McCain Says Obama Will Change His Mind on War if He Visits Iraq

By: John Bentley
Topics: John McCain

(CBS)

From CBS News' John Bentley:

After offering to go to Iraq with Barack Obama and pointing out for the past few days that Obama hasn't visited the country since 2006, John McCain said he was "certainly glad to hear Sen. Obama was considering a trip to Iraq." If he does go, McCain added, he will change his position on the war because of the success the U.S. is having there. "Sen. Obama was driven to his conclusion by ideology, not by the facts on the ground," McCain said. "Success in Iraq is undeniable."

Obama's campaign said no trip was imminent, but had been discussed. "A trip abroad is under consideration, but there are no plans at this point," said spokesman Jen Psaki. "Obviously Iraq is a place to consider."

If he does go, it's not likely he'll take McCain up on his offer to accompany him on the trip. Obama's campaign has referred to the idea as political posturing. "John McCain's proposal is nothing more than a political stunt, and we don't need any more 'Mission Accomplished' banners or walks through Baghdad markets to know that Iraq's leaders have not made the political progress that was the stated purpose of the surge," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton.

McCain also said he'd understand if Obama doesn't want to go with him to Iraq, but not to call it a stunt. "It's long overdue – it's been 871 days since he was there," McCain said. "I don't think that people who serve there would believe that a visit to find out the facts by a person who wants to lead the country would be a, quote, stunt."

46 Comments +

Add a Comment

See all 46 Comments


by Torilin May 30, 2008 6:57 PM EDT: S_Temper

No1 likes war. No victor only troops that have their lives on the line! You talk of war so lightly as if it''s a fictional creation. You dishonor our soldiers'' sacrifice by your ignorance!!; Reply to this comment


by iddem May 30, 2008 3:27 PM EDT: If Iraq is as safe as McCain says then maybe the next time he visits he''ll refuse the hundreds of American Troops it takes to escort him and maybe he should give up the body armor he has always worn on previous trips. Old John should spend a week or two riding around in the back of a HMMWV with random troops on patrol, I''d say he should accompany some troops on a foot patrol, but he''s too *** old to walk very far. In a video the other day it showed his wife holding his arm so that he could walk down some stairs.

These politicians go to "combat zones", not to learn anything, but for photo ops, they are so well protected that they can''t see anything let alone learn anything other than what they are told by politically appointed Military leaders like Petraeus.; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 May 30, 2008 12:59 PM EDT: Ok, if Iraq is going so splendidly as John McCain claims then, it%u2019s a non-issue. Nobody needs to visit unless they%u2019re on vacation? And, when can our troops (with benefits the Republicans don%u2019t want to pay for) coming home?

That%u2019s all the American People want to know.; Reply to this comment


by samthetvcat May 30, 2008 4:00 AM EDT: First off, McCain''s 8 trips couldn''t have been that informative if after his latest he still couldn''t get straight the difference between Sunnis and Shiites, so clearly Barack''s already ahead of McSame in the knowledge department.

Second, wasn''t it reported after Hillary had her rebound in Ohio and Texas that the prolonging of the Primaries meant Barack''s plans to go to Iraq and abroad just like McCain did would have to be delayed? Hence, all McCain''s pointing out is that he''s been in the Senate longer, and that his primary ended sooner - not sure why he seems to think that says anything about Barack . . . it just makes him look like he''s trying to turn the race for the Presidency into a ''pissing contest'' as they say imo (Also, we Dems are in the midst of pivoting towards the general, so if he''s winning points at this time, he should be chalking it up to his head start rather than a competitive advantage!); Reply to this comment


by kansas1946 May 29, 2008 11:29 PM EDT: After offering to go to Iraq with Barack Obama and pointing out for the past few days that Obama hasn%u2019t visited the country since 2006, John McCain said he was %u201Ccertainly glad to hear Sen. Obama was considering a trip to Iraq.%u201D If he does go, McCain added, he will change his position on the war because of the success the U.S. is having there. %u201CSen. Obama was driven to his conclusion by ideology, not by the facts on the ground,%u201D McCain said. %u201CSuccess in Iraq is undeniable.%u201D

***************************

I am really starting to worry a bit about John''s mental state. Maybe all of this campaigning, in 2000, and now, has gotten to be too much for him. The above statement is really delusional. When Iraq makes progress, it will be because we withdrew. They will settle thier own differences in their own way, which is usually bloody in that part of the world. We are only making it worse.; Reply to this comment


by omaar-101 May 29, 2008 8:58 PM EDT: Concern mounts over Rising Troop (Suicides)Last years 2,100 attempted Suicides --

An average of more than 5 per day --

Compares with about 350 suicide attempts in 2002, the year before the war in Iraq began, according to the Army.

Average of 5 soldiers Per Day tried to commit suicide in 2007, Army figures show

U.S. WASHINGTON

(CNN) -- Every day, five U.S.
soldiers try to kill themselves. Before the Iraq war began, that figure was Less than One Suicide Attempt a Day.

The dramatic increase is revealed in new U.S. Army figures, which show 2,100 soldiers (Tried to Commit Suicide in 2007).

"Suicide attempts are rising and have risen over the last five years," said Col. Elspeth Cameron-Ritchie, an Army psychiatrist.

"Our troops and their families are under unprecedented levels of stress due to the pace and frequency of more than five years of deployments," Webb said in a written statement.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, took to the Senate floor Thursday, urging MORE HELP for Military Members, especially for those Returning From War.

"Our Brave Service Members who face Deployment After Deployment without the rest, recovery and treatment they need are at the breaking point," Murray said.

According to Army statistics, the incidence of U.S. Army soldiers attempting suicide or inflicting injuries on themselves has SKYROCKETED in the nearly five years since the START of the IRAQ WAR.; Reply to this comment


by omaar-101 May 29, 2008 8:57 PM EDT: Obama thinking about trip to Iraq

Note: You Sideline Patriots, Enlist and prove Your Bravery, or Your 18 Yr Old Son Or Daughters Bravery...Cowards.

May 29 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., says if he Visits U.S. Forces in Iraq, its to TALK to the TOOPS, not to Participate in a Republican Publicity Gimmick.

Obama visited Iraq in January 2006 as part of a Congressional Delegation.

While considering visiting U.S. TROOPS in Iraq this summer, Obama declined McCains invitation to take a JOINT TRIP to the Middle Eastern country, a blog on The New York Times Web site reported.

"I just dont want to be involved in a political stunt. ... I think that if Im going to Iraq, then Im there to TALK to TROOPS and talk to Commanders," Obama said. "Im not there to try to SCORE POLITICAL POINTS or PERFORM."

McCain said he was confident Obama would change his position about ending the war and withdrawing U.S. TROOPS after his visit "because he will see the SUCCESS that has been ACHIEVED on the GROUND.''; Reply to this comment


by omaar-101 May 29, 2008 8:57 PM EDT: Obama thinking about trip to Iraq

Note: You Sideline Patriots, Enlist and prove Your Bravery, or Your 18 Yr Old Son Or Daughters Bravery...Cowards.

May 29 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., says if he Visits U.S. Forces in Iraq, its to TALK to the TOOPS, not to Participate in a Republican Publicity Gimmick.

Obama visited Iraq in January 2006 as part of a Congressional Delegation.

While considering visiting U.S. TROOPS in Iraq this summer, Obama declined McCains invitation to take a JOINT TRIP to the Middle Eastern country, a blog on The New York Times Web site reported.

"I just dont want to be involved in a political stunt. ... I think that if Im going to Iraq, then Im there to TALK to TROOPS and talk to Commanders," Obama said. "Im not there to try to SCORE POLITICAL POINTS or PERFORM."

McCain said he was confident Obama would change his position about ending the war and withdrawing U.S. TROOPS after his visit "because he will see the SUCCESS that has been ACHIEVED on the GROUND.''; Reply to this comment


by omaar-101 May 29, 2008 8:53 PM EDT: McCain Needs to Listen to the Top Naval Commander, who Agrees with (Diplomacy over War with Iran)

U.S. Commander: Iran War Would Be ''Disastrous''

U.S. Navy''''s Persian Gulf Commander Says War With Iran Would Cause ''''Aftershocks'''' in the Region

By JONATHAN KARL and LUIS MARTINEZ
May 28, 2008

RSS The top U.S. Navy official in the Persian Gulf warned in an interview with ABC News that war with Iran would be "pretty disastrous," with "echoes and aftershocks" reverberating throughout the region.

Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff, the top U.S. Navy official in the Persian Gulf, told ABC News that war with Iran would be "disastrous," and that the ideal way to interact with the country is through diplomatic methods.

Nobody I''''ve spoken to suggests that going to war with Iran is a good thing," Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff told ABC News.

"The preferred path by far is the (Diplomatic Path), keep working with the international community to bring the right sort of pressure to bear on the Islamic Republic of Iran."

For years, there has been a swirl of speculation about the prospects of war, as the United States has accused Iran of arming militias in Iraq, trying to develop nuclear weapons and supporting terrorism.

President Bush and other top U.S. officials have repeatedly stressed diplomacy when it comes to Iran, but say "all options are on the table," including the military option.; Reply to this comment


by omaar-101 May 29, 2008 8:49 PM EDT: The Bin Laden Plan: What a Joke, Your Elected 2 Term President and his Father, George Bush Sr, have a (20 yr) Bin Laden Family & Friends Relationship and are Still Friends ..

The Bush Administration Gathered up all the Bin Ladens, via FBI Clearence and Flew them Home, Safely, Days After (911).

When the Bush Admin. could`ve Held & Detained them, until Bin Laden`s Surrender or Capture.

You Blind as a Bat... Low Lifes.

I Guess Bin Laden and the Bush`s really have a Great (20 Yr) Relationship..Huh

Suckers !!; Reply to this comment

See all 46 Comments

Popular Now in Politics

Follow From The Road

Most Popular on CBS News

Stories More »

Videos More »

8 Photos | View Gallery »
Fla. police identify "face-eating" naked man
7 Photos | View Gallery »
Doc Watson: 1923-2012
23 Photos | View Gallery »
Buckingham Palace garden party
13 Photos | View Gallery »
2012 French Open
29 Photos | View Gallery »
Ga. student fights to survive flesh-eating bacterial infection

Scroll Left

Scroll Right More »

CBS This Morning now on iPad & iPhone! GET THE FREE APP

CBS News on Facebook

McCain Says Obama Will Change His Mind on War if He Visits Iraq

Report offensive content:

E-mail this comment to a friend.

Follow From The Road

CBS This Morning iPad App