NPR: FactCheck: DNC Ad on McCain Misleading

FactCheck: DNC Ad on McCain Misleading

FactCheck.org takes a look at the new Democratic National Committee ad about Sen. John McCain's statement that a 100-year U.S. presence in Iraq would be "fine with me." And FactCheck finds that the DNC leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to getting the facts straight.

Here is the ad:

Here's what FactCheck had to say:

The clear implication is that if McCain is elected, we can expect to be battling in Iraq for many decades to come. But the admakers cut off the rest of McCain's response, which provides some badly needed context:
McCain, town hall meeting, Jan. 3: Maybe a hundred. ... We've been in Japan for 60 years. We've been in South Korea for 50 years or so. That would be fine with me, as long as Americans, as long as Americans are not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed. It's fine with me and I hope it would be fine with you if we maintain a presence in a very volatile part of the world.

FactCheck says the DNC ad falsely leads people to believe that McCain would be happy to see the war continue for 100 years at its current level of fighting.

"McCain has said quite clearly that he considers Democratic proposals for a quick withdrawal from Iraq to be 'surrender,' and so deadly fighting could well continue longer under a President McCain than under either a President Hillary Clinton or a President Obama. But what the DNC ad conveys is the opposite of what McCain said."

12:30 PM ET | 04-30-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Hmm. Quick soundbites from an inflammatory statement needing some context? Sounds strangely familiar...

In all seriousness, as Public Enemy said, "Don't believe the hype." Read as much as you can, consider both sides, keep your mind open - think for yourself. That goes for both sides who have quite simply lost their way when it comes to something resembling leadership. Barack Obama wrote very eloquently in his book that we have become a "this-or-that" culture, where you have two extremes and a vast gap of nothingness in the center. There should be no place for absolutionism - it is what people like Al-Qaida feed upon, after all.

Sent by James Cutler | 12:41 PM ET | 04-30-2008

Good for factcheck.org! This nonsense is unnecessary. Both parties have plenty of real stuff to advertise that will distinguish their candidate from the other one. Deception is not needed (or wanted).

Tom: Keep telling us when this stuff happens. Thanks!

Sent by Gary | 1:43 PM ET | 04-30-2008

Honestly if McCain is elected it would be a Diplomatic nightmare. I believe he would look to occupy Iraq for years to come. If his stance was that he wouldn't mind staying in Iraq as long as American wasn't being hurt, he would in fact be on board with withdrawing troop. They are dying at a faster pace than we seen in the month of December. If this is a lie or not, if he is elected, we are doomed to repeat the past 8 years all over again.

Sent by Cedric | 4:22 PM ET | 04-30-2008

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