McCain: Obama 'dangerously unprepared'
John McCain campaign continues to hammer Democratic rival Barack Obama on foreign policy today, launching a TV ad that capitalizes on a remark that Obama made in May about negotiating with Iran to call him "dangerously unprepared" for the White House.
"Iran. Radical Islamic government, known sponsors of terrorism," the narrator says as images of Iranian leaders appear on the screen along with a wall painted with "Death to America." "Developing nuclear capabilities to 'generate power' but threatening to eliminate Israel.
"Obama says Iran is a 'tiny' country, 'doesn't pose a serious threat,' " the announcer continues. "Terrorism, destroying Israel, those aren't 'serious threats'?
"Obama -- dangerously unprepared to be president," the announcer concludes.
The ad, however, appears to take out of context remarks that Obama made while campaigning in Oregon, explaining his pledge to talk to leaders of rogue nations by comparing them to the former Soviet Union. He said Iran wasn't the same threat as the Soviet Union, but didn't say the country wasn't a threat at all. And in other forums, Obama has said he would not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.
"Strong countries and strong presidents talk to their adversaries," Obama said. "That's what Kennedy did with Khrushchev. That's what Reagan did with Gorbachev. That's what Nixon did with Mao. I mean think about it. Iran, Cuba, Venezuela -- these countries are tiny compared to the Soviet Union. They don't pose a serious threat to us the way the Soviet Union posed a threat to us. And yet we were willing to talk to the Soviet Union at the time when they were saying we're going to wipe you off the planet. And ultimately that direct engagement led to a series of measures that helped prevent nuclear war, and over time allowed the kind of opening that brought down the Berlin Wall. Now, that has to be the kind of approach that we take. You know, Iran, they spend one-one hundredth of what we spend on the military. If Iran ever tried to pose a serious threat to us, they wouldn't stand a chance. And we should use that position of strength that we have to be bold enough to go ahead and listen. That doesn't mean we agree with them on everything. We might not compromise on any issues, but at least we should find out other areas of potential common interest, and we can reduce some of the tensions that has caused us so many problems around the world."
Obama campaign spokesman Hari Sevugan responded to the ad: "John McCain is distorting Barack Obama's words to cover up for the fact that it's the failed Bush-McCain approach to foreign policy and the Bush-McCain war in Iraq that that have strengthened Iran and endangered Israel. While Barack Obama recognizes that Iran has been the biggest beneficiary of the war in Iraq and that the Bush-McCain fear of tough diplomacy has allowed Iran to spin 3800 centrifuges, threaten Israel, and fund terrorism, John McCain promises more of the same. If John McCain was serious about dealing with the threat from Iran, he would join Barack Obama's bipartisan effort in the Senate to step up sanctions on Iran instead of adopting the same tired, old Bush-Rove playbook."
Obama's campaign is also noting that some of McCain's top advisers have lobbied for companies doing business in Iran.
"At the same time, and despite all his bluster to the contrary, John McCain opposed closing a loophole that allowed foreign subsidiaries of American corporations to do business with Iran and refuses to support a bipartisan bill written by Barack Obama that would direct divestment from Iran," Obama's campaign said.
The new TV spot, which McCain's campaign said would air in key states, is the latest to try to portray Obama as not ready to be commander in chief. While polls show Obama with an edge in voters' confidence in handling the economy and domestic issues, McCain has the clear advantage on national security. A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released yesterday said that McCain would be better able to handle terrorism by a 60 percent to 36 percent margin over Obama, increasing his advantage from 56 percent to 41 percent last month.
It baffles me why we never hear the obvious response to the issue of experience.
The person with the most experience running the country is George W. Bush. Eight years actually being President has taught him nothing.
Another completing misleading, erroneous, inflammatory GOP ad that is based on a statement taken completely out of context. It's shameless.
This from the party that has racked up the largest budget deficit in our country's history and destroyed our standing in the global community over the course of eight horrendous years -- and now they have the nerve to try and portray Obama's policies as being bad for the economy and not ready for foreign relations.
Can't wait for the end of republicans in the white house come January '09.
Obama/Biden!!
We would have far fewer adversaries in the world if Obama were president than the current Bush/McCain war mongers!
Engagemwnt and dialogue is the answer not saber rattling!
Wow. Completely and utterly shameless.
NEWS ITEM--McCain, who, by the way, is running for President, says, and I quote,"Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck..." followed by, "woo, woo, woo, woo" along with some deft floor spins, while yelling out, "Moe, Larry, cheese!"
Ahem.
Does anyone believe McCain? Should we all rush to listen to yet another shrill denouncement bellowed in the heat of a desperate campaign?
All Republicans do is make outrageous claims to distract from their own criminal misconduct and incompetence.
He should shut up and talk about his own plans.
Bellicosity can be very dangerous.
This man, with all the "experience" he claims to possess, cannot get even basic geography on Israel, Iran, Iraq, or Pakistan straight...much less presume to lecture us about worthiness to lead.
Its frustrating how willingly McCain will take comments out of their original context. I'm surprised he didn't mention in this ad that he was a POW.
According to the GOP, unless you are looking for WWIII under every rock, you are "naive." Shameless fearmongering.
McCain is dangerous. Period. It's high time to have adults back in charge in Washington who do not confuse criminal attacks (9/11) by small bands of terrorists with a world war. And who do not waste trillions of dollars attacking countries (Iraq) that pose no threat to us.
Meanwhile the Globe subsidizes the McCain campaign by putting the ad on its webpage. .. This is the same fearmongering that gave us the past 8 years of economic, foreign policy and military incompetence and helped put us in the dire straits in which we currently find ourselves. Who was more dangerously unprepared to be President than George W. Bush, and who wants to continue Bush's policies?
Pour it on McCain. The junior Senator is in over his head, again, on this one.
1-20-08 McCain!
These types of ads are so maddening and shows how weak "McCan't" is.
Even if the parties don't agree, communication, respect and understanding is key to any successful relationship, whether it be in marriage or politics. I like Barack's approach and ideas and hope that he can execute them.
I love Tom's comment here as well ... way to go Tom and right on!
the ad is right on the mark! Iran not a threat? We have to stand up to countries like Iran. I can see the future already, Obama president for 4 years and then Romney has to clean up the mess in Iran. Carter and Reagan all over again.
Both Dems and GOP have the same kinds of ads - where a statement is manipluated to make a point. It's happening to Obama and it also happens to McCain (see the ads about his 7 houses, "100 years in Iraq", and other quotes - taken out of context).
You can say you don't like this kind of politics - but don't pin it on one side or the other.
You know who else has experience? Dick Cheney. According to this swill we should probably try to get him into the corner office.
For the most part, we create our own enemies. Do we really want to go to war with Iran now, too? Bush's two fronts aren't enough for John McCain? Our military isn't stretched thin enough already?
The clear implication of McCain's ad is that he's ready (eager?) for a fight with Iran, and, like Bush, sees military conflict as the first resort and not the last. McCain calls Obama "dangerously unprepared." I call McCain simply dangerous.
Obama is obviously unprepared to be president. Is he "dangerously" unprepared? Recent events in Russia/Geogia, Iran, Pakistan, etc. suggest he probably is.
It baffles me that McCain seems to get a free pass from the media on everything. Just one example... Imagine if Obama was the one with 7 houses and a $100 million wife. He definately wouldn't have won the nomination, but if somehow he had, he'd be getting ripped apart right now.
If I were the DNC I'd release a response ad, titled "Dangerously Prepared," making the point that John McCain's response to all foreign policy challenges has always been to fight. He is the son of an Admiral who was the son of an Admiral. The guy only knows how to fight.
John McCain has a ton of experience, all of it in making war.
The reality of the world will always hurt Obama and the democrats....
Obama's statements demonstrate his naiveness. The fact that these countries pose less of a threat than Russia did is precisely why a policy of isolation toward them should exist. There is no reason to justify the rantings of the demagogues that run these miserable countries with direct engagement. We have nothing to gain and would only inspire similar sabre rattling by other smaller nations.
Unfortunately, Obama has truly shown the instincts of a novice when it comes to matters of foreign policy. As a left-leaning independent I was hoping to vote for him but I am now leaning in the opposite direction. What he doesn't seem to know or doesn't want to acknowledge is that every administrtaion since Reagan has tried diplomacy (many times at high levels of government and so have our allies) with the Iranians but always to no avail.
So either Obama is mis-informed or he is arrogant enough to believe that he can somehow get through to the extremist mullahs who run the country where all others, including Bill Clinton have failed. I am not sugessting that we don't try diplomacy but we (President Obama) have got to keep all options open including those of a military nature.
Isolation is so stupid. When has any good come from ignoring an issue? Cite me one historical example.
You can't have a policy of isolation against Iran at this point unless the whole world isolates them. China and Europe would have to go along with it. They won't becuase Iran has oil. John McCain supports the US staying with oil, preventing the US from developing clean energy technologies that we could sell to the world, which would get them off oil and end their dependency on Iran.
So, he wants to "stand up" to Iran, but ties us to an energy policy that prevents us from having any leverage over them.
That's dangerous, and stupid.
This ad is so on the mark, after all Obama has confused the difference between Sunni and Shia many times, has said incorrectly that Iran was training Al-Qaeda and sending them into Iraq and then had to be corrected by his friend Joe Lieberman, wants to restart a Cold War with Russia, constantly seems confused about the names of crucial nations and their leaders, and is known for his hot temper and fly off the handle reputation.
Oh wait, McCain is known for all those things, not Obama. My bad.
It's frightening how many people were fooled by Cheney/Bush. But what's really terrifying is that, after everything that has happened, there are still people who haven't figured it out.
I used to have some respect for John McCain, but political ambition led him to cash in his reputation a long time ago. It's sad that this is all he has left.
Obama titilates audiences. The Democratic National Convention seems to be a group masturbation feel good session. It's like watching an Extasy Rave where everyone is drugged up.
Do you want an entertainer or a leader?
Just like the prep school kid does his token volunteer time at the soup kitchen so he can put it on his application to college, Obama is trying to trade on his time in the "hood" to get street credit, while sweeping under the rug his ties to the slumlord who embezzled funds that were meant for the poor.
Less personal responsibility equals larger Government. Democrats want you to be passive, lazy and catatonic. If people were industrious or at least had the values that are needed to affect and create change, they'd have chosen a candidate with experience. Obama has no experience ushering in any significant change ever. We have over 350 million Americans and only two Political Parties and the Democrats tapped this lightweight? The Democrats must think there are enough lazy people that want to get drugged out on this feel good delusion to overlook the gross lack of experience.
There are some complete evil whack jobs in the world, and we're not just talking Radical Islam. Less than 50 years ago, a sophisticated Nation like Germany was taken under the spell of someone. They set aside judgment and rational thought so that they could feel good. When people lose their industrious values and devalue experience, they become socialists and socialists can either be slothfully lazy or agressive like the Nazi's.
When the Globe censors posts like this, they might as well be burning books.
I like the ad. It's accurate and to the point, just like McCain. The truth is Obama is ill prepared to lead a state, never mind an entire country. He may talk a lot, but how many of his supporters have taken a moment to listen to what he is saying?
His proposed policies will put our country in turmoil. He hasn't researched what the effects these "changes" will have on this country, and appears to make several contradictions throughout his website. He seems to encourage welfare and helping "those in need" by offering them money rather than solutions (what these individuals need is to be educated and forced to work like the rest of us). He criticizes the Bush administration for sending out tax rebate checks when the government is running a deficit, yet he wants to send checks to lower income people so they can pay for gas. How is this any different? The government is still running a deficit, so why even bring this point up?
Study up on this stuff before you vote. Otherwise we are in for a far worse situation than we have been in for the past 4 years.
I like the ad. It's accurate and to the point, just like McCain. The truth is Obama is ill prepared to lead a state, never mind an entire country. He may talk a lot, but how many of his supporters have taken a moment to listen to what he is saying?
His proposed policies will put our country in turmoil. He hasn't researched what the effects these "changes" will have on this country, and appears to make several contradictions throughout his website. He seems to encourage welfare and helping "those in need" by offering them money rather than solutions (what these individuals need is to be educated and forced to work like the rest of us). He criticizes the Bush administration for sending out tax rebate checks when the government is running a deficit, yet he wants to send checks to lower income people so they can pay for gas. How is this any different? The government is still running a deficit, so why even bring this point up?
Study up on this stuff before you vote. Otherwise we are in for a far worse situation than we have been in for the past 4 years.
"Study up on this stuff before you vote. Otherwise we are in for a far worse situation than we have been in for the past 4 years."
Are you being serious? You're saying McCain represents a change from the last disasterous 8 years (not 4)??? Why has he voted with Bush 90% of the time over the past 4 years on every single issue before the Congress and 95% of the time in 2007 alone???
Others aren't the ones who need to study up. Get a clue bud.
Hey, I've got an idea: How about formulating a REAL energy policy? You know, a long term solution? No, I don't mean drilling for more oil. How about developing a self sufficiency policy based on a combination of natural, renewable, domestic sources: solar, wind, and limited use of nuclear, among others to complete a grid of non-polluting (mostly) energy sources. It has already been demonstrated that with "off the shelf" (existing) technologies with solar, for example... a 90 square mile grid of solar panels sited in New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, etc. would provide the electric needs of the entire nation... and, it is non-polluting, renewable, and would lead to development of domestic jobs. Win- win. The best part: vastly reduces our dependency on oil from hostile regimes, while saving enormous amounts of capital.
Why can't JM discuss something OTHER than oil and bellicose posturing?
Reason: he's a Bushie and in the tank with Big Oil. That's why.
Some leadership.
When are U.S. citizens going to demand better from their leadership?
WHY YES TO MCCAIN & NO TO OBAMA ...
It's not that McCain was just a POW ... it's the fact that he was offered an early release by the enemy, after being tortured for 3 years. But, because John McCain had the honor, integrity, character, and love of America, he chose to refuse a release that would be earlier than his fellow prisoners, resulting in his being imprisoned and tortured for an additional 2 1/2 years. In addition to that, he also served this country as a senator for 20 years. What has Obama done? ... He was a community organizer, who increased voter registration ... then, he took away the people's votes by disqualifying his opponents on technicalities. Next, he won the senate, due to a scandal by his opponent, Senator Jack Ryan. Furthermore, Obama is a junior senator, with no experience, who has spent half of his time in office running for President.
Isn't it interesting how McCain is always attacking Obama. That is because he has no substance of his own. He has no policies except those that belong to the current administration. Don't be part of the problem. Be part of the solutions. Obviously, McShame has no solutions.
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