McCain hits Obama on Iran, Iraq
John McCain went directly after Barack Obama today before a key pro-Israel group on Middle East policy.
Before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's policy conference, the presumptive Republican nominee hit the likely Democratic nominee for voting against declaring Iran's Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization. McCain, and Obama's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, voted for the resolution, which critics said gave the Bush administration too much license to consider military action.
"Over three quarters of the Senate supported this obvious step, but not Senator Obama," McCain said, according to prepared remarks. "He opposed this resolution because its support for countering Iranian influence in Iraq was, he said, a 'wrong message nt only to the world, but also to the region.' But here, too, he is mistaken. Holding Iran’s influence in check, and holding a terrorist organization accountable, sends exactly the right message -- to Iran, to the region and to the world."
McCain also continued the war of words over Iraq and the so-called surge of troops that he championed.
"It’s worth recalling that America’s progress in Iraq is the direct result of the new strategy that Senator Obama opposed," McCain said. "It was the strategy he predicted would fail, when he voted cut off funds for our forces in Iraq. He now says he intends to withdraw combat troops from Iraq -- one to two brigades per month until they are all removed. He will do so regardless of the conditions in Iraq, regardless of the consequences for our national security, regardless of Israel’s security, and in disregard of the best advice of our commanders on the ground.
"This course would surely result in a catastrophe," McCain continued. "If our troops are ordered to make a forced retreat, we risk all-out civil war, genocide, and a failed state in the heart of the Middle East. Al Qaeda terrorists would rejoice in the defeat of the United States."
AIPAC is an influential group among Jewish voters, whom McCain is courting and whom Obama has been trying to reassure. In recent polls, Obama has not been faring as well among them as recent Democratic presidential candidates.
UPDATE: The Obama campaign issued this response to McCain's speech:
“John McCain stubbornly insists on continuing a dangerous and failed foreign policy that has clearly made the United States and Israel less secure. Here are the results of the policies that John McCain has supported, and would continue. During the Bush Administration, Iran has dramatically expanded its nuclear program, going from zero centrifuges to more than 3000 centrifuges. During the Bush Administration, Iran has expanded its influence throughout a vitally important region, plying Hamas and Hezbollah with money and arms. During the Bush Administration, Hamas took over Gaza. Most importantly, the war in Iraq that John McCain supported and promises to continue indefinitely has done more to dramatically strengthen and embolden Iran than anything in a generation.
“Confronted with that reality, John McCain promises four more years of the same policies that have strengthened Iran, making the United States and Israel less safe. He promises to continue a war in Iraq that has emboldened Iran and strengthened its hand. He promises sanctions that the Bush Administration has been unable to persuade the Security Council to deliver. He promises a divestment campaign, even though he refused to sign on to Barack Obama's bipartisan divestment bill, refused to get his colleagues to lift an anonymous hold on the bill, and willfully ignores the fact that trade and investment between Iran and Iraq continue to expand. He stubbornly refuses to engage in aggressive diplomacy, ruling it out unconditionally as a tool of American power.
“Instead of recognizing reality, John McCain continues to run on a platform of doubling down on George Bush's failed policies, while carrying on his divisive brand of politics. The United States and Israel cannot afford four more years of an unwillingness to change course,” said Obama campaign spokesman Hari Sevugan.
McCain is a remnant of the past century. His ideas were well suited to the cold-war area between the Soviets and USA. We need to look forward to a new direction for this century.
American Foreign Policy and the World: A New Direction
1. Our recent foreign policy has adversely affected our international respect and leadership by our unilateralism and over use of our military power. We have replaced dialogue and diplomacy with invasion and subversions.
2. We have diminished the effectiveness of the United Nations and World Court.
3. We have over-vetoed against the United Nations resolutions where we should have supported the actions. These vetoes have castigated the United States as obstructionist in resolving many of the world problems.
Agenda for the New National Policy:
• US Foreign Policy must be a Reflection of Our National Character: Justice, Peace, Respect for Human Life, and Fair Treatment of all Other Nations.
• The future of our civilization is at risk of global annihilation by nuclear, biological and chemical arsenals of nations. For the civilization to survive, we must eliminate the nuclear arsenals.
• We must rely on the International Court and the United Nations to resolve the regional conflicts.
• The global environment must be protected and the adverse effect of human activities reversed or repaired.
• The global natural resources are diminishing rapidly by the world over population, over harvesting and destruction. These resources include fresh water and agricultural resources for production of food. World has to create equitable management of these resources. The United States must take the leadership position in these areas.
Why don't we just outsource Washington to Tel Aviv? It wouldsave a lot of red tape and money.
McCain continues to slam Obama for not traveling to Iraq as many times as he has. My question is what good did it do for McCain to spend tax payer's money to go there when he still erroneously believes that are troop levels are below pre-surge? Maybe they blindfolded him, but a better explanation is that he was just there to look presidential and to be photographed. As his protege President Bush, John McCain continues to predict he can win this war, but sadly cannot define what "win" means.
Obama is simply naive' at best.
McCain is looking more and more like a war monger. We've had 8 years of a war monger. We do not need another four.
Was McCain addressing the same organization (AIPAC) that is currently in the midst of an espionage scandal? So let me get this straight, We all know Bush lied to get us into War. McCain is a supporter of the lies. So McCain is against Obama for knowing the truth and voting against the war? I by no means am an Obama / Clinton / McPuppet supporter howEver McCain and the rest of the candidates have been comprimised, another group of puppets for Israeli interests. The USA Cannot afford more Wars / Blood / Money for another countries interests. We need a president that will put the USA first once again.
Barack Hussein Obama has strong feelings for Africa and the Muslims; his relatives in Keyna (brothers, sister, aunts and uncles, etc.) are referred to many times in his book Dreams From My Father (of course he writes of his father in this book, a man who was a Muslim), which means his father and his relatives had a very strong influence on young Obama. We cannot leave our countries nor Israel's future in this man's hands.
Was McCain addressing the same organization (AIPAC) that is currently in the midst of an espionage scandal? So let me get this straight, We all know Bush lied to get us into War. McCain is a supporter of the lies. So McCain is against Obama for knowing the truth and voting against the war? I by no means am an Obama / Clinton / McPuppet supporter howEver McCain and the rest of the candidates have been comprimised, another group of puppets for Israeli interests. The USA Cannot afford more Wars / Blood / Money for another countries interests. We need a president that will put the USA first once again.
The USA have and will continue to have strong ties with Israel.
Politics which have the aim to bring a peaceful future to the region will have to include negotiations.
If the Western states act as though they were stubborn dictatorial compromise-less fools, there will never be peace! We must have the courage to negotiate and show these states that in the end this "soft" way is the stronger one!
The USA are strong enough to negotiate with any other country. Of course there will be limits to the possible concessions on the Western side, however, a strong negotiater is better than a stubborn bully who threatens the ohter side only into greater recklesness!
McCain, really thinks that war is a good idea...
McCain wants to continue fighting a war with NO DEFINED EXIT STRATEGY.
The only thing I can say is he needs to move over and let a real leader take over. Next thing you know, he will be wanting to bomb Iran, North Korea, and finally Poland.
LOL! Mcstain hit's Obama.! LOL!
Big deal. Any punches McStain throws is like him punching his way out of a paper bag. Funny and meaningless. Like he has a chance in the primary.
George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, F.D.R, George W. Bush and now John McCain. These last two presidents have and will continue to show how their names DO belong in this list. All of America loves them and we need their continued brilliant approach to world policy in these times.
I am booking my trip to a five day all inclusive spa in Baghdad today because my leader told me that the region is under control. I will wear and wave my American flag proudly when on vacation because over there they will love me for it and give me special treatment and discounts.
When I get back I will write on this blog and tell you all how wrong Obama and those Dummycrats were and then I will start petitioning for a makeover of Mt. Rushmore to include my two favorite presidents.
Respectfully,
Daffy Duck from the planet 'whatuthinkin'
McCain/Bush in 08!
Thank God, this America, and for once we Americans will be looking out for number one. That is not to say that we should turn our backs on ANYONE who need our help. However it is time to change our foreign policy to be more balanced with others in this world that we ALL share. We are fed up with the fact that every president must have Isreal's stamp of approval or he/she is called anti semetic, why not pro American. When the Jewish American community accepts our nominees, they pick the person who will better protect Isreal not America. Why can they not accept that for a change we would like someone who will protect America as well as Isreal, but America first? I leave it to you.
McCain wants to expand the possibility of war with Iran, Obama doesn't. The success in Iraq is as a result of diplomatic action and paying the different factions to play nice, not increased military action. Al Qaeda hasn't really been a political threat in Iraq for quite a while
McCain election is doomed because he supports old Bush Iraq policies that Scott McClellan’s confessions undermine.
The entangling alliance with Israel is no longer hidden from view. As China rises and builds a modern military that can challenge our own... as it builds hundreds of missiles that can can hit American cities with advanced nuclear weapons, the US is worried about what country? Iran? A country that does not have a single missile that can hit the US? What are we thinking? Of course! That's it! Israel's security trumps US security! And John McCain is running as the candidate who is better for Israel. Therefore, I conclude he is worse for the US as the next president must stop obsessing with the Middle East in order to appease AIPAC and win the Jewish vote but must instead start to focus on the growing problems that are a true threat to the US.
Barack Obama O8 has a very very very Big reason to Win in NOVEMBER. McBush needs to forget about the war war war. We need to move on behind being the POLICE OF THE WORK as NELSON MANDELA SAID.
i don't see much difference between iran and saudi arabia, except that saudi arabia is even less free and even more draconian, and has our unfaltering support. i don't see much difference between pakistan and syria, except that pakistan is more dangerous, fanatic and already has a nuclear bomb, thanks to us. i don't see much difference between egypt and libya except that egypt accepts our money in return for doing our 'dirty work', like torture and assassinations. how many pictures of prince bandahar and president bush hanging out together does it take before mccain and the republicans, right-wingers and libertarians stop with their silly tough-guy posing. we already do business with the worst people in the world. how can anyone honestly criticize something as basic and regular as meeting with iranian authorities?
For those who are not fully aware of the strategic alliance that the U.S. shares with Israel, there are many good reading sources to bring you up to speed. This alliance is why every U.S. President, regardless of political party, and even regardless of his/her level of affection for the Jewish people, will continue to put Israel's interests way up on the priority list.
That said, a very interesting editorial in the Jerusalem Post recently questioned the largely Jewish readership, "who is the best U.S. President for Israel?" The answer was felt by the author to be that "the best President for Israel is the best President for the U.S." Implying of course that if America is not strong, Israel can not be strong (i.e. reliable funding from U.S., sway with other world powers, etc...)
Perhaps this is why the last seven years have hurt and not helped Israel - despite Bush's seemingly unwavering commitment to Israel. His foreign policy is what led to the removal of a tyranical despot (Sadam) , who as we all know now, was the last obstacle toward Iran becoming what it has become - an increasingly unchecked world menace. The Iraq-Iran counter-balance was forever removed, and can you imagine Sadam tolerating Al Qaida in his country - I think not.
Regardless of how one feels about Israel, lets look at where we are as a country, and decide who will best lead us to a more stable economic place, help us protect what is left of our environment, and will allow us to return to our rightful place amongst the respected leaders within the international community.
The thoughts of an unapologetically pro-Israel, pro-Obama Democrat.
Here is an excerpt from George Washington's Farewell address of 1796. It seems quite prophetic today.
"So, likewise, a passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter without adequate inducement or justification. It leads also to concessions to the favorite nation of privileges denied to others, which is apt doubly to injure the nation making the concessions by unnecessarily parting with what ought to have been retained, and by exciting jealousy, ill will, and a disposition to retaliate in the parties from whom equal privileges are withheld; and it gives to ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citizens (who devote themselves to the favorite nation) facility to betray or sacrifice the interests of their own country without odium, sometimes even with popularity, gilding with the appearances of a virtuous sense of obligation, a commendable deference for public opinion, or a laudable zeal for public good the base or foolish compliances of ambition, corruption, or infatuation...."
Clearly if Americans have a need to pick a candidate for president McCain is certainly not a choice that they should entertain. By his own admission he has put Israel above and before the needs of the United States and its people . It would appear that the "song bird" is nothing more than a shrill for his Zionist masters and he will do anything and sacrifice anything to garner power
The unmitigated hypocrisy of the Obama and his blindfolded followers would be amusing if it were not for the fact that this is actually not a novel or a movie we are watching but, instead, a real occurrence with serious global implications. The US along with the EU and the International Nuclear Agency headed by El Baradie through the Spanish representative have been in direct dialogue with Iran and its representatives to negotiate a resolution to the Iranian nuclear crisis for several years. They have offered numerous incentive packages in exchange for Iran's voluntary dismantling of its nuclear efforts. Billions of dollars along with massive economic assistance packages have been offered to Iran in incentives. Iran not only has rejected every such package but has also continued to delay further talks with the group and , according to Mr. Mohamed El Baradie, has grossly misled and used other deliberate tactics to obstruct and obfuscate his agency's efforts to inspect locations of these facilities to verify and audit Iran's claims and to obtain documents about its claims (that its nuclear programme is limited to civilian applicatins only).
Take your blinders off because these are the facts . But, of course, you won't. Your pied piper is playing the tunes so scurry along to your doom. Just don't elect the hypocrite. You will doom the world as well.
Barrack Hussein Obamas bill sounds more like a first grader writing it rather than a professional senator/government official.One of the many reason we were attacked on 9/11 because the Muslim Extremists wants to stop us from doing CHARITY WORKS around the world especially the African region where there are problems such as starvation,aids,multiple diseases and numerous of economic and social problems that affects millions and millions of human lives.Add to that are dictators and terrorists leaders that rules with the swords and iron fists now is Obama and the blind folded Obamaniac understand the role a God given Super Power Nation play in protecting the right,freedom,peace and lives of all Gods childrens on earth? I'm afraid someone like Obama doesn't sees it and doesn't have a vision at all.
america's biggest problem is that americans are stupid.
Iran is a small and poor country really, it has no industrial capacity or strength, no large economy other than petroleum, and ww I military. Comparing Iran to Nazi Germany is idiotic at best. The USA must be in very good shape if that is the biggest threat we face. Iran is the closest Muslim thing to a democracy in a region full of potentates, emirs, kings and princes. We should be talking to them, yesterday. The people of Iran (and I've actually met some) are very friendly toward the ideals of America despite the decades of meddling, coups, CIA plots, and media bias. Bush-McCain could not be more wrong about how to approach them and deal with them.
anyone that thinks Israel should not control the united states espouses the same pro-western values of David Duke and Stormfront.
The unmitigated hypocrisy of the Obama and his blindfolded followers would be amusing if it were not for the fact that this is actually not a novel or a movie we are watching but, instead, a real occurrence with serious global implications. The US along with the EU and the International Nuclear Agency headed by El Baradie through the Spanish representative have been in direct dialogue with Iran and its representatives to negotiate a resolution to the Iranian nuclear crisis for several years. They have offered numerous incentive packages in exchange for Iran's voluntary dismantling of its nuclear efforts. Billions of dollars along with massive economic assistance packages have been offered to Iran in incentives. Iran not only has rejected every such package but has also continued to delay further talks with the group and , according to Mr. Mohamed El Baradie, has grossly misled and used other deliberate tactics to obstruct and obfuscate his agency's efforts to inspect locations of these facilities to verify and audit Iran's claims and to obtain documents about its claims (that its nuclear programme is limited to civilian applicatins only).
Take your blinders off because these are the facts . But, of course, you won't. Your pied piper is playing the tunes so scurry along to your doom. Just don't elect the hypocrite. You will doom the world as well.
You might as well get use to the idea of Iran with a nuclear weapon. You can't really blame them since Israel has many nucs and the US /Bush/McCain Empire builders seem intent on invading and "democratizing" the middle east at the point of a gun. If you were looking at the world from where they sit, you'd want a nuclear deterrence too. If you were sitting on a park bench between two others and a big guy walked up and killed one on each side of you you'd want a gun asap. Well the USA just bumped off Iraq, and Afghanistan... Unfortunately we now find ourself in the situation where Bush/McCain warmongering has absolutely guaranteed that Iran wants a nuc... And that is why we need to talk asap, because having and using are very very different things......
Barrack Hussein Obama yesterday make a 190 degree CHANGE from the Trinity Church of Christ to NOWHERE ha,ha, ha, is this the type of President we need absolutely crazy. Come on all you crazy that support this fool now he's running away after he's got caught sleeping together with the devil for twenty years ha.I'm wondering what kind of decision he will make as President base on this lenthy association.
There are more important reason why John Mccain is a better President than Obama and the most important is that Mccain is mature in life as in experience.John Mccain has endure many challenges throughout his life from the time he was a serviceman in the military including being in prison in Vietnam and as a senator.Obama is not ready and that just the reality and his inexperience in making vital judgement is just being revealed yesterday after announcing that he will quit his religion just because he wants to be President? This is not very intelligent nor does it reflect that he will make any wise decision when the going gets tough.
Two out of three terrorists agree, Obama for President.
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