NPR: McCain, Clinton Clash Over Iraq Policy

McCain, Clinton Clash Over Iraq Policy

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton and Republican president nominee Sen. John McCain clashed over Iraq policy Monday.

Sen. Hillary Clinton at George Washington University.

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) delivers a speech on Iraq at George Washington University, March 17, 2008 in Washington, DC.

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

In her address, Clinton talked about her plans to start bringing home the troops from Iraq within 60 says of being elected president. She also sharply criticized Sen. John McCain for wanting to keep troops there for 100 years.

"Sen. McCain would gladly accept the torch and stay the course, keeping troops in Iraq for up to 100 years if necessary," she said. "That in a nutshell is the Bush-McCain Iraq policy -- don't learn from your mistakes, repeat them."

"We can have hundreds of thousands of troops on the ground for a hundred years, but that doesn't change the fact that there is no political solution to the situation in Iraq. Sen. McCain and President Bush claim withdrawal is defeat. Let's be clear, withdrawal is not defeat. Defeat is keeping troops in Iraq for 100 years."

But in an interview on CNN, McCain said Clinton's comments were proof she didn't understand the situation.

"Well, all I can say is that she obviously does not understand nor appreciate the progress that has been made on the ground. She told Gen. Petraeus last year when he testified that she would have to suspend disbelief in order to believe that the surge is working. Well, the surge is working.

"So I just think what that means is al Qaeda wins,'' he said. "They tell the world that. And we fight here again and around the Middle East. And their dedication is to follow us home.''

Meanwhile The Swamp reports that the presence of both Sen. McCain and Vice President Dick Cheney is Baghdad "will offer plenty of fodder for the Democrats portraying McCain's candidacy as 'McBush,' a third term for President Bush."

1:21 PM ET | 03-17-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

It's just a torrent of bull and spin from both sides of the aisle.

Picture clinton and mccain both vomiting out black fluid all over the microphones, and the press. And you have, a fitting visual representation.

Something is seriously wrong. Wake up.

Sent by Jody Sol | 2:02 PM ET | 03-17-2008

Hey John and Hillary, when you're done arguing, can one of you send my husband home? He's at Camp Victory. 6 feet tall, blonde, blue eyes...

I'd like to have him back before he gets blown up or mentally destroyed. Thanks.

Sent by Sallie | 2:48 PM ET | 03-17-2008

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