McCain: Obama Is The Wrong Change
Republican John McCain welcomed Democrat Barack Obama to the fall campaign for the White House on Tuesday with a blistering attack on his judgment and a charge that he "voted to deny funds to the soldiers who have done a brilliant and brave job" in Iraq.
"Americans ought to be concerned about the judgment of a presidential candidate who says he's ready to talk, in person and without conditions, with tyrants from Havana to Pyongyang, but hasn't traveled to Iraq to meet with General (David) Petraeus, and see for himself the progress he threatens to reverse," McCain said as his rival wrapped up the Democratic nomination.
McCain cast Obama, a first-term Illinois senator, as lacking the experience and discretion to be a wartime commander in chief, and he argued the Democrat's calls for a troop withdrawal from Iraq would imperil the United States.
The Arizona senator mocked Obama's promise of change for a country weary of the status quo, uttering the word "change" no fewer than 33 times.
"He is an impressive man who makes a great first impression," McCain said. "But he hasn't been willing to make the tough calls, to challenge his party, to risk criticism from his supporters, to bring real change to Washington. I have."
In a speech intended to mark the start of the general election, the Republican defended himself against Obama's frequent claim that McCain is "running for President Bush's third term" because McCain supports the Iraq war and wants to extend the president's tax cuts.
Voters don't buy it, McCain said.
"The American people didn't get to know me yesterday, as they are just getting to know Senator Obama," McCain said. "They know I have a long record of bipartisan problem solving. They've seen me put our country before any president, before any party, before any special interest, before my own interest."
McCain sought to distance himself from Bush by delivering the speech in New Orleans, a city whose ravages from Hurricane Katrina became a glaring symbol of Bush administration incompetence. The Arizona senator campaigned here six weeks ago, vowing that such a disaster would never again be handled in such a disgraceful way.
He contrasted his views on global warming and energy independence with those of Bush, and he criticized Obama for voting for Bush's energy bill, which he said gave more breaks to the oil industry.
"I opposed it because I know we won't achieve energy independence by repeating the mistakes of the last half century. That's not change we can believe in," McCain said, once again evoking Obama's campaign theme.
McCain wrapped up the GOP nomination in March and since then has laid the groundwork for the general election campaign while Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton kept up their lengthy primary fight. On Tuesday, with Obama finally assured of the Democratic Party nod, McCain made his speech during prime time to try to steal some of Obama's thunder.
McCain shared the stage with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who is frequently mentioned as a potential running mate. Jindal and several others spent the Memorial Day holiday at McCain's compound in Sedona, Ariz.
"A lot of people have been speculating about that," Jindal said as he warmed up a crowd of about 600 people. "I can tell you the secret now: John is a great cook."
In the speech, McCain laid out his core argument, that he has a record of working for reform and offers the kind of change that the country needs, while Obama makes empty promises of a new direction and offers the wrong kind of change.
"No matter who wins this election, the direction of this country is going to change dramatically," McCain said. "But the choice is between the right change and the wrong change; between going forward and going backward."
The Navy veteran and former Vietnam prisoner of war noted that Obama opposed the troop-increase strategy that has been credited with helping to curb violence, and he pointedly accused Obama of withholding money from troops.
"Senator Obama opposed the new strategy, and, after promising not to, voted to deny funds to the soldiers who have done a brilliant and brave job of carrying it out," McCain said.
A year ago, Obama voted against a funding bill for the Iraq war because it lacked a timetable for withdrawing troops. At the time, Obama said the bill would give Bush "a blank check to continue down this same, disastrous path."
Obama had previously opposed a deadline for troop withdrawal but shifted under pressure from liberal Democrats to seek a withdrawal of combat troops by the end of 2009. In contrast, McCain is an ardent supporter of the war and opposes a quick pullout.
Obama has also said he'd be willing to meet without preconditions with leaders of countries such as Cuba and North Korea.
In many ways, the fall campaign has already begun. The Democratic National Committee has been in general election mode for months, airing national ads against McCain, shadowing his campaign events and conducting a rapid-response program.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "Americans ought to be concerned about the judgment of a presidential candidate who says he's ready to talk, in person and without conditions, with tyrants from Havana to Pyongyang, but hasn't traveled to Iraq to meet with General (David) Petraeus, and see for himself the progress he threatens to reverse," McCain said as his rival wrapped up the Democratic nomination.
McCain cast Obama, a first-term Illinois senator, as lacking the experience and discretion to be a wartime commander in chief, and he argued the Democrat's calls for a troop withdrawal from Iraq would imperil the United States.
The Arizona senator mocked Obama's promise of change for a country weary of the status quo, uttering the word "change" no fewer than 33 times.
"He is an impressive man who makes a great first impression," McCain said. "But he hasn't been willing to make the tough calls, to challenge his party, to risk criticism from his supporters, to bring real change to Washington. I have."
In a speech intended to mark the start of the general election, the Republican defended himself against Obama's frequent claim that McCain is "running for President Bush's third term" because McCain supports the Iraq war and wants to extend the president's tax cuts.
Voters don't buy it, McCain said.
"The American people didn't get to know me yesterday, as they are just getting to know Senator Obama," McCain said. "They know I have a long record of bipartisan problem solving. They've seen me put our country before any president, before any party, before any special interest, before my own interest."
McCain sought to distance himself from Bush by delivering the speech in New Orleans, a city whose ravages from Hurricane Katrina became a glaring symbol of Bush administration incompetence. The Arizona senator campaigned here six weeks ago, vowing that such a disaster would never again be handled in such a disgraceful way.
He contrasted his views on global warming and energy independence with those of Bush, and he criticized Obama for voting for Bush's energy bill, which he said gave more breaks to the oil industry.
"I opposed it because I know we won't achieve energy independence by repeating the mistakes of the last half century. That's not change we can believe in," McCain said, once again evoking Obama's campaign theme.
McCain wrapped up the GOP nomination in March and since then has laid the groundwork for the general election campaign while Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton kept up their lengthy primary fight. On Tuesday, with Obama finally assured of the Democratic Party nod, McCain made his speech during prime time to try to steal some of Obama's thunder.
McCain shared the stage with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who is frequently mentioned as a potential running mate. Jindal and several others spent the Memorial Day holiday at McCain's compound in Sedona, Ariz.
"A lot of people have been speculating about that," Jindal said as he warmed up a crowd of about 600 people. "I can tell you the secret now: John is a great cook."
In the speech, McCain laid out his core argument, that he has a record of working for reform and offers the kind of change that the country needs, while Obama makes empty promises of a new direction and offers the wrong kind of change.
"No matter who wins this election, the direction of this country is going to change dramatically," McCain said. "But the choice is between the right change and the wrong change; between going forward and going backward."
The Navy veteran and former Vietnam prisoner of war noted that Obama opposed the troop-increase strategy that has been credited with helping to curb violence, and he pointedly accused Obama of withholding money from troops.
"Senator Obama opposed the new strategy, and, after promising not to, voted to deny funds to the soldiers who have done a brilliant and brave job of carrying it out," McCain said.
A year ago, Obama voted against a funding bill for the Iraq war because it lacked a timetable for withdrawing troops. At the time, Obama said the bill would give Bush "a blank check to continue down this same, disastrous path."
Obama had previously opposed a deadline for troop withdrawal but shifted under pressure from liberal Democrats to seek a withdrawal of combat troops by the end of 2009. In contrast, McCain is an ardent supporter of the war and opposes a quick pullout.
Obama has also said he'd be willing to meet without preconditions with leaders of countries such as Cuba and North Korea.
In many ways, the fall campaign has already begun. The Democratic National Committee has been in general election mode for months, airing national ads against McCain, shadowing his campaign events and conducting a rapid-response program.
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Here is an example of the Bush administration keeping us safe and bringing Honor back to the White House!
The US military has awarded an $80 million contract to a prominent Saudi financier who has been indicted by the US Justice Department. The contract to supply jet fuel to American bases in Afghanistan was awarded to the Attock Refinery Ltd, a Pakistani-based refinery owned by Gaith Pharaon. Pharaon is wanted in connection with his alleged role at the failed Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), and the CenTrust savings and loan scandal, which cost US tax payers $1.7 billion.
The Saudi businessman was also named in a 2002 French parliamentary report as having links to informal money transfer networks called hawala, known to be used by traders and terrorists, including Al Qaeda.
Interestingly, Pharaon was also an investor in President George W. Bush''s first business venture, Arbusto Energy.
www.poconocommunitynews.com
They have no thoughts of their own, but receive them from their appointed leaders like Rush and George Bush. Once the party leader has spoken they all get in line like the good comrades they are.
One more of these fascist republicans and you can kiss democracy goodbye.
Posted by johndevinejr
If I were you I wouldn''t even vote. If it''s anybody that''s damaged the Constitution it''s the left wing nuts. You will do it over and over and over with activist judges and their judicial fiats. You people are all full of *****. Lie like rugs and think everybody doesn''t see it.
Posted by syf44
You have the intelligence of a plant.
i don''''t see how borrowing money and running up the debt and ruining our dollar is better than raising taxesz
Posted by syf44
Well, then I suggest that they raise your taxes. I suggest that they raise the capital gains tax for you so that your income tax bracket will go from a modest 15% to 25-25% or even higher to 30-35%. I suggest that they raise the payroll tax so that business will see to it that you no longer have a job because they can no longer stay in business or they will pack up and go abroad so they can get business done with cheaper labor. I suggest that everybody has universal healthcare which all of us will pay dearly for since there is no such thing as free healthcare. I suggest that the put through the Lieberman/Warner bill which will tax the ***** outta all of us by raising the price of gas, electricity and energy so that we can accommodate the Mad Hatter''s Rant of Global Warming that Al Bore has perpetuated. That''s what I suggest. Rather than be good stewards, limit our spending, bring down the debt, shore up the dollar, I suggest we tax the living ***** outta you. I also suggest that you realize the liberals and republicans this time around all did the same thing. Spend, spend, spend. Liberals will also do it. Republicans better get back to basics. That''s why Congress is a 13% ratings. Makes Bush look very, very popular.
Posted by jackjj4 at 09:16 AM : Jun 04, 2008
Have they all been stopped? According to republicans, we are fighting the terrorists in Iraq, so by your own logic they have killed 4,000+ Americans which means they are achieving the objective of attacking america that you claim they stand for
i don''t see how borrowing money and running up the debt and ruining our dollar is better than raising taxesz
YAWN!
Posted by mudrose at 11:22 AM : Jun 04, 2008
Yes, thinking can wear you out if you''''re not used to it.
Posted by OneOpinion
Actually stupidity is more wearing when one feels obligated to respond to it.
YAWN!
Posted by mudrose at 11:22 AM : Jun 04, 2008
Yes, thinking can wear you out if you''re not used to it.
At 5%, I hardly think everyone in this country is suffering. I do believe this is true for some people and I am not unsympathic. But for the rest of your poverty pimps, it''s all in your head.