McCain Lashes Out At "100 Years" Ads

(AP)  Republican John McCain defended himself Friday against television ads that accuse him of advocating a 100-year war in Iraq.

The ads tie McCain to President Bush and cite McCain's comments that there could be an American military presence in Iraq for 100 years. They are being run by the Democratic National Committee and the liberal group MoveOn.org.

"One hundred years in Iraq? And you thought no one could be worse than George Bush," an announcer says in the most recent ad, run by MoveOn.org.

McCain brought up the commercials at a town hall meeting Friday in Denver, saying they are lies. He doesn't deny saying "100 years" in connection with U.S. military operations in Iraq, but says he was clearly referring to a possible peacekeeping force - not a centurylong war, as critics imply.

"You have seen an ad campaign that is mounted against me that says I wanted to stay and fight in Iraq and fight for 100 years," McCain told about 300 people at the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center.

"My friends, it's a direct falsification, and I'm sorry that political campaigns have to deteriorate in this fashion," McCain said. "Because there's legitimate differences between myself and Senator Obama and Senator Clinton on what we should do in Iraq."

The Democratic presidential candidates want to set a date for withdrawal from Iraq, which McCain argues would lead to chaos and genocide in the Middle East.

"After we win the war in Iraq, and we are succeeding - and it's long and hard and tough, with enormous sacrifices - then I'm talking about a security arrangement that may or may not be the same kind of thing we had with Korea after the Korean war was over," he said.

He described how, at the time, the U.S. entered into a security agreement with South Korea, and the U.S. troop presence there served as a buffer and as a deterrent from further North Korean aggression.

"So it's too bad that they're deliberately falsifying, when there are legitimate differences," he said.

The other ad, run by the Democratic National Committee, says President Bush has talked about staying in Iraq for 50 years, then plays a clip of McCain saying, "Maybe 100. That'd be fine with me."

The announcer then says: "If all he offers is more of the same, is John McCain the right choice for America's future?"

At issue is McCain's answer, in January, to a question about Mr. Bush's theory that troops could be in Iraq for 50 years.

McCain said: "Maybe 100. As long as Americans are not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed, that'd be fine with me, and I hope it would be fine with you, if we maintain a presence in a very volatile part of the world where al Qaeda is training, recruiting, equipping and motivating people every single day."

Also Friday, McCain's campaign began running a health care ad in the presidential battleground state of Ohio. The campaign ran a similar spot this week in Iowa, another general election battleground.

[liar-clinton]

Republicans Lose in Louisiana Stronghold - lov''in it !!

[libh8er]

I''m no fan of McCain, but if dems are gonna lie about what he said, at least they should make a more convincing argument than Dean made on Fox. He looked like a complete assclown!

[liar-clinton]

DOWN WITH MC-WARMONGER

[liar-clinton]

DOWN WITH MCCRABBY

[sgtrds]

McCain is lashing out! Look out! He''s going to throw his pudding cup at you! He''s going to throw his filled diaper at you! He''s going to refuse to follow nurse''s orders and not lay down for his afternoon nap! Next thing you know he''ll try to leave the nursing home without an escort! He''s a madman! Be afraid! Be very afraid!

Take your meds and go back to sleep John. It''s all just a dream. You''re not in Vietnam and no one is trying to get you. Let me give you another shot and you''ll just drift off in your rocking chair for the afternoon. Goodnight old man, goodnight.

[whitepicks2]

''And I just want to promise you this: My friends, I will have an energy policy, that we will be talking about, which will eliminate our dependence on oil from the Middle East,'' McCain said. ''That will prevent us from having ever to send our young men and women into conflict again in the Middle East.''

McCain even says it''s BLOOD FOR OIL....Just like all those anti-war protesters out in the streets were saying as you drove by flipping them off in your shiny new 11 mpg Excursions back in 2003.

[vmcneal2]

McCain is no more a war hero than the grunts that fought on the ground in Nam. He was a lousy student in the Naval Academy, and only got into flight school because his father pulled some strings. He was a below average pilot and was only allowed to fly, again because of his father. He flew a total of 20 hours in Nam before he was shot down but recieved over 20 medals!!!!! I respect his military service but much of his hero status is bogus.

[petronew]

I dont agree with McCain on Vietnam, on Iraq, 100 years, or on his retraction of War for Oil. Mr. McCain has no real chances against Mr. Obama. Truthfully, I am looking forward to them debate .... sort of like the Atlanta Hawks against the Celtics...Game 7 blowout.

[chobella]

To the American troops of every branch, I beg of you to please lay down your weopons. You are doing a very bad thing in following orders of George W. Bush. It has been Proven over and over that this war is without cause. George Bush has admitted to approving torture of these wars and has plans to invade and torture Iran before he leaves office.For the sake of what''s right, humanity and the acts that you would not want happening here in America, you must stop. It is the most couragious thing any and all of you could ever do. And we as American people will honor you with the medical treatment and housing you have earned and each and everyone brave enough to cease fire a purple heart metal for non compliance with an out of control dictation that enjoys the slaughter of these people who did nothing against America.

[chobella]

To the American troops of every branch, I beg of you to please lay down your weopons. You are doing a very bad thing in following orders of George W. Bush. It has been Proven over and over that this war is without cause. George Bush has admitted to approving torture of these wars and has plans to invade and torture Iran before he leaves office.For the sake of what''s right, humanity and the acts that you would not want happening here in America, you must stop. It is the most couragious thing any and all of you could ever do. And we as American people will honor you with the medical treatment and housing you have earned and each and everyone brave enough to cease fire a purple heart metal for non compliance with an out of control dictation that enjoys the slaughter of these people who did nothing against America.