagine. If she is saying war may be necessary, it is much in certainty that she is unqualified as Veep as President should Gramps McSame croaks. Memo to Palin: Russia is great friends with China and Iran. While the clown President was busy with pet projects and taken photo-ops, Russia was building relationships with their allies. Since Russia build a relationship with Iran and Iran build relationship with Venezuela, do you really think these countries will stand by and let Russia be attack by the US??? I don’t think so. Clueless is not word for Palin. Scary is. And Palin’s zero experience in foreign policy is now showing from her statement about Russia.


  28. Nat says:

    Palin said “war with Russia may be necessary”.

    Why would you forecast this to a country that could blow us all to Kingdom come a hundred times over? Maybe that’s her plan.


  29. ralph the wonder llama says:

    paleolib Says:
    Now, now, this is the commander in chief of the Alaskan National Guard we are talking about here. She knows all about the Russian threat and after a few more stupid comments like that will be dispatched to Fairbanks to prepare for the coming invasion and provide all-American photo ops (but no questions please).

    Oh, paleolib, I sure hope you’re making a sly reference to the John Larroquette character in Stripes…


  30. 666lattes says:

    backup Says:

    “And the war as an issue is becoming less important to many voters:”

    Not to me… Also, you should tell McCain because he seems to think that it’s a political “Death Knell”, I believe were the words he chose.


  31. StratRat says:

    The problem with the christian fascists is that they WANT the rapture to come and cleanse the earth. They hope and pray for the earth to be destroyed in an immense confligration. Peace and prosperity doesn’t give them much opportunity to ’see’ God, so they pine for death, destruction, and suffering.

    Their God preaches hate and pain; my God preaches loves and faith. Why the big difference?


  32. NILAPSTICK says:

    samsuncle Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    Palin said “war with Russia may be necessary”. To think that it is possible for her to be a heart beat away from the presidency is scary. Does she have a clue about the gravity of that statement?

    September 11th, 2008 at 6:09 pm

    A cold war is possible. Even Obama understands that. Are we a part of NATO? Last time I checked, we were.


  33. I. B. Leary says:

    Russia? Iran? Iraq? Afghanistan? Man, I feel a draft.


  34. backup says:

    The NATO headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium, [3] and the organization constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party. wikipedia.

    I think Georgia is a NATO member. If we are NATO members and another NATO member is attacked by an external party – aren’t we bound by the idea of collective defense? Should we help defend Georgia or should we pull out of NATO?


  35. joe cantwell says:

    how’s bush trending,

    eh?

    *

    thank you.

    #


  36. CitizenX says:

    You can put lipstick on a nukular war, but it is still a nukular war.

    That attitude is insane? A shooting match with Russia. Even if it didn’t go nuclear, the do have the means to attack the “homeland”. Sheesh. Can you imagine some shock and awe on (insert city name here) and how quickly that would escelate?


  37. leftcoast says:

    NATO (North Atlantic Treaty)
    Article 1

    The Parties undertake, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, to settle any international dispute in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered, and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.

    Palin is violating the spirit of Article 1 by making a veiled threat to a U.N. member.


  38. stateofthedivision says:

    It’s good to know she’s not in favor of cold wars, but the hotter version. And where does Mrs. lipstick, moose shooting,pit bull envision this war breaking out? Did she say?

    And what about nuclear weapons, if we’re going to engage the big boy on the block? Are they a given? Might as well use up the old stock, before making those new ones.

    I guess they’re training her in the Cheney model of Repugnicant Veeps. Has anyone her her tell Senator Leahy to “_uck himself”?


  39. joe cantwell says:

    if you’re going to

    be a troll at least take

    the time to do your homework.

    #

    good luck.

    @


  40. 666lattes says:

    Georgia doesn’t appear to be a member quite yet: http://www.nato.int/STRUCTUR/countries.htm

    “aren’t we bound by the idea of collective defense?”

    Not if they go do something stupid like provoking a wannabe, but almost, super-power that could lead to a complete disaster for us.

    “Country First”, right? Right?!?


  41. j swift says:

    I think Georgia is a NATO member. If we are NATO members and another NATO member is attacked by an external party – aren’t we bound by the idea of collective defense? Should we help defend Georgia or should we pull out of NATO?

    Dude there is a big difference between agreeing to do something and guaranteeing or actually doing something. I am not aware that any member of NATO who fails to provide certain aid has to remove themselves from the organization.


  42. Count Istvan says:

    I think Georgia is a NATO member. If we are NATO members and another NATO member is attacked by an external party – aren’t we bound by the idea of collective defense? Should we help defend Georgia or should we pull out of NATO?

    Georgia is not a NATO member and I think people who post stupid shit like this should not be allowed to vote.


  43. Badger says:

    Backup…

    Georgia is NOT a NATO Member. If it was, we’d be at war with Russia right now!

    Palin needs to be kept VERY FAR AWAY from any US Foreign Policy decisions.

    GOOD RELATIONS with RUSSIA are CRUCIAL.


  44. joe cantwell says:

    remember alaska

    is right next door

    to russia.

    *

    that trends well

    in foreign policy

    experience.

    *

    right?

    #


  45. 666lattes says:

    NILAPSTICK Says:

    “A cold war is possible.”

    Nothing “cold” about it, I’m afraid, but that’s only IF McCain gets elected.


  46. Nat says:

    I think Georgia is a NATO member. If we are NATO members and another NATO member is attacked by an external party – aren’t we bound by the idea of collective defense? Should we help defend Georgia or should we pull out of NATO?
    -backup

    No; it could get us killed.

    And Georgia started this mess by going into South Ossetia.


  47. RUCerious says:

    Is Palin advocating that Russia and China should invade the US?


  48. backup says:

    I’m wrong.

    Although voters seem to want membership:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian_NATO_membership_referendum,_2008

    Georgia is not a NATO member.

    My apologies.


  49. tom says:

    Gibson is actually asking some good questions. I loved the way he asked her if she agreed with the GDumbya Doctrine and then didn’t take the bait from her when she said “in what regard?”. It’s pretty clear she didn’t have the foggiest clue what the GDumbya Doctrine is.

    She is a flake, a fraud and a bimbo. There is no doubt.


  50. rogerD says:

    Palin sounds like the rest of these dopes. Remember that Condi claimed that the nukes we’re putting in Poland were for defensive purposes…against NORTH KOREA which couldn’t hit Europe with a missle even if it could truck it across the Russia. And she’s only Secretary of State not VP. Can any of the read a map?


  51. Sven Ortmann says:

    Georgia is no NATO member. GWB wanted it to make one, but several European governments disagreed. It didn’t happen. The same applied to the Ukraine.

    The Europeans were not stupid enough to accept an alliance with countries with such serious border disputes, foreign (Russian) forces on their soil and minorities with de-facto independence.

    Georgia received U.S. military assistance in exchange for 2,000 of its troops in Iraq (coalition of the bribed).
    That’s all.
    GWB could have guaranteed Georgia’s borders, entered a bilateral alliance or could have concluded other agreements, but he did NOTHING of relevance about Georgia once some major European states said NO to its NATO memberships.


  52. tom says:

    Palin said “war with Russia may be necessary”.

    I think she was referring to the catfight she’s going to have with them over fishing rights on November 5 when she returns to Alaska to permanently resume her duties as governor.


  53. leftcoast says:

    Great. We could have guy with a hairtrigger temper as President, and a VP who is in training on NATO and the U.N. who spouts off like she knows what she’s talking about.


  54. Badger says:

    As I see it, Sarah Palin made TWO factual Errors in her interview so far…

    1. She said the Russian incursion into Georgia was UNPROVOKED.

    2. She said that Ahmadinejad was the RUler of IRAN. The Mullahs Rule IRAN.


  55. stateofthedivision says:

    Palin is challenging subpoenas from the Troopergate investigation.

    http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jOTk11gvqDAgD0cY3i4WjI_2YOxwD934P0O80

    McCon/Pullin = Bush/Cheney


  56. tom says:

    Now she’s talking about her son shipping out today. Am I supposed to have some sympathy for her about that? After all, he thinks it was the lesser of two evils . . . either he goes to Iraq or he stays home and puts up with her crabbing at him about his drinking, drugging, sex antics and vandalism.


  57. leftcoast says:

    Track Palin, 19, is being deployed with 4,000 soldiers of the Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division.
    The Pentagon has rules against campaigning on military bases, but Gov. Palin was permitted to give a speech as long as it was not political.

    When a VP candidate gives a speech, its always political.


  58. EugeneDebs says:

    Palin War with Russia may be necessary

    Just a stupid rightwingnut showing her nostalgia for the Cold War


  59. Bilbo Hussein Baggins says:

    backup Says:
    Approval of the war is trending higher:

    SO what’s your point backup. That propaganda works?

    Do you really see nothing wrong with our borrowing 12 billion dollars a month from China to occupy Iraq?


  60. Bilbo Hussein Baggins says:

    There is nothing in the NATO treaty that says that NATO nations HAVE to go to war with nations that attack a NATO country. It is up to the judgment of the NATO nations to determine if defense is warranted. When a NATO country blatantly attacks another country, and is then attacked back, there is no obligation to attack the responding nation.


  61. Max-1 says:

    .

    R E M E M B E R:

    According to the Elite Leaders in D.C….

    IT’S NOT FASCISM WHEN IT’S AMERICA

    IT’S NOT WAR CRIMES WHEN PERPETRATED BY AMERICA

    IT’S NOT WAR OF AGGRESSION WHEN STARTED BY AMERICA

    .



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