McCain, Obama Spar Over Al Qaeda in Iraq

Frontrunners Trade Barbs Following Obama's Debate Comments

(AP)  Republican presidential hopeful John McCain mocked Barack Obama's view of al Qaeda in Iraq, and the Democratic contender responded that GOP policies brought the terrorist group there.

The rapid-fire, long-distance exchange Wednesday underscored that the two consider each other likely general election rivals, even though the Democratic contest remains unresolved.

McCain criticized Obama for saying in Tuesday night's Democratic debate that, after U.S. troops were withdrawn, as president he would act "if al Qaeda is forming a base in Iraq."

"I have some news. Al Qaeda is in Iraq. It's called `al Qaeda in Iraq,'" McCain told a crowd in Tyler, Texas, drawing laughter at Obama's expense. He said Obama's statement was "pretty remarkable."

Obama quickly answered back while campaigning in Ohio. "I do know that al Qaeda is in Iraq and that's why I have said we should continue to strike al Qaeda targets," he told a rally at Ohio State University in Columbus.

"But I have some news for John McCain," Obama added. "There was no such thing as al Qaeda in Iraq until George Bush and John McCain decided to invade Iraq. ... They took their eye off the people who were responsible for 9/11 and that would be al Qaeda in Afghanistan, that is stronger now than at any time since 2001."

Obama said he intended to withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq "so we actually start going after al Qaeda in Afghanistan and in the hills of Pakistan like we should have been doing in the first place."

While he praised McCain as a war hero and saluted his service to the country, Obama said the Arizona Republican was "tied to the politics of the past. We are about policies of the future."

Noting that McCain likes to tell audiences that he'd follow Osama bin Laden to the "gates of hell" to catch him, Obama taunted: "All he (McCain) has done is to follow George Bush into a misguided war in Iraq."

McCain said he had not watched Tuesday night's Democratic presidential debate but was told of Obama's response when asked if as president he would reserve the right to send U.S. troops back into Iraq to quell an insurrection or civil war.

Obama did not say whether he'd send troops but responded: "As commander in chief, I will always reserve the right to make sure that we are looking out for American interests. And if al Qaeda is forming a base in Iraq, then we will have to act in a way that secures the American homeland and our interests abroad."

On Wednesday, Obama expanded slightly that he "would always reserve the right to go in and strike al Qaeda if they were in Iraq" without detailing what kind of strike that might be - air, ground or both.

Throughout the primary season, McCain has repeatedly attacked Obama and Clinton for saying they would withdraw troops from Iraq.

"And my friends, if we left, they (al Qaeda) wouldn't be establishing a base," McCain said Wednesday. "They'd be taking a country, and I'm not going to allow that to happen, my friends. I will not surrender. I will not surrender to al Qaeda."

He said that withdrawing troops would be "waving the white flag."

In the debate, Clinton did not answer the question about re-invasion of Iraq on grounds it contained "lots of different hypothetical assessments."

For years, McCain has urged sending more troops into Iraq, even before President Bush adopted such a strategy about a year ago.

"I knew enough from talking to the men and women who are serving that this new strategy was what we needed, and I'm telling you, it is succeeding," McCain said. "So what needs to happen, we need to continue this strategy. It should be General Petraeus' recommendation, not that of a politician running for higher office, as to when and how we withdraw."

He was referring to Gen. David Petraeus, the top American commander in Iraq.

As he began a swing through President Bush's home state, which holds a presidential primary election on Tuesday, McCain made sure to play up a line he always uses: "I also think it might be nice for President Bush to get a little credit that there's not been another attack on the United States of America," he said to applause.

Both Obama and Clinton campaigned in Ohio on Wednesday. Obama was heading later in the day for at least three days of campaigning in Texas.

[mbcsmith]

Obama hasn''t got a clue and it''s starting to show. IF al-quaeda forms a base in Iraq? LOL..President? I don''t think so.

[caliengineer]

Obama is clearly just a talker. In the military, people like this were considered the worst: those who talk a big game, but have never delivered.

I want to see Obama debate someone with confidence, not insecure Hillary. C''mon Obama, debate Huckabee, who can talk, AND has experience.

Obama is a globalist prop.

[infiniti2007]

Read this, people. It''s about Obama

http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=aa0cd21b-0ff2-4329-88a1-69c6c268b304

[gkc99]

Sounds like McCain has drunk more Bushit Kool-aid than one might have thought--Al Queda entered Iraq entirely because of Bushit''s invasion, which McCain supports. So Al Queda in Iraq is a result of the Bushit/McCain policy of pre-emptive war (and with ill-equipped troops).

Sounds like McCain may be compensating for a lifetime of guilt over getting shot down and imprisoned, at a time the U.S. military thought it was invincible! Just imagine, an Admiral''s son being shot down by some stone-age "*****" as McCain publicly calls them.

If McCain had been napalming my kids, I think I''d do more to him than keep him from rich American food for a couple of years. It''s a testament to the humanity of the Vietnamese that they didn''t stick him in a grave.

[prinzowhales]

The quote from Obama regarding the ''al Qaeda'' ''base'' in Iraq was one of the reasons that Obama gave for not withdrawing from Iraq within his time frame for withdrawal. The same dumb animals who voted for Kerry are now supporting Obama and Hillary on the asinine assumption that they will end the war. The dumb animals who voted for Bush are mostly in the McCain camp. Same stupid people...same stupid decisions...and when all is said and done, after November, we will have the same stupid war...I want that draft bill in Congress to hurry up and pass!! I want to see YOUR children in Iraq! YOU want to see them in Iraq! Vote Demopublican and make both our dreams come true!!

[realpatriot1]

Al Quaeda in Iraq does not now have a base and is not now building a base. Obama said if they tried to build a base he would not allow it.

End of story.

[mudrose-2009]

Al Quaeda in Iraq does not now have a base and is not now building a base. Obama said if they tried to build a base he would not allow it.

End of story.

Posted by realpatriot1

The surge worked. No Al-Qaeda base in Iraq. End of story.

[mudrose-2009]

Obama is a globalist prop.
Posted by CaliEngineer

Are you calling him a globetrotter? I thought he belonged to the Knickerbockers!

[mudrose-2009]

Obama got game? Yup. Obama got game.

[crusherking]

gkc99, I think I hear Ho Chi Minh calling and he wants you to come home now.. Seriously dude.. Vietnamese humanitarian?? You have got to be completely off your rocker.

[mudrose-2009]

gkc99, I think I hear Ho Chi Minh calling and he wants you to come home now.. Seriously dude.. Vietnamese humanitarian?? You have got to be completely off your rocker.
Posted by crusherking

Isn''t this the electorate? These are the fools that will vote in the next election for the most powerful leader in the world. Wow, aren''t we blessed that they are so well informed? Wow, aren''t we blessed that they received a rock solid education? Wow, could they be any more ignorant and shorsighted? Ugh.

[boatdocster]

Al Quidea attacks in Iraq under Saddam, prior to our arrival - ZERO

After our arrival - plenty.

Of course the GOP does not want to accept that.

[mudrose-2009]

Al Quidea attacks in Iraq under Saddam, prior to our arrival - ZERO

After our arrival - plenty.

Of course the GOP does not want to accept that.
Posted by boatdocster

Al-Qaeda attacks on U.S. soil and U.S. embassies abroad before 9/11 plenty. Attacks on U.S. soil and on U.S. embassies after Iraq. Zero.

Of course, Dimnowits don''t want to accept that.

[afmca]

What McCain is basically saying in his retort to Obama is that the Iraqis will never be able to defend themselves no matter what the size of alQaeda is. So America will be in country for the 100 years he has promised. While their strike forces mass in Pakistan. Just another reason to get rid of the Repubs.

[mudrose-2009]

What McCain is basically saying in his retort to Obama is that the Iraqis will never be able to defend themselves no matter what the size of alQaeda is. So America will be in country for the 100 years he has promised. While their strike forces mass in Pakistan. Just another reason to get rid of the Repubs.

Posted by afmca

Really, Gee I thought he meant that America would have a presence in Iraq like they have in South Korea, Saudi, Europe. Hey, live and learn. I mean I''m listening to Einstein''s here.

[afmca]

To mudrose ... Attacks by alQaeda on US soil AFTER Afghanistan - ZERO; Iraq had absolutely nothing to do with it. But now that the Bush admin and the neo-cons have taken their eye off of where alQaeda lives (Afghanistan and Pakistan) even the intelligence services say we are ripe for an attack.

[kmccliment]

The media keeps calling Barry an African American. The media knows this is untrue however this is an example of the media heavily supporting Barry and no one else. Barry is only 6.25% Negro. This does not make the US standards for the name of African American. He is in fact Arab American. Americans get a clue who this fake is.

[kmccliment]

He has such a great voting record on the importatnt issues in this country from voting "present" instead of "yea" or "nay". What kind of leader is this? None in my book.

[crusherking]

From the sound of some of these posts you would rather have us fighting al qaeda here in america rather than in Iraq/afghanistan.. Baffling.

[kmccliment]

See thats a CHANGE!

[mcvet]

From the sound of some of these posts you would rather have us fighting al qaeda here in america rather than in Iraq/afghanistan.. Baffling.


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Posted by crusherking at 03:06 PM : Feb 27, 2008
+ report abuse

That''s because you''re a Nazi and unable to understand the Incompetence and stupidity of your Fuhrer! The POINT you pathetic Bootlicker is that Al Queda was NOT in Iraq until we came there. The disgusting Piece of Trash YOU call a President left them on the Battle field alive and well. Aren''t you so proud! Sieg Heil Bush!!

[samthetvcat]

From McCain''s website:

---"John McCain agrees with retired Army General Jack Keane that there are simply not enough American forces in Iraq."---

Given that the military is already stretched to capacity, if McCain wants to concentrate all the troops in Iraq doesn''t that mean he''s willing to follow Bin Laden to the ''gates of hell'' but not Pakistan?

What''s the deal with that?

[jack3213]

AlQueda was of course in Iraq prior to us invading, you idiots, who do you think Sudam Heissan was involved in and planning with? Geesh, the niavity is beyond belief! The WMD were moved and or not found to date, but I trully don''t believe Bush would make this move for no apparent reason- give me a break.

[cbs_oliver]

Al Qaeda in Iraq is a manufactured brand name which the Republican adminsitration has applied to insurgents in Iraq and even to regular citizens who happened to be killed by US forces based primarilly on political convenience.

Military intelligence units have been placed in the position of arguing with themselves (and mostly losing those arguments) about insugent affiliations.

At one time the US military said that al Qaeda was at most 2% of the insurgent force. But then they started calling every person and lamb and rat they killed "al Qaeda" because they were told to do that.

Maybe it has fooled some. But it has fooled all.

McCain is promoting a lie, while winking to those in the know.

There''s been enough of that.

It''s time to get some halfway truthful leaders for a change.

I thing Obama will do just fine.

[jcr103]

The War in Iraq is over. Halliburton won!!!

[mcvet]

Al-Qaeda attacks on U.S. soil and U.S. embassies abroad before 9/11 plenty. Attacks on U.S. soil and on U.S. embassies after Iraq. Zero.

Of course, Dimnowits don''''t want to accept that.


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Posted by mudrose at 02:46 PM : Feb 27, 2008
+ report abuse


It''s amazing how simple minded you bootlickers are! Now IF your fuhrer continues to go after Al Queda in Afganistan.. IF the Incompetent LOSER does his job INSTEAD of pounding his chest shouting "Bring em'' On" we don''t have our kids dying in Iraq AND we don''t have Al Queda in a safe haven in Pakistan. But that''s okay with you freaks isn''t it... just blame the "dimnowits" who had absolutely NOTHING to do with any of it. Makes perfect sense. ROFMAO Sieg Heil Bush. Dumb as a box of rocks!!!

[jack3213]

Obama is foolish & naive child and simply does not know his foreign policy.

[kmccliment]

He''ll just vote Present when the nation looks to him for answers. SNAKEOIL anyone?

[jcr103]

New flash. Al Qaeda was not in Iraq prior to the U.S. invasion in March 2003. Saddam Hussein was afraid of foreign influcences such as Al Qaeda, even if they are Sunni. The Al Qaeda influence in Iraq only began well after the war began.

[mcvet]

The media keeps calling Barry an African American. The media knows this is untrue however this is an example of the media heavily supporting Barry and no one else. Barry is only 6.25% Negro. This does not make the US standards for the name of African American. He is in fact Arab American. Americans get a clue who this fake is.


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Posted by kmccliment at 03:00 PM : Feb 27, 2008
+ report abuse

Yeah the entire nation heard the rants of that Neo-Nazi supporter of McCain''s from last night. ROFLMAO Now THAT sure helped your cause didn''t it Klan Man? ROFLMAO Sieg Heil McCain!!!

[mcvet]

AlQueda was of course in Iraq prior to us invading, you idiots, who do you think Sudam Heissan was involved in and planning with? Geesh, the niavity is beyond belief! The WMD were moved and or not found to date, but I trully don''''t believe Bush would make this move for no apparent reason- give me a break.


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Posted by jack3213 at 03:11 PM : Feb 27, 2008
+ report abuse

It''s easy to understand why you freaks are Nazi''s, you can neither hear NOR understand even when your fuhrer tells you. ROFLMAO Of course Al Queda wasn''t in Iraq, the CIA and so many other sources have confirmed it over and over. Do you freaks actually think this constant LYING is helping your case? The cat''s out of the bag now fool the PEOPLE know your fuhrer is a LIAR and all 935 of them he told to invade a nation that had NOTHING to do with the attack on this nation are all documented and listed... If you like I can give you the web address!! Sieg Heil Bush. You really aren''t the sharpest little nazi in the crowd are you? ROFLMAO

[mcvet]

Obama is foolish & naive child and simply does not know his foreign policy.


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Posted by jack3213 at 03:13 PM : Feb 27, 2008
+ report abuse

Hey maybe you can get a job with that Neo-Nazi wack job that introduced your NEW fuhrer last night!! He did a bang up job for you Nazi''s and wacko''s but from what I''ve heard today from NORMAL people he hurt your cause something terrible. But hey, you can always burn crosses huh? ROFLMAO Sieg Heil McCain.

[jcr103]

Where is the evidence that Al Qaeda had a significant presence in Iraq before late March 2003?

[ov442]

....McCain said Wednesday. "They''d be taking a country, and I''m not going to allow that to happen, my friends. I will not surrender. I will not surrender to al Qaeda."
He said that withdrawing troops would be "waving the white flag."

This guy wont stop equating ordered withdrawal of our forces and equipment to come home from this mess in Iraq, with "giving yourself up to the enemy, surrendering our land, our possessions, our troops, our equipment, our weapons, and be held prisoner and tortured like he was in Vietnam" He is so freakin wrong and rotten to say that. That demeans and degrades all the Veterans of war in our nation''s history that had to withdraw at any time, including my family member that served in the 1st Marine division in Korea and withdrew from Chosin resvr.

Man MCCain just burns my Axx! War hero or not, hes using the degradation of our troops and veterans for a political tool to advance his and his party''s agenda to keep funneling billions to halliburton and kbr.
scum

[mcvet]

New flash. Al Qaeda was not in Iraq prior to the U.S. invasion in March 2003. Saddam Hussein was afraid of foreign influcences such as Al Qaeda, even if they are Sunni. The Al Qaeda influence in Iraq only began well after the war began.


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Posted by jcr103 at 03:15 PM : Feb 27, 2008
+ report abuse

Well of course they weren''t and everyone with a brain knows that. The whole thing is not meant for intelligent people...it''s meant for the simple minded cowards who will be afraid of anything when told... That''s why McCain is using the Nazi''s like this Radio Talk freak last night.

[crusherking]

NEWS FLASH! No matter when Al Qaeda got into Iraq.. They are there now.. So what do you want to do? Just tuck tail and run? Typical. Then we WILL have to start fighting Al Qaeda here in the US. But that seems to be what all of you want. Well, I hope they start in your town and not mine.

[skyk-2009]

NEWS FLASH! No matter when Al Qaeda got into Iraq.. They are there now.. So what do you want to do? Just tuck tail and run? Typical. Then we WILL have to start fighting Al Qaeda here in the US. But that seems to be what all of you want. Well, I hope they start in your town and not mine.


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Posted by crusherking at 03:32 PM : Feb 27, 2008
+ report abuse

One thing should be obvious to any intelligent person and is very obvious to this combat veteran, the policies and way the Republican''s are fighting this thing is NOT working. After 6 years we can''t even claim we have secured a nation that had nothing to do with any attack on us AND we have the guy who DID attack us in a safe haven in pakistan. According to our own Intel they have completely rebuilt and are as strong as ever. Now it would appear to me and this is how the Marine Corps taught it, we should consentrate on the guy who''s calling the shots and who actually attacked us. At the rate the Republican''s are going we will NEVER see him captured and his organization distroyed.

[realpatriot1]

jack3213,

The Al Quaeda in Iraq prior to our invasion stuck the WMD up their ***! Find them and you have your WMD!

Talk about not knowing jack about foreign policy!

Al Quaeda in Iraq is an internet franchise doofus! The real thing is in Pakastan and is operating a war against NATO & American forces in Afghanistan!

Iraq is, has been, and always will be an expensive diversion from the real battlefield!

[mudrose-2009]

From McCain''''s website:

---"John McCain agrees with retired Army General Jack Keane that there are simply not enough American forces in Iraq."---

Given that the military is already stretched to capacity, if McCain wants to concentrate all the troops in Iraq doesn''''t that mean he''''s willing to follow Bin Laden to the ''''gates of hell'''' but not Pakistan?

What''''s the deal with that?
Posted by SamTheTVCat

Pakistan is a rather unstable nuclear power. They''ve been that way long before Iraq and Pakistan and the Taliban and Al-Qaeda have only made their situation worse. They are our allies and does it make sense to overule their sovereignty covertly when our agreement with them is covert? Wheter Pakistan allows us to cross into it''s borders or not, the chieftans in Wezerkistan whatever will protect the Laden and his No. 2 ***.

[crusherking]

SkyK,

I certainly agree with a lot of your post. We certainly should concentrate on Afghanistan MUCH more than we have. At the same time, we can not leave Iraq open. Al Qaeda DOES have bases in Iraq and has certainly proven that they are elusive enough to completely move their operations in a very short time. So If we put everything we got into Afghanistan, we leave the back door to Iraq open wide. We need to maintain a substantial presence in Iraq until we are sure that Al Qaeda or at least OBL is dead.

[samthetvcat]

mudrose, if that were the rationale for letting Al-Qaeda fester then in Pakistan to new levels of strength, then isn''t McCain essentially giving up on the fight against Al-Qaeda?

It makes no sense to me to let Bin Laden grow in strength when he is the only one who''s shown himself capable of waging a 9/11 style attack against us.

[realpatriot1]

muddie,

You are aware that we already violated their sovereignty in January aren''t you?

Sources on the ground tipped off the CIA to the whereabouts of Al Quaeda''s chief liason with the
Taliban(Abu-Libi whatever). He was also their top
field commandr, according to the CIA.

We snet a manned drone along the border then launched a missle at his hut and took him out. The White House notified Pakastan as the missle was being launched.

This was all on this website the end of Janaury. That''s what obama was talking about last night. He suggested we do this last August and Bush took his advice last month.

The result was the highest ranking military kill against Al Quaeda to date.

[paris1969]

if the dems pick nobama ... McCain wins ... that simple.

[taddles-2009]

"They are our allies and does it make sense to overule their sovereignty covertly when our agreement with them is covert?

Posted by mudrose at 03:44 PM : Feb 27, 2008"

Um yea, we crossed their borders last month and took out one of Al Quida''s leaders. Not sure where you are getting your info from btu wee don''t seem to have any problem with stepping on Pakistan''s "Sovereignty".

[taddles-2009]

"Then we WILL have to start fighting Al Qaeda here in the US.

Posted by crusherking at 03:32 PM : Feb 27, 2008"


Ohh look...another red herring! Must be spawning season, these suckers are all over the place.

[samthetvcat]

pt 2

So back to McCain versus Obama - here we see McCain doing the same over-simplification that Bush did, calling anybody who resists the Bush doctrine ''Al-Qaeda''.

According to National Intelligence, there''s no link between ''Al-Qaeda in Iraq'' and the perpetrators of 9/11. More importantly, National Intelligence has found no evidence that these ''insurgents'' have any interest other than regaining dominion over Iraq. It''s a fundamental human need to have self-rule over one''s land. For McCain to not factor in the basic human desire for liberty and dominion over ones'' life and property and assume that resistance to outside control must automatically mean these swarthy middle-easterners are ''evil'' and ''radical islamic extremists'' is not just a recipe for sure-fire defeat, it''s a recipe for fostering resentment amongst those who would have otherwise been willing to let us live and let live.

The Democratic position is that with every so-called ''insurgent'' that McCain defeats, he''s probably creating several real insurgents in that person''s wake. There''s an element of oversimplification on the part of the neo-cons that most of us find alarming . . .

[samthetvcat]

pt 1

The back and forth between McCain and Obama highlights the fundamental trouble I think most Democrats have with Bush''s handling of the terrorism issue and national security.

Bushbots can''t seem to distinguish between muslims, terrorists, or people of color in any way - at the almost farcical level you have people equating Barack with being a muslim terrorist because of his name or a photo when in fact he''s an American and half white. At the most alarming level, you have people who seek to lump any middle-eastern who takes issue with Bush''s agenda as ''Al-Qaeda''.

Hence 9/11 happens, Bin Laden''s living in Afghanistan and Paksistan, something like 17 of the 9/11 terrorists were Saudis, and Bush invades Iraq. Like Bush and his supporters can''t tell the difference between action and accountability when it comes to people of color with a different religion.

[taddles-2009]

"f the dems pick nobama ... McCain wins ... that simple.

Posted by paris1969 at 04:03 PM : Feb 27, 2008"

Enjoy that little delusion...I''ll save you a seat at the Obama inauguration, I hear they''re gonna serve crow.

[mudrose-2009]

Um yea, we crossed their borders last month and took out one of Al Quida''''s leaders. Not sure where you are getting your info from btu wee don''''t seem to have any problem with stepping on Pakistan''''s "Sovereignty".

Posted by taddles

Um, maybe we asked?

[denn034]

What''s to spar about? Obama wants to run from al Qaida in Iraq and McCain doesn''t. Enough said.