U.S. losing war in Afghanistan, McCain says

[brooklynite]

Source: CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former GOP presidential nominee John McCain warned Wednesday that the United States is losing the war in Afghanistan.

The Arizona senator, the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said that while he approved of President Obama's recent decision to send 17,000 more troops to the country, he believed an additional allied military and civilian surge would be necessary to prevent it from once again becoming an al Qaeda safe haven.

...snip...

"With our friends and allies, we will forge a new and comprehensive strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan to defeat al Qaeda and combat extremism," Obama said Tuesday. "Because I will not allow terrorists to plot against the American people from safe havens halfway around the world. We will not allow it."

But McCain said on Wednesday, "When you aren't winning in this kind of war, you are losing. And, in Afghanistan today, we are not winning." He delivered his remarks at the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington-based think tank.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/25/mccain.afghan.war/index.html

---

Well! Good thing he brought that up during the Presidential Campaign, rather than focusing exclusively on Iraq...

[XNASA]

1. Why does McCain not support our troops?

I just had to ask.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. And if a repub was in office we would be winning?? Why does

John have a jaded view on this issue?

[Beavker]

12. Two faced

He hasn't done one thing he said he'd do running for President. I guess McShitlickers ideals were 'only' if he were to win.

Just say it: "As President, I'll reach across the isle like I've done for 20 years (or however long it's been), but if I lose, I'm going to disagree with everything the Democrats do, even it if is against what I'm promising now!"

Retire McCain. C'mon AZ, get rid of that fossil.

[teknomanzer]

3. That son of a bitch would have never dared utter this...

during the campaign. I don't know why but the top of my just blew off. Please excuse me while I collect myself.

[Psephos]

11. Actually, he did

Here's a good vid of the Afghanistan positions of both McCain and Obama, from the Oxford debate in September.

http://www.politicstv.com/blog/?p=4396

Here's a contemporary news account.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200807170001?f=h_latest

I say this a lot around here: when we make false claims that can be easily checked on Google, we weaken our influence when we're talking about important issues. It's not as though there aren't plenty of true things that can be hung around McCain's neck. So let's use them.

:fistbump:

[tanngrisnir3]

4. So I take it he's pleased that Obama is sending a lot more troops, then.

He damn well oughta be.

[grytpype]

5. WHERE IS HIS PATRIOTISM?????

How dare he say we are losing a war!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Mari333]

6. yeah, so bring the troops home and end the goddamned thing

you know he doesnt support that.

[DallasNE]

7. The Taliban Already Control Much Of The Countryside

So al Qaeda already has safe havens inside of Afghanistan.

Also, our allies have already been burned by our failed policy in Afghaistan so what makes McCain think that once burned they will eagerly sign up for a second go around.

McCain is 18 months tardy in making this speech. Instead McCain was content as Bush kicked the can down the road for a new administration to deal with the problem. A day late and a dollar short doesn't cut it. McCain is bitter about and he is lashing out at Obama on all fronts. How lucky we are that this stubborn old fool did not get elected somehow.

[jimmil]

8. But he has a plan to win the war....

At least he said so during the campaign. If he doesn't reveal this plan he should be tried for treason or at the least be held accountable for the deaths of all military and civilians since he made the statement.

[ConcernedCanuk]

9. OK - do we need history experts here? - NOBODY wins war in Afghanistan - except Afghans - - doh!!

.
.
.

Will someone please get those macho Generals to read some HISTORY books??

yazuss

[jeff30997]

10. Absolutely.

Alexander the Great,the Romans the arabs,Mongols,Tartars and the Soviets all got their ass kicked

by the Afghans.And now the mighty U.S is next.

[CitizenPatriot]

13. When is he going to just tell us the fuck where Bin Laden is???

He told us he knew where he was and if elected, he'd find him.

when will he let us in on the big secret and what's he waiting for????

[swag]

14. Traitor! He doesn't support the President during wartime!