McCain Calls For Reevaluating Russian Ties

Republican Candidate Says Russian Invasion Of Georgia Calls For Complete Review Of Relations

(AP)  Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Wednesday that Russia's invasion of Georgia calls for a complete reexamination of U.S. relations with the Moscow government.

Speaking to reporters in Michigan, McCain said he was pleased that the United States has canceled a planned joint military operation with Russia. But he added, "we will now need to review the full range of our relations" with that country.

McCain said there should be heightened security arrangements for Ukraine, the Baltic states and Poland. But he offered no specifics, and ruled out military action against Russia or a return to the cold war.

Like Georgia, Ukraine and the Baltic nations were republics in the Soviet Union, which Russia dominated. Poland was among the eastern European nations essentially under Soviet control but not part of the U.S.S.R.

At every stop during this week's campaigning in Pennsylvania and Michigan, McCain has sharply criticized Russia's attacks on Georgia, which is trying to keep the pro-Moscow province of South Ossetia from breaking away.

McCain said he supported President Bush's call for Russia to withdraw from Georgia and for his canceling the planned joint military maneuvers. Without directly criticizing the president, however, McCain made it clear he has long seen Vladimir Putin as far more dangerous than has Mr. Bush, who once said he looked into Putin's soul and saw someone he could trust.

McCain said his regard of Putin, the former Russian president and now powerful prime minister, "has been very clear for a long time. I've been very concerned about Russian behavior in a broad variety of areas."

They include, he said, "forcibly removing corporations that are doing business in Russia," Moscow's cutting of oil deliveries to the Czech Republic, and "the brutality in Chechnya."

"There's a long list that I have objected to," he said.

Because of Russia's aggression in Georgia, McCain said, NATO should "address the future of the alliance's relationship with Russia. And with our G7 partners, we should discuss whether it makes sense for Russia to continue its participation in the G8."

The two groups include the world's major economic powers.

"We also need to review Russia's aspiration for membership in the World Trade Organization," he said.

But McCain indicated that the allied nations' leverage against Russia is quite limited.

He said he wants new discussions with Russia. However, he said, "I don't think we're going to re-ignite the cold war here with Russia. I don't see this is a return to nuclear standoffs."

McCain stood next to Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman, an "independent Democrat," but declined to be drawn into Lieberman's recent rebuke of Democrat Barack Obama regarding the Russian-Georgia conflict.

Campaigning with McCain Tuesday in Pennsylvania, Lieberman referred to Georgia and said U.S. voters must choose "between one candidate, John McCain, who's had experience, been tested in war and tried in peace, and another candidate who has not."

Obama's condemnations of Russia have been less heated than McCain's.

Asked if Lieberman was trying to politicize the conflict, McCain on Wednesday said now is not the time "for partisan sniping."

McCain also was flanked by his wife, Cindy, whose right arm was in a sling, her hand heavily bandaged. Earlier in the day "a very enthusiastic supporter" had shaken her hand, Cindy McCain told reporters, and caused what she described as a minor sprain. (Read more on Cindy McCain's injury)

[mr2258]

Quote in Russian newspaper-Obama has no balls,laughter,Yes I know,Jackson cut them off.More laughter.

[allurfears]

McCain is a knee-jerk militarist. He will get us into a war with Iran or Russia before the end of his first 2 years. This man is DANGEROUS.

We already had 8 years of neocon militarism running this country. We do not need another 4 or 8 years continuinig this disaster.

[victor0803]

Today we are Georgian, we shall inject surge in the area between the Russian border and Georgian border. This is our pricised position cap john McCain.

[hc771]

McCain''s foreign policy campaign advisor earns hundreds of thousands of dollars lobbying for Geoergia...he owns half of a lobbying firm that got a cool million for lobbying our government on behalf of the Republic of Georgia. So that''s where the tough cowboy rhetoric is coming from.

Does the United States need to hire a lobbyist to lobby for itself in Washington? BTW CBS - when are you going to cover this story - or is it only the Wash Post that still delivers news in this country?

[lucasnico]

Our country needs someone to stand up for what''''s right, even if that means tweaking the bear''''s nose. I have no sympathy for some people who would write about "Cold War Rhetoric", when it''''s a HOT war we''''re talking about! Where was the Great One? On a beach!! Where was Bush? Playing in the sand!! Where was McCain? He was there! Think about that before pulling the handle on the voting machine!!

Posted by zhynaryll

standing up for what''s right doesn''t mean going to war with every country you disagree with.... that''s why Obama will win, easily.

[trishab57]

CBS: Cindy McCain told reporters, and caused what she described as a minor sprain.

-She got hurt when she tried to hit her Alzheimery husband while he was saying incoherent things, this morning, at their doctor''s weekly checkup appointment. She hit a bone!

[trishab57]

CBS: McCain Calls For Reevaluating Russian Ties

-Indian-made Ties are cheaper and better quality. LOL!

[Stratmaster7]

****, here is the actual quote:

%u201CIn the 21st century, nations don%u2019t invade other nations.%u201D

So says John McCain, as part of his tough talk about Russia%u2019s attacks on Georgia.

Since the "easy" Irag war has gone on so long, maybe he thinks we invaded Iraq in the 20th century

[Stratmaster7]

CNN quoted McCain as saying "Nations don''t invade other nations". If he really said that, he is truly the biggest hypocrite I have ever seen, or so far removed from reality that he needs to remove himself from the race for senility reasons. Does anyone know where he made that statement? I missed the report, just saw the quote on the ticker.

[zhynaryll]

Our country needs someone to stand up for what''s right, even if that means tweaking the bear''s nose. I have no sympathy for some people who would write about "Cold War Rhetoric", when it''s a HOT war we''re talking about! Where was the Great One? On a beach!! Where was Bush? Playing in the sand!! Where was McCain? He was there! Think about that before pulling the handle on the voting machine!!

[hasher471]

John McCain "acting" Presidential.

What an idiot!

Georgia charged into South Osettia.
Georgia got their pee pee''s whacked.
Granted Russia has over reacted, but that''s the way Russia ALWAYS took care of things.

If someone killed 2 of their KGB agents, they-d find out who did it and would whack 4 of their agents.

God I''m glad McCain is-nt Commander in Chief.

[david1737]

McCain''s campaign is fraught with criminals and lobbyists.

Don''t forget McCain himself was one of the Keating 5.

McCain chose Phil Gramm to be the co-chair of his campaign. (Phil Gramm is responsible for the subprime meltdown, Enron and other economic debacles.)

McCain%u2019s Campaign top Adviser Charlie Black Black worked for "BKSH" Lobbying firm, which worked with Chalabi who provided the Bush administration with fake intelligence to justify the war.

Do some research and choose wisely in November.

[parrots11]

So, what''s with John Sydney McCain III''s foreign policy adviser being a lobbyist and in the pocket of the Georgian president? Did you see where he asked for deeds and not words? Does he think his $100,000 actually BOUGHT him John McCain? And when will John realize that even the appearance of influence peddling is NOT what the country wants in their president. Didn''''t we have enough with Abramoff?
Posted by bfjones666 at 08:45 AM : Aug 14, 2008


We''re all Georgians ! ...... This ****** is not even Potus yet. just imagine what would happen if he''d been Potus - going by his very recent statements and not stuff from before the Dementia. Cheers!

[realpatriot1]

The One has spoken. He''s the biggest celebrity in the nursing home so Putin better think twice before getting on grandpa''s *** list.

[lordmi]

Now we see, how Washington works: McBush is getting money from Georgia - thye sent troops to Iraaq- they attacked S Ossetia- McBush just Blind to see that and started aggressive statements, no matter how it worked for US.
That what You want - McWar for the next 4 (or some) years?
McWar is a Hell for US.

[misha128-2009]

Before Senator McCain qualifies to take the Commander-in-Chief test he should be required to take two other tests. First a physical to determine if he is still alive and healthy and second a competency hearing to determine if he is capable of caring for his own needs.

It was bad enough when Senator McCain claimed the first action resulting from 9/11 was Iraq (forgetting about Afghanistan). But yesterday Senator McCain claimed that in the 21st century nations do not invade other nations (has he forgotten both Iraq and Afghanistan in just two weeks).

Then there are multiple references countries that have not existed for 10 or 15 years.

Involvement with participants in scandals discovered years ago that were exposed in committee hearings he chaired.

The inability to remember basic relationships between groups of people and countries -- Sunnis, Shiites, Al Qaeda, Extremists, Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia while simultaneously claiming expertise in the region.

Responding to current events with the cold war rhetoric of thirty years ago.

I rest my case.

[drrc1]

It is apparent that McCain is an overdue nursing home material!

[bfjones666]

So, what''s with John Sydney McCain III''s foreign policy adviser being a lobbyist and in the pocket of the Georgian president? Did you see where he asked for deeds and not words? Does he think his $100,000 actually BOUGHT him John McCain? And when will John realize that even the appearance of influence peddling is NOT what the country wants in their president. Didn''t we have enough with Abramoff?

[realpatriot1]

Condi Rice as been sent on an urgent mission to look more deeply into Putin''s soul.

[lordmi]

This Old Occupant would involve America in a war by any chance. Aggressor, Occupant!!!!