Iraq Vet: U.S. Can't Afford McCain Victory

Army Ranger Blasts GOP Candidate's Iraq War Stance, Says McCain Would Ignore Other Threats

(AP)  Speaking on behalf of the Democratic Party, an Iraq combat veteran said Saturday that apparent GOP nominee John McCain should not win the presidential election because he would continue the war in Iraq.

Roger Martinez, who served as an Army ranger in Afghanistan and Iraq, noted in the Democrats' weekly radio address that President Bush endorsed McCain this week. Bush said McCain "won't flinch in the face of danger" and McCain strongly supports the U.S. efforts in Iraq. Electing a leader who would continue Bush's policies in Iraq would be a mistake, Martinez said.

"Our country and our armed services cannot afford another leader like President Bush who would keep our overstretched military in Iraq for 100 years while ignoring the other threats our country faces both at home and around the world." McCain has said that U.S. troops could be in Iraq for many years if those troops were no longer being injured or killed.

"I honor and thank John McCain for his years of military service to our country," said Martinez, who is studying at the University of Texas at San Antonio. "But I don't think he offers the right leadership on Iraq or understands how to reinvigorate our economy here at home."

Martinez said U.S. troops are fighting bravely, "but no matter what they do they cannot solve the political problems in Iraq." The next commander in chief needs to promise to make the fight against al Qaeda in Afghanistan a greater priority than the war in Iraq, Martinez said.

McCain has acknowledged that he must convince voters of the wisdom of defense of the Iraq war, and the increase of troops that has improved conditions there.

The Arizona senator has said that both leading Democrats in the presidential race want to abandon Iraq to al Qaeda.

Martinez said McCain also is out of touch with families like his own.

"He says the economy is strong but how can he not see that families like mine are struggling to pay for out-of-control health care costs, home heating bills, gasoline and college tuition," Martinez said.

McCain, who has said economics isn't his strong suit, said Friday tax cuts and job training are needed to lift an economy that is either in recession or is headed toward one. He was responding to a report showing widespread job losses amid the housing and credit crisis.

[taddles-2009]

"I don''''t recall it being this way when I was in.

Posted by Infidel_Us at 12:56 PM : Mar 10, 2008"


Really, and when might that have been?

[ov442]

Good for you soldier in standing up to your blind eye''d Republican allegiance military commanders that demand you die for their bank accounts!

Keep it up! this is what all the soldiers are fighting for. Our constitutional rights. Those same rights the REpugnants want to do away with because people using their rights are diametrically opposed to the right wing nutball agenda of total dictatorial domination and slavery.

[ioweign]

So true! It amazes me that no matter what uniform you wear, there are brainwashed, bedwetting libs through-out our military. I don''''t recall it being this way when I was in.


Posted by Infidel_Us at 12:56 PM : Mar 10, 2008



Thank god for "libs" - what kind of shape would the military be in if they were all like Bullseye Cheney...

[lorinkundert]

Clinton is by far a worse evil.

[lorinkundert]

Clinton is by far a worse evil.

[ioweign]

One thing this country has always been is a defender of the weak. When we become the country that just turns a blind eye to oppression, then its time to renovate the figure heads.

It is sickening the way the media and the liberals have constantly been brainwashing the American public over the past 20 years. Now the liberals are in the majority because of this constant onslaught of pacifistic rhetoric from the liberals and the media. Its embarrassing that we''ve become cowardly whiners and are no longer assertive doers! Its pathetic. That''''s why we continue on this road to failure.

Posted by Hwy71So at 12:47 PM : Mar 10, 2008


The United States has also taken the lead in lies and false statement department. The Bush Administration (at last count) was at 935...

[infidel_us]

That''''s why we continue on this road to failure.
Posted by Hwy71So at 12:47 PM : Mar 10, 2008

So true! It amazes me that no matter what uniform you wear, there are brainwashed, bedwetting libs through-out our military. I don''t recall it being this way when I was in.

[hwy71so]

One thing this country has always been is a defender of the weak. When we become the country that just turns a blind eye to oppression, then its time to renovate the figure heads.

It is sickening the way the media and the liberals have constantly been brainwashing the American public over the past 20 years. Now the liberals are in the majority because of this constant onslaught of pacifistic rhetoric from the liberals and the media. Its embarrassing that we''ve become cowardly whiners and are no longer assertive doers! Its pathetic. That''s why we continue on this road to failure.

[armydog2]

This veteran is not in the minority, my son is serving his second tour in bagdad and feels the same. Ask the fellow Soldiers of the five who were killed today how they feel. Ask the fellow Soldiers of the five who were killed last month and see what they have to say.Try talking to a real veteran instead of the rhetoric from the republicans.

[leftyintexas]

Roger Martinez is sooooo right! I am 100% in agreement with him. Too bad we have some real dummies at the controls of power. It will take many years for this country to recover after bush leaves. What a mess he has left for the next President to clean up. McCain sounds like another bush with his view on Iraq. That will cost him dearly in the next election.