McCain, Romney Spar Over Iraq

GOP Candidates Trade Barbs After McCain Accuses Romney Of Wanting To Set Timetable To Withdraw U.S. Troops

(AP)  John McCain accused Mitt Romney of wanting to set a timetable to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq, drawing immediate protest from his Republican presidential rival who said: "That's simply wrong and it's dishonest, and he should apologize."

The heated exchange underscored the growing intensity of the GOP race ahead of the state's pivotal primary. A fairly civil debate over economic records and leadership credentials spiraled into an all-out showdown as the two campaigned along the state's southwest coast.

McCain struck on another front Saturday night when he received the endorsement of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. GOP Sen. Mel Martinez threw his support to McCain on Friday.

Polls show McCain and Romney locked in a tight fight for the lead in a state that offers the winner a hefty 57 delegates to the GOP's nominating convention next summer and a shot of energy heading into a virtual national primary on Feb. 5.

In Orlando, Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor trailing in polls and trying to climb his way back into the leaders pack, sought to take the high road. "If you listen to my opponents, it's getting kind of nasty," Giuliani said in Orlando. "I'm going to try to remain positive."

With economic troubles dominating the race, McCain opened the new line of criticism against Romney at his first event of the day in Fort Myers, Fla., and sought to shift the campaign back to his strength, national security, and away from Romney's, the economy.

First, he slapped at Romney without naming him during a question-and-answer session with Floridians, saying: "Now, one of my opponents wanted to set a date for withdrawal that would have meant disaster."

Minutes later to reporters, the Arizona senator was more direct: "If we surrender and wave a white flag, like Senator Clinton wants to do, and withdraw, as Governor Romney wanted to do, then there will be chaos, genocide, and the cost of American blood and treasure would be dramatically higher."

Asked about the comment in Land O' Lakes, Fla., Romney bristled.

"That's dishonest, to say that I have a specific date. That's simply wrong," he said. "That is not the case. I've never said that."

The former Massachusetts governor added: "I know he's trying desperately to change the topic from the economy and trying to get back to Iraq, but to say something that's not accurate is simply wrong - and he knows better."

Later in Sun City, Fla., McCain stuck to his assessment and said: "The apology is owed to the young men and women serving this nation in uniform."

He said he was quoting Romney as favoring a "timetable" for withdrawal and argued that he was not misquoting Romney, saying, "Clearly, the impression was that he was ready to set a date for withdrawal."

But Romney quotes circulated by McCain's campaign didn't show Romney making that exact comment - nor did aides back up McCain's earlier comment that suggested that Romney "wanted to set a date for withdrawal."

In an interview with ABC News in 2007, Romney said: "There's no question that the president and (Iraqi) Prime Minister al-Maliki have to have a series of timetables and milestones that they speak about. But those shouldn't be for public pronouncement. You don't want the enemy to understand how long they have to wait in the weeds until you're going to be gone."

While Romney has never set a public date for withdrawal, he has said that he agrees with Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, that U.S. troops could move to more of an oversight role in 2008.

McCain, for his part, has been a staunch supporter of the Iraq war and advocated more troops on the ground for years before Bush embraced that position last year and ramped up the number of U.S. forces in Iraq. The buildup helped curb violence in Iraq, and McCain has not been shy about claiming credit for the strategy's success.

Romney aides labeled McCain's charge "stunningly false," while McCain aides portrayed his Iraq comments as part of a broader effort in the coming days to question Romney's leadership, foreign policy experience and judgment.

A former venture capitalist and business consultant, Romney has spent the past week arguing that he is the Republican best able to right a troubled economy, given his 25-year record in the private sector. He's argued that McCain, who has spent much of his life in the military and in Congress, doesn't have the qualifications necessary to lead the country out of a potential recession.

McCain, in turn, has sought to beat back Romney on the issue by arguing that a president needs to be ready to lead and qualified on both national security and economics, and he offers both - despite having previously acknowledged that the economy is not his strongest suit.

He also sought to rebut Romney's criticisms in an unusual fashion: he dispatched high-profile surrogates to talk with the press corps traveling with the former governor. Among them: former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge and former Massachusetts Gov. Jane Swift. She boarded the Romney press bus to repeat similar criticisms to reporters.

[oeangus]

Another article about people who will not be President come November. What''s the point here exactly?

[drnewknee]

McCain was not dishonest.

He was just having a senior moment.

[one_american]

Apparently, John McCain has been hanging around Hillary Clinton too long - he''s starting to lie like she does!

[sumsanity1]

The MAChurian Candidate seems to be up to his ears in that pig-wrestling mud about which he thought he was so cute in lecturing his fellow candidates. Anyone who has followed the primary campaign at all has to see this as a blatantly desperate and dishonest attempt to erase the handwriting on the wall of the Florida Primary. I hope Romney calls it exactly what it is - "a lie" and then not even dignify it with a response until he has to account for it to America on the 30th.

[sumsanity1]

The MAChurian Candidate seems to be up to his ears in that pig-wrestling mud about which he thought he was so cute in lecturing his fellow candidates. Anyone who has followed the primary campaign at all has to see this as a blatantly desperate and dishonest attempt to erase the handwriting on the wall of the Florida Primary. I hope Romney calls it exactly what it is - "a lie" and then not even dignify it with a response until he has to account for it to America on the 30th.

[sumsanity1]

The MAChurian Candidate seems to be up to his ears in that pig-wrestling mud about which he thought he was so cute in lecturing his fellow candidates. Anyone who has followed the primary campaign at all has to see this as a blatantly desperate and dishonest attempt to erase the handwriting on the wall of the Florida Primary. I hope Romney calls it exactly what it is - "a lie" and then not even dignify it with a response until he has to account for it to America on the 30th.

[sumsanity1]

The MAChurian Candidate seems to be up to his ears in that pig-wrestling mud about which he thought he was so cute in lecturing his fellow candidates. Anyone who has followed the primary campaign at all has to see this as a blatantly desperate and dishonest attempt to erase the handwriting on the wall of the Florida Primary. I hope Romney calls it exactly what it is - "a lie" and then not even dignify it with a response until he has to account for it to America on the 30th.

[nearl4511]

I really don''t see the arguement.

These guys are falling all over each other trying to pledge US forces in iraq for the next 100+ years.

[b-easy63]

McCain has a history of lying to get ahead. no doubt (though I still will vote for him before Hilary) from lying about the general able to walk freely around Bagdhad, to lying about the safety of a market--he bends the truth into incredible pretzels--no doubt he is like Bush and Hilary and would not know the truth if it bit him in the butt. All 3 have a sociopathic disorder that suggests, the truth is whatever they need to say or do--to get whatever they want.

Remember Hilary promising to give money to babies for college? (nice when someone promises to hand out money that does not belong to them) well now Ms.Clinton wants those disqualified delegates from Michigan and Florida to be reinstated. That is because Hilary put her name on the ballot--even though the votes would not count--if they get reinstated, she gets them all--THIS after she, Obama and Edwards, agreed those states would lose their delegates due to breaking party rules. Guess it is like NV--say, do anything to win...caucus bust ups anyone?

[bdrlnt4rl]

just like the mystical whisper in the debates, it sound just like huck if you really listen to it. mccain and huck are 2 peas in a pod.

[merlgrey]

mccain=phony=romey

[bookaholic]

McCain is NOT THE MAN FOR THE JOB! He''s an angry, bitter old codger. He''s anti-free speech, pro-tax, pro-illegals. Wants to close Gitmo, bring the terrorists to a prison NEAR YOU. He''s against waterboarding. So, some guy knows that a dirty bomb will be set off in a city near you. You don''t want the guy to be extremely uncomfortable (with no lasting damage) for 30 seconds in order to save thousands of lives? That''s stupid. Kalid Sheik Mohammed spilled his guts about Al Qaeda''s plans to attack us, the cells members and where they were located after a MERE 35 SECONDS of waterboarding. McCain does not have good judgment, and he definitely does NOT have the temperament. His hair-trigger temper would be a disaster on the world stage.

Romney is the best of the bunch bar none. Decent, brilliant, incredibly accomplished and successful. Turned around dozens of failing businesses. Launched Staples, Home Depot, Brookstone, rescued Domino''s Pizza, the Olympics, and Massachusetts. Analytical, organized, calm under pressure, great family.

We could not do better! Come out for Mitt, Florida!!! We need Romney in ''08!

[mcvet]

Remember Hilary promising to give money to babies for college? (nice when someone promises to hand out money that does not belong to them) well now Ms.Clinton wants those disqualified delegates from Michigan and Florida to be reinstated. That is because Hilary put her name on the ballot--even though the votes would not count--if they get reinstated, she gets them all--THIS after she, Obama and Edwards, agreed those states would lose their delegates due to breaking party rules. Guess it is like NV--say, do anything to win...caucus bust ups anyone?

Posted by b-easy63 at 01:45 AM : Jan 27, 2008
+ report abuse

I know this is really really rough on you fascist... You are so desperate to find some, any type of Wedge Issue but diving into the Democratic Party and their decisions on how to conduct their primaries? Isn''t that a little TO desperate... even for a nazi? With over 7 years now of total and complete failure and canidates who have nothing but the same tired old "Cut Taxes and trust us" lines, it would appear to me that you have your OWN problems. Sieg Heil Grand Wizard!!

[mcvet]

I really don''''t see the arguement.

These guys are falling all over each other trying to pledge US forces in iraq for the next 100+ years.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Nearl4511 at 01:25 AM : Jan 27, 2008
report abuse

Yes and all the while totally ignoring the REALITIES of how we got there.. the 935 LIES told to the American People to start the war, the murder of nearly 4000 of our best and brightest... Of course theres also the TRILLION Dollars those LIES cost us, which our grandkids will have to pay. Sieg Heil Bush!!

[skyk-2009]

Yes and all the while totally ignoring the REALITIES of how we got there.. the 935 LIES told to the American People to start the war, the murder of nearly 4000 of our best and brightest... Of course theres also the TRILLION Dollars those LIES cost us, which our grandkids will have to pay. Sieg Heil Bush!!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by MCVet at 06:30 AM : Jan 27, 2008
+ report abuse

You are so right sarge! This party and it''s leaders are responsible for MORE death than Al Queda on 9/11, all based on lies, and all they can argue about is how do we get out of that God awlful mess. I''m MUCH more concerned about how we manage the situation created by that incompetence... the fact that Al Queda NOW has a safe haven and has completely rebuilt it''s forces to pre attack levels. I wonder how many MORE thousands of American Lives will be lost trying to deal with it AND how America is going to deal with the debt caused by those lies.

[joyous88]

next these two conserative republicans will be sparing

over who can invade Iran and start the next war

the quickest.

Conservatives are Nazi''s

[glossypan]

The 2006 election and polls indicate that the American people have had enough of the failed policies of the Bush / Cheney / Halliburton administration. Still the Republican Presidential candidates argue over who can best continue the Bush agenda and the Republicans in Congress thwart any effort to change course.

[micma-2009]

Hmmm...which one of these boot lickers is more in line with Bush''s failed policies?

[drnewknee]

Straight-talk vs. Double-talk

McCain on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioy90nF2anI

Facts are stubborn things.

[iceman_1960]

"John McCain accused Mitt Romney of wanting to set a timetable to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq, drawing immediate protest from his Republican presidential rival who said: "That''s simply wrong and it''s dishonest, and he should apologize."

Wonderful.

The GOP candidates are fighting about who will keep 150,000 troops in Iraq the longest.

McCain: "I"ll keep them there 1000 years."

Romney: "Oh yeah ? Well I"ll keep them there a bazillion years, and I"ll double the size of the force."

Keep it up, losers. Keep it up.

[iceman_1960]

"Has anyone ever seen a Black Mormon?"
- Posted by zoe20006 at 08:36 AM : Jan 27, 2008

The Brigham Young basketball team has had some.

No joke.

[iceman_1960]

It"s not clear from the article, whether the players were of the Mormon faith, but...

"Brigham Young coaches look to recruit black athletes.

The Albuquerque Tribune, 27-JAN-98

Byline: Edgar Thompson TRIBUNE REPORTER

To carry Brigham Young University men"s basketball into the 21st century, coach Steve Cleveland and his staff first wanted to bring the program into the 1990s.

Part of that transition has included the signing of more black athletes to scholarships at the Mormon Church school in Provo, Utah.

During the past eight seasons at BYU, just five scholarship players -- and only one full-time starter, Nick Sanderson -- were black.

Meanwhile, 61 percent of Division I men''s basketball players and 80 percent of NBA players are black.

So, while the topic of race can be a sensitive one, Cleveland made it clear a change was in order when he was hired last spring."

[iceman_1960]

Better stick to trashing Evolution, boys. Or else get to work on those concession speeches.

"Friday, January 11, 2008

57% Want Troops Home from Iraq Within Year.

(27% want them home immediately.)"

http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/
politics/current_events/the_war_in_iraq/
iraq_troop_withdrawal

[iceman_1960]

Notice John McCain"s complete faith and confidence in the Iraqi government, the one we"ve been sending hundreds of billions of dollars, for years, to get ready.

Obviously he thinks that was money well spent:

"[If we withdraw our troops] then there will be chaos, genocide, and the cost of American blood and treasure would be dramatically higher." - John McCain


No wonder the voters overwhelmingly prefer Democrats on economic issues.

[iceman_1960]

Senator John McCain is a man of destiny.

He is the one the gods of history selected, before the foundation of the world, to stand up in November 2008 and say,

"I just got off the phone with Senator Barack Obama. I congratulated him on his victory in the presidential election. ["No, no..." his supporters moan...] No, no, none of that now, we must support President-elect Obama. America must unite behind its first Hawaiian president... And let me thank all my supporters for their dedicated support. We fought the good fight, although we lost. God bless you, and God bless America. Thank you..."

[nearl4511]

If either of these fellows is elected President, we will be in Iraq for 500 years or until the USA Govt. no longer exists, whichever comes first.

There is no candid discussion of self defense and control of the Iraqi territory. That we will be there essentially forever is a foregone conclusion for these two.

[iceman_1960]

"GOP Candidates Trade Barbs After McCain Accuses Romney"

That"s a novel way to make up after a fight: swap girlfriends for the weekend.

They"re both named Barbara, coincidentally.

[iceman_1960]

For once Newt Gingrich was right:

"Fri Sep 14, 2007

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidates need to make a "clean break" from President George W. Bush and the U.S. government or they will lose in November 2008, a veteran Republican leader said on Friday.

"If you don"t represent real change, you just gave away the 2008 election," said former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who led the Republican takeover of the House of Representatives in 1994 and now is flirting with a White House run.

Gingrich cited the Iraq war, the failed federal response to Hurricane Katrina two years ago and the inability to control U.S. borders and illegal immigration as evidence of a need for a complete overhaul of the U.S. system of governing."

[hazelknows]

McCain is truely insane, his mentality is that of an angery old man, I fought in a war that should of ever happen, I was a POW. It was good enough for me it''s should be good enough for the people today. And his early remark about Iran, "bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran", theres an war in the wings........

[iceman_1960]

I will never forgive John McCain for his crude public joke about Chelsea Clinton, a joke I won"t repeat here.

You can"t apologize for something like that.

Attacking a child (she was a child at the time) -- there is no forgiveness for that, ever.

[battyellison]

John McCain is a war hero but he also seems to be a warmonger as well. I''ve listened to Sen. McCain over and over again use war as a tool of his strength how the surge has worked instead of trying to find a way for us to get out of this war. He''s a no surrender no retreat type of person and we don''t that in the oval office at a time where we''re hated thruout the world with Lieberman supporting him because he believes McCain will bomb Iran to appease Isreal just doesn''t look good for america if John McCain is the President

[bluestardad]

THESE IDIOTS ARE FIGHTING OVER WHO WILL GIVE THE ISRAELI NEOCONS THE BEST DEAL TO KEEP AMERICA IN THE MIDDLE EAST THE LONGEST...

AMERICA STAND UP FOR YOURSELVES!

THERE IS NOTHING IN THE MIDDLE EAST THAT IS IN AMERICAS NATIONAL INTEREST!

[perception5]

Brand new Rasmussen poll clearly shows why McCain has ramped up his "straight lying-talk express". Mitt is pulling away with 33%, Lone Ranger McCain has dropped to 27% and Rudy comes in at 18%.

It was really shameful how McCain lied his way through Tim Russert''s interveiw on Meet The Enemy just now. It''s really sad to see this war hero sink to lying about Mitt, his fellow Senators that have come out and supported Mitt, and his incrediable flip flops on cutting taxes.

Mitt will win Florida despite the prop ups by the liberal press and now from the political side from Crist. What Americans and Republicans need to ask themselves is this. Are we going to pick our GOP nominee or is the liberal press and old political politicians? McCain is losing alot of respect around the coutry right now with his attacks, lies, and smears. Really sad indeed .......GO MITT !

[walt1944-2009]

I respect McCain as a Vietnam Vet and a POW who underwent torture and knows what it is like, unlike the Great Emperor Bush II who never left the country and the only torture he was familiar with was what he did to amphibians, and Darth Vader Cheney who was a draft dodger.

But I don''t respect what McCain is saying and his Bush-like stand on many issues including Iraq. There is a time to fight and a time to run and regroup and if you are too stupid to recognize when to do either, then we will get 4 more years of BUSH STAY THE COURSE!!!!!

If you want more of Bush, vote for McCain!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!!

[scottfromaz]

If you support Romney, do the call at home program in Florida Sunday and Monday

[j-whitman]

McBush

[obama1289]

its always funny when romney calls someone else being dishonest

[j-whitman]

McCain, Romney & Rudy the financieer of 911 ---- What a Trio ----

--- Here we are trying to teach America''s cildren the importantce of TRUTH & these people show the exact opposite -----

---- Lies, Liars, and the dishonor that surrounds them - This country doesn''t need it & neither do our children.

[obama1289]

Obama supporters watch the video, talk about tears coming to your eyes:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=jPev5sEdTjg

[j-whitman]

Obama will do great, look at his opposition ----

Romney, Huckajesus, McBush & Rudy the financeer of 9/11

[j-whitman]

McCain --- Shut Up, He''s complaining about the stste of or VA Hospitals ---- LOL, he''s been part of the problem ever since he got itno politics,,,,,,,

--- Another Do Nothing Flag Waiving Republican ---

[j-whitman]

McCain --- Needs to Shut Up,,,, He''s complaining about the stste of or VA Hospitals ---- LOL, he''s been part of the problem ever since he got itno politics,,,,,,,

He wanted more troops but never fought to get them, he''s no different that the Generals who spoke out too late & didn''''t fight whe they where needed.

He''s attempting to tell us how he know''s how to catch OBL, yet supported all of Bush''s policies that counldn''t catch him.

He''s tried also to tell us he know''s how to secure the border, being from a border state of Arizona --- Mexico''s Army is conducting maneuvers in Arizona,,,, Locked & Loaded against our Border Patrol

--- Another Do Nothing Flag Waiving Republican ---

[merlgrey]

These phonies want war here at home too.

Since Richard Nixon declared his "War on Drugs" in 1970, the so-called "law and order" approach has prevailed among Republican politicians. In keeping with that monstrous disillusionment:

John McCain when asked if he saw any similarity between Alcohol Prohibition and the War on Drugs, he replied that there was no similarity at all.

Mitt Romney has stated we need to "reinstitute a campaign as powerful as ''Just Say No'' was."
___________

William F. Buckley, Jr., longtime editor of The National Review and the individual regarded by many as the father of modern conservatism. "Even if one takes every reefer madness allegation of the prohibitionists at face value," he wrote, "marijuana prohibition has done far more harm to far more people than marijuana ever could."

Republican economist Milton Friedman, a Nobel laureate, spoke consistently against Drug Prohibition until his death in 2006. Friedman wrote "As a nation, we have been destroying foreign countries because we cannot enforce our own laws. As a nation, we have been responsible for the murder of literally hundreds of thousands of people at home and abroad by fighting a war that should never have been started and can be won, if at all, only by converting the United States into a police state."

Ron Paul is a very notable Republican politician who says things like "I''ve always been very clear that the Drug War is a lot worse than the drugs themselves."

[tonysp2]

Here is how the major media are cheating this Presidential election. Many of the Internet news sites have covered Mitt Romney%u2019s close ties to Blackwater. His top security advisor, Cofer Black, comes from Blackwater, and Blackwater is even financing his campaign. To have a private mercenary police force financing a political campaign is an extremely dangerous, threatening development for American democracy. Yet not a whisper of Mitt Romney%u2019s close ties to Blackwater has been reported by the major media. I think that there are many Republicans who would not want to live in a police state, yet this could be a likely occurrence in a Mitt Romney Presidency. If the major media do not report this story soon, the American public will be cheated out of a fair election.

[tonysp2]

Here is how the major media are cheating this Presidential election. Many of the Internet news sites have covered Mitt Romney%u2019s close ties to Blackwater. His top security advisor, Cofer Black, comes from Blackwater, and Blackwater is even financing his campaign. To have a private mercenary police force financing a political campaign is an extremely dangerous, threatening development for American democracy. Yet not a whisper of Mitt Romney%u2019s close ties to Blackwater has been reported by the major media. I think that there are many Republicans who would not want to live in a police state, yet this could be a likely occurrence in a Mitt Romney Presidency. If the major media do not report this story soon, the American public will be cheated out of a fair election.

[j-whitman]

tonysp2,,,,, This country needs another republican like we need a gay Charles Manson as a President.

[starleo146]

McCain --- Shut Up, He''''s complaining about the stste of or VA Hospitals ---- LOL, he''''s been part of the problem ever since he got itno politics,,,,,,,

--- Another Do Nothing Flag Waiving Republican ---

Posted by j-whitman at 01:17 PM : Jan 27, 2008

Once again I cannot watch Meet the Press or face the Nation without seeing John Mc Cain and there campaign fund raisers Bob Sheifer and Tim Russet. All Mc Cain talks about is the war does he know, with his side kick, Lieberman standing beside him, that we are having an Economy crisis. He can''t solve the economy and I think that is why he can only talk WAR. The republicans are null and void

[starleo146]

McBush

Posted by j-whitman at 12:45 PM : Jan 27, 2008
+

Exactly a Bush Clone

[mctooold]

McNutt is a big McJerk! Initially, all he did was cry that Romney was picking on him. Now, he does the exact thing he accused Romney of. So much for "clean campaigns"!

For me, his personal life tells me all I need to know as I firmly believe that actions speak louder than his boring words, "my friends"! He is an adulter and everytime I see him standing there with the woman that he cheated with, I''m sickened! Look him up on Wikipedia if you want to see the real measure of a man.

[mctooold]

Zoe20006,
I''m a Mormon (Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints) and there a many black members and have been for many years.