NPR: Obama And McCain Trade Accusations About Iraq

Obama And McCain Trade Accusations About Iraq

It's certainly starting to feel and sound like a general election campaign. Sen. John McCain and Sen Barack Obama, the Republican and Democratic front runners respectively, traded accusations with each other about Iraq Wednesday.

As NPR's Scott Horsley reports John McCain says he didn't watch the Democratic debate, but he still took time to talk about Barack Obama's response to a question posed by NBC's Tim Russert.

Obama answered that if al Qaida were to establish a base in Iraq after U-S troops withdraw as he wants them to, he would be willing to respond. McCain suggested during a town hall meeting in Texas by that time it would be too late.

"I have some news. Al Qaida is IN Iraq. Al Qaida. It's called al Qaida in Iraq."

NPR's Don Gonyea reports that Obama didn't wait long to reply

"I got some news for YOU John McCain," said Obama, "There was no such thing as al Qaeda in Iraq until George Bush" took the country to war there.

Obama mocked McCain's past pledges to follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell, saying "so far all he's done is follow George Bush."

"I respect John McCain," he continued, " ... but he's tied to the politics of the past. We're the party of the future. He's the party of YESTERDAY."

As Tribune Media's The Swamp blog notes, " ... the two gave us a little taste of how they plan to deal with each other if they end up as their parties' nominees. McCain will play the experienced veteran, hinting that Obama doesn't know what he's talking about. And Obama will suggest that McCain isn't on top of his game."

2:13 PM ET | 02-27-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Yeah, I for one am getting tired of the man and woman debate. I much prefer letting the guys get it on. Being that it's looking more and more like Hillary and Bill are on the way out.

Which is cool. I said back in July that Hillary couldn't win. In fact, I said it was dang near impossible for Hillary to win. Though I figured she'd lose by 49 states in November. She won't even make November.

Very good. So, let's get it on for real, here. Sooner the better.

One big question I'd like posed to both McCain and Obama is their personal interpretation of 9/11. Who did it, the CIA? The Israelis? Osama bin Laden? The evil archangels of Satan? Michael Moore? Whomever?

Yes, we pretty much know how John McCain will reply. I'd like to hear Obama's reply. In depth.

Yep, this is the early signs of when this all starts to be fun.

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 3:27 PM ET | 02-27-2008

I personally like Obama's approach better, but are you (fred camorra call) that Hilary couldn't win because she is a woman?!? That is what we are trying to get away from, sexism and discrimination, and here you are saying, "Yeah, I for one am getting tired of the man and woman debate. I much prefer letting the guys get it on." What is your problem?

Sent by Christina | 3:45 PM ET | 02-27-2008

You can be sure that Obama knows that Saddam Hussein was not responsible for 9/11 unlike the morons who have believed bush all these years

Sent by Mike Fleissner | 4:21 PM ET | 02-27-2008

(Again,) I agree with Fred on this one.
Its (long, past) time for Hillary Clinton to go back home to NYC (or DC or Little Rock?).

This campaign is now between Barack Obama and John McCain! Maybe Hillary can convince Nader to pick her for his V.P. (that would be a laugh).

I have no problem with Obama himself, but his over-dramatic, fangs and claws, wife might need some "charm school". She (actually, her temper) is his biggest liability in public.

John McCain, he needs to overcome the "tired, old guy" image (my daughter's impression) and project some "vigar and energy". Maybe stage a foot-race or hit some baseballs out-of-the-park. (Is it too late to make a cameo apearance on Dog-Eat-Dog?)

John McCain needs to be seen as "The man of the future, with all the wisdom of the past!"

Sent by Harold | 5:06 PM ET | 02-27-2008

Sent by Mike Fleissner: You can be sure that Obama knows that Saddam Hussein was not responsible for 9/11 unlike the morons who have believed bush all these years

Fine, Mike. Then let Barack Obama come flat out with a host of statement son what he does not believe this or that concerning Iraq, 9/11, Al Qaeda, Afghanistan and a host of other similar topics.

Let Barack Obama put it all on the table. Specific. No question how he feels. Everything off his shirt sleeve and out into the public airwaves.

No more just debating Hillary.

Then let the elections begin.

What is so hard about that?

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 6:51 PM ET | 02-27-2008

"McCain....the man of the future, with all the wisdom of the past!" That is impossible so long as he and his policy proposals are aligned with the past (Iraq) and his more forward looking proposal (immigration) is now shelved to pander to the anti-immigrant crowd. One day McCain has the radio zealots against him, then the NY Times galvanizes these same anti-McCain forces to jump the fence and join McCain. But only for a moment as McCain carelessly schedules one of these minions to open a rally in Ohio. McCain then throws the minion under the bus and the now the radio zealots are back with their phony verbosity against McCain. I luv it!
And now McCain, in his grandfatherly, mea culpa face, can only say "sorry." If you want to be president McCain, stop pandering and tell us where you stand on the future of this great country.

Sent by Roger | 11:25 AM ET | 02-28-2008

Rodger,
"Those who do not learn FROM history, are condemned to REPEAT it!"

Iraq is reality. Like it or hate it, doesn't matter.
But, what is the next president going to do?

Obama: Pull everyone out (2009)?
Go back in (2010), to defeat the Al-Sadr (or over $150 oil)!
2010: Bankrupt the teasurery by giving free insurance to everyone who can be found (citizen or not)

Hillary: Same thing! Except give everything to the Chinese first.

McCain: (2009) Stay until Iraq can support itself! Halt the recession.
2010: Start production (not another study), PRODUCTION of fuel from AMERICAN sources. Hot Tip: Buy Sugar beets! Just as good as cane.
2011: Return to the Moon!
Restore our national pride!
Bring about the balanced, sustained growth for all people in all sectors without harming the trees.
2012: Run for re-election on his record (and win by 90%)

But, this also requires voting out those whining, cry-baby, Anti-Bush, Pro-marijuana, Anti-Tobacco, Sue-your-pants-off Democrats that can't stand to vote for a good idea (because it wasn't theirs)!

Sent by Harold | 1:37 PM ET | 02-28-2008

Harold, the next oil reserve is potentially in Canada. Sand oil. Supposedly more oil there than in Saudi Arabia. Given the rise of technology.

Hence, the Amero. The unification of the Canadian to American dollar to the peso.

Kind of solves a lot of problems, maybe? Including immigration?

As well as being competitive to the Euro?

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 2:57 PM ET | 02-28-2008

Oil sand, yes! The Amero, not really.
(I was "floored" when France and Germany agreed upon the Euro.)

I'm all for immigration. Just fill-out a visa first!

Sent by Harold | 4:44 PM ET | 02-28-2008

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