McCain: Al Qaeda Might Influence Election

Republican Candidate Thinks Terrorists Might Ramp Up Attacks Before November Voting

(CBS/AP)  Republican John McCain said he worries that terrorists might try to influence the November general election with increased attacks in Iraq.

"Yes, I worry about it," he said Friday, responding to a question at a town hall-style forum. "And I know they pay attention, because of the intercepts we have of their communications."

The questioner asked if McCain feared al Qaeda in Iraq or another group might attack in an effort to aid the Democratic nominee, because Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama both favor a withdrawal of U.S. forces.

McCain told reporters later that al Qaeda remains smart and adaptable despite an increase of U.S. troops in Iraq.

"We have had great success with the surge, but to think they're not capable of orchestrating really strong attacks ... I think is an underestimation of the enemy," McCain said.

"We still have the most lethal explosive devices coming across the border from Iran into Iraq," he said. "We still have suicide bombers landing at the airport in Damascus and coming into Iraq as we speak.

"So I would not be surprised if they make an attempt. I believe that we can counter most of it, as we are countering. But there will still be spikes and difficulties and challenges associated with this conflict. Otherwise, I'd be advocating that they come home," he said.

McCain plans to make his eighth trip to Iraq this weekend on a weeklong overseas trip that includes Israel, Britain and France.

He was campaigning Friday in Pennsylvania, which holds presidential primary elections on April 22. Clinton and Obama have claimed the spotlight in the state; McCain sewed up the Republican nomination with victories March 4 in Ohio and Texas.

[kansas1946]

Desparation is an ugly thing. The unstated conclusion to this, of course, is that al Qaeda will ramp up attacks which will be harmful to McCain in a campaign, thus, Al Qaeda wants Obama (or Hillary).
The sad truth of the matter is that Al Qaeda just wants to kill people, McCain and his best buddy Bush made Iraq accessable to them, and Cheney is over in Iraq today talking about "mission accomplished" as the bombs go off around him and 43 civilians were killed.
The Republican party has lost its moral center, its integrity, and its patriotism.
The party has consitantly put party above country.

[stn_sage]

It amazes me, how during the course of discussion, Mr. McCain will go on and on about all the problems in Iraq---and yet, in the end--- declare that ''the surge is working''?! HUH?! His conclusion don''t exactly follow from what he says!

What is this extra dimension I''ve heard of? I think they call it Bizarro world or universe. Is that it?
Do you think he''s in it---or transits it and we can''t physically notice it? May this account for the weirdness?!

[parrot2ok]

Republican John McCain said he worries that terrorists might try to influence the November general election with increased attacks in Iraq.


I felt like screaming out and asking if the Surge was working or Not ...... But then again this is coming from a Repug - How is it possible that an American would expect more attacks on our fellow Americans, which will ultimately lead to loss of life and expect to lead these same Americans after the attacks (?) and all for political gain. IMO, i believe McCain is very UnAmerican and very UnPatriotic. I was hoping he''d talk more about the importance of taking out our enemies like OBL who seems to have been forgotten for awhile. I still think it''s very Evil to wish anything like this on any American. The surge is working and our troops have everything under control - besides the Iraqi forces seem to be ready. Cheers!

[Stratmaster7]

OK George Jr.

[cheekygal-2009]

McInsaneCain: "But there will still be spikes and difficulties and challenges associated with this conflict. Otherwise, I''d be advocating that they come home," he said.

So, is idiot McBushCain saying that if there were no spikes nor difficulties he would advocate bringing the troops home? His is one of the dumbest nonsense statements I have ever heard coming out of the mouth of this flip-flopper-in-chief wannabe.

[ksh1022]

Miles1967 If you don''t like 9/11 being used for political purposes then you should contact Rev. Wright. He preaches that America deserved 9/11. He says "God *** America". Obama is an active member of this church for 20 years. He supports Rev. Wright financially so he can keep spewing hatred. If you don''t think the Republicans will use this in th fall you are crazy. You are going to clips from his sermon all over the T.V. so get use to it if you vote for Obama.

[homespunlady]

Rove to McCain,"See, John, I told you to just get them talkin'' about this war stuff and they will forget they''ve lost their jobs and their kids didn''t get any breakfast and that gas to go to work is $4 a gallon. You see, John, we Republicans really know how stupid the general public is and those Dems are still talkin'' that old *** about a Constitution and equal rights and keeping a middle class viable. The voters are so dumb, all you have to do is create something to be afraid of and they will believe any lie you want to tell them."

Posted by exCoachKen at 03:37 PM : Mar 15, 2008

THANK YOU!!!
It''s so bad all I can do is LAUGH!!!

The ECONOMY is DROPPING faster than the Twin Towers that GEORGE IGNORED ALL WARNINGS about.
ALL BUSH AND MCSAME seem to be doing is to CARRY OUT OSAMA''S STATED GOAL of DESTROYING THE US ECONOMY!!

Wonder what perverted logic George uses to JUSTIFY his TREASON.

DIVERTING AWAY FROM OSAMA BIN LADEN to ENRICH THE ARAB OIL COUNTRIES where OSAMA CAME FROM sure sounds like TREASON AGAINST the US to me!

McCain like HIS NAMESAKE "CAIN" in the Bible is jut lining the American people up for the killing of our way of life through the FURTHER DEVASTATION of our ECONOMY also.
I call that either "brain-dead" or insidiously TREASONOUS.

[the74blaster]

The Best defense is to deny everything? Shultz used to say "I know nothing." I think Obama thinks like shultz from hogans heroes!

Posted by Grand_Hotel,

Yeah lets keep throwing the trash on Obama. That way we can be just like Hillary or the republicans. Who cares if its true or not because we can lie just like our president and never be held accountable. In fact we can break the law and not be arrested because we can just force congress to change it or we will veto their spending requests.

If you have not figured it out, the reason Obama is doing so well is that he is least connected with Washington establishment.

Get a grip on ledger.

[grand_hotel]

Yes there is a double standard for the Obama supporters in which they are blind to it. Its called reversible color? Ever hear of it? Its a disease of the eyes that blinds them to the heart of an individual!

[grand_hotel]

When they found some of the remains of the people from the world trade tower the congregation from Obama%u2019s church wanted them as souvenirs to hang on their wall as a remembrance of their hatred for America and how we only had to pay for it a little! They figured that the future of America could get the same! %u201CWhite America" had the 9/11 attacks coming.%u201D

[grand_hotel]

The Best defense is to deny everything? Shultz used to say "I know nothing." I think Obama thinks like shultz from hogans heroes!

[miles1967-2009]

grand hotel, you should check yourself into your nearest mental health facility. You are one sick puppy...

I was working 6 blocks from WTC on 9/11 and I take great exception with the use of the 9/11 attacks for your stupid political attempt to distort Obama. You need help...

[miles1967-2009]

The fearmonger McCain does not have the judgment and patience to lead America. He is an ill-informed, myopic, close-minded man who is easily swayed by the bigoted religious right. Check out the result of his BRILLIANT support of the "Surge", not to mention the fatally wrong idea to go to war with Iraq in the first place, and not actually go after the 9/11 terrorists. Check this link out:

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/18722376/the_myth_of_the_surge

[grand_hotel]

Did you not know when the plane hit the first tower certain people snickered? You know the people who go to that whatyoumacall it racist church! They laugh and laugh! Then when they saw all the people running for their lives it gave them a thrill that America was learning their lesson. When people started jumping out the windows and splatting against the sidewalks they shouted "They are getting what they deserve."
This is what is being taught in Obama%u2019s church!
Black power baby!
Remember now disguise it with racism
or is it the other way around?

[grand_hotel]

The time is right now. Place; were on the floor above where the plane hit at the World Trade Tower. We are scared! There is fire everywhere! We are about to jump! We look with our binoculars to the church Obama attends. We see people looking at us laughing as we are about to jump to our deaths! And we cry are they the ones? Then we jump. As we are falling clutching the air we again hear the laughter coming from Obama%u2019s church! We hit the pavement and we are no more. A few feet away from the impact of our bodies there stands a man who is smiling. He smiles because he attends the same church Barack Obama attends. Do you still hear the laughing? As the months go by they find our body limbs and still that church Obama attends is laughing. Seven years later Barack Obama is running for president and all the years of laughing comes out in a victory chant by the church Obama is sitting right now in the front pew of this magnificent church? Look closely now do you see him? Do you still hear the laughter? The pastor for at least the last seven years shouts from his pulpit %u201CWhite America" had the 9/11 attacks coming.%u201D Do you still hear the laughter? Obama wants to change you, will you let him?

[huanaco]

GENTLEMEN ALL : MCCAIN DON,T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT AL QAEDA, HIS PAL BUSH IS THE MAIN TERRORIST PROBLEM.

[candide777]

Candide777

You mind if I copy and paste to my buddies? Brilliant.

Posted by Snapper4298 at 09:05 PM : Mar 15, 2008

Sure, but you should give credit to Louis Armstrong who wrote everything but the "Al Quaeda" part.

[fibonacci_]

Someone should write a song on that, Candide777.

[snapper4298]

Candide777

You mind if I copy and paste to my buddies? Brilliant.

[snapper4298]

Candide777

You should be on SNL...brilliant satire...can''t stop laughing....