McCain Voices New Concerns About Iran

While On Mideast Trip, GOP Candidate Warns Of Tehran's Influence In Iraq, Mideast

(AP)  Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting, expressed fresh concern Tuesday about Iran's influence in Iraq and rising sway in Mideast.

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.

[downtowner97]

I never once feared Iraq. I do, however, know of places in my own town I won''t go at night. We took Baghdad, we killed Saddam, we installed a new government, now it''s up to us to make Iraq safer than everytown USA. How did this become a priority?

[roger_inkart]

We need to face the fact that we cannot go on supporting the quagmire in Iraq. No matter what the ego of the GOP elite say, at some point there must be a dramatic change in US policy.

Americans 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.

[prinzowhales]

Maybe these two will fly back together...let McCain pilot...he''s a North Vietnamese ace...he''s already lost five US aircraft.

[stn_sage]

roger_inkart - Bravo! You encapsulate the main points I''d make. I agree with you.
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!

[glossypan]

"I believe we will win an overwhelming victory in a way short period of time." ... John McCain Sept 09 2002 CNN
%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
** ** ** **
** ** ** **
Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel yet, Mr. McCain?

[miles1967-2009]

Withdraw from iraq does not have to be hasty, but it has to begin soon. BS that this was not a photo op for McCain and more of his continued fearmongering!

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

[wdrussell1]

Insane McCain wants Americand dying in Iraq for another hundred years.
Chickenhawks stand up and cheer.

[stevex47]

"McCain Warns Against Hasty Iraq Withdrawal" Of course he does....He''s McBush. It really boils down to, do you like things the way they are going, or do you want to improve things. (ha)

[jack3213]

OF ALL THE RUNNING CANDIDATES IN THE ELECTION MCCAIN SIMPLY HS MORE ABILITY FOR FORESIGHT AND IS MORE QUALIFIED TO LEAD THIS COUNTRY THAN ANY OF THE OTHERS. IT''S LIKE PUTTING A COLLEGE STUDENT UP AGAINST TWO ELEMENTARY CHILDREN. WHOM WOULD YOU PREFER?

[steeepe]

Hasty withdrawal? After this stupid war/occupation has lasted longer than WWII? Let''s just spend a few more trillion dollars and let thousands more die...after all, we don''t need anything here at home. Bush''s tax cuts have done wonders for the economy and years more in Iraq will do the country even more good.

[stn_sage]

jack3213 - C''mon buddy. You don''t really believe that do you? Yeah, the Dems are attking each other like a couple 2-yr-olds---but, intellectually---when their campaigns are over---either, would probably do a better job than McCain! His basic premise---that we can stay there indefinitely is simply UNTENABLE! The cost---with all the other problems this coutry will face in the future---will bankrupt the U.S.!

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!

[roger_inkart]

The Republicans use terror as a tool to keep Americans scared and voting for them. You are far more likely to die in a car accident then killed by a terrorists. It''s a shameless, dishonest and cynical ploy. Alas, it still works on many Americans so it''s little wonder the unethical GOP exploit it to it''s fullest.

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.

[samrensho]

John-boy has been over there talking to contractors for the last few days. They sure as heck don''t want their payday to end and they''ll be pumping mega bucks into his campaign. Everyones rubbing their hands.

[leftyintexas]

How many more years John? Is 95 enough? You moron!

[notblue]

Please enlighten us all as to how a hasty withdrawel would result in? Would it benefit the Iraqi people? NO.
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.

[soldat44]

Please enlighten us all as to how a hasty withdrawel would result in? Would it benefit the Iraqi people? NO.
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.

[newz4i]

The Bush/McCain ticket outsource their photo-ops in foreign land.

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)

[oscarez]

notblue - when you have lost your job, your house and your savings you will know that George Bush, not Saddam Hussein, was the bigger threat to the U.S.A.

[leftyintexas]

notblue...thank you for your Donald Rumsfeld impersonation. Since you are all knowing and so wise I''m sure they could use your services in Iraq about now. WHY DON''T YOU ROUND UP SOME OF YOUR FELLOW ''bUSHIES'' AND HIT THE ROAD? That way YOU could kill two birds with one stone. You would be fighting in the war YOU believe in and WE would be rid of a lot of morons.

[glossypan]

Ah yes, John McCain, whose great judgment and sterling character we should honor.
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.
==========================
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.

[notblue]

leftyintexas, since you cannot refudiate the contents of my opinion you fall back on the mainstay of the angrey left, attack the messenger you no nothing about, ask him or her to serve. You are obviously assuming I didn''t serve or have tried to serve in the military, again nothnig but vitriole and speculation on your part. Why not explain how hasty withdrawel from iraq will benefit the greater middle east and America, that would be a logical rebutlle, but logic is very sparse here at leftwing central, just critisism and hateful politics, typical of the screaming child leftwing in this country.

[underdogus]

when you have lost your job, your house and your savings you will know that George Bush, not Saddam Hussein, was the bigger threat to the U.S.A.
Posted by Oscarez ...Enlist and serve your country!!

[secundus2]

Even military and foreign policy advisors of Sen. Clinton (Jack Keane) and Sen. Obama (can''t remember the name of the woman fired for the "monster" comment)have begun to warn against immediate withdrawal. Political positioning for campaign purposes is not the whole story.

[underdogus]

A lot of people will get no supper tonight....a lot of people will suffer tonight!..so a lot of people will stand up and fight!! "ARMAGIDEON TIME"

[samthetvcat]

McCain''s ''chaos'' argument is voided if Iraqi''s choose to turn Iraq into chaos while the surge is still full-force.

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 . . .

[georgew1956]

how many votes can you try to lose in one visit.

[aaabee-2009]

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

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?

[j-whitman]

Republican''s must love being called stupid & exploited for it by McCain ------- There is Not going to be any hasty pullout from Iraq. Both Obama''s & Hilliary has said so.

[maedean]

Did someone clone him from Bush and then we get to find out the real truth when he is elected president. Hope all you Bush lovers pull your heads out for this election. !!!!

[newz4i]

Posted by notblue at 12:32 PM - "...explain how hasty withdrawel from iraq will benefit the greater middle east and America..."

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.

[beader59]

WARMONGER!!

[Stratmaster7]

Ummm... Mr. McCain, did you hear the general in charge who just came out and stated that the political progress of the Iragi government was disappointing at best. Of course, we can throw another 200,000 troops over there and i am sure we can stop the violence entirely. That is a no-brainer. The problem is Iraq is no closer to stability without us being there than it was 4 years ago.

[notblue]

newsie, your level of "support" for the Iraqi people with your "should ofs" is typical of the people who frequuent these posts, forget the past, forget anybody but AMericans, it''s all about us now, let the chips fall where they may. Nice philosophy.

[leftyintexas]

notblue, what''s to refute? The illegal war bush, cheney, and their supporters like YOU started? The millions of lives disrupted or destroyed? For what... freedom or oil? Do me a favor Pal, use the ''spell check'' on your computer next time. I counted 6 misspelled words in your short posting. It makes you look like you are uneducated. And if you are, there''s no point in wasting my time with the likes of you. If you have a problem listening to all the ''hate and criticism'' here at ''leftwing central'' why don''t you take your dog and pony show over to Faux News? I''m sure you and the other arm chair warriors can find much in common to agree on. As for me, I''ll just keep on calling them as I see them whether you like it or not. Only 308 days left! Enjoy! P.S. Notice I didn''t scream? Ha!Ha!Ha!

[aaabee-2009]

The continuity...The White House guerrilla is in Iraq (the green zone that is) and strong arming Nouri Al-Maliki to get the Hydrocarbon Law through parliment before the end of the Bush administration. Cheney only puts himself in harms way, when Bush needs a bully.

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.

[aaabee-2009]

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.

Posted by newz4i at 01:22 PM : Mar 18, 2008

I second that. Good post.

[walt1944-2009]

John "The Great Pretender" McCain, attempting to win the "hearts and minds" of Iraqi street vendors throughout Bagdad, as well as bring back his old nickname of John "Bagdad" McCain, is still in Bagdad touring the city with armed escorts from the US Army and Blackwater "Rambos".

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????

[samthetvcat]

--"newsie, your level of "support" for the Iraqi people with your "should ofs" is typical of the people who frequuent these posts, forget the past, forget anybody but AMericans, it''s all about us now, let the chips fall where they may. Nice philosophy."--
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!

[soldierboy37]

God I cant wait to see McCain lose the election!

[vmcneal2]

Hasty withdrawal!!!!! Isn''t McCain guy who said he would stay in Iraq 100 years if necessary? 5 years, 4000 dead Americans, thousands more missing body parts, billions of wasted tax dollars and this fool would stay in Iraq 100 years if necessary.

[aaabee-2009]

newsie, your level of "support" for the Iraqi people with your "should ofs" is typical of the people who frequuent these posts, forget the past, forget anybody but AMericans, it''''s all about us now, let the chips fall where they may. Nice philosophy.
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.

[newz4i]

"...forget anybody but AMericans..."

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.

[excoachken]

This senile old phart cannot even find his way out of Arizona without a GPS. He has no chance of getting us out of Iraq within "100 years." In fact, since he and Cheyney were both in Baghdad, look for an announcement that they have decided, with "the decider," to make Iraq our 51st state and avoid the theater of pretending to fight a war in order to enrich the Old Boy Oil Club..

[miles1967-2009]

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

[aaabee-2009]

He is Bush lite. It won''t be him who holds the power if he gets elected, it will be another ham-fisted Cheney clone, and a bunch of administrative heads of departments that do the work.

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.

[leftyintexas]

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.

[excoachken]

hillary08: If your hallucinogenic dreams were law, you wouldn''t be able to write on this site!

[bogusbones]

an orderly withdrawl over 12 months should be all we provide. yes there will be residual troops there. PLEASE do not allow this or ANY administration to EXPAND our presence in Afghanistan. remember the SOVIET UNION? Afghanistan was the beginning of their end and the SAME will happen to us.

[dinkydog1]

When McCain wins on a stay in Iraq platform, The lefties will be jumping out of buildings.
................................
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.

[joyous88]

this clown and those like him (bush/cheney) would have us still in Vietnam

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