McCain Falsely Claims That Obama Is Denying The Success Of The Troops

[ErinBerin84]

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/mccain_falsely_claims_that_oba.php


McCain Falsely Claims That Obama Is Denying The Success Of The Troops
By Greg Sargent - July 22, 2008, 4:19PM


Okay, here's where McCain's claim that Obama got the surge wrong is headed: Obama isn't merely denying that the surge succeeded; Obama is also denying the success of the troops.

In an interview set to air on CBS tonight, McCain was asked to respond to Obama's assertion that the Sunni awakening and the Shiite government targeting militias was responsible for improving security in Iraq, along with the troops' work.

After a long answer, McCain said the following, according to an advance excerpt:

"Our troops will come home with honor. And we won't be defeated. And there won't be chaos in the region. There won't be increased Iranian influence in the region. And it will have a bearing on what happens in Afghanistan, as well as the entire region of the world. And I'm proud of what they've done. And to deny their success -- I think is a fundamental misunderstanding of what happened. The American people will make a judgment."
McCain also accused Obama of denying that the troops had made possible the success of the surge, calling it "a great disservice to young men and women who are serving and have sacrificed."

All of this is false. Obama is emphatically not denying the success of the troops. He's denying the success of the Iraqi political process. He has repeatedly said for months now that the troops were responsible for reducing violence.

Obama, Feb. 21: "I think it is indisputable that we've seen violence reduced in Iraq. And that's a credit to our brave men and women in uniform."

Obama, July 15th: "As I have said many times, our troops have performed brilliantly in lowering the level of violence."

Obama, today: "In Iraq, we reviewed the gains that have been made in lowering the levels of violence thanks to the outstanding efforts of our military, the increased capabilities of the Iraq security forces..."

Not that facts matter, of course.

[anonymous171]

1. McCain is going full Bush, wrapping himself in the flag/troops

[IndyOp]

2. Video of Obama praising troops excellence here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x160208

Maybe Obama saying they are "excellent" isn't the same thing as saying they are "successful"? :shrug:

:eyes:

[Cha]

3. mccain still whining..somebody..

like cindy should feed him and give him a nap.

[Youphemism]

4. They obviously came up with that strategy in advance...

...and then stuck with it even though Obama circumvented it with his comments.

[uponit7771]

5. McSame will soon tell us he's Jesus, he needs press....any kind of press right now.