Schmidt criticizes Obama for refusing to applaud ‘victory’ in Iraq.
Schmidt criticizes Obama for refusing to applaud ‘victory’ in Iraq.
Yesterday on NBC’s Meet the Press, Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-IL) chief strategist David Axelrod noted that during Friday’s presidential debate, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) “never once mentioned the middle class.” In response, McCain’s top adviser Steve Schmidt noted that Obama never said “victory” regarding the “wars this country’s fighting.” Later, host Tom Brokaw noted that Gen. David Petraeus — whom McCain has called “one of the great military leaders in American history” — also refuses to use the word “victory” regarding Iraq. Schmidt then walked back his original comment slightly, saying the United States is “on the edge of victory.” Watch it:
Also during the segment, Schmidt falsely claimed that McCain “called for the firing of Don Rumsfeld.”
Transcript:
AXELROD: What was phenomenal about that debate was that in 40 minutes on the economy, Senator McCain never once mentioned the middle class, never talked about the struggles people are going through. We need to create an economic recovery plan that puts at its core the middle class in this country.
SCHMIDT: Well, Tom, you know, this was a debate about national security, about foreign policy. You never heard the word victory from Senator Obama when it came to wars this country’s fighting.[...]
BROKAW: Let’s go back to this business about winning in Iraq, if we can. In fact, a number of people on the Republican have–side have said that we’re winning. But in an interview with the BBC, General David Petraeus said he did not know that he would ever use the word victory about Iraq. “This is not the sort of struggle where you take a hill, plant a flag and go home to a victory parade. … it’s not” a “war with a simple slogan.” So isn’t it misleading in many ways for Senator McCain to say we are winning and we’ll come home when we have declared victory?
SCHMIDT: Well, absolutely not. Here is what victory means in Iraq. It means an Iraqi government that is able to protect its borders, and it means an Iraqi government that is able to protect its people, then moves forward on its path to democracy. This country was losing this war. Senator McCain stood up to the Bush administration, called for the firing of Don Rumsfeld, risked his political career to advocate a strategy almost by himself that has led us to the edge of victory there.
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September 29th, 2008 at 11:02 amI’m sure that if there ever really is anything that could be remotely called “victory” in Iraq (like our troops being able to stand down and come home), Obama will applaud. As will we all.
But in the meantime, “victory” is merely a meaningless buzzword being used by the warmongers in a desperate effort to keep their base convinced we need to be there and “finish the job” — whatever that means.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:03 amAll this proves is the Barack Obama, and not John McCain, agrees with General Petraeus. Petraeus stated that we would never plant the flag, declare victory and go home.
Next?
PEACE
September 29th, 2008 at 11:05 amI know this has been asked before, but it bears repeating here: how does one achieve “victory” in an occupation?
September 29th, 2008 at 11:05 amLater, host Tom Brokaw noted that Gen. David Petraeus — whom McCain has called “one of the great military leaders in American history”
For someone who is a couple of millenia old , his grasp on American history isn’t too great ………..
September 29th, 2008 at 11:07 ampssst, Congressional dipshits:
Next time your Preznut demands to use our military in a conflict without a clear and concise mission INCLUDING an Exit Strategy, DO YOUR FCUKING JOB AS AN EQUAL AND CO-BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:07 amWhat victory? I would like one, then we can all applaud.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:08 amAnd what is ‘victory’ in an occupation, Herr Schmidt?
September 29th, 2008 at 11:08 amHere’s something I can’t quite figure out – if the Right keeps on insisting we’re “winning” or have achieved “victory,” then doesn’t that set the stage perfectly as the time to consider withdrawal? How can we “win” more – if that’s the line of logic the Repubs want to follow?
September 29th, 2008 at 11:08 amralph the wonder llama Says:
I know this has been asked before, but it bears repeating here: how does one achieve “victory” in an occupation?
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Oh come on, Ralphie… even I can answer THAT one… one achieves “victory” in an occupation by putting on a flight suit and landing on an aircraft carrier so one can have one’s picture taken under a big banner declaring “Mission Accomplished”!!!
Sheeesh, Ralph, where have you been?
September 29th, 2008 at 11:09 amWould Herr Schmidt care to articulate on the stated purpose of the ’surge’, that of political reconciliation, which has yet to occur in any way shape or form???
September 29th, 2008 at 11:10 amTRoS, I am so embarrassed. How could I have forgotten that great moment in American military history?
September 29th, 2008 at 11:11 amCould someone explain to me what “victory” in Iraq means -
September 29th, 2008 at 11:12 amother than financial gain for all the military contractors in the Pentagon?
ralph the wonder llama Says:
TRoS, I am so embarrassed. How could I have forgotten that great moment in American military history?
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S’okay, Ralphie. You were prolly using the Cheney or getting another cold one from the reefer. Either way, it’s an acceptable explanation.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:16 amThe Republic of Stupidity Says:
Oh come on, Ralphie… even I can answer THAT one… one achieves “victory” in an occupation by putting on a flight suit and landing on an aircraft carrier so one can have one’s picture taken under a big banner declaring “Mission Accomplished”!!!
Sheeesh, Ralph, where have you been?
September 29th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Ah, but that’s only the first key to opening the golden door of success – Make A Dream-Banner…
September 29th, 2008 at 11:16 amIsn’t part of the story here that Rick Davis was NOT on the program? He seems to be in the same hands-off zone they have Palin in. And Steve Schmidt showed one thing in sharp relief – he is not ready for prime time. Seriously, was it Dr. Evil or Lex Luthor he more resembled?
September 29th, 2008 at 11:17 amWhen there is “victory” the soldiers come home. Until our soldiers come home there is no victory.
Is that too complicated for Schmidt and McCain to understand??
September 29th, 2008 at 11:17 amI wish Obama had gone after McIIIrd in the debate on the ‘fragile’ nature of the success the surge has provided.
Is there any way to determine, then, when the Shiite gummint is going to be able to take over policing and replace the US troops?
September 29th, 2008 at 11:18 amWhen are we going to stop paying tranquility bribes to the Sunni Awakening militias and hand that over to the Shiite governm….oh, right.
Tweedster Says
September 29th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Here’s something I can’t quite figure out – if the Right keeps on insisting we’re “winning” or have achieved “victory,” then doesn’t that set the stage perfectly as the time to consider withdrawal? How can we “win” more – if that’s the line of logic the Repubs want to follow?
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We are winning, have been winning, and will continue to win in Iraq for years to come. And people like you who insist upon pointing out the lack of logic in that statement must be anti-American commie traitors who probably don’t even love their own mothers.
/snark off
September 29th, 2008 at 11:19 amThere can never, ever be a victory in Iraq. The Iraq war was won years ago with the toppling of Saddam, this is nothing more than a bungled occupation (violence levels are going up again) due to the US failure to have properly secured the country in the first place and failure to have a well thought out nation building program.
This is the way the issue must be approached. The war was over years ago, this is an occupation which depends upon US civil efforts and the Iraqi people. To even refer to victory is to cast the Iraqi people as an enemy to be defeated. Hardly an image we want to project.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:22 am“If you say it enough, it becomes the truth” – Repug strategy for winning
September 29th, 2008 at 11:24 amAgain…. what exactly does victory look like?
September 29th, 2008 at 11:24 amSo what was it called when Chimpy in his flight suit, with the ‘Misson Accomplished’ banner behnd him claimed victory six years ago?
Clearly the Cons keep inventing their own definitions of words to claim lexicon ‘victories’.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:25 amTheir can be NO honor or victory in an illegal invasion.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:26 amLibertyLover Says:
Again…. what exactly does victory look like?
____________
A scrumptious, yummy big chocolate fudge cupcake covered w/ whipped cream frosting and sprinkles, w/ a cherry on top…
OR…
Thousands of dead, blood-spattered, mutilated bodies lying everywhere, burning, gutted buildings as far as the eye can see, w/ the screams of the dying mingled w/ acrid bitter smoke…
It’s your choice… seeing as it’s all in your mind…
September 29th, 2008 at 11:29 amRUCerious Says:
I wish Obama had gone after McIIIrd in the debate on the ‘fragile’ nature of the success the surge has provided.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:18 am
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Me too. I also wish he hadn’t let O’Reilly cajole him into saying that “the surge has worked beyond our wildest dreams” when in reality the troop surge has been the least important factor in the temporary lull in violence in Iraq.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:33 amhussein toasterhead Says:
Ah, but that’s only the first key to opening the golden door of success – Make A Dream-Banner…
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See, ralphie? And thanks for validating my point, toasterhead. And obviously BotchCo is indeed on their way to opening that Golden Door… ’cause, clearly, they’re on to Step 3… Planning Ahead Backwards… in their case, Planning Ahead, Arse Backwards! Paraguay 2012!!!
September 29th, 2008 at 11:33 amAside from picking an absurdly unqualified running mate McCain can’t do anything original. Obama not surprisingly for the candidate nominated by the party out of power campaigns on a change platform. McCain who has been in Washington for 26 years responds by claiming he is the agent of change. Obama points out that McCain never mentioned the middle class so McCain’s surrogate has to come up with a word that Obama didn’t use. Perhaps Obama can resolve this election by announcing that he is going to jump off the Washington Monument to demonstrate his love of country and wait for McCain to one up him again. After they hose McCain’s remains off the sidewalk we can start fixing the mess brought on by eight years of Bush.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:35 amCurrent DailyKos polls for 9/29/08:
Obama 51, McCain 52
Among Independents, Obama has gained significant ground.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:40 amThat shoulda been:
McCain 42
September 29th, 2008 at 11:40 amVictory is just around the corner. Except nobody seems to be able to define what “victory” in Iraq might look like. The truth is, in an occupation the only possible outcome is withdrawal, sooner or later.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:41 amuMMM, UN, wouldn’t that be 51/42?
September 29th, 2008 at 11:41 amAmong the stupid, drunk, illiterate and unwashed, McIIIrd is still a hero.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:42 amHEY! Where’s Herr Schmidt’s flag pin>!?!
He must be a nazi sympathizer.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:43 amapplauding for victory in Iraq is like applauding Hitler for victory in France.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:44 amFrom day 1 there never really has been a clear idea of what “victory” is.
But our 2 current illegal occupations are about OIl control, ethnic cleansing, sewing constant Middle East discension, and far-reaching hubris which has ruined our civilian eocnomy.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:45 amRUCerious Says: uMMM, UN, wouldn’t that be 51/42?
Yeah, I tried to catch it, but once you hit ‘post’, it’s gone. I fixed it in the subsequent post.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:46 amPathological liars just naturally gravitate to the Republican party. Of that I am convinced.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:47 amunbelievable Says
September 29th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Current DailyKos polls for 9/29/08:
Obama 51, McCain 42
Among Independents, Obama has gained significant ground.
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Even the Republican-controlled polls show Obama gaining ground, as realclearpolitics shows Obama ahead by by 4.6 points (their average).
The McCainiacs can spin the debate all they want to, but in the end, it appears that Obama is walking away with growing support and McCain is not.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:47 amYadda Yadda Yadda
…”the insurgents are in their last throes”…
September 29th, 2008 at 11:48 amOne surefire way to get that ever-elusive youth vote? Tell the young guy he doesn’t understand the shit you’re talking about. Seriously, McCain campaign, make sure the pissed-off old man keeps saying that Obama is naive. It makes him look so hip and in touch and ready to consider all ideas. Hey, how about adding this: “Senator Obama’s music is too loud and I don’t like his friends”? And keep using words like “festoon,” as in “It was festooned with Christmas tree ornaments.” Try “betokens” next debate.
http://rudepundit.blogspot.com/
September 29th, 2008 at 11:48 amUn, I guess it would be just a tad difficult to have 103%, but knowing the repugs….
September 29th, 2008 at 11:49 ami remember when republicans were good at this sort of thing.
what happened? because they definitely lost thier mojo. not that i’m disappointed, i think it’s great nobody is paying them attention.
and with thin assed bs like this it’s easy to see why.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:50 amAt electoral-vote.com, disregarding the states within the margin of error, Obama leads 250-163.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:51 amWhere is our troll John “It’s f’n over” Kerry? Hasn’t been around lately.
Un ~ half the time I try to bring up the rude one, my corporate firewall rules kick in and call it porn!!!
September 29th, 2008 at 11:51 amAlso during the segment, Schmidt falsely claimed that McCain “called for the firing of Don Rumsfeld.”
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Geez — as long as Schmidt was on a lying tear for his boss, why didn’t he make the claim that McCain ended the Cold War? or put Neil Armstrong on the moon (from his Hanoi Hilton cell)? or gave women the right to vote?
September 29th, 2008 at 11:54 amCould someone check the video to see if Schmidtty had his jackboots on? His armband?
September 29th, 2008 at 11:55 amSteve Schmidt is one of those Beltway political operatives who is pure whore, a pathological personality with no core beliefs whatsoever.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:03 pmmisshusseinmolly Says:
or put Neil Armstrong on the moon (from his Hanoi Hilton cell)?
September 29th, 2008 at 11:54 am
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I’ll give McCain partial credit for this. Given his flying record, it probably didn’t hurt that McCain was safely grounded while Apollo 11 was lifting off.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:04 pmVICTORY: (1) Final and complete defeat of the enemy in a military engagement. (2) Any successful struggle against an opponent or obstacle. (3) The state of having triumphed.
Which one of those are we creeping up on you f-ing tool?
September 29th, 2008 at 12:14 pmThe Repukians think that if you say “Victory” and “Winning” enough stupid people will believe it….oh, forgot, it was American TV to an American audience…my bad.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:22 pmWhat is their definition of “victory” this week?
September 29th, 2008 at 12:25 pmThere were fifty people killed in Baghdad over the weekend. Why doesn’t McSame admit that the surge hasn’t been a total success?
September 29th, 2008 at 12:27 pmAnd is victory in Iraq defined? And if we have had our victory why aren’t ALL of our troops and billions of taxpayers’ dollars home yet! What a moronic demagogue!
September 29th, 2008 at 12:38 pmBush declared MISSION ACCOMPLISHED on May 1 2003
September 29th, 2008 at 12:42 pmwhat victory is he talking about?
Iraq is a failure designed to bleed this country to death. The idiot and his cronies had it all planned. Now they’re looting Wall Street in ‘take as much money as you can and run’ fashion. Anyone got an email from Michael Moore this morning?
The only way to stop Bush is killing him NOW! DEATH TO THE IDIOT!
September 29th, 2008 at 12:42 pmDaTruth; I trust that your guillotine blade has been sharpened.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:54 pmI thought the reason for going into Iraq was WMD’s? tossing Saddam was an afterthought and giving the Iraqi’s democracy was for entertainment.
I don’t recall going into Iraq for victory. And if so, what are we suppose to be victorious about?
Seriously, this talk about victory by McCain’s staff should cause people to think critically about McCain’s mental state. He, as well as all the rest of the repugs, are still bitter after all these long years for not walking out of Vietnam victorious. So we have to have a victory in Iraq regardless the circumstances.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:56 pmJohn McCain is truly an enigma. Half the time he reminds me of a child looking for a pat on the back for some imaginary success and then he reminds me of a senile grandmother who tells the same boring story three times in one evening. Did I say “enigma”? I meant “putz”.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:02 pm.
FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS FLAG PINS
.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:11 pm.
Maybe Steve Schmidt can explain lack of Johnny’s McFLAG PIN!
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September 29th, 2008 at 1:12 pm.
Maybe Steve Schmidt can explain how one is VICTORIOUS in an occupation…
.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:14 pmVictory?
As in….We won?
As in no more games?
Woo Hoo!
GREAT!
Send our troops home NOW!!!
September 29th, 2008 at 1:20 pmIraq Sahwa seek more US cash to fight Qaeda
Ex-insurgents in Iraq threaten to rejoin Al-Qaeda ranks if US cashflow dries up.
BAQUBA – The Iraqi officer leading a US-financed anti-jihadist group is in no mood for small talk — either the military gives him more money or he will pack his bags and rejoin the ranks of Al-Qaeda.
http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=27098
September 29th, 2008 at 1:26 pmNo weapon forged against you [ Mrs. Michelle Obama and Sen. Barack Obama ] will prevail, and you [ Mrs. Michelle Obama and Sen. Barack Obama ] will refute every tongue that accuses you [ Mrs. Michelle Obama and Sen. Barack Obama ] . This is the heritage of the servants [ Mrs. Michelle Obama and Sen. Barack Obama ] of the LORD, and this is their [ Mrs. Michelle Obama and Sen. Barack Obama ] vindication from me,” declares the LORD. – Isaiah 54:17
” I [ God ] will send my terror ahead of you [ Mrs. Michelle Obama and Sen. Barack Obama ] and throw into confusion every nation you [ Mrs. Michelle Obama and Sen. Barack Obama ] encounter. I [ God ] will make all your [ Mrs. Michelle Obama and Sen. Barack Obama ] enemies turn their backs and run.” – Exodus 23:27
It’s time for the American people to get it right and NOT vote for McCain, instead vote for change. It’s time for this country to turn the page and seek a new and better future for ourselves and our children.It’s time for REAL change in Washington, it’s time to elect Barack Obama for president !
Amen.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:28 pm