ThinkProgress: "McCain Labels Bush's Iraq Critics 'Schizophrenics'"

[Hissyspit]

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/11/mccain-schizo/

McCain Distorts Polling Data, Labels Bush’s Iraq Critics ‘Schizophrenics’
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) repeated his false assertion yesterday that most Americans oppose a timetable for Iraq withdrawal, but went further in criticizing the American public, calling them “schizophrenic” about their position on Iraq:

“Americans are really kind of schizophrenic about this issue,” Mr. McCain said just prior to a fund-raising lunch for Rep. Dan Lungren, a Republican of California. “They’re frustrated, and they want us to get out, but if we ask the American people if we should set a certain date or a calendar, they agree with the president, and with me, and with Dan, that is a recipe for disaster. We have to have conditions on the ground that indicate we can withdraw.”

As ThinkProgress has previously documented, a majority of Americans reject Bush’s “stay the course” policy and want the U.S. to set a timetable for the withdrawal of forces from Iraq. Rather than exhibiting waffling attitudes about the war, polling data has shown an unmistakably clear trend in recent months. Mystery Pollster writes, “Looking at the questions pollsters are now asking about prospective Iraq policy, I see fewer differences and far more consistency, a finding that may reflect a gradual hardening of opinion.”

[marmar]

1. The chip has clearly been put into his brain...

In "The Matrix" terminology, he's just another Smith now.

[shadowknows69]

5. Raymond Prentiss McCain?

n/t

[marmar]

7. Tee hee hee.

:)

[Kutjara]

2. Not only does McCain seem to have no clue about...

...what the American people want, but he also doesn't know what schizophrenia is. He makes the tired old mistake of confusing it with multiple personality disorder. Schizophrenia is, in fact, typified by a loss of touch with reality, which describes the GOP far more than it does the ordinary American.

[Lerkfish]

4. Agreed, actually, he seems to want to be using the label "contradictory"

or "hypocritical", either of which would characterize the point he's making (and I disagree with, btw).

But its always nice to denigrate critics and the mentally ill at the same time by using intentionally imprecise language....the putz.

[MrModerate]

3. He wants to win some primaries . . .

And is convinced that if he repudiates Bush entirely, he'll lose. This approach lets him dance around the issue without committing one way or the other.

This is probably the right tack to take if he wants to be the nominee, given the relatively high numbers of 'Licans who still back the war.

Please note that -- once again -- McCain has proved himself to be just another politician and nothing even remotely like a saint.

[karynnj]

10. But is saying that 60% of Americans are sczisophrenic

a good way to ultimately get 50% of the vote.

The bigger problem is that he mischaracterises both of the plans. Kerry has very very clearly identified that his and Feingold's is not just leaving. (I assume Feingold has said the same thing.) I hope someone calls McCain on this, it's rude.

[MrModerate]

13. He needs to be called on so many things . . .

And if he DOES get the nomination, I'm convinced you'll see how much baggage he really carries about with him.

I think, however, that a lot of people who have come to oppose the war are still quite conflicted about it. Saddam really is a truly evil person, and spreading democracy SOUNDS right, and then there are those rape rooms . . . etc., etc. Many people wish things could have worked out according to Rummy's rosy scenario, and while they have to face up to the truth at some point, they'd really rather not.

That's the sentiment McCain is exploiting . . .

[maxsolomon]

6. sorry, mccain, you're now too old to be president

don't set a date: surprise our opponents & leave as fast as possible.

[jaxx]

8. He should have asked me, I'd set the date.

September 30, 2006.

That gives them time to get the troops out of there.

Bring em home...........alive!

[jedicord]

9. The question put to the American people is...

What should be done with the Iraq War?

Stay the Course
Fix It

Guess what the polls would say with this one.

[gratuitous]

11. Schizophrenic, Mr. McCain?

You mean, like your attitude towards that esteemed citadel of higher learning, Bob Jones University?

[NewJeffCT]

12. Damn, now I'm schizo? I can't keep up with this

last week, I was a fag enabler...

before that, I was a morally confused Nazi appeaser...

before that, I undermined the president's credibility at our nation's peril...

what's next?