Obama: Stop Questioning My Patriotism

(AP)  Democrat Barack Obama challenged his Republican opponent John McCain on Tuesday to stop questioning his "character and patriotism."

Addressing the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention, Obama reaffirmed his early opposition to the U.S. invasion of Iraq and said the so-called "surge" strategy of sending 30,000 additional troops to Iraq last year had not produced the political reconciliation necessary to achieve lasting peace in the country. McCain supported the Iraq invasion and was an early champion of the surge.

"These are the judgments I've made and the policies that we have to debate, because we do have differences in this election," Obama said. "One of the things that we have to change in this country is the idea that people can't disagree without challenging each other's character and patriotism. I have never suggested that Sen. McCain picks his positions on national security based on politics or personal ambition. I have not suggested it because I believe that he genuinely wants to serve America's national interest. Now, it's time for him to acknowledge that I want to do the same.

"Let me be clear: I will let no one question my love of this country," Obama said to applause.

McCain stood before the same audience a day earlier and said Obama "tried to legislate failure" in the Iraq war and had put his ambition to be president above the interests of the United States. He said the Illinois senator did this by pushing for a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq and by voting in the Senate against a major appropriations bill to help fund the troop increase.

A decorated Vietnam war veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Arizona senator has sharply questioned whether the 47-year old Obama has the experience and character necessary to serve as commander in chief.

McCain has also spoken out strongly against Russia's invasion of the Republic of Georgia, using Obama's absence from the campaign trail last week when he was on vacation in Hawaii to take a hard line against the Russian government. His tough talk led some of Obama's foreign policy advisers to suggest McCain may have complicated the conflict.

Obama strongly condemned Russia's actions Tuesday but said the U.S. involvement in Iraq had imperiled U.S. ability to take a leadership role in the matter.

"We failed to head off this conflict and lost leverage in our ability to contain it because our leaders have been distracted, our resources overstretched, and our alliances frayed," Obama said.

The Illinois senator also praised Joseph Biden, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman thought to be among the top contenders to be Obama's running mate, for calling for an additional $1 billion for reconstruction projects in Georgia.

[hwy71so]

I was under the impression PRESIDENT Bush wasn''t running for another term. Funny that.....

Thank you Mr. Bush for standing firm in your convictions and doing what needed to be done about Iraq. Too bad Clinton didn''t handle it the many times he had the chance. Instead he spent his terms chasing skirts. But, thanks Mr. Bush. It''ll be good to have you back in Texas.

[patriot12436]

joe_transit
I agree with you about bush.

[patriot12436]

truthmatters
Yes we bombed civilians in Vietnam. After the communists built bomb factories in the neighborhoods where civilians lived. Atrocities are commited on both sides in any war.

[patriot12436]

chitown
My senses carried me thru many battles. I trust them. I stated my opinion, now maybe you should examine your delusions about obama, before it is too late.

[patriot12436]

bretster7
Anyone who is not voting for obama is calledf a racist on here.

[patriot12436]

blkpresident
Clinton sold out the people who backed her. Even if obama takes her as vp he will lose.

[patriot12436]

blkpresidenty
If obama would abnswer questions about himself themn he would probably have more supporters. It is an unanswerd question that makes people have doubts about him. To just say it isn''t true is not an answer.

[patriot12436]

blkpresident
Haven''t seen you on for a while. I thought maybe you had died, got locked up or heaven forbid came to your senses.

[misha128-2009]

Vote Republican

Who Cares about Willie Horton anymore?

Republicans brought hundreds of terrorists into the US at Gitmo and called them detainees.

Republicans at the DOJ now tell us the detainees at Gitmo might get released on US soil, if Congress does not pass a law.

The problem -- the Republicans at the DOJ have no recommendations how to write the law to prevent it. Furthermore they have abdicated responsibility and expect the Democrats to find experts to achieve what the Republicans cannot.

Never fear the Republicans understand National Security well -- The Republicans truly believe National Security IS BEST WHEN LEFT TO THE Democrats.

Republican Contingency Plan

Join the Republican sponsor-a-detainee program and have a real live terrorist living in your own neighborhood.

[joe_transit]

Bush is a reformed alcoholic, a clueless idiot, and a narcissistic A hole. The wars he created and all the death in his name has profited him and his clan beyond belief. McCain (which is just another way of spelling Bush) is trying to scare us. Did you ever consider that terrorist attack because of Bush''s action''s? Eliminating those Bush policies will eliminate the foreign desire to attack. us. It sound like a campaign slogan but we need a change. It ain''t working now.