McCain Makes False Claims On Iraq Timeline (VIDEO)

McCain Makes False Claims On Iraq Timeline (VIDEO)

www.huffingtonpost.com

In an interview with CBS News' Katie Couric tonight, John McCain made the false assertion that the Surge brought about the so-called Anbar Awakening. Except, as MSNBC"s Keith Olbermann points out, the Surge was announced after the Awakening. Olbermann also explains that CBS News edited the gaffe out of the final interviewed that aired Tuesday night.

(visit the link for the full news article)


Related News Links:
www.cbsnews.com
Obama campaign: McCain flubs on Iraq timeline

Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
Belief is growing that the media is trying to help Obama win.
Obama says he wouldnt support surge if he could, MSNBC agees.

[edit on 7/23/2008 by Hal9000]

In an attempt to show how Barrack Obama was wrong about the success of the Surge in the Iraq War, John McCain has shown how he is the one who misunderstands the conditions on the ground. Obama gave credit to the Sunni Awakening for the reduced violence in Iraq, which started before the Surge in troops, but McCain said it was the surge that lead to the Awakening.

It is also interesting that CBS had edited that part of the interview out. In the midst of discussing whether Obama is receiving favorable treatment by the Media, this may show that CBS was trying to cover for McCain.

See the attached news article for a transcript of the interview.

www.huffingtonpost.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

I did see this and maybe someone can help me understand. I get the timeline and that McCain screwed up (again), but what would be the lie? That he's purposely using the awakening to "sell" the surge? Knowing full well it happened before the surge?

It's hard to tell whether or not he's lying or just feeble-minded. Either way... This whole focus on the surge reeks of manipulation.

I personally have the opinion that the surge didn't do a damn thing, they're just spinning it to make it sound like that for McCain's benefit. There's probably some deal between the governments where Iraqis would calm the violence if Bush promises to start talking about a "time horizon" to GTFO. That way, we can claim the surge worked and walk away with our pride. It's all very suspicious how these claims that "The Surge Worked" just started popping up in the past couple weeks along with Bush's willingness to talk about a "time horizon", not willing to say the words, "timeline for withdrawal". What an idiot!

Troop Surge Timeline

The surge was more than a year ago! And was declared over in November. And just within the past couple weeks, I've heard McCain (and people here) parroting "The surge worked! The surge worked"!

November 24, 2007: The troop surge in Iraq was effectively declared over when officials announced that 5,000 soldiers will this week begin pulling out in response to declining violence.
...
November 28, 2007: Presidential candidate Joe Biden (D-DE) states his view on the troop surge, “This whole notion that the surge is working is fantasy

I have this sneaking suspicion that we are being lied to yet again either about a behind-the-scenes deal between the governments or the level of violence there to make it appear that things are better there. I suspect the former.

So whether McCain is lying or just feeble, something's fishy about this. I doubt CBS is complicit, but I could be wrong. They probably either didn't think to check or just brushed it off as McCain being confused again.

This is another "Mission Accomplished" moment and shame on people for falling for it again.

[edit on 23-7-2008 by Benevolent Heretic]

The surge was instrumental in getting the sunnis to trust us. My brother works with them everyday, so don't give me this liberal talking point BS. I've been there, I know.

reply to post by Dronetek


Wow then it must be true . Those documents and the videos and all the proof you just offered have me convinced. /s

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
I did see this and maybe someone can help me understand. I get the timeline and that McCain screwed up (again), but what would be the lie? That he's purposely using the awakening to "sell" the surge? Knowing full well it happened before the surge?

I don't think he lied about it on purpose, and I think that was a little over the top for Olberman to say that. I think that it was what one of his advisers told him to use it as a good counter point to Obama for giving credit to the awakening for the success of the surge, and simply forgot the timeline.

So whether McCain is lying or just feeble, something's fishy about this. I doubt CBS is complicit, but I could be wrong. They probably either didn't think to check or just brushed it off as McCain being confused again.

I think that CBS would have to be accountable, because they edited the video so that the question was different than what was asked, and the answer McCain gave was from a completely different question according to the transcript. I would like to know how often something like this happens from any news source.

reply to post by Dronetek

I'm not saying, as well as Obama is not saying that the additional troops did not help reduce violence in Iraq. They did a great job, and their service as well as yours is appreciated. However what Obama is saying is that the Anbar Awakening and having the Sunnis cooperate as well as going after al Qaeda should also be given credit for reducing the violence.

Do you think the Surge would have succeeded without their help? I doubt it.

Obama said in Jordan today; “let me be very clear, Israel is a strong friend of Israel’s.”

Thought I'd bring that up, what with McCain being accused of being a feeb and all. At least McCain can speak without a teleprompter.

For those who say that the surge has become a topic only recently, I say go back and revist the news. It's been praised by Reps and Dems,and the troops themselves since at least all of 2007.

Of course, Obamatrons wouldn't know that particular fact.

Originally posted by jsobeckyObama said in Jordan today; “let me be very clear, Israel is a strong friend of Israel’s.”

Yeah, that was funny. It's true, though!

For those who say that the surge has become a topic only recently, I say go back and revist the news. It's been praised by Reps and Dems,and the troops themselves since at least all of 2007.

Yes, it's true. But it's become a HUGE issue in the last couple weeks. When McCain needed it most. I've heard MORE about its supposed success in the last 2 weeks than the previous year altogether.

[edit on 23-7-2008 by Benevolent Heretic]

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
So whether McCain is lying or just feeble, something's fishy about this. I doubt CBS is complicit, but I could be wrong. They probably either didn't think to check or just brushed it off as McCain being confused again.
[edit on 23-7-2008 by Benevolent Heretic]

CBS might indeed be complicit in this regard. If McCain takes himself out of the race figuratively, by acting feeble and absent minded, it does nothing for the election coverage that CBS is hoping to sell advertising dollars during. The countless hours of pundits talking to here themselves speak would be for naught. A close race sells airtime, with a landslide, Americans would turn off their televisions, or at least turn the channel to something interesting.

Also, CBS has a Bush family connection*, so maintaining the status quo might be in their best interests as well. I hesitate to call it Bush's third term if McCain were to be elected, but many of the policies and strategies are the same. But more importantly for McCain, is this telling bit of dialog from the Chris Matthew's show, with a bit of commentary from CrooksandLiars:
The Chris Matthews Show: Why The White House REALLY Wants McCain To Win

The White House wants McCain to win because they know there would be no accountability for all their criminal acts with another Republican in office.

FINEMAN: If you’re in this White House, you want another Republican administration to follow. You don’t want a Democratic administration coming in there while the evidence is still fresh, so to speak. To look at it the way…

MATTHEWS: With the subpoena power…

FINEMAN: With the subpoena power and looking through all the records and looking at all the decisions that were made. You want to cover over your two terms with a third term the way Ronald Reagan did with George HW Bush.

All of which is undoubtedly true, and one can only hope that there might be a depressingly rare accountability moment coming from a Democratic White House (although nothing about the current Democratic majority would lead us to believe they have the fortitude to pursue it). But the thing that chaps my hide is the tacit admission by Fineman that the Bush administration would have stuff to hide. Not that they don’t…we’ve been saying so since the beginning of C&L, but that after years and years of having Fineman and Co. make excuses for the Bush administration and be content to regurgitate their talking points (just as Kelly O’Donnell unapologetically does in this clip), NOW Fineman admits it as if it’s been common knowledge all along.

I am of the opinion that CBS removed his wrong answer on purpose, with the intent to keep the election process greased until it gets closer to November. McCain will continue to say remarks like this, and they will get covered up the best that the Mainstream Media can until we get closer to voting. That is my slant.

DocMoreau

* George W. Bush's grandfather Prescott, was a member of CBS' Board of Directors for many years. Interesting to note that the Bush family are Republicans, but one of Prescott's closest 'friends' was a Democratic power broker. Two sides of the same coin.

Bush was on the board of directors of CBS, having been introduced to chairman William S. Paley around 1932 by his close friend and colleague William Averell Harriman, who became a major Democratic Party power-broker.

Interesting, possibility, Doc. You may have something there. Also, I know Obama has been covered more than McCain by the network news, but since he's been out of the country, I've noticed a lot more McCain coverage than I expected. His "VP whispers", the surge! A few new ads and a townhall of his on MSNBC yesterday that I actually watched a few minutes of. (As an aside, he's as bad as Bush with his inappropriate smirks) Plus this interview.

Anyway, it makes sense that the coverage is being evened out to make him more of a contender. What a game!

I honestly don't think we'll see a new president in January, but that's another subject, too.

Originally posted by jsobecky

Obama said in Jordan today; “let me be very clear, Israel is a strong friend of Israel’s.”

Thought I'd bring that up, what with McCain being accused of being a feeb and all. At least McCain can speak without a teleprompter.

Are you sure it wasn't a Freudian slip? I also think it is true.

And unless you can show that some news channel edited out the comment, it really isn't relevant.

Of course, Obamatrons wouldn't know that particular fact.

I always thought you had more class than to resort to name calling, but to correct you it is "Obama Cybernaut", thank you very much.

Originally posted by Hal9000

Originally posted by jsobecky
Obama said in Jordan today; “let me be very clear, Israel is a strong friend of Israel’s.”

Are you sure it wasn't a Freudian slip? I also think it is true.

Hmmm. Speaking to an Arab audience on Israel, he said that Israel is a friend to Israel. To me he is saying that Israel only looks out for themselves. It might be a Freudian Slip, but it is also very, very true. Unless someone could find where he 'corrects' himself, and said something like Israel is a friend of America, or Jordan, I really don't think he is being 'feeble'...
DocMoreau

This is feeble:



[edit on 23/7/2008 by DocMoreau]

It is MHO that the LARGEST reason behind the decreases in violence is the progress (for lack of a better word) of the ethnic cleansing.

The sunnis and shias cleaned out the others from their territories and the violence as a result dramatically declined. Sure the troops probably helped a bit too but I do not believe for a second that they were the main cause of decreasing violence.

JSObecky posted a quote from Obama to show that Obama too makes slips of the tong and brain. I would have to say that it is true that everyone makes mistakes, however McCain has shown time and time again that he is having a difficult time keeping his facts straight, there simply is no comparison between these two.

reply to post by Hal9000

Originally posted by Hal9000

Of course, Obamatrons wouldn't know that particular fact.

I always thought you had more class than to resort to name calling, but to correct you it is "Obama Cybernaut", thank you very much.

Oh, get serious! I've been called so many names here because of my political leanings that it's not even funny! I've been told to suck it up because it's just someone's opinion of me. Right, BH?

Well, in my opinion, Obamatrons wouldn't know about, or acknowledge the fact that the surge has worked. If you and BH fall into that crowd, then wear the shoe. I didn't say you or BH were Obamatrons, but apparently you think you are.

BH, you especially are so quick to apply a double standard that it isn't funny.

Take it in the context it was meant - that there are those here who are so enamored with Obama that they cannot see the whole spectrum of events unfolding around them.

I don't keep up with the latest name you people like to be called. And I refuse to. So man up and stop whining.

reply to post by jsobecky

Relax. It was just a joke.

McCain Denies He Mis-Spoke about Iraq Surge Timeline

His logic does not resemble our Earth Logic...