Senator John McCain presents himself as a maverick and a critic of the Iraq war. But a close read of his record indicates that his position on the Iraq war has consistently matched President George W. Bush’s.

Before The War:

McCain used many of the same arguments as Donald Rumsfeld, Vice President Cheney and President Bush when advocating going to war with Iraq.

McCain co-sponsored the Use of Force Authorization that gave President George W. Bush the green light – and a blank check - for going to war with Iraq. [SJ Res 46, 10/3/02]

McCain argued Saddam was “a threat of the first order.” Senator McCain said that a policy of containing Iraq to blunt its weapons of mass destruction program is "unsustainable, ineffective, unworkable and dangerous." McCain: "I believe Iraq is a threat of the first order, and only a change of regime will make Iraq a state that does not threaten us and others, and where liberated people assume the rights and responsibilities of freedom.” [Speech to the Center for Strategic & International Studies, 2/13/03]

McCain echoed Bush and Cheney’s rationale for going to war. McCain: “It’s going to send the message throughout the Middle East that democracy can take hold in the Middle East.” [Fox, Hannity & Colmes, 2/21/03]

McCain echoed Bush and Cheney’s talking points that the U.S. would only be in Iraq for a short time. McCain: “It’s clear that the end is very much in sight. … It won’t be long…it’ll be a fairly short period of time.” [ABC, 4/9/03]

McCain said winning the war would be “easy.” “I know that as successful as I believe we will be, and I believe that the success will be fairly easy, we will still lose some American young men or women.” [CNN, 9/24/02]

During The War:

Senator McCain praised Donald Rumsfeld as late as May 12, 2004, after the Abu Ghraib scandal.

Asked if Donald Rumsfeld can continue to be an effective secretary of defense, McCain: “Yes, today I do and I believe he's done a fine job. He's an honorable man.” [Hannity and Colmes, 5/12/04]

Senator McCain repeatedly supported President Bush on the Iraq War – voting with him in the Senate, defending his actions and publicly praising his leadership.

McCain maintains the war was a good idea.

At the 2004 Republican National Convention, McCain, focusing on the war in Iraq, said that while weapons of mass destruction were not found, Saddam once had them and “he would have acquired them again.” McCain said the mission in Iraq “gave hope to people long oppressed” and it was “necessary, achievable and noble.” McCain: “For his determination to undertake it, and for his unflagging resolve to see it through to a just end, President Bush deserves not only our support, but our admiration.” [Plain Dealer, 8/31/04]

Senator McCain: “The war, the invasion was not a mistake. [Meet the Press, 1/6/08]

Asked if the war was a good idea worth the price in blood and treasure, McCain: “It was worth getting rid of Saddam Hussein. He had used weapons of mass destruction, and it's clear that he was hell-bent on acquiring them.” [Republican Debate, 1/24/08]

McCain defended Bush’s rationale for war. Asked if he thought the president exaggerated the case for war, McCain said, “I don’t think so.” [Fox News, 7/31/03]

McCain has been President Bush’s most ardent Senate supporter on Iraq. According to Michael Shank of the Foreign Policy in Focus think tank, McCain was at times Bush’s “most solid support in the Senate” on Iraq. [Foreign Policy in Focus, 1/15/08]

McCain voted against holding Bush accountable for his actions in the war. McCain opposed the creation of an independent commission to investigate the development and use of intelligence leading up to the war in Iraq. [S. Amdt. 1275 to H.R. 2658, Vote # 284, 7/16/03]


McCain praised Bush’s leadership on the war. McCain: “I think the president has led with great clarity and I think he’s done a great job leading the country…” [MSNBC, Hardball, 4/23/03]

Senator McCain has constantly moved the goal posts of progress for the war – repeatedly saying it would be over soon.

January 2003: “But the point is that, one, we will win this conflict. We will win it easily.” [MSNBC, 1/22/03]

March 2003: “I believe that this conflict is still going to be relatively short.” [NBC, Meet the Press, 3/30/03]

June 2004: “The terrorists know that this is a very critical time.” [CNN, 6/23/04]

December 2005: "Overall, I think a year from now, we will have a fair amount of progress [in Iraq] if we stay the course.” [The Hill, 12/8/05]

November 2006: “We’re either going to lose this thing or win this thing within the next several months." [NBC, Meet the Press, 11/12/06]

Senator McCain opposed efforts to end the overextension of the military that is having a devastating impact on our troops.

McCain voted against requiring mandatory minimum downtime between tours of duty for troops serving in Iraq. [S. Amdt.. 2909 to S Amdt. 2011 to HR 1585, Vote 341, 9/19/07; S Amdt. 2012 to S Amdt. 2011 to HR 1585, Vote #241, 7/11/07]

McCain was one of only 13 senators to vote against adding $430 million for inpatient and outpatient care for veterans. [S Amdt. 3642 to HR 4939, Vote 98, 4/26/06]

Senator McCain has consistently opposed any plan to withdraw troops from Iraq

Senator McCain repeatedly voted against a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq. [S. Amdt. 3876 to S.Amdt. 3874 to H.R. 2764, Vote #438, 12/18/07; S.Amdt.. 3875 to S.Amdt.. 3874 to H.R. 2764, Vote # 437, 12/18/07; S.Amdt.3164 to H.R. 3222, Vote # 362, 10/3/07; S.Amdt. 2898 to S.Amdt. 2011 to H.R. 1585, Vote #346, 9/21/07; S.Amdt. 2924 to S.Amdt.. 2011 to H.R.1585, Vote #345, 9/21/07; S.Amdt.2 087 to S.Amdt. 2011 to H.R. 1585, Vote #252, 7/18/07; S.Amdt. 643 to H.R. 1591, Vote #116, 3/27/07; S.Amdt. 4320 to S. 2766, Vote #182, 6/22/06; S.Amdt. 4442 to S. 2766, Vote #181, 6/22/06; S.Amdt.. 2519 to S.1042, Vote # 322, 11/15/05]

Senator McCain has consistently demonized Americans who want to find a responsible way to remove troops from Iraq so that we can take the fight to al Qaeda.

McCain: "I believe to set a date for withdrawal is to set a date for surrender.” [Charlotte Observer, 9/16/07]

McCain called proponents of a congressional resolution opposing the troop surge in Iraq intellectually dishonest. [Associated Press. 2/4/07]

The Future:

Senator McCain now says he sees no end to the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq.

McCain: "[M]ake it a hundred" years in Iraq and "that would be fine with me." [Derry, New Hampshire Town Hall meeting, 1/3/08]

McCain on how long troops may remain in Iraq: “A thousand years. A million years. Ten million years. It depends on the arrangement we have with the Iraqi government.” [Associated Press, 1/04/08]

Source: http://www.votevets.org/

What I will never forgive McCain for is not joining with Kerry in the last election to defeat what McCain knew was (if nothing else) an incompetent administration of the war. He put his loyalty to the Republican Party ahead of the young men and women who died in the last 3.5 years...he put his loyalty to the Republican party ahead of loyalty to his country. So he can put his second wife out in front of the microphone to play gotcha with Mrs Obama...but I will never vote for him for President.

Vince(1) Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ...but I will never vote for him for
> President.

like that thought ever crossed your mind. You are hardly an unbiased voice concerning matters of politics.

You left out a few quotes:

"Every nation has to either be with us, or against us. Those who harbor terrorists, or who finance them, are going to pay a price."

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members."

"It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons."

"We must stay the course” in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and asked for more troops to finish the job. We have to exert all of our efforts militarily.”

Oh, that's right, Senator McCain didn't say these things. They were said by your gal Hillary.

Vince(1) Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ...but I will never vote for him for
> President.

like that thought ever crossed your mind. You are hardly an unbiased voice concerning matters of politics.

You left out a few quotes:

"Every nation has to either be with us, or against us. Those who harbor terrorists, or who finance them, are going to pay a price."

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members."

"It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons."

"We must stay the course” in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and asked for more troops to finish the job. We have to exert all of our efforts militarily.”

Oh, that's right, Senator McCain didn't say these things. They were said by your gal Hillary.

Vince(1) Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ...but I will never vote for him for
> President.

like that thought ever crossed your mind. You are hardly an unbiased voice concerning matters of politics.

You left out a few quotes:

"Every nation has to either be with us, or against us. Those who harbor terrorists, or who finance them, are going to pay a price."

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members."

"It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons."

"We must stay the course” in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and asked for more troops to finish the job. We have to exert all of our efforts militarily.”

Oh, that's right, Senator McCain didn't say these things. They were said by your gal Hillary.

Vince(1) Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ...but I will never vote for him for
> President.

like that thought ever crossed your mind. You are hardly an unbiased voice concerning matters of politics.

You left out a few quotes:

"Every nation has to either be with us, or against us. Those who harbor terrorists, or who finance them, are going to pay a price."

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members."

"It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons."

"We must stay the course” in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and asked for more troops to finish the job. We have to exert all of our efforts militarily.”

Oh, that's right, Senator McCain didn't say these things. They were said by your gal Hillary.

Here's the thing....you are correct about Hillary, and there are many who would say her early poositions in Iran are the main reasons she lags behind Obama today. But at least to a degree she has changed her position and does not appear to be comfortable with thinking we will be in Iraq for next 100 years.

What's the point of this? He doesn't stand a chance of winning in November. There are twice as many dems voting in this primary than GOP. Finished.

stinkypoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What's the point of this? He doesn't stand a
> chance of winning in November. There are twice as
> many dems voting in this primary than GOP.
> Finished.

I voted in the Dem primary and if my candidate of choice does not win the nomination, I will be voting for McCain.

I don't know if McCain is a good Republican or not. I do know that he has provided ample evidence that he will continue George W. Bush's policies in Iraq.

The reality is we simply can't afford to do it any longer. The military is falling apart and the budget deficit is exploding. Al Qaeda is fighting the same war of attrition that they did (as the mujahadeen) against the Soviets in Afghanistan. Al Qaeda never won any battles in that war. They just outlasted the Soviet Union until it went bankrupt. Do we want the same fate for America? I think not.

WashingToneLocian Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Al Qaeda is fighting
> the same war of attrition that they did (as the
> mujahadeen) against the Soviets in Afghanistan. Al
> Qaeda never won any battles in that war. They just
> outlasted the Soviet Union until it went bankrupt.
> Do we want the same fate for America? I think not.

You seem to be paraphrasing the words of another:

"the collapse of the Soviet Union goes to God and the mujahidin in Afghanistan. The US had no mentionable role," -- Osama bin Laden

The comparison between the US and USSR is as flimsy as a water soaked piece of paper. Your scare tactics are unconvincing and as worrisome as the ones made by Republicans when they promise another terrorist attack when Democrats are elected.

Retoric Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> "the collapse of the Soviet Union goes to God and
> the mujahidin in Afghanistan. The US had no
> mentionable role," -- Osama bin Laden
>
> The comparison between the US and USSR is as
> flimsy as a water soaked piece of paper. Your
> scare tactics are unconvincing and as worrisome as
> the ones made by Republicans when they promise
> another terrorist attack when Democrats are
> elected.

Actually, your quote of Osama bin Laden reinforces my argument. He believes he bankrupted the Soviet Union. It stands to reason he is trying to do the same thing to the US through a costly engagement in Iraq. All Al Qaeda needs to do is to strap a $100 bomb on a mentally ill woman, detonate her in a marketplace and then the US is good to go to spend another $5 billion a month in this war.

I realize that SDI and the arms race with the US contributed to the demise of the Soviet Union, but so did Afghanistan. There is ample evidence of this. Our country has spent close to $2 trillion in Iraq. You realize that, adjusted for inflation, that is 2/3rds of what we spent in World War II? If we stay in Iraq another 5 years, we will supersede that amount.

Military leaders are saying the US military is on the brink of collapse. We are already in an untenable situation should China decide it needs to invade Taiwan or Russia decides it would be a good idea to roll tanks into Ukraine.

The fiasco in Iraq is bankrupting the US. It is time to get out.

Mcain was psychologically damaged from his time in a Vietnamese prison camp. THe man believes that the Iraq war is his way of redeeming America after the debacle of the Vietnam war. He needs counselling NOT a bid for the white house.

ferfux Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mcain was psychologically damaged from his time in
> a Vietnamese prison camp. THe man believes that
> the Iraq war is his way of redeeming America after
> the debacle of the Vietnam war. He needs
> counselling NOT a bid for the white house.


You may have a point there. Replacing a mentally ill "dry drunk" (Bush) with a PTSD veteran (McCain) may not be the way to go.

Some time during the last year I heard McCain make a statement about how it was only our lack of "will" that resulted in our "loss" of South Vietnam...and the subsequent genocide that occurred in Cambodia. I keep wondering exactly what he believes we should have done to win! Should we have dropped even more agent orange (which is to this day causing birth defects in Vietnam and probably in this country as well)...should we have thrown 10 of thousands of more kids...dropped atomic bombs? And how would our win have changed history? If we had won would there still be a North and South Vietnam? Would South Vietnam be a true democracy? Would the lives of the Vietnamese be any better? I personally do not think so. What Vietnam taught me, and I think a lot of others, is that sometimes there is something worse then loosing a conflict...that being 100 years of conflict!

I'd love to hear McCain amplify on his thoughts on how Vietnam and Cambodia could've been "saved" and how things would have been so much better off for them and us.

stinkypoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What's the point of this? He doesn't stand a
> chance of winning in November. There are twice as
> many dems voting in this primary than GOP.
> Finished.

Geeezzz I hope you are right! But I dont think we have seen the Republican Propaganda machine kick into high gear yet! Let's face it...Obama is to a degree an untested candidate. He has yet to appear on the Sunday Fox news show to face those bozoes. And that's just the beginning. Remember this is the group that is ready to destroy even one of their own (McCain during the 2000 primaries)...made homosexual marriage "the" issue prior to the 2004 election...makes any discussion of alternative solutions to Iraq as surrender to the enemy..and to this day keeps beating the war drums for invading Iran. I do not think we can go calmly into the Novemebr elections thinking we have it in the bag..and we certainly can't count on the Supreme Court on doing anything but supporting any shenanigans that might occur to steal the 2008 elections. Democrats and anyone feeling a change is needed needs to seriously consider donating money and time to election campaigns..we need to keep the pressure on...before this election too stolen from beneath our feet!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23518674#23522645

need I say more?

Since some asshat keeps bumping up Romney links even though he's yesterday's news, I figured a few McCain threads were worth revisiting too.

Trump Bump

Bump for McCain