McCain Criticizes Obama on Iran Approach
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Republican John McCain on Monday dismissed Democratic rival Barack Obama as having zero national security experience. Arriving in North Carolina on the eve of the presidential primary, McCain said there are stark differences between him and the two Democratic candidates, Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton. But he concentrated on Obama in particular.
“Senator Obama wants to sit down with an Iranian leader who is dedicated to wiping Israel off the map — his words,” McCain told reporters on his campaign bus. “I don’t think we should give him that kind of prestige. “Senator Obama has obviously has no national security experience, and therefore that’s reflected in his judgment on a number of those issues.”
The Republican nominee-in-waiting spoke to the Chamber of Commerce and held three fundraisers. On Tuesday, he was speaking at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem.
McCain was referring to Obama’s comments last year that he would be willing to meet with leaders of rogue nations, such as Iran, North Korea and Cuba without conditions, an idea labeled naive and irresponsible by both McCain and Clinton.
Obama, in an effort to reassure Jewish voters about his candidacy, last month criticized former President Carter for meeting with leaders of the Islamic terrorist group Hamas, saying, “We must not negotiate with a terrorist group intent on Israel’s destruction.”
Yet Obama also said he’s willing to make diplomatic overtures to Iran even though it has funded Hamas and other militant groups.
Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor responded by criticizing McCain’s support for the war in Iraq.
“John McCain has the experience of being Washington’s biggest supporter of a disastrous war in Iraq,” the spokesman said.
McCain, who also questioned Obama’s credentials on the economy, was asked if he thought Obama had experience in any areas. Probably, McCain said, “I think on many issues, (but) certainly not on the level of mine.”
“I think he’s done very well at fundraising,” McCain added.
Obama raised $41 million in March, twice as much as Clinton and nearly three times as much as McCain, according to the most recent reports.
McCain said Monday he did better raising money in April than in March, when he raised $15 million, but an aide said the campaign was not ready to release the numbers and stopped McCain from doing so himself.
McCain is right - Obama has 0 -zero 0 knowledge of foreign policy - just listen to him try and answer questions - without the prepared speech.
Please tell Mr. McCain that JFK did not have any either before being president (excluding being a PT109 hero) But took us from the brink of a nuclear catastrophe to the onset of the Cold War. John McCain has missed the mark on several calls for international security policy as his background shows. He is an extension of Bushism and the Republican machine that are Hawks not Doves. Go figure John McCain.
McCain may be able to criticize others on national security concerning the mid-east, but he has some explaining to do himself.. Why won’t McCain do something forceful to secure our border with Mexico ?? The lack of response from our legislators is appalling !!
I’m a Republican who was going to vote for McCain, but once I saw him say he wanted to keep us another 100 years in Iraq plus treat me like an idiot by bribing me with a gas-tax holiday, I decided I’m voting for Obama.
Obama is not JFK. The terrorist regime of Iran is not the USSR. However, if you want to use the past to predict the future, I’m all for it. The soviets viewed JFK as weak and made the attempt to place missiles off our coast. A leader viewed as strong by our enemies would never had to deal with the threat. A strong leader is needed to ensure our role as a superpower. Someone viewed as less experienced will be tested by our enemies. Who do you if is less experienced?
And since when is having national security experience required? Look at George W Bush. His dad ran the CIA. Nobody questioned his past national security experience. Did that help him in events leading up to 9/11 or in going in to Iraq? He and his advisors continue to lead this country based on fear.