McCain Responds to Maliki's Call for Withdrawal Timetable

[kevinmc]

ABC NEWS

ABC News’s Bret Hovell reports: Sen. John McCain responded late Tuesday to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s call for a drawdown in foreign troops from Iraq as a prerequisite for a security agreement with the United States.

McCain said he was not concerned about the call for a "timetable" for withdrawal, a concept McCain has consistently criticized.

"I know for a fact that will be dictated by the situation on the ground, as it always has been," McCain said Tuesday evening at a stop for dinner in Pittsburgh, Pa.

"Since we are succeeding, then I am convinced, as I have said before, we can withdraw and withdraw with honor, not according to a set timetable," he said..........

Sounds like he has flopped from 2004

In 2004, McCain Admitted We'd Leave Iraq if the Iraqi's Wanted Us To


Question: “What would or should we do if, in the post-June 30th period, a so-called sovereign Iraqi government asks us to leave, even if we are unhappy about the security situation there?”

McCain’s Answer: “Well, if that scenario evolves than I think it’s obvious that we would have to leave because — if it was an elected government of Iraq, and we’ve been asked to leave other places in the world. If it were an extremist government then I think we would have other challenges, but I don’t see how we could stay when our whole emphasis and policy has been based on turning the Iraqi government over to the Iraqi people.”

[ErinBerin84]

1. more "cracker jack reporting" from ABC....

At least some of the commenters are immediately calling out McCain for being a flip flopping liar on this subject.

[Youphemism]

2. What's impressive is that they're saying this in spite of bribes and pressure...

You know darned well that the Bush administration has been providing incentives to get Maliki to play ball. I wouldn't be surprised if we hear Maliki backtracking -- I'm sure it would be worth a lot to Bush if he were to back off of this statement. I'd be surprised if some form of offer and/or threat has not already been received.

But elected officials like to stay in power, and to do that, they have to please their constituents. I hope Maliki sticks to his comment. He's Obama's best ally right now.

I've been surprised that the debate has gone on like this as long as it has -- with US politicians talking publicly about what we're going to with Iraq like two guys at a cocktail party talking about pick-up lines they'll use on a woman who's standing within earshot.

Reminds me of an old quote I always liked...

"I am not a potted plant, sir." --Oliver North's lawyer, during the Iran-Contra congressional inquiry.

[safeinOhio]

5. Maliki can read the writing

on the wall of the American voting booths. His independence will grow as he watches Bush waddle away.

[AtomicKitten]

3. The convoluted rationale for the continued occupation of Iraq is absurd.

Obama should saddle this gift and ride it home.

[JustAnotherGen]

4. McCain

Is not a citizen of Iraq and should have ZERO say in what the people of Iraq want.