Republican presidential front runner John McCain wants to convince the United States that the war in Iraq is succeeding...even though Northern Iraq is in complete peril. If he can't get the American people to accept the Iraq war, he says, " I lose. I lose."
Right after McCain made the statement to reporters from his campaign bus, he didn't take long to back-pedal. "If I may, I'd like to retract 'I'll lose.' But I don't think there's any doubt that how they judge Iraq will have a direct relation to their judgment of me."
McCain has been an avid supporter of the Iraq War, and makes clear that he intends on keeping U.S troops in the Middle East until the "War on Terror" is complete. He made a statement last month indicating that the troops could possibly be in Iraq for another 10,000 years, and his support of the military surge has been something he constantly boasts about.
McCain's Democratic rivals argue his candidacy would serve as a continuation of George Bush's failed policies. McCain has fought back, saying that withdrawing troops would be like waving the "white flag of surrender."
Although many Republicans still support the Iraq War, Democrats and Independents want out, and they have good reason to. The war in Iraq has been anything but a successful fight against terror. In reality, terror as only increased in the Middle East.
The Turkish military's web site says an additional 41 Kurdish rebels have been killed in a cross-boarder operation in Iraq. A total of 153 Kurds have died since the beginning of Turkey's incursion, with Turkish troops destroying rebel shelters and logistic centers.
In addition, a suicide bomber blew himself up in Baghdad on Sunday, killing 40 Shiite pilgrims and injuring 60. The bombing was the second attack of the day. Hours earlier extremists used guns and grenades to attack a group of Sunnis in another part of Baghdad. The attack killed three and wounded 36.
Bush's policies along with the Iraq war have been complete failures. McCain's denial is a great indication that if he makes it to the White House, the failures will live on.
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Conditions in Northern Iraq Worsen...But McCain Says The War is a Success.
Posted Feb 25th 2008 3:06PM by Ana Kasparian
Filed under: Iraq, Politics, Elections, George Bush, Young Turks, John McCain
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Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 4)
16. Hey, all you pro-war neocons... if this war is so important, WHY AREN'T YOU THERE??? We military families are sick of bearing the burden of this war of greed and choice that you champion! So go ahead, sign up! Sign your kids and grandkids up while you're at it; McCain would have us there for 100 years!! Go over there and fight this thing out, if our "security" depends on it! Hey, better yet, since Iraq is improving so much and is so safe and secure these days, why don't you go ahead, bring your families there, and colonize it? You and McCain can stroll freely through the open markets in Baghdad as much as you want. But how about letting our real troops come home? It's very easy to support a war when you remain unaffected by it.
L.M. at 8:49PM on Feb 25th 2008
17. I wish we could actually get the balanced, fully honest word on the war. The conservative talk show hosts all say that good things are being done and the liberals all point out the continued violence. What is the FULL truth? How much better or worse is it really?
P.S. I really do think the conservatives would be more likely to be honest about what they know, but maybe their blind accepting of the war gets in the way of learning more... Oy.
Michelle at 8:49PM on Feb 25th 2008
18. "But good things ARE BEING DONE. We are helping them. I dont know why it had to be like this or why it is taking so long, but, I dont think we should leave, not until conditions are more stable."
Uh, Michele, we've destroyed their country, killed 1.4 million folks, few of which were actually Al qaeda, 2 million displaced and 2 million homeless. Maybe they don't want us to help anymore? Good things are being done? Conditions were stable before we went in. Now it's a mess. What have you been reading (or drinking)?
daytrip at 8:51PM on Feb 25th 2008
19. daytrip,
You must listen to liberals more. I know this might suprise you, but I listen to conservatives more. !
I just wish people could put aside their pride and passion enough to tell us the whole story. But there ARE two sides. The bad AND the good. Like everything.
Did you know that the libral media, when they set up shop over there, they get feeds that tell them about attacks and then they report it, but no one is assigned to find them the newest good things.
Michelle at 8:59PM on Feb 25th 2008
20. And read what Dave said Daytrip,
Its good.
Just because society may be more advanced now than in the last wars doesnt mean wars wont include violence anymore because its so last year.
Michelle at 9:07PM on Feb 25th 2008
21. And Daytrip,
You said, "Conditions were stable before we went in. Now it's a mess."
This may seem a little callous, but usually when youre cooking you make a mess. Lets just hope the cooks know what they are doing, make a good meal, and help clean up afterwards.
Michelle at 9:15PM on Feb 25th 2008
22. want four more years of bush? mccain's your man.
Clif Kuplen at 10:10PM on Feb 25th 2008
23. Gassett--This a free and democratic and the majority rules! If this was just and reasonable war and do anyone any good maybe more of us would agree with you. Had we used just the money given to Halaburton we at the very least made our borders alot safer. If any one doubts this take the time to do a little research. The problem with too many people making all these profound statements is they get their imformation from comments made by an individual or individuals from one political 0r the other.Research can be long tedious but you can get closer to the truth than listening to some flannel mouth polatican or in your favorite Bar or worse, fox news.
Bob Wilkinson at 10:21PM on Feb 25th 2008
24. WOW! I'm afraid my typing skills were showing on that last message.
Bob Wilkinson at 10:26PM on Feb 25th 2008
25. If I hear one more chucklehead repeat the righty
talking point " liberal media ", I believe my head might explode!
Why do you people buy this shit? Really, are you so far right that everything any media reports sounds
Liberal to you?
If the media were liberal,would they have been
so complicit and helpful to the bush admin when
it lied us into war?
The media loves war, it sells papers,it gets people
watching TV.
Bill O'really loves to attack NBC,calling it liberal.
NBC is owned by General Electric,one of our largest
defense contractors.
The " ultra liberal " New York Times was complicit
in the Valerie Plame outing.
They also just hired neo-con delusionist William
Kristol as a " respected columnist ".
Oh,and they endorsed McLame for Prez.
BOB JOHNSON at 10:56PM on Feb 25th 2008
26. Emily
How can you attest that conditions in Mosul are worse? I thought military personal are not allowed to pass that information onto civilians, like you, a wife, or they get in an awful amount of trouble. I also thought military mail is examined before mailing? I thought the first troop surge did not include Mosul.
robert okane at 11:50PM on Feb 25th 2008
27. Cenk-
Over the past year the surge has attacked Al Queda and driven them from its havens in Baghdad and most recently in Diyala, and Mosul has emerged as the latest and last large city that Al Queda operates.
AQ in Mosul maintains its only established supply line to Syria according to the Dec 2007 assessment of the terror groups capabilities.
The Mosul Offensive which was to begin Jan 26, is intended to drive AQ from its northern haven. This city is not under control of the Kurds, but there is a vote for Mosul to end up in control of the Kurds and in their region of Iraq. The Iraq forces had begun to arrive which will include elements of the Iraq 9th Army Division which also has an armoured component. Helicopters and additional armourand other Infantry elements are also being deployed from Baghdad along with a National Police Brigade, an Iraqi Special Operations Unit and up to 2 additional US Battalions. Iraq operations using mostly Iraq troops have been successful recently in Basrah, Diwaniyah, and Diyala.
CENK_
I know you think more highly of Turk Military over the US Military for its bravery and fighting skills, so is that why you bring in the Turk fighting with Kurd rebels, something that has been going on for ever. Iran is fighting with Kurds in their country to, but that is a long standing issue also.
Cenk-you are against this Iraq War, but as far as the battle for Iraq is concerned and most notable Mosul, your are pre judging to soon, but that could be on purpose. If in 1 or 2 months Mosul is quiet, you certainly will not be back with an update.
I would have loved to have seen you do live
coverage of WW2
robert okane at 11:51PM on Feb 25th 2008
28. On the news today they said that after the surge there would actually be MORE troops in Iraq than before the surge started. But really all of this argument is moot because Bush and Al malaki have made an agreement to make the Military presence in Iraq Permanent. That is why McCain KNOWS we will be there way after he is taking the long dirt nap.
Heidi at 11:58PM on Feb 25th 2008
29. If conservatives want their view told of the war then conservative Journalist should travel there to write the truth( How about someone from Faux News?) or conservative radio host should go there to broadcast several of their shows to talk the truth. I think it would be great if Russ Liebaugh, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, Laura Ingram, Savage, Drudge or any other conservative were to go to Iraq and do reports. Maybe even Thomas Gassett, Robert Okane, Paul Sparcello, Michele, Dave or any other conservative bloggers could go to Iraq and then come back and write an eloquent piece on this blog!
What puzzels me is that conservatives say the surge is working and things are improving or very good ( and Liberals just do not get it!) and additionaly, there seems to be some evidence that the Iraque people have decided to put a lid on the violence; but conservatives say we can not leave because the lid will explode from the boiling pot and mayhem will occur! Wait a minute, I am confused! Conservatives paint a rosy picture of a pardise and call Democrats stupid for not believing this but then say we can not leave because Iraq will descend into a hugh regional war and will be worse than it has been up to the present!
I need to go back to my University and demand my money back since my education sure has not helped me understand conservative logic in regards to Iraq success! Do any conservative on this blog have a good prediction as to when Iraque leadership will finally get sick of the Billions and Billions of dollars of U.S. welfare? All conservatives say welfare is destructuive and does not encourage self reliance or improvement in ones effort to be self sustaining, at least for needy Americans!!
Tommy at 12:18AM on Feb 26th 2008
30. BOB JOHNSON,
I think perhaps you were talking about me when you claimed urk at the "righty talking point 'liberal media'" You mentioned various things they get out of it.
BOB, its a tale tale sign that they are liberal that they talk against the war but are benifiting from it. And even if it wasnt, their policies are liberal. Big government. Abortion. Anything that the conservatives arent doing. Not that I completely agree with conservatives. Both sides... have their problems, but I think the libs policies are more dishonest.
Michelle at 12:21AM on Feb 26th 2008