McCain: Bringing Troops Home From Iraq "Not Too Important" -- Harry Reid slams him for it.

[jefferson_dem]

McCain: Bringing Troops Home From Iraq "Not Too Important"
By Greg Sargent - June 11, 2008, 9:08AM

Uh oh. It's one thing to say we need to keep the troops in Iraq indefinitely because it's somehow central to maintaining our national security. But it's another thing entirely to suggest that bringing them home is "not too important."

Yet that's what John McCain appeared to do on The Today Show this morning...

VIDEO HERE ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSaH2uyWz_I

Asked whether McCain could give us a good estimate when the troops might come home, McCain said:

"No, but that's not too important. What's important is the casualties in Iraq."

McCain went on to say that we have troops stationed at multiple other places around the globe. So, clearly, his point here is that the central question is not when they can be brought home, but when they can be moved out of harm's way.

Still, this is an awfully clumsy and inartful way to put it, and strikes us as a pretty serious gaffe. After all, one would imagine that the question of timing might have a bit of significance for the troops themselves and their families.

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/mccain_bringing_troops_home_fr.php

***

Harry Reid Hammers McCain For His "Not Too Important" Iraq Comment
By Greg Sargent - June 11, 2008, 10:09AM

It looks as if the John McCain quote we posted on below -- in which he said the timing of when the troops should come home is "not too important" -- is going to blow up into a big story today.

Harry Reid just became the first Dem to blast McCain over the comment, with his office sending over this statement...

"McCain's statement today that withdrawing troops doesn't matter is a crystal clear indicator that he just doesn't get the grave national-security consequences of staying the course -- Osama bin Laden is freely plotting attacks, our efforts in Afghanistan are undermanned, and our military readiness has been dangerously diminished. We need a smart change in strategy to make America more secure, not a commitment to indefinitely keep our troops in an intractable civil war."
More soon.

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/harry_reid_hammers_mccain_for.php

[ccharles000]

1. What a fucking asshole!!!

[brooklynite]

2. So we're back to '100 years'.....

what happened to his 2013 vision?

[kentuck]

3. "They can stay over there for a 100 years or until they die..."

"For all I care." That seems to be his message?

[rsmith6621]

4. I Guess McShames Son isnt Important Then....

.....Yep...What a disgrace to have on the ballot...he is a a true asswipe.