McCain on Obama: A difference of 30,000 feet
CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA — While Sen. McCain slammed his Democratic rival repeatedly as a flip-flopper on trade policy aboard his flight from Indiana to Colombia, upon landing in Cartagena for the start of his 3-day Latin American swing McCain stayed true to his pledge to leave all politics at home — or at least on the plane.
“The only discussion I had concerning the presidential campaign was that I believe that that any partisanship ends at the waters’ edge. I do not speak about the presidential campaign,” McCain said at a press conference alongside President Alvaro Uribe after meeting with the Colombian leader Tuesday night. “I only discuss the issues of trade, of drugs, of better relations, of the situation with the FARC, a long list of issues - none of them having to do with the presidential campaign.”
But that answer came only hours after McCain held a nearly hour-long, in-flight session with reporters aboard his new campaign plane during the flight abroad where he hit Obama over and over on trade, including the Democrat’s opposition to the Colombian Free Trade Agreement.
“I don’t switch my position depending on what audience or what time it is in the electoral calendar. I think Americans want a leader they can trust and have confidence in and I believe that they will more and more see where Senator Obama has switched his positions on fundamental issues-not really cosmetic issues but fundamental issues,” McCain told reporters, noting that Obama has softened his rhetoric on free trade agreements months after blasting them during the primaries
“Now he has switched, I mean remarkably, from saying that he would unilaterally renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement in the strongest possible terms in Ohio - he went to North Carolina and said well, I’m for free trade. And also said that…he doesn’t believe in unilateralism,” McCain said.
McCain’s strongest rebuke came after he was asked if his openness to more free trade agreements could be a political liability this fall–especially in Midwest swing states suffering manufacturing job losses. He compared his trade stance to his support for the surge in Iraq, noting that he is willing to take on causes that seem unpopular at the time.
“I didn’t think that my position on Iraq may not have resonated with certain people. I have to do what I believe is right for this country. I’m a student of history,” McCain said, as two of his allies, Sens. Lindsey Graham and Joe Lieberman nodded as they sat on the floor alongside media and staff in a very packed compartment of the campaign plane. “But I also want to add very quickly that I understand the pain people are going trough. I understand the challenges. That is why I have come forward with a strong, viable education and retraining program for displaced workers. And so, to just be for free trade which is somehow it’s portrayed is one thing. But the fact is, I want free trade but I want be able to help displaced workers be helped right now. And we have a concrete, specific plan to do that.”
For his part, McCain continued his advocacy for the trade agreement on the ground at the Cartagena press conference, and while he avoided addressing Obama, he did call on the Democratic Congress to put the trade bill to a vote.
“I believe that the benefits of our trade have been very significant,” McCain said. “I just know that free trade is an important issue, not only for Colombia but I believe for the economy of the world and as you know, for the United States economy…I would urge that to start with that a vote be allowed in the United States House of Representatives.”
mccain knows what is right for the people of colombia and canada, but he doesn’t care about people in NY, OHIO, PA. we need a president who will face the problems and the issues of the american people.
Vote OBAMA 08
This story was very interesting but it was hard to read. There are to many typos in the writing especially in the McCain quotes. This makes McCain look no better then George Bush.
“But the fact is, I want free trade but I want be able to help displaced workers be helped right now.”
Or maybe McCain is just a second copy of Bush.
I hope “the very packed compartment” of the plane mentioned in the article is close to the center
of gravity. Balancing the load on a plane helps it fly better. I don’t care about Obama’s plane.
I find it funny Senator McCain had the gaul to call anyone a flip floper depending on who the audience is or what the general election calander says. First you were opposed to the Bush tax cuts, but now you are for them. You were against offshore drilling in May and now you are all for it.
Look like Mccain is more interested in other countries than our own.
that quote doesn’t make sense. even i can speak better than that
Fox again displays why they are considered a joke: they quoted McCain’s complete sentences.
Journalists are not supposed to quote Republicans in full. That is against the rules.
The proper procedure for quoting Republicans is to chop their sentences into phrases, needlessly insert interpretations between such quoted fragments, and then quote in full and at length the nearest partisan Democrat.
Shame on Fox!
An abroad presidential campaign trip, well, to me is debatable. Away from home on a very important holiday that should mean something, Independence Day for the United States i reason means different things to different people. Campaigning abroad or at home is important however the problems at home are mounting fast and working with the people for sound solution to stay independent, sovereign and solvent seems to be just as important, if not more so. Questions can be brought forth that are needed to be answered directly and honestly by our elected officials and potential elected officials. Such as why aren’t the people really directly involved properly and have the right to say to the wise men in congress and the senate we choose peace, now figure out how to do it and live in harmony with the rest of the world without war immediately or we will find another lot that is wise enough to accomplish the task. I surely don’t want to hear for another 50 years how complex these issues are and how seemingly they become more complex, are the wise men perplexed perpetually. oh well , what do i know i am just an old 60’s relic.
free spirit
Haha..the man who said the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy was against his conscience BUT now supports them thinks Obama’s the big flip flopper?? The guy who was against drilling and now is for it is the flip flopper?? The guy who admitted he knows absolutely nothing about the economy from his own mouth and we’re supposed to trust him??? SUREEE
Anybody but Obama.
McCain 2008 Hillary 2012
These are John McCain’s own words spoken on msnbc.com:
“I didn’t really love America until I was deprived of her company.”
See the video for yourself at:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/06/22/mccains-unpatriotic-words-caught-on-tape/
Now, we see that Michelle Obama is just as patriotic as John McCain. Anyone who denies this after seeing it with their own eyes is denying reality.
McCain is in Colombia? and not even talking about campaign? Why is he wasting his time? Go Obama! Vote for Obama 08! Supporters, please visit WhyObama08.org!
More like 30,000 years
I hope someone reports on how he ditched his first wife because she didn’t look good anymore and then hooked up with Cindy while still married.
Wow I just saw it,
McCain didn’t really love America until he was deprived of her Company.
With the free trade deals it go both ways.They buy ours and and we buy theirs. It does need to be more equiled out. Cost should be the same for their country as ours.
Comment by caliguy55
July 2nd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
These are John McCain’s own words spoken on msnbc.com:
“I didn’t really love America until I was deprived of her company.”
See the video for yourself at:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/06/22/mccains-unpatriotic-words-caught-on-tape/
Now, we see that Michelle Obama is just as patriotic as John McCain. Anyone who denies this after seeing it with their own eyes is denying reality.
=========================================================
I think we can get away with denying your particular reality Caliguy.
msnbc ? WHat a joke - - aiding Iran — destroying the ecology in our own country…
there is a fine source to quote …..
‘McCain noted that Republicans will also be able to coalesce around the differences they have with Democrats” That’s how they think - Americans against Americans. Stop the hating people - vote OBAMA !
And what is with all the advertizing on FOX for COAL - like McCain, old news, bad news, not best for America.
State of the City Shocker: Controversial National Anthem
Local jazz singer performs different version of song…………………………..
(btw this is not a different version - this is a different song,)
she LIED to these people by accepting the job and then not performing accordingly….
SHe is a LIAR she is a fraud BO is a fraud
LOt of FRAUD going around…
time this country stood for something real - not lies
Osama is a tax and spend liberal who wants to raise taxes and be dependent on foreign oil. The oil companies make 8 cents on a gallon of gas and the govt makes 17 cents, who needs the windfall profits tax? This guy is the second coming of carter aka worst president of all time. Osama’s tax strategy and economic packages defy logic and any economic reason, be ready for double digit inflation and gas rationing if this knothead is elected.
You know you libs, we should be so lucky to have anyone in the presidents office that would be as great as Bush.
You believe Obamas lies, how smart can you be?????????
Go McCain
caliguy55… WOW… I actually watched your whole clip, it is incredible!!!!!!!!!! I didn’t know how left-wing MSNBC was!!!!!!!!!
I wish every American would be forced to watch this news clip.
McCain is making my head spin…and it’s on important ISSUES, not nonfactual rumors, bogeyman innuendo, and manufactured controversies like “some” enjoy doing with Barack.
I wish the press would stop treating McCain with kid gloves…spread the word since they won’t…
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/7/3/0717/55880/710/545421
hey sammy we are lucky to have Bush? the war, the economy, recession. Yup we are real lucky
GO OBAMA
It would not be smart for McCain to push his briefing as indication positive of a superior status as world leader, or foreign policy. He was given a briefing not because of who he is, but because of where he was.
Those rebels have commited some rather violent acts. The “briefing” was more of a warning of potential future violence, than any sort intellectual meeting of the minds. As noted, not even Bush was briefed on the raid for the simple reason that he was not in Columbia. What if the raid had gone forth and McCain had gotten caught up in the middle of something violent related to it, and he had not been warned or briefed? That would not be good.
caliguy55 / BRS
I can tell you have never lived outside the US. Being prior military I have had the chance to see the world outside our castle walls. To understand first hand what luxuries are afforded to Americans and just what we take for granted. Until you have truly lived without you will never understand the amount of love and pride you discover upon returning that you never expected.
I hope you enjoy the turmoil, hatred, and arrogance that you are helping to fuel. Grow up
It seems fitting that McCain is campaigning in Columbia. They stand more to gain by McCain’s proposed policies than the American people do. The Trickle Down effect doesn’t really work when you let the wealth trickle right out of America.
McCain care for this country alot more ten Obama. He served dearly. Go McCain
As a democrat I have to say that I respect McCain’s integrity…I wish I could say the same about our candidate. It is not entirely Obama’s fault, but he has allowed himself to be used by the DNC.
THE DNC AND BIASED MEDIA HID OBAMA’S SORDID PAST UNTIL OVER HALF OF AMERICA HAD VOTED.
OBAMA WAS “SELECTED” — NOT “ELECTED”.
While suturing a cut on the hand of a Texas Rancher whose hand had been caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually, the topic got around to Obama and his bid for the presidency.
The old rancher said, Well, ya know, Obama is a ‘post turtle’.
Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked, ‘What is a post turtle’?
The old rancher said, When you’re driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that’s a ‘post turtle’.
The old rancher saw a puzzled look on the doctor’s face, so he continued to explain.
“YOU KNOW HE DIDN’T GET UP THERE BY HIMSELF,
HE SURE AS HECK DOESN’T BELONG UP THERE,
HE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WHILE HE IS UP THERE
AND YOU JUST WONDER WHAT KIND OF AN IDIOT PUT HIM THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.”
VOTE FOR JOHN McCAIN IN 2008.
We have the finest FEDERAL GOVERNMENT that special interest groups can buy. The AMERICAN PEOPLE are no longer represented AT ALL by any of our elected officials. Our representation at all levels including cities, counties states, etc are all on the take,and have basically become criminal enterprises that are not proscecuted at any level,no matter what the crime Is. Bush should have been impeached years ago,and Cheney should be In Federal prison. There are no longer ANY checks and balances In the Federal Government. The executive branch has trampled on our CONSTITUTION with no consequence or action from CONGRESS. We are at a crossroads,and we have two candidates for the PRESIDENT Of The United States that are In many respects even scarier than BUSH,and look at all the great accomplishments that he has achieved…. Write In a candidate,or vote for a third party to send the message that we have had enough of both the DEMS, and the REPOS…….. We have to start somewhere to take OUR COUNTRY BACK,and restore the rule of law to our CONSTITUTION. http://www.holidays.net/independence/story.htm