Obama's response to McCain's "news" of Al Qaeda being in Iraq

[usregimechange]

Run time: 02:44 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2pXElHV6FA   Posted on YouTube: February 27, 2008 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: February 27, 2008 By DU Member: usregimechange Views on DU: 3305

 
"There was no such thing as al Qaeda in Iraq until George Bush and John McCain decided to invade Iraq."

Story Highlights
# McCain questions whether Obama is aware of al Qaeda presence in Iraq
# Obama says there was no al Qaeda in Iraq until Bush, McCain decided to invade
# McCain statement: Comments during Democrats' debate were "timidity of despair"
# Obama: McCain has followed "George Bush into a misguided war in Iraq"
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/27/mccain.obama.iraq/index.html

[Bicoastal]

1. This man will kick McCain's translucent white ass!

[dhill926]

10. translucent white ass....

that is some funny shit....maybe add "old" to that

[gateley]

29. Maybe add "saggy" to that. nt

[Harry Monroe]

32. Gee, thanks for that

Now the image of McCain's old white translucent saggy ass will remain with me for the rest of the day. I didn't need that!!!

[Radical Activist]

2. This is a powerful argument Hillary could never make

because she voted for the Iraq war. She can't say the war was wrong from the start without looking like a weak flip flopper. Its why she is completely unelectable. No 1/2 hour jesuitical explanation for her vote will change that fact.

[usregimechange]

9. True but each have their weaknessess, granted that is a big one

[sloppyjoe25s]

35. As an Obama supporter - I'm still concerned about this

Unfortunately the MSM and general perception is that things are "improving" in Iraq. That is the basic narrative.

Obamas reponse is good - quite good as always - but he also looked just a TINY bit cute this time.
He has a little smirk when he delivers this line, that is almost like he is too happy he has such a good line.
He need to be careful he does not come across as too flippant about this issue.

The simple fact is that the MSM and alot of people still give credence to the argument:

"Al Qaeda is in Iraq - so we should stay until they are wiped out"

People generally don't like it - but alot of people are equally unsure that a pull out - even a "careful" one
is actually the best move right away. Eventually everyone wants out - but there is a feeling that both Democratic candidates
are not being 100% straight about what it means to "keep some troops in Iraq" to:

1. protect the embassy
2. continue strikes against Al Queda
3. ?? other ??

It's just a general feeling that the Dems are not being clear and specific enough. Fact is - any withdrawal is going to be
pretty messy, likely subject to some gruesome IED headlines, very wasteful (massive number of trucks and other heavy equipment
just left in Iraq - and not even usable because the supply chains necessary for parts, fuel, and other things really only exist
by dint of the massive supply chains that have followed the US occupation. Generally withdrawal will be a pretty unglorious affair - and legitimate questions arrise as to how it should proceed, and exactly how our force structure should evolve.

Obama is also quick to say "put more troops in Afghanistan". This is probably needed - but a much deeper analysis of
our mission in Afghanistan is also called for. Obama was genuinely hit - when Clinton pointed out he has not chaired any meetings on the mission in Afghanistan. No senate hearings are not the answer - and most Americans could give a shit. But it is legitimate to want a deeper understading of our policy in Afghanistan - before immediately calling for a major troop committment. A small number of additional troops in Afghanistan is probably a "no brainer" - since multiple NATO commanders have said they simply can't cover the minimum of their mission. But an expanded mission - and a more strategic policy is probably required.

Several commentators (notably ass face Lou Dobbs) - spend their whole broadcasts hammering Obama yesterday for "not doing his job" - not holding any oversight on Afghanistan - while running for Prez. Whatever the fairness - those sorts of charges can hurt Obama. At least in part because they feed a "narrative" that he is not serious or seasoned enough - particularly in foreign policy.

McCain is a fucking ass-hat. The good news is he is starting to drool like a mindless fuck, and thinks Putin is the president of Germany. Every month, his ability to hold an argument slips. Obama gets better and better, and can certainly hold his own.

But all of us should realize that this is an area where Obama needs to improve - as he has in so many others.

This is not something a VP pick can "solve" - because Obama will have to go toe-to-toe with McAss - and nobody in America votes for the VP - it's just a basic fact.

Right away - Obama needs to avoid looking "smug" delivering "lines" - and needs to not look flippant on this issue.
Obamas core strength is that he takes issues head on - and conveys sincerity and seriousness. It is why Clinton's attack on him
have always failed. But he is in some risky new territory - and McCain will not attack in the same way.

Obama will do this. I just hope he does not do any damage before he learns to master this area as well.

[Jack from Charlotte]

3. Nice reply but he needs do do it quicker.....

Had he put that answer together in about 20 to 30 seconds it be on every news show by now.

[usregimechange]

7. Just pointing out that I posted a CNN link

[Mojambo]

4. John McCain is NOT going to win a war of words with Barack Obama

But it's going to be fun to watch him try.

[my2sense]

5. Looks Like He Has Some Fight In Him

This is what I've been waiting to see from him. I guess he had to treat Clinton more carefully where as with McCain, I think he's going to lower the boom on him. Can't wait to seem them in a debate.

[peace13]

6. This was the most powerful statement of the day!

When he said this the crowd erupted and got to it's feet. The middle of Ohio and who knew that people realized this fact to be true. The arena was totally alive! I was so proud to be in the room with this man, who brings with him the promise of the return of habeas corpus and the death of the 'Patriot Act', When he stated that gasoline may go to $4 a gallon a few actually booed and the arena was totally quiet. His remark was that sometimes a leader has to tell the people what they don't want to hear. That it is was going to take all of us to solve our problems. I really can't do him justice. All I can say is that it was just good to hear our problems being addressed. Go Obama. I'm working to for you now. Peace, Kim

[sandnsea]

14. You were there??

You saw that in person???

[peace13]

18. Yes, I was there and saw that in person.

As posted, I can not put the words as eloquantly as he did but it was very impressive. The event was very amazing. When he fist came on it looked like he was still feeling the effects of the Tuesday debate but when he kicked in it was very uplifting. Don't know how they keep the schedule. We volunteered at the event and everything was very well organized. Peace, kim

[sandnsea]

19. It looks like the place just went wild

Did people really respond to it with the sense that, oh man this guy is going to kick GOP ass, or is that just me.

[peace13]

25. It was that way! n/t

[City Lights]

21. Hey Kim, I didn't realize you were there!

Too cool!

I didn't pay any attention to where this smack-down took place. Lucky you! :hi:

[peace13]

27. Yes, we were there!

You know how crazy the crowd went. When Obama debates Hillary I always want him to 'smack her down' but he is too much the gentleman and the chess player. I don't know how the man controls his emotions but my guess is that that is why he is where he is and why I am at home writing about how amazing he is. We were on the top level of this arena keeping lost souls in line. About 15 minutes before Obama arrived we went down on the floor. We were at the back of the floor pack but it was great fun. Security was very heavy and that made me very happy. Our SS stood behind us for most of the speech. What a job! I kept thinking of you and your family and how cool that was that you got to see the same together. Go Ohio. Go Obama. Hats off to those who came from out of state to help us pull this off. Peace and love, Kim

[usregimechange]

22. How many were there? Lucky you...

[peace13]

26. My guess was close to 8,000 to 8,500.

This is based on what our volunteer organizer said full house would be, 13,000. We had every ting full except the very top level of an old style college basketball arena. The crowd was compact and organized. It really was a fun thing to watch from the top level. Go Obama. Peace, Kim

[monmouth]

8. Ohhh, and Barack is just getting started...He's such a natural. He just

kicked McCain's ass and McCain will not feel insulted by it. That's powerful folks, people like that.

[sandnsea]

11. Oh. My. God.

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

:applause: :applause:

It's about damn time.

[City Lights]

12. I'm grinning ear-to-ear after watching that.

Thanks! :bounce:

[usregimechange]

16. I haven't seen that avatar before, where did you get it?

[City Lights]

17. I found it through Google Images. I love the sunrise in the middle.

B-)

Makes me :D

Feel free to use it! :hi:

[CJCRANE]

13. Great response n/t

[Luftmensch067]

15. K&R n/t

[Jack Rabbit]

20. K/R

!!

[mopinko]

23. gobama. who doesn't love this?

do they have a pulse?

[David Zephyr]

24. Biggest Political News Story of the Day!

K&R.

[gateley]

28. God that was GOOD! nt

[sandnsea]

30. kick n/t

[rndmprsn]

31. THIS is the debate we need to be having with the GOP

and man can this guy make the case!

[Gonnuts]

33. Obama is either a lair or ignorant ... why?

... because he still blames al Qaeda for 9/11 - al Qaeda is the Lee Harvey Oswald of 9/11 - and if he doesn't know this by now, he's either ignorant, which makes him unqualified to be POTUS, or he's a liar, which makes him part of the criminal gang that actually committed mass murder against it's own people.

Take your pick ...

[lovuian]

34. He was Awesome

:woohoo:

[Rosa Luxemburg]

36. That's exactly how Obama needs to fight back! Perfect!

Voters need to be reminded again and again and again!

[dbmk]

37. Back fire

Is it me - or did John McCain just deliver the headline for the GE campaign?

[bulloney]

38. Obama showed more brains in this scenario than Bush every has shown

and McCain will ever show. If I was McCain, I would be kicking my campaign advisors in the ass up and down the freeway for setting me up for such a slam.

Earlier in the week at a McCain rally in Cincinnati, local talk show host Bill Cunningham showed how much of a flaming asshole he is by working the knuckle-draggers in the audience into a frenzy by calling him Barack Hussein Obama. To McCain's credit, he did denounce Cunningham's remarks when told about them.

[BeyondGeography]

39. Beautifully done...like we're supposed to take strategic lessons from Bush-McCain

way to go, Barack.