From The Road
May 30, 2008 5:02 PM

Obama Attacks McCain on Troop Surge in Iraq

By
John Bentley
Topics
Barack Obama
(CBS)


From CBS News' John Bentley:


Barack Obama will hammer John McCain about troop levels in Iraq at a town hall meeting tonight in Great Falls, Montana. "He's been proposing a joint trip to Iraq that's nothing more than a political stunt," Obama will say. "But it seems like Senator McCain's a lot more interested in my travel plans than the facts, because yesterday – in his continued effort to put the best light on a failed policy – he stood up in Wisconsin and said, 'We have drawn down to pre-surge levels' in Iraq. That's not true, and anyone running for Commander-in-Chief should know better."

Yesterday, McCain said that "we have drawn down to pre-surge levels [in Iraq]." Today, he clarified those statements. "We are continuing the drawdown of troops that were part of the surge," McCain said. "Three of five brigades, and the Marines that were part of the surge, are already back and two remaining brigades will be back at the end of July."

The McCain campaign accused the Obama camp of "nitpicking," and said that the surge is working, regardless of actual troop numbers. "I don't think tens of thousands of American troops amounts to nitpicking,' Obama will say. "Tell that to the young men and women who are serving bravely and brilliantly under our flag. Tell that to the families who have seen their loved ones fight tour after tour after tour of duty in a war that should've never been authorized and never been waged."

McCain argued today that the U.S. is already in Iraq, the troops should stay until Gen. David Petraeus believes the country is under control. "Sen. Obama predicted the surge would fail in Iraq, and he was wrong," McCain said. "We are succeeding."

Allison O'Keefe contributed to this report

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by joan1v June 2, 2008 7:40 AM EDT
excuse me I meant to say NEVER VOTE for him.
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by joan1v June 2, 2008 7:39 AM EDT
Tell me what has Obama ever done to deserve to be president. All he has done is vote present in the Senate. I will never for for him he is all show and no substance.
Reply to this comment
by eroosevelt08 May 31, 2008 2:14 PM EDT
I just cannot see voting for a candidate who will not permit all the votes cast in Michigan or Florida to be counted and holds the threat of a lawsuit over the DNC to win the nomination. Why doesn''t he do what is fair? Obama could waive the right to sue the DNC in one piece of paper. If he wins the nomination because of the threat of a lawsuit to the DNC, then he is using the old familiar Bush/Cheney fear monger tactic to win. Who wants to vote for a guy like that? I thought we were getting rid of those guys...
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by miles1967-2009 May 31, 2008 2:04 AM EDT
McCain does not have the judgment and patience to lead America. He is an ill-informed, myopic, close-minded man who is easily swayed by the bigoted religious right. Check out the result of his BRILLIANT support of the "Surge", not to mention the fatally wrong idea to go to war with Iraq in the first place, and not actually go after the 9/11 terrorists. Check the facts at the below link:

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/18722376/the_myth_of_the_surge
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by orlandosavga May 31, 2008 1:29 AM EDT
McCain is McCain let him be hiself. Let Obama be hisself.Now if we as U.S. citizens dont recognize.Every last Great nation that has had its time has since left the scene. We are on the way if you pay attention.Compare the failures of the past great nations with those of "ours" Glutens,adultery,disasters, genocide,im-prisonment unneeded. Think about it. We get married for money and fame .give birth like laying eggs.abortions as easy as a day off work . accepted murder.Im black I didnt ask to be.So why hate me.Youre white but what makes you right.If you think like one of the past two you are worrying about the wrong thing.The next president if you paid attention in school does not have the last say in enough matters to sink this nation of ours.The greedy bandwagon riders that allow "the small things" to slide contribute more to the downfall of our once comfortable living. I am only 37yrs. old and can remember better days.You can not take A money and power to hell with with you.Live right for one week and see how much better you and personal life goes. Then worry about voting for The President.Checks and balances takes care of him or her.With all that you have acquired you are sitting there alone about to get up and intrude in someones life.Get up and handle your business. Then vote.Judge not another. Please america, wake-up before we all become slaves to the ways we have created.ORLANDO ISAAC EASTERLING SR,Savannah Georgia.
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by chuckamok May 30, 2008 10:05 PM EDT
Obama cetainly isn''t obligated to go to Iraq with McCain.

And from his point of view, it''s not a good idea. He SHOULD go, but do it on his own terms. And I''m voting for McCain.
Reply to this comment
by Torilin May 30, 2008 9:44 PM EDT
spineless creature
-------------------
Not a good description at all. He isn''t going with McCain because McCain is a liability and McCain is going there for photo ops and score political points. It''s the same ol GOP game. Don''t repeat every propaganda you hear, grow a spine or a set...lol
Reply to this comment
by seah5 May 30, 2008 9:02 PM EDT
Is Obama refusing and weasling out of the McCains offer.

He is such a spineless creature.

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by Torilin May 30, 2008 8:43 PM EDT
Give the old gent a break, he was beat up real bad in Vietnam and who knows; they might have damaged his brain somewhat..
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by dewardbowles May 30, 2008 8:27 PM EDT
McCain acts exactly like Bush in regard to this type of matter. Rather than address his mistake or deliberate attempt to mislead the American people McCain attacks the messenger saying the don''t "understand" and trys to paint them as unpatriotic. This falls right in line with McCain''s comments that Iran is training Al Qaeda and mixing Sunnis and Shias up.

You want more of the same, vote McCain.

My vote is for Obama.
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