McCain invites Obama to visit post-surge Iraq
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — It’s been nearly 29 months since Sen. Barack Obama made his first and only visit to Iraq and the McCain campaign believes that their likely Democratic rival needs to take a second look.
“Senator Obama keeps talking about an immediate withdrawal as soon as he gets to be president. The last time I understand he was in Iraq was in 2006. I would recommend that he go back. So much has happened since 2006 on the ground. It’s been extraordinary,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close McCain ally, told CBS Face the Nation yesterday. “I think if he would look at what’s happened in Iraq, talk to General Petraeus and (Prime Minister) Maliki, I think he would have a different view of what you need to do next.”
Graham even went so far as to invite Obama–who was last in Iraq in January 2006 as sectarian violence was raging and a year before the surge was implemented–to join McCain for a joint trip.
While the chances of seeing Obama and McCain grab a falafel together in a Baghdad market any time soon is very unlikely, the McCain campaign plans to push Obama’s lack of recent on the ground experience this week. The campaign sees this as another way to paint Obama as weak and inexperienced on foreign policy issues and argue that Obama’s call for a troop withdrawal is not backed up the most recent facts on the ground.
In contrast with Obama, McCain has flown to Iraq eight times since 2003, most recently visiting the country in March.
***UPDATE 7pm: McCain follows up on Graham comments in interview with the AP***
“Look at what happened in the last two years since Senator Obama visited and declared the war lost,” the GOP nominee-in-waiting told The Associated Press in an interview, noting that the Illinois senator’s last trip to Iraq came before the military buildup that is credited with curbing violence.
“He really has no experience or knowledge or judgment about the issue of Iraq and he has wanted to surrender for a long time,” the Arizona senator added. “If there was any other issue before the American people, and you hadn’t had anything to do with it in a couple of years, I think the American people would judge that very harshly.”
….
“For him to talk about dates for withdrawal, which basically is surrender in Iraq after we’re succeeding so well is, I think, really inexcusable,” said McCain, who has been to Iraq eight times, most recently in March.
Over the weekend, Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of McCain’s top surrogates, laid the groundwork for McCain’s criticism in a television interview in which he noted Obama’s absence from Iraq and floated the idea that Obama and McCain should go together to be briefed by Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Asked whether he’d be willing to take such a trip, McCain told the AP: “Sure. It would be fine.”
“I go back every few months because things are changing in Iraq,” he said. McCain questioned whether Obama has ever been briefed by Petraeus. “I would also seize that opportunity to educate Senator Obama along the way.”
Obama spokesman Bill Burton declined to respond directly to McCain.
“Senator Obama thinks Memorial Day is a day to honor our nation’s veterans, not a day for political posturing,” Burton said.
Tags: barack obama, Iraq, john mccain, Lindsey Graham
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Amen!!
We love American service men and women stay in Japan for a LING TIME!!
THANK YOU AMERICA!
THANK YOU MCCAIN 08′
McCain raises a very good point, McCain’s seen the before the surge and after, Obama just uses the Dem talking points.
Well Mr McCain…
If Iraq is doing so great, then it’s another sign that it’s TIME TO COME HOME!!!!
Alot of Americans don’t visit Iraq, and have it paid from our Tax Dollars!!!!!
Yet, we still know it’s time to leave Iraq!!!!
The war was a waste of American Money and American Lifes!!!! It was a war started over lies!!! Where’s those Weapons Of Mass Destruction Mr Bush, Mr McCain????? Your War of LIES, RUINED our ECONOMY!!!!!
That makes me wonder…has Obama ever gone there??? Likely not and yet he would desire to give up and enslave millions to the yoke of minority insurgents and iranian operatives. Now that is what I call a US far left liberal how gives into our enemies!!!!!!!!
Go McCain!!!He has the best view on this issue!!!
Hakabee and his marksmen is aiming a gun at Obama Now McBush wants to send him to Iraq well forlks this is enough do not send him to the republican gas chamber which is the war started by BushMcCain and the repulican’
Mr. McCain says Barack can’t speak on veterans issues because he served the military and Barack did not.
Did he ever tell Bush and Cheney the same?
The truth is John McCain has repeatedly voted against supporting veterans.
McCain Voted Against $19 Billion for Military Hospitals. In February 2006, McCain voted against an amendment that would have provided for at least $19 billion for military health facilities, paid for by eliminating tax cuts for the wealthiest earners.
*Senate Amendment 2735, Amendment failed.
McCain Voted Against Legislation to Provide $2.8 Billion For Medical Care for Veterans. McCain voted against a 2006 Democratic amendment that would have provided $2.8 billion to increase veterans’ medical care.
*Senate Amendment 149, Amendment failed.
McCain Voted Against Establishing $1 Billion Trust Fund to Provide Improvements to Military and Veterans’ Health Facilities. McCain voted against an Amendment to establish a $1 billion trust fund to provide improvements to health facilities that treat veterans and military personnel to lapse on December 31, 2006.
*Senate Amendment 2735
McCain voted Against Adding $1.5 billion to Veterans’ Medical Services in 2007 Budget by Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes. McCain voted against an Amendment offered by Democrats to increase medical services funding to veterans by $1.5 billion in 2007.
*Senate Amendment 3007
McCain Voted Against Mandatory Funding of $6.9 Billion in 2007 Budget and $104 Billion Over Five Years for Veterans’ Health Care.
McCain voted against a Democratic amendment to provide a mandatory stream of funding of $6.9 billion in Fiscal Year 2007 and $104 billion over five years for veterans’ health care.
Senate Amendment 3141
September 2007: McCain voted against the Webb amendment calling for adequate troop rest between deployments.
This doesn’t go without saying, but Obama’s visit to a war zone during such an incredibly tumultuous time in the historical significance of this country’s Presidential Elections would be both fool hardy and petty.
Further, it would suggest that Obama should bow down to someone (McCain) who has a weak policy on war efforts in a nation that we shouldn’t have been involved with in the first place.
The stance that Obama maintains, without wavering, on the Iraq war demonstrates his commitment and conviction to doing what he says he wants to do. This act and this stance is something that would benefit this country far more than maintaining a war effort that is costing this country TRILLIONS of dollars that could otherwise be used for strengthening our great nation from within.
That said, this ploy to get Obama to visit something that (no matter how it’s spun) remains a war 2 years after his last visit and more than 5 years after our current President announced that it was over, is merely pressing an issue that americans do not favor in the majority, regardless.
So, McCain, go right ahead and offer this continuance of the war effort to Obama… it is your every right to try and play politics at a time when this country needs to be united within. My only word of advice for you is that you don’t act surprised when your own stance on the war costs you the election in November.
It will Never Happen, He might have to salute some troops and we know hae has a problem satuting.
Obama is a joke, this man is talked in mexio about patriots, honoring them and the uniform they wear, the sacrifice they make, but he won’t even salute the flag these men defend.
This is kind of beside the point. 62-68 % of Americans oppose the war in Iraq. Obama can go have a look see but isn’t likely to walk away with the same take on it as McCain and Lindsey Graham.
Obama is a coward who would be committing political suicide if he ever admitted that Iraq is a winnable cause. Plus, Iraq doesn’t have any Whole Foods stores, where would he shop?
Here are my headlines:
“Obama Invites McCain to a Long Overdue Meeting with The American People and the World”
“Obama Invites McCain to Return to Planet Earth”
“Obama Invites McCain to Stand for Something… Anything… Anything at all…?”
Barack Obama/Kathleen Sebelius 08′
he doesn’t care if the surge is working or not all he want is TAX AND SPENTand the war hurt his program of TAX AND SPENT. exam. of TAX AND SPENT 28% capital gains taxs i’m middle class and can’ afford obama TAX AND SPENT program.
He certainly seems to want to be hands off on this issue. I bet he would not receive a warm welcome from the troops. They might even mistake him from an insurgent.
Obama won’t go. Like all liberal democrats he can’t take the chance of seeing success, it goes against the Democrat “Hate Bush” agenda !!
why will obama not go and see the progress made? Because, the truth is not what he wants. Only the truth according to barak
Wikipedia defines antidote as “a substance which can counteract a form of poisoning.”
McCain must be crazy. Barry is to busy now acting like the imaginary Democratic nominee. Maybe he has the same condition Clinton had when she thought she was in sniper fire.
hi
Since B.O. refuses to debate Hillary of his same party, it is very unlikely that B.O. would go to Iraq with John McCain — but good try President McCain.
But speaking to Prime Minister Maliki is not as popular as talking to syria of iran!
Obama will never accept McCain’s invitation. Trip would be much “too dangerous” for Obama…guns. bombs and terrorists! WOW…a guy could get hurt…
Obama will never accept McCain’s invitation! Too dangerous…a guy could get hurt. Obama is way too smart for such a foolish visit to see our brave troops!
Cowboy GWB is more respectful then clown-communist borok
He won’t go back nor will he admit he has taken the wrong position so what’s the use.
we want out of iraq!are you deaf?warmonger!
I doubt Obama will visit Iraq during the nomination race. He can’t afford to have to add any legitimacy to any progress in Iraq. He might during the general election though. Not only that, but so far his only mention of meeting with foreign leaders in if they are at odds with us and without any precondidtions. I think not going to Iraq is a poltically smarter choice for him it will allow him to continue to deny progress in Iraq without first hand experience. If he goes, he would have to make an admission of success there and that is something he cannot allow to happen. Obama might want to make some consideration of the Prateaus reports though to at least add some validity to his remarks about the situation in Iraq. Something along the lines of, “The General’s report says things are improving in Iraq adn while that may be true…” and then go on to reiterate the plans to leave Iraq, regardless.
Obama can’t go. He might dirty his suit.
McCain says it’s safe to walk the streets of Baghdad at night. General Petraeus’s people say not so. You cannot go out with anything less than an up-armored humvee. It is also said that nobody could walk the streets without heavily armed protection. Faced with evidence he was wrong he denied he said it. It was broadcast on television. He seems to be a little off in a lot of things including the economy.
Which would be what Obama would say when he doesn’t have an answer. Didn’t stop Obama from talking about his campaign with Richardson standing alongside.
There was so much progress when McCain was last there he only needed 4 brigades, 6 plattoons, 8 blackhawk copters overhead and no telling how many blackhawk mercenaries in the area just to walk a block.
John McCain went in secret. Nothing was reported until afterwards lest he be a target. But John McCain wants Obama
to go over and he’s ready to announce Obama’s itinerary to the world in advance.
Sorry John. We know you and Hillary want to plan the demise of an American. You’ve both made your wishes clear.
That’s why you are both going down. The last thing America needs right now is the likes of either of you. America is
waking up.
Hey John, maybe you can show him some of those unarmored Humvee(s) that you keep talking about.
McCain will have to wait until Obama finishes touring the 57 states before he can go to Iraq. LOL
why would anywhere want to go anywhere with Obama NO THANKS
Obama would hide under a rock and beg McCain to keep him safe.
If Obama was there 29 months ago, it is a good idea for him to go back to Iraq.
He will be able to see for himself, the amazing progress our troops have made. Obama can talk to Patraeus, without all the badgering he pulled on the general when Patraeus testified before Congress.
He can talk man to man, instead of putting on a show for the cameras. This way Obama can come back and tell us first-hand what he saw.
I doubt Obama will go.
The far left is operative by Soros and moveon.org types these are the ones who need to go Iraq and see progress. They will never go for fear they will get to know the iraq citizens and their plans are to let them eat cake with enslavement by the extreme minority insurgents and iran operatives. Obama too has no want to further become familar with those he desires to enslave.
Good luck. Judging by obama’s command of the U.S. map and foreign affairs, he problably doesn’t even know where Iraq is or what language they speak…
McCain wants Obama there so Obama can remind him which ones the Sunnis are and which ones are the Shiites.
McCain makes sense….Obama does not know what he is doing.
John McCain, who repeatedly referred to Osama Bin Laden as a radical Shi’ite cleric, is going to educate Obama about the region? Please. I don’t know how much Obama knows about the history of the Middle East, but if McCain thinks that the Wahhabist sect is Shia, he’s the one that needs to do some brushing up.
Barack should invite grandpa McBush III to the south side of Chicago or the hood in LA to see what IGNORING this country has lead too !
Vote OBAMA !
obama is a joke!
Obama claims he didn’t serve because there was not war. Why didn’t he enlist anyway to show his partriotism, war or no war?
The post Surge wil reveal the wear and tear of our Troops
McCain needs to worry about what is going on in the U.S. as much as he talks about IRAQ and WAR!!… Im tired of HIM and HILLARY.
What a buffoon. I’m sure McCain thinks this is some sort of “offensive” move but this approach just makes him look like an old man that can’t get past name calling as part of his tactical strategy.
Bob Barr is a _much_ better qualified candidate than McSenile!!
Obama is a sissy, and he wont go anywhere!!!!!!!!
i am worried about the quality of obama and his university record. As someone who must have had affirmitive action and thinks there are 57 states in the usa i would like instead of tax records academic records
Right on! McCain 08′
McCain has a point. If obama knows so much about iraq why doesn’t he go there and find out for himself? What is he afraid of?
He obviously needs help in recognizing Sunnis and Shia and Al Queda in Iran-Iraq, did he invite Lie-berman also?
I cannot believe there is no blog topic specifically about ‘Trottagate’
In an appalling gaffe Sunday, journalist Liz Trotta made a distasteful joke and lumped presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama in with United States enemy Osama Bin Laden, saying she wished them both dead.
Trotta was discussing Obama opponent Hillary Clinton’s citing of the RFK assassination during the 1968 Democratic primary contest as a reason for her staying in the race.
“And now we have what some are reading as a suggestion that somebody knock off Osama, um uh, Obama - well, both if we could.” she said laughing. The hosted merely joined in the joke with her, saying “talk about how you really feel,” and quickly moved on.
Has anyone considered perhaps Senator Obama is simply afraid to go to Irqaq or Afghanistan?
[...] spokesman Bill Burton called McCain’s original proposal a “political stunt” in an email exchange with Talking Points Memo, the popular liberal [...]
[...] “a profound misunderstanding” for the situation on the ground in Iraq, Sen. John McCain repeated his call Wednesday for his Democratic rival to join him for a trip to the war [...]