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.

[hwy71so]

Just like the media to take the opinion of ONE person and imply he represents the whole. I bet if you ask EVERY Iraq vet, you''ll find he is actually a minority.

Well, typical media, if the news isn''t what they want it to be, they build their own.

[armydog2]

everyone should listen to what an Iraq war Veteran has to say about this war, after all He actually LIVED it!

[armydog2]

michigan and florida knew the consequences to moving their primaries to an earlier date. They were told what would happen and they didn''t care. Now they have to deal with it. I won''t sign a petition.

[b-easy63]

OBAMA DEMOCRATS AND SUPPORTERS, GET A CLUE.

Know what Obama means when he says he needs your help to get change: it means not just your vote--it means your support. How? STOP SAYING YOU WILL SUPPORT THE NOMINEE NO MATTER WHO IT IS. WHY?


1. If you will support the Dem nominee no matter what, why should the status quo not just put their candidate as the nominee and ignore the people''''''''s choice? (you''''''''ll vote for who they pick anyway)

2. If you will support the nominee no matter what, Why should Hillary run an honest, fair or even decent campaign? (even if she cheats, you''''''''ll vote for her no matter what)

3. If you will support the nominee no matter what, why should the SD not support the person who pays them the most or offers the best favors? (even if they ignore the true leader, you will elect who they tell you to no matter what)

Do you people even know who the status quo is or what it is? its not just corruption in Washington--it is YOU. It is who you choose and HOW you choose them. If you keep doing what you always do for the party--why should they change? Why should they stop the war? You''''''''ll vote for them no matter what.

Why should they fix NAFTA? YOu''''''''ll vote for them no matter what. Why should they stop backroom deals or stop fixing the elections so their best party pick can win? You''''''''ll vote for them no matter what.

People don''''t want real change. They want a magic wand to wave and things to be different--why they keep doing the same ol thing.

[iceman_1960]

"Last time we bailed like that in Vietnam it was taken over by the communists post haste. I can"t see this being much different"
- Posted by alanrobisch2 at 08:19 PM : Mar 09, 2008
-------------

I promise you that the communists won"t take over Iraq.

Besides, Bush himself likes what happened in Vietnam...

"I commend the Congress for its bipartisan support for my request to approve legislation authorizing the grant of permanent normal trade relations to Vietnam. PNTR marks a significant step forward in the process of normalizing relations with Vietnam and will benefit both our nations. This designation will advance our trade and investment relations with Vietnam and ensure that the United States shares in the economic benefits generated by Vietnam''s imminent membership in the World Trade Organization. Vietnam is demonstrating its strong commitment to continuing economic reforms, which will support political reform and respect for human rights. The American people welcome the remarkable transformation and economic progress in Vietnam, and we will continue to work together to strengthen our ties."

- George W. Bush, December 9, 2006

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/12/20061209-3.html

[alanrobisch]

Unfortunately, it''''s crystal clear that they won''''t step up to the plate one minute before they absolutely have to.

President McCain means the needless squandering of more American blood and treasure.


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

Posted by realpatriot1 at 06:06 PM : Mar 09, 2008

I hadn''t noticed that how could you tell. Last time we bailed like that in Vietnam it was taken over by the communists post haste. I can''t see this being much different

[the74blaster]

McCain didn''''t mean that we would be at war for 100 years, he simply meant that our presence would have to remain there.

Posted by katg21,

I am surprised that GOP supporters would take issue with the democrats holding McCains feet to fire in regards to his 100 year Iraq statement.

After all turn about is fair play in politics are far as I am concerned.

[realpatriot1]

Katg,

There''s a huge difference between keeping troops in position to guard the Embassy and in forward position in theater versus keeping them in active combat(something the Iraqis need to be doing for themselves).

If the surge is working so well and Iraq is so stable why can''t the Iraqis we''ve been training for 5 years still not capable of taking the ball and running with it?

Why is it more important for the government to meet with Ahbinejhad than to meet any of the benchmarks established by the administration.

The reduction in violence is a positive outcome but in no way comes close to constituting "Mission Accomplished" after 5 years of combat.

When the Iraqi government begins to meet the benchmarks and the Iraqi Army and Police are capable of securing the peace in their own country we will all be able to say that "Mission Accomplished".

Unfortunately, it''s crystal clear that they won''t step up to the plate one minute before they absolutely have to.

President McCain means the needless squandering of more American blood and treasure.

[tibu987]

The civil/cultural/religious "war" in Iraq was instigated by the evil Bush cabal and cannot be won.
There was no reason then for the U.S. to invade Iraq and there is no reason for us to be there now.
In addition to the many young Americans killed, untold numbers of innocent Iraqi men, women, and children have been, and will continue to be, killed.
There will be no winners whether we stay or leave, so better we leave.
In addition to all the deaths, the war is costing $2.4
billion dollars a week, money that the U.S. does not have and has to borrow. The U.S. already owes China $377 billion in loans.
If all the above sounds okay to you, vote for Hillary or McCain and everything will remain the same.
If you want to see eventual change, vote for Obama.
I am.

[tibu987]

Let''s all remember McCain''s most infamous, asinine quote to date.

"I don''t think Americans care if we are in Iraq 10 years, 100 years, or 10,000 years."

Do you want someone who thinks like that as your president?

I don''t.

I''ll stick with Obama.