WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2008

Candidates On Fighting Islamic Extremism

CBS Evening News: How Proposals By McCain And Obama Would Affect The World

  • Play CBS Video Video The Fight Against Extremists

    For both candidates the idea of capturing Osama Bin Laden would mean success in the fight against Islamic extremists, but there is much more to the equation. David Martin reports from the Pentagon.

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  • CBS Evening News Presidential Questions

    Katie Couric asks Barack Obama and John McCain questions of politics, policy and character.

  • Blog From The Road

    Get up-to-the-minute news from CBS News reporters on the road with Obama and McCain.

Islamic Extremism
The tenth installment of the series examines where each candidate stands on combatting Islamic extremism.
Obama:
  • Says if he gets a shot at bin Laden, he will take it - with or without Pakistani permission.
  • Would send in more troops to Afghanistan.
  • Wants to give Pakistan $7 million to build schools, roads and health clinics.
McCain:
  • Says it’s a mistake to be so explicit about violating another country territory, but leaves little doubt he would go after bin Laden even if that would be necessary.
  • Would send in more troops to Afghanistan.
  • Supports non-military aid to Pakistan, but has put no price tag on it.

(CBS)  To help you make an informed decision in the presidential election, CBS News is devoting a large part of our broadcasts until Nov. 4 to telling you where the candidates stand on major issues - from the war in Iraq to health insurance to education … and a lot more. Each piece will be an in-depth look at the issues facing the 44th president. In this installment, CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports on how what Barack Obama and John McCain propose to do about Islamic extremism would affect the world.

The Issue

The driver of an orange-and-white car shown in a video tape is a suicide bomber. He just barely misses an American convoy. The threat of Islamic extremists on the battlefield is so deadly, the only way to win is to shoot first.

But to Greg Mortenson, the real battleground is in the Hindu Kush, where Muslim children have no schools. For him, a classroom is the best weapon against terrorists.

"I think they fear education and literacy much more than they fear a good gun battle," Mortenson said.

Since 1993, Mortenson has been building schools in mountains so dangerous you take your life in your hands just crossing a river.

"Fifteen years later, now we have 78 schools, about 28,000 students and our primary focus is on girls' education," he said.

He is competing against religious schools called madrassas, teaching jihad to young boys who graduate to terrorist training camps. And his 78 schools are badly outgunned.

"Today, there's about 25,000 extremist madrassas with about four million mostly boys going to school, learning about militant ideology," he said.

"Doesn't sound like a fair contest," Martin said.

"It's just a drop in the bucket," Mortenson said.

A drop in the bucket against a fanatic ideology that, for a decade now, has spawned monstrous attacks on Americans.

The Candidates

There is no more visceral issue than the battle against Islamic extremism. And from the beginning, both candidates have put it at the center of their appeal to voters.

For both men, it begins with hunting down Osama bin Laden and other top terrorists - wherever they are.

"We cannot tolerate a terrorist sanctuary, and as president, I will not," Sen. Barack Obama said in May. "We must make it clear that if Pakistan cannot or will not act, we will take out high-level terrorist targets like bin Laden if we have them in our sights."

Obama makes no bones about it - if he gets a shot at bin Laden, he will take it - with or without Pakistani permission.

Sen. John McCain says it’s a mistake to be so explicit about violating another country's territory, but leaves little doubt he would do exactly the same.

"There's a guy out there in Afghanistan or Pakistan," McCain said in March. "You know his name: Osama bin Laden. And if I have to follow him to the gates of hell, I'll get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice."

The battle against bin Laden and Islamic extremism began in Afghanistan. Seven years later, the United States has 32,000 troops there, and it is still not clear which side is winning.

"Our commanders on the ground in Afghanistan say that they need at least three additional brigades - and our commanders in Afghanistan must get them," McCain said.

Both candidates say they would send in more troops.

"As Commander in Chief, I will have no greater priority than taking out these terrorists that threaten America, and finishing the job against the Taliban. That's why I've called for at least two additional U.S. combat brigades," Obama said.

The U.S. military is already planning to send four more combat brigades - about 15,000 troops - and both candidates seem likely to approve. Both also recognize that's not enough. It will take what's called "soft power."

Obama wants to give Pakistan $7 million to build schools, roads and health clinics. McCain also supports non-military aid, but has put no price tag on it.

In Los Angeles, McCain said: "Our goal must be to win the hearts and minds of the vast majority of moderate Muslims who do not want their future controlled by a minority of violent extremists. In this struggle, scholarships will be far more important than smart bombs."

The Impact

Since 9/11, the Pentagon has spent $160 billion fighting the war in Afghanistan, compared to thet $12 billion for the soft power of diplomacy and aid.

Greg Mortenson says money invested in soft power goes a lot farther.

"A Tomohawk cruise missile costs about $840,000. And for the comparable money we could build about 25 schools, and over 20 years educate about 30,000 students," he said.

It sounds simple, but Americans aren't allowed in areas where Islamic extremists are strongest.

"I was kidnapped for eight days in Waziristan by the Taliban," Mortenson said.

Martin asked: "What did you see when you looked the Taliban in the eye?"

"I see ignorance. I think ignorance breeds hatred," he said.

Muslim children are literally begging for education.

"If you please, build for us a school," one young girl said in Pashtu, with a translator.

Each candidate would no doubt like to start his term as commander in chief by hunting down bin Laden, but the battle against Islamic extremism won't end there.


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Add a Comment See all 51 Comments
by patriotic9 October 23, 2008 10:51 PM EDT
The most important tool to fight against Islamic Extremism is to eradicate Islamic Extremist Ideology and to start this movement from hom:
1- To fight against Osama been forgotten''s ideology of discrimination based on sexual orientation and to allow homosexuals of their right of marriage just like Heterosexual citizens.
2- To fight against Osama been forgotten''s ideology of Gender-based discrimination and hence allow women to be openly TOPLESS in public if the men are allowed to do the same. In other words, to set same standard of decent and indecent exposure for both male and female citizens.
3- To allow women to choose right of Abortion, a right denied by Osama been forgotten and his fellow Islamic Radicals.
4- Stop hating Hollywood celbrities for the same reasons, Islamic Extremists hate them, etc.
Reply to this comment
by gotravel1 October 23, 2008 10:52 PM EDT
If you haven''t already searched google or Youtube for Obama/Odinga, check it out because what happened in Pittsburgh is the tip of the iceberg if Obama is elected.He flew to Kenya in 2007 to support a radical there.In Obama''s book,"Audacity of Hope" under the chapter about the Constitution he says,"It has sometimes been the zealots,the prophets,the agitators and the unreasonable-in other words,the absolutists-that have fought for a new order.Knowing this,I can''t summarily dismiss those possessed of similar certainty today..we should persue our own absolute truths only if we acknowledge that there may be a terrible price to pay". If that doesn''t wake people up,I don''t know what will.Obama,Wright,Ayers,Dr.Khalid al-mansour,all have radical ties to Obama.WAKE UP AMERICA!
Reply to this comment
by wonderyman-2009 October 23, 2008 11:09 PM EDT
OneAmerican7

""I see ignorance (gross ingnorance). I think ignorance breeds hatred," he said."

This about you up.
Reply to this comment
by pensacola98 October 23, 2008 11:38 PM EDT
Before you talk about fighting Islamic extremism, think for a minute and ponder at how we fight Christian extremism. Both forms of extremism are unhealthy and spreaders of hatred and harass people.

Christian extremism is responsible for strange and uncivil forms of behavior. Take the group that still practices polygomy. Take another that practices survivalism and builds tunnels and stores caches of weapons and food in anticipation of worldwide chaos. Take the televangelist who hates ***. Take another evangelist who hates Catholics. Why not consider the evangelist who calls for political coups and assasinations. These are supposed to be clerical leaders with God inspiring them inside their hearts. If you ask me, none of those things sound anything like a person with God inside their heart at all.

We need to clean up our own backyard before complaining about our neighbor''s backyard.

Most of the time, it is Christian Extremist Loud Mouths complaining the loudest about Muslim Extremist Loud Mouths. Haven''t they heard of diplomacy and forgotten the core values which are supposed to be guiding them?
Reply to this comment
by asteroi06 October 23, 2008 11:42 PM EDT
I can see west va from my front porch..does that make me stupid??
Reply to this comment
by noloyalisti October 23, 2008 11:49 PM EDT
Pensacola, I totally agree that the candidates should talk about Christian fascism. I mean look at what Butch and McSame have done in the name of Christianity.

Here in California, you have the Christian wrong getting anti-rights propositions (4 and 10) on the ballot. They have infiltrated the schools and a nazi (Schwarzenazi) is governor.
Reply to this comment
by frogprophet October 23, 2008 11:53 PM EDT
For eight years Christian Extremists have been occupying the White House and holding America Hostage. The Republican party today is so corrupt today that Abraham Lincoln would disown it if he were alive today.

Until the Republican party rediscovers and gets back to its founding beliefs it will continue to corrode the Constitution and American until the Christian Extremists od get a rapture, but of another kind.
Reply to this comment
by patriotic9 October 24, 2008 12:07 AM EDT
Posted by michaelt302 at 08:54 PM : Oct 23, 2008

If Europeans were not brought into Palestine after WWII to occupy the land of those Palestinians by force who had nothing to do with the actions of Hitler because Bible said so, Alqaida would not get enough recruits to fly plane into buildings since koran said so!
Are you going to deny the fact that it''s Christian enemies of United States who decided to sacrifise GOD-NEGLECTED AMERICAN MONEY, GOD-NEGLECTED AMERICAN LIVES and UNHOLY LAND UNITED STATES for a NON-AMERICAN CAUSE, NON-AMERICAN PEOPLE chosen by RACIST, UNJUST and ANTI-AMERICAN GOD, and a NON-AMERICAN LAND far away from any state or territory of the United States.

Are you going to deny the fact that we have been taking oil in cheaper prices from Arabs and in return supporting their those enemies who were brought from different European countries to occupy the land of those Palestinians by force who can''t even speak the language spoken by Hitler!
Are you going to deny the fact that it''s the racist and unjust ideology of Christianity which doesn''t consider human beings being created equal but created as GOD-CHOSEN or GOD-NEGLECTED based on the RACE or FAMILY they are born in, responsible for all the mischief in the world.
If you don''t trust me, just try to ask our Christian government of denouncing existance of Israel, far away from the Concentration camps in Germany and then see the effect of Injustice called "CHRISTIANITY"!
Reply to this comment
by tincup356 October 24, 2008 12:13 AM EDT
I refuse to give support to either party or candidate, they are both failures, sitting on a failed congress that is directly responsible for the mess we have.What makes anyone in their right mind think that either one of these men or anyone in congress can straighten out this mess is insane.and to vote a bailout to the greedy bankers and then let them control the bailout money with no oversight or repercussions? More insanity.and then to think the people of this country will run to the polls and pull the straight party ticket again thinking My party will fix all this....More insanity.Reality is what it is....congress only needs your vote to get in...then they don''t need or care about you...they never have and never will represent you the voter, their allegiance is to the lobby dollar only.So when ever you vote either of them back , and it gets worse or falls completely apart.....point the fingers at your selves, you have been warned.I refuse to give them my vote as to do so would be saying I endorse any stupid acts this greedy, failure commits.VOTE OUT ALL INCUMBENTS and VOTE THIRD PARTY, REMEMBER THERE ARE NOT JUST TWO PARTIES RUNNING.
Reply to this comment
by neutral1429 October 24, 2008 12:18 AM EDT
I have to say this report is so bizarre. I honestly did not believe that David Martin was objective at all in this report. It was very obvious that he had a particular message to send for which he produced a mix of images to bring sensation to his story. When he mentioned the 25,000 Madrassas, he basically slammed all of them as being breeding grounds for terrorists and hatred, but is that really the case? I understand that this accusation may apply to some Madrassas, but to accuse all 25,000 schools of being a source of evil is, I believe, complete injustice. Where is Martin''s proof for his claim? And does he not want Muslims to teach their kids their religion? I also question Katie Couric''s judgment in making this report as one of the highlights of her newscast for this evening!
Reply to this comment
by patriotic9 October 24, 2008 12:33 AM EDT
Posted by michaelt302 at 08:54 PM : Oct 23, 2008

If Europeans were not brought into Palestine after WWII to occupy the land of those Palestinians by force who had nothing to do with the actions of Hitler because Bible said so, Alqaida would not get enough recruits to fly plane into buildings since koran said so!
Are you going to deny the fact that it''s Christian enemies of United States who decided to sacrifise GOD-NEGLECTED AMERICAN MONEY, GOD-NEGLECTED AMERICAN LIVES and UNHOLY LAND UNITED STATES for a NON-AMERICAN CAUSE, NON-AMERICAN PEOPLE chosen by RACIST, UNJUST and ANTI-AMERICAN GOD, and a NON-AMERICAN LAND far away from any state or territory of the United States.

Crimes committed by Hitler and price paid by Palestinians, Concentration Camps in Germany and Israel founded in Palestine are the continuation of same PSYCHOSIS according to which SINS were committed by Adam and Eve, sinners are those new born children born in sins who can''t differentiate b/w what is a sin and what is not a sin, and the price is paid by a third party named jesus, is the cobination of same psychosis which asks GOD-NEGLECTED AMERICANS to work day and night to pay tax, and GOD-CHOSEN NON-AMERICANS to snatch more then $3B a year, so that Americans can buy HATRED, TERRORISM and 9/11!

Reply to this comment
by aerhed October 24, 2008 12:58 AM EDT
Tincup is almost right. My theory; Vote all dems this time. Give one party the 2/3 majority & exec branch. Then when they have no excuses (blocked legislature) we make the little weasels do their job or we stalk them in the streets and slap them up whenever we get the chance. Man that sounds fun to me.
Reply to this comment
by pensacola98 October 24, 2008 1:05 AM EDT
CBS opened their door and unleashed a big one on this subject matter.

It appears they (CBS) assumed everyone was ready to jump on the bandwagon and start bashing Islam, and instead, moderate minded people are telling everyone that religous extemism is found right here embeded in the USA with Christian roots.

Spreading hatred in the name of religion is unacceptable. No religion is empowered to use its resources to create problems.

Reactionary hostile behavior and retaliation are not principals taught in Christian, Muslim or Jewish faiths.

I am in favor of empowering Homeland Security to start pulling 501c3 tax-exemptions and begin to impose a lifetime ban from broadcasting on any radio or TV or Internet on those from the clerical sector, who voice anger, hatred, harassment, or spawn or encourage civil disobedience or politcal attacks.

Reply to this comment
by patriotic9 October 24, 2008 1:15 AM EDT
Reactionary hostile behavior and retaliation are not principals taught in Christian, Muslim or Jewish faiths.

I am in favor of empowering Homeland Security to start pulling 501c3 tax-exemptions and begin to impose a lifetime ban from broadcasting on any radio or TV or Internet on those from the clerical sector, who voice anger, hatred, harassment, or spawn or encourage civil disobedience or politcal attacks.
Posted by Pensacola98 at 10:05 PM : Oct 23, 2008

I respectfully disagree with you based on sound and valid reasons. Radical Islam is a threat and the root of Radical Islam is in Christianity and Judaism. They all denounce Homosexuals right of marriage while supporting same right for the heteroxual citizens.

Racism and injustice taught in Christianity and Judaism, which I described earlier is the main source of mischief in the world.

As far as ban on media is concerned, it goes against the principle of freedom of expression which is a part of democratic principle.
Reply to this comment
by pensacola98 October 24, 2008 1:19 AM EDT
Before you talk about fighting Islamic extremism, think for a minute and ponder at how we fight Christian extremism. Both forms of extremism are unhealthy and spreaders of hatred and harass people.

Christian extremism is responsible for strange and uncivil forms of behavior. Take the group that still practices polygomy. Take another that practices survivalism and builds tunnels and stores caches of weapons and food in anticipation of worldwide chaos. Take the televangelist who hates ***. Take another evangelist who hates Catholics. Why not consider the evangelist who calls for political coups and assasinations. These are supposed to be clerical leaders with God inspiring them inside their hearts. If you ask me, none of those things sound anything like a person with God inside their heart at all.

We need to clean up our own backyard before complaining about our neighbor''''s backyard.

Most of the time, it is Christian Extremist Loud Mouths complaining the loudest about Muslim Extremist Loud Mouths. Haven''''t they heard of diplomacy and forgotten the core values which are supposed to be guiding them?

Reply to this comment
by on_alert247 October 24, 2008 1:22 AM EDT
I respectfully disagree with you based on sound and valid reasons. Radical Islam is a threat and the root of Radical Islam is in Christianity and Judaism.
Posted by patriotic9 at 10:15 PM : Oct 23, 2008

Basically what you''ve stated is: A causes C; therefore if B is related to A, B causes C. In a nutshell this is illogical. Nothing sound or valid about it. Just come out and say Christianity and Judaism are a threat. Then we''ll know you for what you are.
Reply to this comment
by maggietexas4 October 24, 2008 1:35 AM EDT
I no longer care what McCain says or thinks and I have never cared what Palin says or thinks. He is too old and has shown himself to be absolutely bonkers by how he is campaigning and of course for his choice of an airhead like Palin. What an insult to the American people.
Reply to this comment
by pensacola98 October 24, 2008 1:39 AM EDT
When a cleric leader voices their political option with a hateful tone, it can be construed as a hate crime.

When a clerical leader declares that hostility is justified for any reason, again, it is a hate crime.

When a clerical leader declares that murder is justified, ...you got it - a hate crime.

We already have too many loud mouthed clerical leaders commiting acts of unprosecuted hate crimes.

I would prefer to prosecute or ban them from public speaking on TV or Radio, rather than launch the armed aggressions that they propose.

Even the title of this article seems to express itself as if it was perfectly acceptable to live on belief that only Islamic extremism is a problem. Not So.
Reply to this comment
by shockolit October 24, 2008 2:57 AM EDT
Sounds like we need to work on our own extremists.....
Reply to this comment
by ecs1749-2009 October 24, 2008 3:01 AM EDT
"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away men''''s initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.

--Abraham Lincoln"

Is this a true quote?
Reply to this comment
by stopsocialis October 24, 2008 3:12 AM EDT
If Obama really believes in fighting Islamic extremism then why are Muslims around the globe pulling for him to win the election and also why do terrorist groups like HAMAS endorse him, and also his latest endorsement from the Iranian Parliament, in the past day or two.


Wake up America.

Obama has a hidden agenda. Please put all the pieces of the puzzle together and stopped being fooled by this wolf in sheep''s clothing.
Reply to this comment
by stopsocialis October 24, 2008 3:13 AM EDT
NO CANIDATE HATES THIS COUNTRY
Posted by I_AM_DJ at 10:57 PM : Oct 23, 2008

How do you know? Are you God?
Reply to this comment
by o_the_potus October 24, 2008 3:56 AM EDT
Sung to the tune of "The Love Boat Theme":

Ooo Baaaam aaaaa
Obama, Obama
Ooo Baaaam aaaaa
Obama OBaam aaa

Thank God for Barack Obama!
Reply to this comment
by stopsocialis October 24, 2008 4:06 AM EDT
Sung to the tune of "The Love Boat Theme":

Ooo Baaaam aaaaa
Obama, Obama
Ooo Baaaam aaaaa
Obama OBaam aaa

Thank God for Barack Obama!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by O_The_POTUS at 12:56 AM : Oct 24, 2008


The Hitler youth sung songs about Adolph as well.

What a fine comparison.

:)

Reply to this comment
by o_the_potus October 24, 2008 4:07 AM EDT
Posted by O_The_POTUS at 12:56 AM : Oct 24, 2008


The Hitler youth sung songs about Adolph as well.

What a fine comparison.

---------------

Tales from your youth, I suppose?
Reply to this comment
by boigarny October 24, 2008 4:14 AM EDT
Now on CNN McCain called himself a loser! But he going to fight to the end!
Watch interview here: http://tubedirects.net/index.php?q=McCain-lose
Reply to this comment
by McHineguy October 24, 2008 5:05 AM EDT
The plan to educate the children of Afganistan and Iraq is a wonderful one. I applaud Mortenson for his efforts and hope both candidates support him well.

But I dont trust Barack Obama. He does not adhere to his promises and has yet to provide full disclosure of his life. Beginning with his birth certificate and health record.

Democrats, there is a persistant drum beat of betrayal anytime you research Obama. Please open your minds and look at it. He is smart but he fails the integrity test. Do you care? Or dont you see? If you dont see, do you look?
Reply to this comment
by blondegenes October 24, 2008 10:16 AM EDT
Obama doesn''t have to fear another Joe Plumber when it comes to his terrorism platform,,,he''s got Joe Biden running his big mouth spilling the beans about what Obama aka Barry Soetoro has in mind if he is elected President!
Transcript;http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/10/joe_biden_seattle_fund_raiser.html

If people paid closer attention to what Obama and Biden are saying, and not the main stream media news blurbs, they''d know what Obama''s plans are to take the U.S. military into Afghanistan and Pakistan to "fight terrorism".

Obama says himself that every American should serve two years mandatory service to the U.S. That''s why he is in favor of Selective Service and THE DRAFT! He tried to reinstate the draft by pimping House Bill 393 in 2007, a bill that Hillary also supported.

Obama has concrete plans to develop a huge army to help "sacrifice" and "support" his "unpopular decisions" if and when tried by outside entities as on 9/11 and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Biden and Obama keep making statements that elude to the fact that they are making a case to take the U.S. to war in Afghanistan and/or Pakistan.

Read it for yourself!
http://www.barackobama.com/2007/08/01/the_war_we_need_to_win.php


Reply to this comment
by blondegenes October 24, 2008 10:19 AM EDT
http://www.barackobama.com/2007/08/01/the_war_we_need_to_win.php

In Barack''s own words, he says, as President, he will take the U.S. to war in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
He claims that he will build a huge army to carry it out on foreign fronts and on the "home front".


Reply to this comment
by pr_boxer October 24, 2008 10:37 AM EDT
"I see ignorance. I think ignorance breeds hatred".


Oh! now I see why Caribou Sarah Palin is so bitter!
Reply to this comment
by john43218 October 24, 2008 11:00 AM EDT
THE USA WILL NO LONGER BE ''NO TOP'' IF YOU HIRE AN INEXPERAINCEDE SOCIALIST- WE WILL BE LIKE EUROPE AND THEY WANT IT THAT WAY- WHY PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BURY THIS COUNTRY UNDER MORE DEBT AND UNEMPLOYMENT, HIGHER TAXES-- UNSAFE FROM TERRORISTS ETC WITH OBAMA- PEOPLE WILL SUFFER EVEN MORE GREATLY WITH A LIBERAL .. IT IS BEYOND ME WHY THERE IS SO MUCH NIAVITY.
Reply to this comment
by stopsocialis October 24, 2008 11:16 AM EDT
"I see ignorance. I think ignorance breeds hatred".
posted by pr_boxer

A perfect description of Jeremiah Wright.
Reply to this comment
by stopsocialis October 24, 2008 11:17 AM EDT
They are now a terrorist force in our own country.

Too bad.
Posted by CBS_Oliver at 05:49 AM : Oct 24, 2008


So how as Mosque this past weekend? You radical liberals echo the radical Muslims. Gee what a coincidence.

NOT!
Reply to this comment
by stopsocialis October 24, 2008 11:18 AM EDT
Do you care? Or dont you see? If you dont see, do you look?
Posted by Machineguy at 02:05 AM : Oct 24, 2008

They don''t care, they don''t see, and they don''t look, which is why they are liberals to begin with.

Their whole existence is driven by hatred and a belief that everyone "owes" them something.

They''re spoiled brats.
Reply to this comment
by stopsocialis October 24, 2008 11:19 AM EDT
The Hitler youth sung songs about Adolph as well.

What a fine comparison.

---------------

Tales from your youth, I suppose?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by O_The_POTUS at 01:07 AM : Oct 24, 2008

You''re the one that was singing for OBama buddy, better look in the mirror, mr. communist. Truth hurts, I know..
Reply to this comment
by Robert4229 October 24, 2008 11:57 AM EDT
I''m one of the Independents who switched to Obama. Interesting that McCain isn''t questioning Obama''s stance on protecting America against global terrorism. Why? Because Obama, indeed, by his words affirmed his committment to follow radical Islamists anywhere if they harm America or her soldiers. This includes attacking them in Pakistan after they lurked into Afghanistan and brought down a few marines. I am also concerned as to why he didn''t join other patriotic Republican Senators and blast the Bush administration for the ridiculous handling of the Valerie Plame (Wilson) White House leak. If this leaking of an undercover CIA case officer occured under the Eisenhower, Goldwater or Reagan watch, the WH staff head''s would roll! Wher was McCain? View my website on this matter (scroll down to Plame Leak). I''d enjoy discussing this with you on this forum or simply contact me at: http://declassifiedsecrets.blogspot.com/
Reply to this comment
by assemblyofso October 24, 2008 12:29 PM EDT
Muslims have ordered the Koran for the inauguration ceremony. It is bound in Corinthian Leather and has the namd B Hussein Obama gold stamped on the cover
Reply to this comment
by abbe91 October 24, 2008 12:40 PM EDT
"I''''m one of the Independents who switched to Obama. Interesting that McCain isn''''t questioning Obama''''s stance on protecting America against global terrorism. Why? Because Obama, indeed, by his words affirmed his committment to follow radical Islamists anywhere if they harm America or her soldiers. This includes attacking them in Pakistan after they lurked into Afghanistan and brought down a few marines.
Posted by Robert4229 at 08:57 AM : Oct 24, 2008"

The only new idea McCain came with is to bomb the "Iraq-Pakistan border".
Reply to this comment
by ranger101st2 October 24, 2008 1:01 PM EDT
He HAS stood up Skuareoff. He has said wat every grunt on the ground wants-to take the fight to THIER homes, make them defend thier camps and compounds, then they will be too busy to conduct ops in A-stan. The P-stani''s have been playing both sides for too long, Bush backed a tyrant, giving him $10BILLION in the process. Isn''t that bad judgement? Mc *** keeps talking about a "victory" in Iraq, how can that be when the REAL winners are the IRANIANS? He will keep us there forever, draining our treasury and depleting our ground forces further. Gen. Powell was spot on with his assesment of both candidates, calling for a generational change. Wat IS victoty in Iraq? There is no military victory, the victory we seek is an Iraqi gov. and Army that can stand on its own, avoid civil war, and share oil profits, using thier petro dollars to rebuild thier country, putting people to work. If the Sunni''s are not included, the fragile peace WILL be broken. Maliki is a shia, pro-Iranian and is already arresting Sunni''s who led the "Awakening" groups. I doubt this is over.
Reply to this comment
by fair_media October 24, 2008 1:45 PM EDT
Last evening the CBS news had a small story on the economy and then displayed an opinion poll about which class of people would be better off under each candidate, Obama of course had a huge middle class advantage.

Later in the news cast they had a 10 minute story about the threat of Islamic Extremism, then proceded to discuss the candidates positions on this topic but didn''t discuss or show any opinion polls on which candidate is viewed as better able handle this type of crisis. I know the results of this type of question are out there because I have seen them, I guess since this type of poll would show McCain with a huge advantage it wasn''t shown. Is this ballanced journalistic reporting???
Reply to this comment
by blondegenes October 24, 2008 3:38 PM EDT
Obama has said that he would send troops into Pakistan to pursue terrorists, especially Bin Laden, even without Pakistan''s permission.
Interpretation; He would invoke the wrath of a NUCLEAR ARMED Muslim nation, thereby invoking the wrath of possibly ALL Muslim nations and Middle Eastern Arab Nations, as well as some other nations, against the U.S.

For you Peaceniks who are delusional and believe that Obama is for Peace, too, read his own words on his own website at the DNC, before it disappears off the internet;
http://www.barackobama.com/2007/08/01/the_war_we_need_to_win.php

Obama also wants to reinstitute the mandatory draft, and two years mandatory service. He and Hillary supported a House Bill 393 in 2007, which was summarily voted down 2 to 402.

He needs a large army to carry out his BIG PLAN FOR WAR.
Supermajority of Dems+Obama Patriot Act mandatory army to do his bidding=DISASTER
Reply to this comment
by misha128-2009 October 24, 2008 3:42 PM EDT
Posted by LDVUONG at 10:59 AM

The tax proposals of Senator Obama are in the great tradition of the United States practiced by both parties since the 16th amendment authorized the collection of the income tax as economic motivators. Do you wonder about McCain''s plan and how radical it is since he considers these standard tried and true US income tax practices to be socialist?
Reply to this comment
by blondegenes October 24, 2008 3:44 PM EDT
Oh, and, lest I forget,,,
Obama not only wants to take the hard earned dollars of taxpayers, and "spread the wealth" to the lower classes,,,he had a plan to tax you and "spread the wealth" to other nations against your wishes!
Obama%u2019s %u201CGlobal Poverty Act%u201D (S.2433)
http://www.nationalledger.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=22&num=18845

"Another program modeled on Nunn-Lugar, the Initiatives for Proliferation Prevention (IPP), was recently exposed as HAVING FUNDED NUCLEAR PROECTS in Iran through Russia.

More foreign aid through passage of the Global Poverty Act was identified as one of the strategic goals of InterAction, the alliance of U.S-based international non-governmental organizations that lobbies for more foreign aid. The group is heavily financed by the U.S. Government, having received $1.4 million from taxpayers in fiscal year 2005 and $1.7 million in 2006. However, InterAction recently issued a report accusing the United States of %u201Cfalling short on its commitment to rid the world of dire poverty by 2015 under the U.N. Millennium Development Goals%u2026%u201D"

It''s the equivalent of the ACORN scandal on a nuclear, global scale.
You can tell when Obama''s lying, his lips are moving.
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by misha128-2009 October 24, 2008 3:46 PM EDT
Please explain why we should support continuation the Bush War on Terr''a as advocated by Senator McCain. That policy has allowed Al Qaeda that attacked us to expand from a hand full of countries before 9/11 to between 60 and 100 now depending on the source of the information. Their strength now exceeds their strength on 9/11. After almost 7 years of war, Al Qaeda is stronger today and occupying more countries that before 9/11. How can that be considered anything other than failure to contain Al Qaeda?
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by misha128-2009 October 24, 2008 3:52 PM EDT
Posted by blondegenes at 12:44 PM

Repetition of Republican lies to continue the failed Bush Policies -- the same policies Senator McCain is attempting to claim he refutes in the last 13 days of the campaign as he threw the policies and President Bush under the bus yesterday. There are no lies or half-truths that McCain will not say in order to be elected president. The proof is simple -- despite the new campaign rhetoric -- he has not announced a single policy change from before his johnny-come-lately refutation of Bush and "his" policies still advocated as McCain''s policies even today.
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by misha128-2009 October 24, 2008 4:01 PM EDT
Posted by blondegenes at 12:44 PM

In terms of Acorn -- perhaps you should research the cooperation between Acorn and authorities to deal with those submitting bogus applications and the flagging of bogus applications to election board workers for completed forms that are REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED BY MANY STATE laws to prevent voter suppression. The same voter suppression practices Mr Sprouls, a paid Republican operative past and present has been investigated for repeatedly.

Then we have the recent California arrest of the President of YPM, a Republican paid company for voter registration, for what you ask? For trying to register himself to vote twice in the California. Not to mention the numerous witnesses that have publicly accused his company and operatives of fraudulently changing voter registrations and fraudulently requesting absentee ballots.
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by ml1888 October 24, 2008 6:15 PM EDT
Jack Wheeler is a brilliant man who was the author of Reagan''s strategy to break the back of the Soviet Union with the starwars race and expose their inner weakness. He is a true patriot with a no-nonsense approach to everything. He is also a somewhat well-known mountain climber and adventurer.
Written by Dr. Jack Wheeler
Barack Hussein Obama is an eloquently tailored empty suit. No resume, no accomplishments, no experience, no original ideas, no understanding of how the economy works, no understanding of how the world works, nothing but abstract, empty rhetoric devoid of real substance.
He has no real identity. He is half-white, which he rejects. The rest of him is mostly Arab, which he hides, but is disclosed by his non-African Arabic surname and his Arabic first and middle names as a way to triply proclaim his Arabic parentage to people in Kenya . He hasn''t a single ancestor who was a slave. Instead, his Arab ancestors were slave owners. Slave-trading was the main Arab business in East Africa for centuries until the British ended it.
It''s something Hillary doesn''t understand - how some complete neophyte came out of the blue and stole the Dem nomination from her. Obamamania is beyond politics and reason. arguments Hillary (or McCain) Thank heavens that the voting majority of Americans remain Christian and are in no desperate need of a phony savior.
His candidacy is ridiculous and should not be taken seriously by any thinking American
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by sbelknap01 October 24, 2008 7:01 PM EDT
Both candidates seem to agree that education is the solution to religious extremism, of all sorts - and they are correct. One of the reasons we are seeing an upturn in Christian extremism in this country is lack of education. Most of our domestic problems, including high abortion numbers, can be traced to ignorance. (College grads aren''t exactly filling those clinics). I suggest you pick your candidate based on his commitment to education to see a real victory over extremism.
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by misha128-2009 October 24, 2008 7:14 PM EDT
Posted by ml1888 at 03:15 PM

Please explain why we should support continuation the Bush War on Terr''a as advocated by Senator McCain. That policy has allowed Al Qaeda that attacked us to expand from a hand full of countries before 9/11 to between 60 and 100 now depending on the source of the information. Their strength now exceeds their strength on 9/11. After almost 7 years of war, Al Qaeda is stronger today and occupying more countries that before 9/11. How can that be considered anything other than failure to contain Al Qaeda?
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by onarollagain October 24, 2008 8:42 PM EDT
Obama campaigned for the opposition candidate in Kenya whose name is Odinga...this man then caused genocide and ethnic cleansing to occur when he lost the election. He also signed an agreement with the Muslim community in which he promised not to turn over terrorists. This is documented by all the mainstream media when it happened but now there is no mention of it. Character does matter and Barrack''s friends are no friends of the United States of America.
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