McCain Mocks Obama for Comment on Al Qaeda in Iraq at Debate
John McCain tried to capitalize Wednesday on what he sees as a weakness for his potential Democratic opponent, Barack Obama — his positions on Iraq.
McCain ridiculed the Illinois senator for a comment he made in a debate with Hillary Clinton on Tuesday night. Obama was asked if he would send soldiers back to Iraq to quell an insurrection or civil war if Al Qaeda in Iraq re-surges there. He responded that as president, he would take action “if Al Qaeda is forming a base in Iraq.”
McCain, who has staked much of his political fortunes to political and military successes in Iraq and his own national security credentials, suggested his anti-war colleague’s response was either naive or uninformed.
“When you examine that statement, it’s pretty remarkable,” McCain told a crowd in Tyler, Texas.
“I have some news. Al Qaeda is in Iraq. It’s called ‘Al Qaeda in Iraq,”‘ McCain said, drawing laughter at Obama’s expense.
The dig triggered a back-and-forth that continued long-distance through much of the day.
Obama quickly answered back, telling a crowd at Ohio State University in Columbus, “I do know that Al Qaeda is in Iraq.”
“McCain thought that he could make a clever point by saying ‘Well let me give you some news Barack, Al Qaeda is in Iraq,’ like I wasn’t reading the papers,” he said. “But I have some news for John McCain, and that is that there was no such thing as Al Qaeda in Iraq until George Bush and John McCain decided to invade Iraq.”
While an Illinois state senator in 2002, Obama gave an anti-war speech that the Iraq conflict would strengthen Al Qaeda’s ability to recruit.
Noting that McCain likes to tell audiences that he’d follow Usama bin Laden to the “gates of Hell” to catch him, Obama said Wednesday: “All he (McCain) has done is to follow George Bush into a misguided war in Iraq.”
McCain said he had not watched the Democratic presidential debate on Tuesday night but was told of Obama’s response to the Iraq question.
Obama did not say whether he’d send troops in the event of an insurrection but responded: “As commander in chief, I will always reserve the right to make sure that we are looking out for American interests. And if Al Qaeda is forming a base in Iraq, then we will have to act in a way that secures the American homeland and our interests abroad.”
The exchange previewed the likely flash-points for the candidates if they do in fact face off during the general election.
The latest head-to-head Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll, taken Feb. 21-25, showed McCain besting both Democratic candidates in a hypothetical general election — but a race with Obama looks more competitive.
The poll showed McCain with a 46-to-40 percent advantage over Hillary Clinton, but with a slim 44-to-42 percent lead over Obama. Most recent head-to-head polls show Obama beating McCain by a hair and McCain edging out Clinton in a general election. The poll’s margin of error was 3 points.
In an effort to highlight his own security credentials, McCain has throughout the primary season repeatedly attacked both Obama and Clinton for saying they would withdraw troops from Iraq.
“And my friends, if we left, they (Al Qaeda) wouldn’t be establishing a base,” McCain said Wednesday. “They’d be taking a country, and I’m not going to allow that to happen, my friends. I will not surrender. I will not surrender to Al Qaeda.”
He said that withdrawing troops would be “waving the white flag.”
In the debate, Clinton did not answer the question about re-invasion of Iraq on grounds it contained “lots of different hypothetical assessments.”
For years, McCain has urged sending more troops into Iraq, even before President Bush adopted such a strategy about a year ago.
“I knew enough from talking to the men and women who are serving that this new strategy was what we needed, and I’m telling you, it is succeeding,” McCain said. “So what needs to happen, we need to continue this strategy. It should be General Petraeus’ recommendation, not that of a politician running for higher office, as to when and how we withdraw.”
He was referring to Gen. David Petraeus, the top American commander in Iraq.
As he began a swing through Bush’s home state of Texas, which holds a presidential primary election on Tuesday, McCain made sure to play up a line he always uses.
“I also think it might be nice for President Bush to get a little credit that there’s not been another attack on the United States of America,” he said to applause.
FOX News Molly Henneberg and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Hahahahaha reading Republicans on this site makes one appreciate why the rest of the world thinks America is full of naive, brainwashed idiots! Monty S says- “we are always the liberators”. Hahahaha hilarious. Monty clearly hasnt studied the role of the Great old US of A in world affairs throughout the past half century alone. No the US didnt remove a democratically elected President of Chile and impose one of the worst dictators of the 20th century Mr Pinochet! Hilarious, you people are brainwashed……..BRAINWASHED! READ UP ON YOUR GOD DAMN HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RESPONSE TO “D”…sounds to me as though “D” stands for ‘DUH !!” Your so-called statement makes no sense whatsoever, just a lot of rambling with no knowledge or facts. So, how many times have YOU been to Iraq ? How many years have YOU served in the military? What have you contributed to this country? My 23 year old daughter, Staff Sgt. USAF, Intelligence has been to Iraq, just recently returned from Afghanistan and will be returning to Iraq in a few short months.
You say there is no proof that al qaeda is in Iraq ? Gee, why don’t you ask the Iraqis and see what they have to say, ask them about the hell they’ve lived through and about how grateful they are that we are there to help and to rescue them ? How dare you say that we invaded Iraq? Why don’t you go there yourself and see if al qaeda is there? Or, do you feel so much safer sitting on your butt in front of your TV denigrating this country?
You say you have “proof” that al qaeda was not there before we “invaded” them. Show me your so-called proof. You can’t because it’s simply not true. You say you’ve head that Ian is in Iraq and we should attack them. First of all, Iran and Iraq are 2 different countries and it is physically impossible for one country to be inside of another country. the only one talking about “attacking” another country is your buddy Obama who said we should attack Pakistan,who just happens to be our ally.
You fool…you’re the one who should be doing some research..(actually, it sounds s\as though you should be doing a lot of research) but it sounds as though you’re much to afraid to find out the facts. Seems as though you’ve been blinded by the “great orator”…the one wh o gives flowery speeches but says nothing of substance and abou twhom nobody knows anything.
As much as i do not like Hillary, i would vote for her before i would eventhink about voting for Barack Obama….As least we already know what she’s like. We know absolutely nothing about him other than he gives nice speeches.v God help this country if people like you vote for somebody like him.
Brenda:
Thank you for stating the obvious that Islam and Democracy cannot co-exist. You hit the nail on the head and make the PERFECT argument as to why America should not be in another country “fighting” for “our” freedom and to promote democracy.
Securing our nation’s interests is one thing…..trying to force our so-called ideology that you hypocritically call democratic is another.
And one other thing……..God doesn’t like ugly….and both sides of this democratic nation that touts itself as being God-fearing or Christian, are acting less Godly and Christ-like……but you’ve got that patriot thing down-pat.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter as far as this election is concerned. Whether we end up with McCain, Clinton or Obama, they’re all Democrats, ultimately, right?
Someone also needs to remind Mr. Obama that Iraq is NOT Mr Bush’s war. He had majority approval for doing what he did. It’s everyone’s fight. Now the Democrats want to cut & run.
Re: Colleen Witt-Is there a babysitter on this blog?
Colleen, since you seem to be intellectually superior to everyone else on this blog, I think you shoud be in charge. But since you never post on blogs (although I see two for today…so far) this rules you out. Now go do the wash and then make me dinner.
hopefully this country will never have somebody like a barack obama in charge. he will certainly jeopardize the safety of this nation.
Comment by **The WhistleBlower**
February 27th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Obama’s answer was right.
He was not asked whether al Qaeda is in Iraq,
but rather, IF-after the US leaves Iraq and al Qaeda starts to form a base in Iraq.
You pro-war McCain supporters always intentionally twist issues to justify a 100-year war you want in Iraq.
I wonder if you will call Bush naive, for bombing al Qaeda in Pakistan a few days ago, without the permission of pakistan?
Obama said he will do just that a few months ago, and all the Republican and even some democrats said that shows how inexperienced he is.
Will any of you now insult Bush, for bombing Pakistan, our allies?
Talk about twisting issues! McCain does NOT wnat a 100 year war in Iraq! He has said that he is PREPARED for a 100 year Occupation in Iraq, which you may justifiably oppose. But to say that he WANTS a 100 year WAR in Iraq is disingenuos!
And most of us do not want a 100 year anything in Iraq! I would much prefer a 5-Day devistation in Iraq myself!
Based on this latest back and forth between the Obama and McCain campaigns, Mr. Obama wins the debate for cleverness, but Mr. McCain wins the debate based on logic and common sense.
JB………… I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Well said, Senator McCain. Well said.