McCain Discusses Iraq Market Visit

Arizona Senator Speaks Exclusively With Correspondent Scott Pelley

(CBS)  Senator John McCain says the House, the Senate and the majority of the American people are all wrong when it comes to Iraq. He set out to prove it last week by walking into the heart of Baghdad. What he said about security after that walk set off front page outrage in the media. Correspondent Scott Pelley and a 60 Minutes team were the only reporters with McCain.

McCain is gambling his bid for the White House on success in the war. When Pelley sat down with him in Iraq, he said Americans can't lose their nerve now, just when he thinks there’s reason to hope.

---

"I believe that we can succeed and I believe the consequences of failure are catastrophic. Those who say 'Just withdraw,' then you say, 'What next?'" Sen. McCain says.

"I wonder at what point do you stop doing what you think is right and you start doing what the majority of the American people want?" Pelley asks.

"Well, again, I disagree with what the majority of the American people want. Failure will lead to chaos, withdrawal will lead to chaos," McCain replies.

With pressure to withdraw building at home, McCain landed in the midst of the Baghdad surge and did something that would have been unthinkable a few weeks ago.

The new commander, Army General David Petraeus, sealed McCain inside the latest armored Humvee, soldiers call it a "Full Up Frag 5," and took McCain on a Sunday drive to the market.

Gen. Petraeus wrote the book on the Bush administration’s new strategy. He started eight weeks ago, moving U.S. troops off bases and into neighborhoods to clear and hold the streets. The centerpiece is the al Shorja market. Two months ago it was devastated by a car bomb. Now the Army has banned vehicles and laid on extra security.

Petraeus brought McCain to a rug shop, an ordinary scene, until you step back to see the 22 soldiers outside. Inside, McCain did his own reporting, asking the rug merchant, "In the last two months are things better or worse?"

The merchant said things are better, but, he said, there are snipers in the neighborhood that sometimes paralyze the market. The tour of the bazaar seemed, well, a little bizarre. The delegation played the role of tourists while surrounded by enormous firepower. The guns, though, couldn’t protect McCain from his own words.

The week before, trying to build support for the surge, he said this on television: "General Petraeus goes out there almost every day in an unarmed Humvee."

And he said this on the radio: "There are neighborhoods in Baghdad where you and I could walk through those neighborhoods today."

Those words came back to haunt him in a Baghdad news conference. And he made it worse.

"Senator McCain, I just read in the Internet that you said there are areas in Baghdad that you can walk around freely," a reporter asked.

"Yeah, I just came from one," McCain replied.

But backing up that stroll through the market were ten armored Humvees, soldiers with rifles, and two Apache attack helicopters circling overhead.

"I understand why they would provide me with that security but I can tell you if it had been two months ago and I'd asked to do it, they'd a said, 'Under no circumstances whatsoever.' I view that as a sign of progress," McCain tells Pelley.

"You mentioned in an interview that General Petraeus sometimes goes into Baghdad in an unarmored Humvee, and that there were neighborhoods you can walk though without being concerned for your safety," Pelley asks the senator.

"There is no unarmored Humvee, obviously that’s the case," McCain says. "I’m trying to make the point over and over and over again that we are making progress. There are signs of progress. But it’s long and it’s hard and it’s tough."

"You were a little annoyed with yourself, I think," Pelley remarks.

"Of course I'm going to misspeak and I've done it on numerous occasions and I probably will do in the future. I regret that when I divert attention to something that I've said from my message but you know that's just life, and I'm happy frankly with the way I operate, otherwise it would be a lot less fun," McCain says.

He's worried that the market misspeak is distracting from his conviction that the strategy is working after years of mismanagement by the Bush administration.

McCain describes former Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as one of the worst secretaries of defense in the history of the country. Asked why he says so, McCain says, "Well, the war was just very badly mismanaged, there's ample evidence of that."

"But the secretary of defense is not commander-in-chief," Pelley remarks.

"No, he’s not," McCain agrees.

"What responsibility does the president bear for this?" Pelley asks.

"Again, I think the president has great responsibility for it, the buck always stops there," McCain says.

"But you seem to give President Bush a pass even though you are so hard on how this war was managed you don’t seem to criticize the president for that," Pelley says.

"I say that he is responsible and I'll continue to say he is responsible. Should I look back in anger or should I look forward and say 'Lets support this new strategy, support this new general, and let's give it everything we can to have it succeed,'" McCain replies.

[surflaw02]

They need to include the fact that 21 Shia market workers were ambushed, bound and shot dead north of the capital. The victims came from the Baghdad market visited the previous day by John McCain, the US presidential candidate, who said that an American security plan in the capital was starting to show signs of progress.
London Times Reporting:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article1604931.ece

[centaur4321]

Senator McCain, at American taxpayer expense, flies to Iraq, surrounds himself with a hundred or so US soldiers, at American taxpayers expense, cocoons himself in body armor, at American taxpayer expense, and then walks through a market place and declares how much safer it is now, how much improvement has taken place.

How stupid does he think the American public is?

Why is 60 minutes airing any of this bogus posturing?

I can only hope that the focus of the entire segment will be to point out that Senator McCain, like so many of our politicians will do anything to distort the truth to gain voter approval.

If there ever were a chance of my voting for McCain for President it has vanished. We already have an arrogant, ignorant man in that office, why would we want to elect yet another to follow in his footsteps?

As to 60 minutes, if you buy into this propaganda, and don't clearly show how distorted Sen. McCain's claims are, you maty count me among one less viewers.

[kimlindy1]

MCCAIN, YOUR THE BIGGEST DAM--- I HAVE EVER SEEN.YOUR NOT A MAN YOUR A MOUSE...YOU USE OUR TAX $ TO TRY AND MAKE GOOD BY GOING OVER TO IRAN TO SHOW HOW SAFE THE STREETS ARE, BULL YOU HAD TWO HUNDERED AROUND YOU AT ALL TIMES, WITH A COPER ABOVE ,THE STREET YOU WALK DOWN ,SO CALLED WALK DOWN WAS DOMDED THE NEXTS DAY, WHAT THE HECK DID YOU DO? WHAT DID YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN FOR SURE THEY BOMDED THE STREET ,YOU MADE LIFE WORSE OF THOSE THAT USE TO HAVE A HOME ON YOUR SO CALLED STREETS, NOT NOW, YOUR SUCH A DUM---,TO MAKE A POINT TO SHOW OFF , I CANT EVEN BEGIN TO SAY HOW I FELL ABOUT THIS JERK,ENYONE THAT KNOWS ENYTHING ABOUT THE WAY LIFE IS OVER IN IRAN KNOW JUST AS SOME AS HE REPORTS HOW SAFE ANY STREET,CITY ARE THE FIST THING THAT WOULD HAPPEN WOULD BE SOMEONE BOMBING IT,YOU AND I KNOW THIS ,SO DID HE, WHO O.K FOR MCCAIN TO EVEN GO?

[keinsignal]

Agreeing w/ surflaw02 above. 26 people have now been murdered by insurgents in the area around that market since McCain's visit, and it is certainly legitimate to ask if these two things are related. I certainly hope 60 Minutes will ask Sen. McCain (and the other congressmen on this trip) to comment on these deaths as well.

Not to mention NPR's followup on the visit where a merchant, Ahmed Al-Kurdi, who gave Rep. Mike Pence a free rug, and whom the congressman described thus: %u201CHis eyes, like so many others, radiated with affection and appreciation.%u201D, told NPR the following (from Editor and Publisher, see http://tinyurl.com/3d547k):

"I didn't accept the money. I said to myself, 'they must be guests, so I must give them a good impression of Iraqis.' After all, we are occuped by these Americans -- and they are accompanied by a lot of U.S. security."

Al-Kurdi then said that actually he favored the insurgents: %u201CWe are not against the resistance. We are with them. However, he who claims to be with the resistance must fight the occupiers, not the Iraqi people. A huge number of U.S forces came yesterday. Why didn't they shoot at them -- instead of harming us?%u201D

[pleiku1]

I'm saddened by Senator (Capt) McCain's words. I've always thought of him as a Hero, not the overpaid football player nor the CW celebrity but the Real Hero. He didn't take the "other option" like our VP did nor did he shy away from going to Vietnam like our President did. He put his money where his mouth was. What he and others should realize is how would a typical American react if 150,000 Japanese or Chinese soldiers occupied one of our State? And if the reply is I accept it if it is for a good cause, then he is a better man then I am.

[brundage3]

Senartor McCain does deserve a great deal of credit in some sneses. His extreme experiences as a POW in Vietnam cannot be discounted. The fact that he took such inhumane punishment and was able to turn the experience to motivation for a goood life and one which is dedicated to service is terrific. BUT...

That doies not prove any ability to be correct in his opinions or un-clouded in his thinking and behavior. He is not immune from ego or listening to to many voices of praise and not enough of frank critique. McCain blew it badly in Iraq. His isnsistance on the walk through the market even when he saw the huee security still required was reckless. It risked lives during the walk. And it appears to have COST Iraqi lives in the days following it.

While one could be proud of his life in many ways, he should be ashamed of this stunt. ANDhe should redeem himself by saying so.

[amazedd]

Aye.

[tross1959]

So many actions, decisions and statements about this war have angered me, but for some reason I cannot get past McCain's, and the other lawmakers who went on this tax-paid propaganda tour, inane and insulting observations and comments. I sat there speechless as I listened to McCain, upon his return, lecture Wolf Blitzer on how Blitzer and the rest of the media was out of the loop on Iraq security. I'm infurtiated by what McCain and these others are trying to pull, and I'm sorry to see 60 Minutes giving him more air time to make these ridiculous claims. I have lost all respect for this man, who I had been considering supporting for president until this cynical and dishonest display. Shame on him, and shame on him for not listening to, and respecting, the American people.

[tross1959]

So many actions, decisions and statements about this war have angered me, but for some reason I cannot get past McCain's, and the other lawmakers who went on this tax-paid propaganda tour, inane and insulting observations and comments. I sat there speechless as I listened to McCain, upon his return, lecture Wolf Blitzer on how Blitzer and the rest of the media was out of the loop on Iraq security. I'm infurtiated by what McCain and these others are trying to pull, and I'm sorry to see 60 Minutes giving him more air time to make these ridiculous claims. I have lost all respect for this man, who I had been considering supporting for president until this cynical and dishonest display. Shame on him, and shame on him for not listening to, and respecting, the American people.

[tross1959]

So many actions, decisions and statements about this war have angered me, but for some reason I cannot get past McCain's, and the other lawmakers who went on this tax-paid propaganda tour, inane and insulting observations and comments. I sat there speechless as I listened to McCain, upon his return, lecture Wolf Blitzer on how Blitzer and the rest of the media was out of the loop on Iraq security. I'm infurtiated by what McCain and these others are trying to pull, and I'm sorry to see 60 Minutes giving him more air time to make these ridiculous claims. I have lost all respect for this man, who I had been considering supporting for president until this cynical and dishonest display. Shame on him, and shame on him for not listening to, and respecting, the American people.

[tross1959]

So many actions, decisions and statements about this war have angered me, but for some reason I cannot get past McCain's, and the other lawmakers who went on this tax-paid propaganda tour, inane and insulting observations and comments. I sat there speechless as I listened to McCain, upon his return, lecture Wolf Blitzer on how Blitzer and the rest of the media was out of the loop on Iraq security. I have lost all respect for this man, who I had been considering supporting for president until this cynical and dishonest display. Shame on him, and shame on him for not listening to, and respecting, the American people.

[tross1959]

So many actions, decisions and statements about this war have angered me, but for some reason I cannot get past McCain's, and the other lawmakers who went on this tax-paid propaganda tour, inane and insulting observations and comments. I sat there speechless as I listened to McCain, upon his return, lecture Wolf Blitzer on how Blitzer and the rest of the media was out of the loop on Iraq security. I have lost all respect for this man, who I had been considering supporting for president until this cynical and dishonest display. Shame on him, and shame on him for not listening to, and respecting, the American people.

[tross1959]

So many actions, decisions and statements about this war have angered me, but for some reason I cannot get past McCain's, and the other lawmakers who went on this tax-paid propaganda tour, inane and insulting observations and comments. I sat there speechless as I listened to McCain, upon his return, lecture Wolf Blitzer on how Blitzer and the rest of the media was out of the loop on Iraq security. I have lost all respect for this man, who I had been considering supporting for president until this cynical and dishonest display. Shame on him, and shame on him for not listening to, and respecting, the American people.

[middleman8]

WHAT A FOOL. HE WILL MAKE A GOOD PRESIDENT.

THAT SEEMS TO BE THE QUALIFACATIONS REQUIRED

NOW.

[mizpah63]

John McCain sacrificed his integrity at the altar of George W. Bush. Can anyone comprehend why McCain would, if he is in his right mind, do such a foolish thing?

[thehobman]

The Press Is A fountain Of Information For The
Enemy But We Have To Protect Them. I Think As Long
As They Are Over There They Should Protect Themselfs..They Have All The Ratings And Money.
They Never Have Any Good News On Anything Good
We Do, Only Everything Bad}}}
Because They Are Experts They Hide Behind Freedom Of The Press,,,They Have Killed Many Solders Because Of There Information They Let Out On Everything We Do,,,,If I Was In Charge I Would Tell Them Get Out..Or Go On The Otherside And See
How Long You Will Last...

Im Sick Of The Press All Doom And Gloom

[rharrin1]

"Of course I am going to misspeak and I've done it on numerous occasions and I probably will do it in the future," says McCain. "I regret that when I divert attention to something I said from my message, but you know, that's just life," he tells Pelley, adding, "I'm happy, frankly, with the way I operate, otherwise it would be a lot less fun."

This is why you will never be president, we have a idiot there now we can't afford another one.

[frb01]

John McCain served this country in Vietnam, lost a lot of years as a POW, and came home with permanent injuries to his arms and legs. He has a son who may end up over there because he is currently in the service. Knowing from his personal experience what he has learned about military actions over the years, his family has a long history of service, I would like him to explain how he thinks this strategy will work, because I have been totally dumbfounded by his position since he first took it several months ago when the President first announced it. I know he doesn't want to lose or walk away, I just question where he is coming from.

[cls105]

He will probably misspeak again??? He didnt misspeak, he LIED.

[corpknot]

McCain realizing he needs a lot more money for his campaign, peddles the war seeking big bucks from Defense Contractors.

I don't think McCain's comments were taken seriously by the American people...there was such a disconnect with what he said and the bombings and killings actually going on!

[cruisinpen]

I hope the interview will question, in depth, Mr. McCain's true motives for such radical support of the "Blood for oil" war.
Another question: is'nt Mr. McCain presently 73 years old? If so he would be 75 when sworn into office and 83 before the conclusion of two terms. Does he not think that his age plus residual health problems from his experiences in VietNam might put him at a disadvantage?
Finally, please ask if the Senator saw the similarity between his recent staged Iraq market photo-op and Mr Bush's absurd "Victory" dance in borrowed flight suit on the deck of a flattop.

[cruisinpen]

I hope the interview will question, in depth, Mr. McCain's true motives for such radical support of the "Blood for oil" war.
Another question: is'nt Mr. McCain presently 73 years old? If so he would be 75 when sworn into office and 83 before the conclusion of two terms. Does he not think that his age plus residual health problems from his experiences in VietNam might put him at a disadvantage?
Finally, please ask if the Senator saw the similarity between his high priced Iraq market photo-op and Mr Bush's absurd "Victory" dance in borrowed flight suit on the deck of a flattop.

[cruisinpen]

I hope the interview will question, in depth, Mr. McCain's true motives for such radical support of the "Blood for oil" war.
Another question: is'nt Mr. McCain presently 73 years old? If so he would be 75 when sworn into office and 83 before the conclusion of two terms. Does he not think that his age plus residual health problems from his experiences in VietNam might put him at a disadvantage?
And please ask if the Senator saw the similarity between his high priced Iraq market photo-op and Mr Bush's absurd "Victory" dance in borrowed flight suit on the deck of a flattop!

[cruisinpen]

I hope the interview will question, in depth, Mr. McCain's true motives for such radical support of the "Blood for oil" war.
Another question: is'nt Mr. McCain presently 73 years old? If so he would be 75 when sworn into office and 83 before the conclusion of two terms. Does he not think that his age plus residual health problems from his experiences in VietNam might put him at a disadvantage?
And please ask if the Senator saw the similarity between his high priced Iraq market photo-op and Mr Bush's absurd "Victory" dance in borrowed flight suit on the deck of a flattop!

[heetseeker]

"A Question of Judgement"

I like Senator McCain and I respect him. If anyone has earned the right to have their say, it is he. I would therefore never begrudge him his view.

But he, better than anyone else will realise that high office is about good judgement. The sort of chatter that plays well in front of an audience of the "converted", does not play well in front of a nation of informed skeptics. At best McCain's comments make him sound like a man totally out of touch, in denial or at worst a deceiver. Either way his credibility has be dealt a terrible blow.

The country is now in a war that was initiated because of poor judgement, the country is looking for a leader with better jusgement to take us forward. In my view, with a few carelessly spoken words, Senator McCain has demonstrated that he is not that leader and therefore not fit to be President.

I think this is probably one for the Daily Show.

[adian1-2009]

McCain is walking in a safety environment and it shows in the picture above! Yes, yes! There are at least NINE soldiers not far from him. And now he says he misspoke. What a liar! And there is a democrat that says that McCain's character is intact, that it is mere bad judgement. It seems that the bad judgement is in the commentator!

[cruisinpen]

I hope the interview will question, in depth, Mr. McCain's true motives for such radical support of the "Blood for oil" war.
Another question: is'nt Mr. McCain presently 73 years old? If so he would be 75 when sworn into office and 83 before the conclusion of two terms. Does he not think that his age plus residual health problems from his experiences in VietNam might put him at a disadvantage?
And please ask if the Senator saw the similarity between his high priced Iraq market photo-op and Mr Bush's absurd "Victory" dance in borrowed flight suit on the deck of a flattop!

Why do all politicians think they need to tour a country or visit a resort so that they can understand the situation. Politicians expect me to help finance the war based upon what I see on the television or read in the paper, but for them the travel is needed.

How much did it cost for John McCain to visit Iraq? Not just the plane and his entourage, but in extra work for the soldiers. McCain was a servicemember and he knows that Commanders make their troops do a lot of extra work for a visit by a dignitary. With the extra work that servicemen need to do everytime a "Dignitary" comes to town the politician should just stay home and watch it on television like the rest of us.

What does it cost when politicians have their press conferences for something that is just common sense to the rest of us?

When I go on vacation I pay for the costs, should I bill the expense on my taxes as a cost of doing business because I too would like to know about why my money is needed to build a bridge or support the arts or a baseball team or everything else that my tax dollars should not be going to.

If a politicians believe that they need to visit an area to decide how to vote the area that they should be visiting is one where their constituents live.

If we all got the tax benefits of "official visits" like the politicians then there would be no revenue for them to do it.

[shingles1]

Well, in his defense, it's easy to get the concepts of "Safe" and "Not Safe" mixed up since they both have the words "safe" in them.

[jerr11]

"Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., says he misspoke..."


Yeah right! You misspoke!

That's just another word for flip flopper!

Just come out and say it, you're a flip flopper, flip flopper.

Just like that other "fake" Vietnam hero, you need to be swiftboated too!

[toldyouso21]

For those that were ever in doubt: mcCain has proven that not only is he a BALD FACED LIAR-- but that he is an UNREPENTANT BALD FACED LIAR. Though the rest of America may cringe and decry his fake visit and lies--he has, assumed the mantle of being Bush's heir apparent and acting like that cabal: Lie , lie, lie and never apologize.

There is no misspeak--only lies and by showing he will never admit or be sorry for lying--he must have wrapped up the 34% GOP voters who love Bush.--both liars, voted for and supported by other liars.

[toldyouso21]

disagree with what the majority of the American people want. Failure [in Iraq] will lead to chaos, withdrawal will lead to chaos."


Uhmmmmm. Senator McCain....You do realize that if you disagree with what the majority of Americans want....that they probably will NOT vote for you don't you? Save some money, don't run and just give the few millions you have raised to one of the other candidates to squander. And please don't do a Bush--make yourself scarce or they will replay your Iraq visit clips over and over again. ("Heheheh. I never said stay the course...this administration has never been about staying the course") hello youtube--meet an idiot loser.

[dylon5]

Report Abuse, point well made. However, the cost of McCain's trip may wll have also included 22 Iraqui lives. How much value does he place on the lives of the people he allegedly intends to "free"? Don't know whether there is a connection to the ambush and killing of people in the market the day after McCain's stroll . . . but shouldn't 60 minutes at least address the issue. It seems to have been lost . . . (perhaps they mis-existed) but that's life and so long as McCain's having fun . . . what are a couple dozen Iraqui lives?

[dylon5]

Sorry to post twice - first hasn't appeared --

Report Abuse, point well made. However, the cost of McCain's trip may wll have also included 22 Iraqui lives. How much value does he place on the lives of the people he allegedly intends to "free"? Don't know whether there is a connection to the ambush and killing of people in the market the day after McCain's stroll . . . but shouldn't 60 minutes at least address the issue. It seems to have been lost . . . (perhaps they mis-existed) but that's life and so long as McCain's having fun . . . what are a couple dozen Iraqui lives?

[shingles1]

"Failure [in Iraq] will lead to chaos, withdrawal will lead to chaos."

As opposed to the, for lack of a better word, CHAOS that we currently have.
But maybe this is the good kind of chaos.

[bluestardad]

masterballs2; LMAO! HARD!

SENATORS UP FOR REELECTION IN 08 PART OF THE SELL OUT AMERICA CROWD AND FUND THIS IRAQ WAR WITHOUT END DATES AS ISRAEL WANTS THEM TO!

When American School kids all have school supplies then we will send money to the Middle East!

Write AIPAC as they brag about buying your Elected Representatives while American soldiers are being killed!

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm

Congress email http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Speakers email address: [e-mail]

Republican email [e-mail]

Democratic email [e-mail]


Baucus, Max- (D - MT)
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.- (D - DE)
Durbin, Richard- (D - IL)
Harkin, Tom- (D - IA)
Johnson, Tim- (D - SD)
Kerry, John F.- (D %u2013 MA
Landrieu, Mary L.- (D - LA)
Lautenberg, Frank R.- (D - NJ)
Levin, Carl- (D - MI)
Pryor, Mark L.- (D - AR)
Reed, Jack- (D - RI)
Rockefeller, John D., IV- (D - WV)


Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)

[asor1-2009]

Oops, I "misspoke the other day. I said that I thought Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, looks like an ar5e hole in his bullet-proof vest. I meant to say a55 hole. Excuse me!

[shedhouserob-2009]

If this Cheney's asskisser is all the republican party has to offer we're hurting. Get him out of the race. He's an embarassment to the party.

[imprisonbush]

Gee, why is it that McCain's little ploy to portray the surge as working in the Iraqi market managed to omit the fact that he was accompanied by two Apache helicopters, 30 plus fully armed soldiers, a armored Humvee and body armor? Is that how he normally goes shopping? NO. It was fraud.

[jtimbers1]

Why was it necessary to talk about the 2000 rumor of McCain's child as a black baby? Is that what made it so 'vicious'? That was not necessary unless they were trying to make the point that it was somehow worse than jus having a good old 'white' child out of wedlock. I know it was just a rumor, but the response by that K-Mart Mike Wallace wannabe was obvious.

[awakeevolve1]

Is there any principle greater than withholding judgment when observing another's actions? Why do we cease to reserve these judgements, rather than respect that McCain is a presidential hopeful and before all, a human? I am no Republican, nor am I Democrat, I am a 17 year old, soon to be 18 year old, United States citizen whom observes the cadidates from a computer screen and media attention. That being said, I may not be the most informed voter, but I, too, am a human. Refrain from scrutinizing a candidate who's Republican if you, yourself, are Democrat. When November of '08 comes, cast your vote in support of the candidate whom you percieve as best fit to properly and honestly serve the American people. McCain may lie, he may misspeak and, although troubling to one's nature, may lie to try to convince the American people that Iraq is truly a winnable situation. Give up the Republican attacks and focus your energy on what YOU as a citizen can do to improve our country, VOTE! "My vote doesn't matter anyway." That is a recyclable excuse to sit idle while our country wastes away and falls to the hands of tyranny and greed; as did the Roman Empire, but let's also consider the time of age, our down fall will be recieved by much greater despair.

[dirtydon43]

Noticed that you gave an update on how many Americans were killed during McCain's visit to Iraq.
Makes some of us wonder if you'll provide the same information when covering anyone's visit to Afghanistan.
Or is there some reason only the Casualties from Iraq are newsworthy...

[awakeevolve1]

Is there any principle greater than withholding judgment when observing another's actions? Why do we cease to reserve these judgements, rather than respect that McCain is a presidential hopeful and before all, a human? I am no Republican, nor am I Democrat, I am a 17 year old, soon to be 18 year old, United States citizen whom observes the cadidates from a computer screen and media attention. That being said, I may not be the most informed voter, but I, too, am a human. Refrain from scrutinizing a candidate who's Republican if you, yourself, are Democrat. When November of '08 comes, cast your vote in support of the candidate whom you percieve as best fit to properly and honestly serve the American people. McCain may lie, he may misspeak and, although troubling to one's nature, may lie to try to convince the American people that Iraq is truly a winnable situation. Give up the Republican attacks and focus your energy on what YOU as a citizen can do to improve our country, VOTE! "My vote doesn't matter anyway." That is a recyclable excuse to sit idle while our country wastes away and falls to the hands of tyranny and greed; as did the Roman Empire, but let's also consider the time of age, our down fall will be recieved by much greater despair.

[mmillow]

McCain our next president? What an embarassment! He'll say whatever is necessary to side with whomever will deliver him the most votes! As always another presidential candidate whose policy is "Win the votes and deal with the BS later!" Another two faced liar!

[saltglass]

This whole parade and show thru a local Baghdad market can only be believed by idiots and morons. Where were the local police hiding? Where were the Iraqi security forces? The world is supposed to believe that the new policy with additional troops is working with a staged walk-thru like this? Being a disabled Vietnam vet myself, McCain is a total discrace. The Domino effect was proven wrong in Vietnam and the actions of the U.S. administration are turning America into a target all based on lies. He should be exposing the shortcomings of the Veterans Adminastration and fixing that problem. We do not need to fight wars on foreign soil and turn our backs on disabled veterans who deserve much more. Politicians, all over are out for themselves to screw the taxpayer. For McCain to put on a show like this is a total farce. He should refund the cost of this entire trip to the taxpayers, immediately and return to his rocking chair.

[tub730]

You should be ashamed of your piece on John McCain, it was incredibly biased. Let me guess - you do not want him as our next president. The fact that he had 10 or so soldiers with him walking through Bagdad has nothing to do with how safe the city is today. He would have that many Secret Service men walking with him through Disney World; he is a candidate for the President of the United States. I love your show, but when there is such a blatent bias - I am disgusted. Additionally, to add your question about his age is disrepectful and classless. Even if you do not agree with his views this man is deserved of respect.

[elliotorbit]

John McCain is an old windbag that is poor represenative to my state of Arizona. Believes doing what is right even though it is not the will of the American people? Another politician that has forgotten who his employer is.

Iraq the right thing to do? Please, we will start withdrawing from Iraq once the oilsharing agreements have been completed so Mr Bush and Mr Cheneys real employers they answer to will be happy.

Mr McCain its time for you to retire. Your ideals are not suited towards this era in time. Perhaps its time to park it and retire in Sedona.

[truthword]

He's a politician, that means he's a known liar, traitor, and hater of the american people. That goes for democrats and republicans. The only person worth voting for that's running is Ron Paul, who is a public servant, not a politician, which is why you never hear about him on television.

[truthword]

John McCains father was commander of US forces in Europe when he was captured by the Vietcong, he received preferrential treatment, because the Viet Cong knew they had the golden boy..... meanwhile real americans spent years suffering intense torture while good ole John McCain made propaganda tapes for the Viet Cong. He's just another silver spooner phony just like Bush and the rest of them.