McCain Voices New Concerns About Iran
While On Mideast Trip, GOP Candidate Warns Of Tehran's Influence In Iraq, Mideast
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Cheney, McCain Visit Iraq
Vice President Dick Cheney and Sen. John McCain are both in Iraq on separate missions, each meeting one-on-one with Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki. Joel Brown reports.
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McCain noted U.S. military officials recently discovered a cache of armor-piercing bombs in Iraq, and he hinted the explosives had been provided by Iran. U.S. officials have long been saying that Iran provides explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs to, Shiite militias in Iraq, although the Iranian government denies any role.
The U.S. military reported two such finds during the past week.
McCain also voiced concern that Tehran is bringing militants over the border into Iran for training before sending them back to fight U.S. troops in Iraq, and blamed Syria for allegedly continuing to "expedite" a flow of foreign fighters.
"We continue to be concerned about Iranian influence and assistance to Hezbollah as well as Iranian pursuit of nuclear weapons," McCain said.
He added that, if elected president, he would coordinate better with Europe to impose a "broad range of sanctions and punishments" on Tehran, to "convince them that their activities, particularly development of nuclear weapons, is not a beneficial goal to seek."
McCain declined to comment on whether he could back an eventual decision to strike Iran if Tehran doesn't cease its nuclear activities.
In response to a question about possible U.S. strikes against Tehran, McCain only said: "At the end of the day, we cannot afford having a nuclear armed Iran."
He warned that any hasty pullout from Iraq would be a mistake that would favor Iran and al Qaeda.
"We continue to be very concerned about the Iranian influence in Iraq and in the region," McCain said.
McCain ran into trouble last year when he joked about bombing Iran, giving a campaign audience in South Carolina a rendition of the opening lyrics of the Beach Boys rock classic "Barbara Ann," calling the tune "Bomb Iran" and changing the words to "bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, anyway, ah ..."
McCain, who has linked his political future to U.S. success in Iraq, was in the wartorn country on Monday for meetings with Iraqi and U.S. diplomatic and military officials.
"We were very encouraged by the success of the surge and the reduction in U.S. casualties," McCain told reporters in Jordan, where he stopped on the next leg of a congressional visit that will also take him to Israel, Britain and France.
"We are succeeding, but we still have a long way to go," he warned. "Al Qaeda is on the run, they're not defeated."
A "major battle" remains to be fought to reclaim the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, he said, stating it was a success for the U.S. that Iraqi troops were now "taking the lead in that struggle" against al Qaeda.
Later Tuesday, McCain received a celebrity welcome in Jerusalem, beginning a two-day visit to Israel with a stop at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. As his motorcade pulled up dozens of tourists greeted him and chanted "Mac is back," as he shook their hands and posed for photographs.
His visit to Iraq was the Arizona senator's first since emerging as the presumed Republican nominee. He was accompanied by Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, an independent, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., two of his top supporters in the race for president.
He promised that, if elected president, he would uphold a long-term military commitment in Iraq as long as al Qaeda in Iraq is not defeated.
McCain, who is the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the trip to the Middle East and Europe was for fact-finding purposes, not a campaign photo opportunity.
He is expected to meet with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for the first time, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy for the third time. He met and corresponded with Sarkozy both before and after the French president was elected. They last saw each other last summer.
McCain has told U.S. reporters he worries that insurgents might try to influence the November presidential election by stepping up their attacks in Iraq.
McCain is a supporter of the 2003 invasion and President Bush's troop increase last year.
© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.




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See all 221 CommentsAmericans are sick to death of this never ending warfare. We want politicians that look to THIS nation first, and not get the country bogged down in a pointless, counterproductive war that destroys the economy.
To H3ll with the Republicans who sold out the nation. The same to the ineffective Dems who watched it all happen and did nothing to stop it.
downtowner97 - Exactly. We''re not taking care of America, but we are in Iraq! Stop it---I agree.
FloydZepp - Exactly. Fear-monger us to death!
Well, oil companies haven''t extracted all the oil yet---so obcourse, the GOP wants to stay no matter how long it takes or how many American servicemembers get killed!
%u201CIt%u2019s clear that the end is very much in sight. %u2026 It won%u2019t be long%u2026 it%u2019ll be a fairly short period of time.%u201D .. John McCain ABC TV April 09 2003
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Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel yet, Mr. McCain?
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
Chickenhawks stand up and cheer.
Think about it. I know, the choices aren''t good. I don''t like any of the candidates, so it''ll be a hard election for me, too!
I would hope Americans are begining to see through this sham and realize there is more to being an American and a patriot then being scared of terrorism.
Would it benefit Iran, militant Islamists, apponenets of democracy? Yes.
Could it result in even greater loss of life? Yes.
Would it fascilitate failure for Iraq''s democracy and the greater middle east? Yes.
Would it midigate or even eliminate all previous the efforts and lives lost to bring freedom to the Iraqi people? Yes
Would it motivate the Jihadists to continue thier mission of terrorism and destruction? Yes
Would it increase Americas security? NO
Why would anyone believe a hasty withdrawel would be beneficial and who would these people be? Leftwing Democrats, why? Because their agenda is none of failure out of hatred for the presidents and Americas policies, they want to say "I told you so" They want to prove that might is not right, they wany failure all because of politcs and ideology and could care less about the larger picture or greater ramifications.
Would it benefit Iran, militant Islamists, apponenets of democracy? Yes.
Could it result in even greater loss of life? Yes.
Would it fascilitate failure for Iraq''''s democracy and the greater middle east? Yes.
Would it midigate or even eliminate all previous the efforts and lives lost to bring freedom to the Iraqi people? Yes
Would it motivate the Jihadists to continue thier mission of terrorism and destruction? Yes
Would it increase Americas security? NO
Why would anyone believe a hasty withdrawel would be beneficial and who would these people be? Leftwing Democrats, why? Because their agenda is none of failure out of hatred for the presidents and Americas policies, they want to say "I told you so" They want to prove that might is not right, they wany failure all because of politcs and ideology and could care less about the larger picture or greater ramifications.
Posted by notblue at 12:01 PM : Mar 18, 2008
I second that. Well put. Thanks.
What''s wrong with clicking images on American land? What''s wrong with standing with Americans?
The last seven years drained our country. Why do we want to add additional failures with another four years of the same?
Total Fatalities
Operation Iraqi Freedom: 3,979
Operation Enduring Freedom: 482
(Updated March 18, 2008)
What was the hallmark event to judge McCains abilty and personality?
*The Keating Five, where he received more money from Lincoln S & L than any of his cohorts. Three resigned but McCain stayed - probably an inspiration for future Republican Senators.
*Ditching is wife (now fat & slow according to McClain) in favor of a younger, wealthy heiress.
*Assuring Americans, as an expert on military affairs, that winning in Iraq would be a cakewalk.
*The Bingaman-McCain Immigration Health Care Bill, allowing American taxpayers to pay for all health care, not just emergency care, for illegal immigrants.
*A presidential campaign run by lobbyists.
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So many more, I can''t pick my favorite. John McCain has been a beacon whose stellar judgment is a national treasure, enriching the lives of all people in the United States.
Posted by Oscarez ...Enlist and serve your country!!
Life if cheap in Iraq, and oil is lucrative . . . the impetus''ll compel the real people in power (the militia heads who are Iraqis) to squeeze out the parasites (McBush) and the time to do it would be sometime this summer perhaps.
Like the impetus would be economic and nationalistic not ideological, and the insurgency would be Iraqis not Saudi Al-Qaedas.
I don''t see how McSurge can avoid this . . .
Theories.
You sit there predicting the future as if you have already seen it. You haven''t.
Isn''t the truth of this whole issue being that you too want failure? You want the Democrats to be wrong so bad you can taste it.
Early withdrawal of troops out of Iraq? Your THEORY is that it will be complete chaos and death everywhere. But isn''t the truth that you don''t really know?
Early withdrawal of troops from Iraq will be a disaster? It might well be, if nothing happens and the Democrats are proved correct. It would be a disaster for you.
How do you see the future anyway? Shakin'' the magic bones and killin'' da chicken?
Iraqis should stand up for their "Middle East." Not Americans.
Iraqis should spend their money for their "Middle East." Not Americans.
Iraqis should build their hospitals for their "Middle East." Not Americans.
Iraqis should solve their religious problems for their "Middle East." Not Americans.
Iraqis should pay their debt for their "Middle East." Not Americans.
Iraqis should support their leaders for their "Middle East." Not Americans.
Americans should stand up, spend our money, build our hospitals, solve our religious problems, pay our debt, support our leaders for our America.
Iraqis won''t.
If you truly support Iraqi, I suggest you sell out here in America and buy a nice condo along the Euphrates and work for an Iraqi, not an American.
McBushlet is over there too, at the same time. I don''t think its a coincidence. Cheney is probably showing him how to "negotiate" with "terrorist harboring" regimes.
Wouldn''t it be a hoot if Bush failed to get the Hydrocarbon Law passed. Once a failure, always a failure, even with a goon like the VP and Blackwater to do your dirty work for you.
Iraqis won''''t.
Posted by newz4i at 01:22 PM : Mar 18, 2008
I second that. Good post.
Among his other goals is to assure Iraqis that he will not abandon them if he is elected Great Emperor, provided that they sneak on cargo containers and stowaway on oil tankers bound for the USSA, and when they reach the USSA, report to the neocon Fascist Nazi RNC which will enable them to vote for McCain in November.
Their reward will be to work at Wal-Mart as "undocumented workers" for $2.50/hour and have their own personal cardboard box to live in beneath some viaduct somewhere!
The Dark Lord, VP Darth Vader Cheney, is also in Bagdad, though avoiding McCain, whom he believes not to be a true Fascist Nazi! Vader''s message was much the same as McCain''s, promising the Iraqi government that the Great Emperor Bush II will stand by them until January, 2009, or the Chicago Cubs go to the World Series, whichever comes first!
SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!!
sig heil, McCain????
Posted by notblue
The Iraqi army (not insurgents, not Al-Qaeda, their TROOPS) trusts the Democrats more to better handle their country''s future. If the GOPigs really gave two hoots about anybody but themselves and their precious oil, they''d actually take that into consideration. Grrr!
Posted by notblue at 01:32 PM : Mar 18, 2008
Great speech.
And whose side are you on, when the other 69% of this country feels Bush has taken us all in the wrong direction, and you tell us all WE are unAmerican.
You and your folks can''t even work with your own countrymen, and you want to go over and bring democracy to a foreign culture? Try democracy here first, notblue. Try using some of that "concern" you have for Iraqis on the people you spit at here at home. Our points of view differ from yours a lot less than the Iraqi point of view.
Total Fatalities
Operation Iraqi Freedom: 3,979
Operation Enduring Freedom: 482
(Updated March 18, 2008)
(Name of soldier not posted out of respect for the family)
Hometown: Millersville, Maryland, U.S.
Age: 38 years old
Died: March 14, 2008 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Unit: Army, 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, Towson, Md.
Incident: Died March 14 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Tex., of wounds suffered Jan. 2 in Khowst Province, Afghanistan, when his vehicle encountered a makeshift bomb.
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/18722376/the_myth_of_the_surge
McLame will take the hand-shaking tours, give the Union addresses with a sincere look and a lot of patriot words, his lapel flag pin in full view.
Meanwhile Embassador Cheney will continue to "negotiate" the Hydrocarbon Law through Iraqi parliment.
We are not leaving Iraq. We''''ll probably get down to 30-40,000 like Germany or South Korea but were not leaving there. The problem with the American left is that they made defeat and complete withdraw in discrace the central issue for taking down the people they hate. That will come back to bite them. We are not leaving Iraq, better get used to it.
Posted by hillaryin08 at 02:09 PM : Mar 18, 2008
Keep dreaming Dummy.
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McCain is pretty much on the stay.. everything platform.
Stay, failed foregin policy.
Stay'' Failed economic policy.
Stay, Save and hope you don''t get sick health care policy.
Stay, repeat AlQueda enough and the dummies will be so scared to believe anything you say platform.
Stay'' preserve cheap labor for buisness thru immagration policy.
Stay, deposits foreaver thru tax cuts for the rich policy.
in the tenth year of that war these conservatives were still yelping ''stay the course''
why?? Because they are making money
they don''t give a rats a** about the troops
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