ChasingBlueSky 0 #1 December 13, 2004 You have to wonder how many more people have to point out the screw ups about this war before Bush and Rummy do something about it. You have the people that were forced into retirement before the war, the troops are speaking out, and now McCain. It is really feeling like McCain is going to throw his hat in the ring in 2007. http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041213/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/mccain_interview By BETH DeFALCO, Associated Press Writer PHOENIX - U.S. Sen. John McCain said Monday that he has "no confidence" in Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, citing Rumsfeld's handling of the war in Iraq and the failure to send more troops. McCain, speaking to The Associated Press in an hourlong interview, said his comments were not a call for Rumsfeld's resignation, explaining that President Bush "can have the team that he wants around him." "I have strenuously argued for larger troop numbers in Iraq, including the right kind of troops — linguists, special forces, civil affairs, etc.," said McCain, R-Ariz. "There are very strong differences of opinion between myself and Secretary Rumsfeld on that issue." When asked if Rumsfeld was a liability to the Bush administration, McCain responded: "The president can decide that, not me." McCain, a decorated Navy veteran and former Vietnam prisoner of war, is a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which has oversight of military operations and considerable influence over the Pentagon budget. Pentagon spokesman Larry Di Rita said McCain "has frequently expressed his views regarding troop levels in Iraq, and he is an important member" of the committee. Rumsfeld has "relied upon the judgment of the military commanders to determine what force levels are appropriate for the situation at hand," Di Rita said._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slug 1 #2 December 13, 2004 Hi CSB I'm wondering who would be willing to step up and try and turn this thing around. I don't see a solution except sending in more troops but if they don't have the right equipment whats the point? We're stuck with a mess. The only thing that is left to do IMO is put a spin on it, Democratic election pull put the troops out claim a success and don't look back R.I.P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #3 December 13, 2004 QuoteHi CSB I'm wondering who would be willing to step up and try and turn this thing around. I don't see a solution except sending in more troops but if they don't have the right equipment whats the point? We're stuck with a mess. The only thing that is left to do IMO is put a spin on it, Democratic election pull put the troops out claim a success and don't look back R.I.P. You forgot "...give everyone a medal..."... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #4 December 14, 2004 actually we could admit we were wrong to the international community, and ask for help to fix the mess we have on our hands... this would certainly go along way towards showing the 'average iraqi' that we arent empire building.... McCain should have run 8 years ago...____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #5 December 14, 2004 But McCain was a Clinton appointee....wait no But McCain has joined the Kerry campaign...wait no But McCain is just trying to sell books....wait no. How will neo-cons rationalize this? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #6 December 14, 2004 QuoteBut McCain was a Clinton appointee....wait no But McCain has joined the Kerry campaign...wait no But McCain is just trying to sell books....wait no. How will neo-cons rationalize this? Facts be damned - It's all Clinton's fault ANYWAY!... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gravitymaster 0 #7 December 14, 2004 I agree with McCain. Rumsfeld should be fired. The question is, who should replace him? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 0 #8 December 14, 2004 WTF? McCain blasts the administration before campaigning starts, gets all cozy during the campaign, then proceeds to blast them again after the election. I don't get it. The policies toward Iraq are the same as they have been for years. What am I missing here? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #9 December 14, 2004 QuoteWTF? McCain blasts the administration before campaigning starts, gets all cozy during the campaign, then proceeds to blast them again after the election. I don't get it. The policies toward Iraq are the same as they have been for years. What am I missing here? Playing the party lines so he can get elected in '08?_________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #10 December 14, 2004 >McCain blasts the administration before campaigning starts, gets all >cozy during the campaign, then proceeds to blast them again after the > election. I don't get it. . . . .What am I missing here? He wanted Bush re-elected. I hope it does not come as a suprise to you that politicians are not always honest. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 0 #11 December 14, 2004 QuoteHe wanted Bush re-elected. I hope it does not come as a suprise to you that politicians are not always honest. If McCain wanted Bush to be re-elected, why not support him publicly? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #12 December 14, 2004 Quotewhy not support him publicly Um, he did, quite publicly... These comments are against Rummy though, not Bush... McCain has had a rub with Rummy for a long time. JAll that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ahegeman 0 #13 December 14, 2004 QuotePlaying the party lines so he can get elected in '08? Ding ding ding ding!! We have a winner!--------------------------------------------------------------- There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'. --Dave Barry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #14 December 14, 2004 Did you miss Kerry almost asking McCain to run with him? McCain must have felt some obligation to his party.Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 0 #15 December 14, 2004 QuoteDid you miss Kerry almost asking McCain to run with him? McCain must have felt some obligation to his party. Sure didn't. He ended up campaigning with Bush, which makes me wonder if he just did it out of party ties. If that is the case, I've lost a bit of respect for him. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #16 December 15, 2004 I think he is trying to send the message that while he may not be behind the president in his personal opinions, he is, in fact, still a Republican. Personally, while I don't agree with his politics, generally, I believe he would be a qualified president, at least relative to the last four we have had. I was disappointed to see him lose the primaries in 2000. He could have defeated Gore in a landslide, I think, fair and square. Just my $.02.Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
