John McCain has meeting plans for Barack Obama

John McCain hardly could have been surprised that the road trip recently suggested by one of his allies received a rude reception from Barack Obama's camp.

Obama spokesman Bill Burton, responding to the idea floated by Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and quickly embraced by McCain that the presumptive Republican presidential nominee and Obama visit Iraq together, dismissed it as "nothing more than a political stunt."

That reaction, as it turns out, may be exactly what McCain was hoping for. It gave him the opportunity, which he jumped on today at a campaign stop in Reno, to personalize his unrelenting criticism of Obama's pledge that as president, he would be willing to meet with anti-American leaders with a raft of preconditions.

How is it, McCain exclaimed with relish, that Obama "wants to sit down" with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but has yet to have a one on one with Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. troops in Iraq?

It's a line we suspect will become a perennial in McCain's rhetorical arsenal. Indeed, to reinforce the point, the Republican National Committee today announced the start of an "online clock" marking the days since Obama's sole trip to Iraq (871 and counting).

It worked for Fox News' Chris Wallace....

-- Don Frederick

(UPDATE: The Obama campaign says the Illinois senator is considering a trip to Iraq this summer -- but not with McCain.)

Comments

[sally]

Slow news day? Sure looks like it from this "story."

[TruthIsTreasonComplianceIsPatriotic]

Yeah, right on McCain. This is the typical weak-minded BS platitude we've seen from the Bush crime syndicate and their fake conservative followers. Lies shrouded in cheap propaganda stunts to appeal to the Super Patriots that think visiting the troops in Iraq equates to supporting the troops.

How about getting the troops out of this God forsaken "war". A "war" based on lies. A "war" that has unnecessarily destroyed the lives of millions of Iraqis and tens of thousands of troops. How about supporting the veterans? Huh?!

That would be supporting the troops.

Nope, instead we get propaganda stunts from the "100 years in Iraq" guy. How many times has McCain already visited Iraq in the last 12 months? Give me a break!!

How about you pick up a gun and patrol the streets of Baghdad like a real soldier, McCain? Anybody can visit the troops in Iraq, protected by a massive security team, wearing bullet proof vests and walking around the safest parts of Iraq.

Mission Accomplished!

[08vote]

good idea for Obama to meet with Gen Petraeus, the two of them, okay, but the three of them, a crowd...

[None of the Above 08]

So a candidate running for Commander in Chief labels a trip to the troops as "a political stunt"?

Nice.

So much for unity and reaching across the aisle.

[Fareed]

Is McShame lobbing for Obama's Secretary of State position by proposing "meeting plans"?

[08 normal person]

08vote:
And HOW, exactly is it not a stunt? Presumption is not on your side. Also, how would accepting be a reach across the isle? Sorry, your comment leaves too much reasoning out.

[CW-in-Wichita]

First things first --- he hasn't really won the nomination yet.

I fully suspect that Barack will meet 1-on-1 with General Petraeus on his own terms and a schedule that is mutual to the two of them, and ONLY after he is the Democratic nominee.

No need for Mr McBush to be there to muddle up a meaningful meeting.

G O B A R A C K ! ! ! !

[Richard]

Apparently it is going to become the Republican strategy to make spurious suggestions and when Sen. Obama refuses to play their game to repeat the same line over and over, "So much for unity and reaching across the aisle". It's blatant and transparent politics.

[Michael King]

Frankly it is totally improper for any candidate to "visit" Iraq.

It is however proper for them to "visit" the reasons why we are in and staying in Iraq.

For all his talk McCain still doesn't know and Arab from a Persian or a Sunni from a Shite (or why). So what did he learn - stay the course?

What about the 4,000+ Americans and 100,000+++ Iraqies who have died based upon a war monger's propaganda lies? Could we visit that?

Maybe we will have to wait until the criminal indictment for fraud and war crimes ... it's coming, if not from a US Court, then the World Court.

Yes, John it IS a political stunt and in poor taste when you consider it's punchline is death by deception.

[Q]

It's funny. Right after 9-11, I flew the biggest damn American flag I could find because I love my country. But after we lied our way into a war that killed thousands of American soldiers, then lied about torturing American citizens in secret courts who might or might not be terrorists, and spying on innocent Americans in clear violation of the 4th amendment, I don't really feel like flying it any more.

At least, not until we get the America I know and love back. You know, the one that actually follows the Constitution our leaders are sworn to protect.

Pity that McCain has promised that he won't do that, but that instead, he'll stay the course Bush set. And I say this as someone who voted for Bush twice.

Shame on me for being fooled twice, but there will _NOT_ be a third time, period.

[Jake]

Senator Mccain is no alternative to Senator Obama for president. Mccain is a fractious man and a hostage to an extremist ideology whose time has passed. Mccain’s policy of war and aggression compounds America’s problems politically and economically as is at present. Mccain attempts to shroud his troubled past & unstable personality to cloud our judgments.

America needs to lead the world, the good, the bad, and the ugly into a stable and productive future. Wealthy nations will have stakes in America’s leadership. Pauper nations will die to injure it. We need a young, smart and mentally alert president to restore America’s eminence and elevate the rest of the world. The GOP with a core belief in immobility and conservatism resists advancements and change. The Democratic Party needs to score landslide victories in both houses of Congress.

[keith]

"Apparently it is going to become the Republican strategy to make spurious suggestions and when Sen. Obama refuses to play their game to repeat the same line over and over, "So much for unity and reaching across the aisle". It's blatant and transparent politics.

Posted by: Richard | May 28, 2008 at 05:14 PM"

LOL! I agree, but it's been practiced successfully by both sides for as long as I can remember. Don't paint the GOP exclusively with this one.

And all you Obamites, BO will bring the troops home as soon as he can, sure, anyone would, but I don't believe for a second he can establish withdrawal dates right now, it's just campaign smoke designed to get your anti-war vote.

[Ken]

Would you go to a war zone with a 71 year old dottering fool who mumbles to himself "bomb-bomb-bomb, bomb-bomb Iran" ?

[kissthesky]

It's quite sad. The Obama camp should have been more diplomatic in their response.

[Greg]

More proof of McCain continuing Bush politics my friends.

McCain has had all kinds of free time am I right?
So of course he has been to Iraq or whatever and this is why they wanted this democratic campaign to continue because it allows them to appear to dictate the actions of who ever is the winner.

For the Hillary lovers, this would have been the same for her as well.
We all know Hillary is entitled, but the lack of press reporting the hypocracy in her whining is as bad as McClellen says in his book.

Hillary and Bill are upset about SuperDelegates being convinced to support Obama.

Uh... hello!
What has Hillary been doing now for over 2-3 months????

I hope the SuperDelegates move over and close this chapter come June 4th so Obama can focus on the general election.

If Hillary persist outside the timeline then I'd suggest she visit Dr. Phil. LOL!

[dan]

it's funny to hear democrats complain about McCain. because i don't see a difference between any of them. they are all struggling for power. a power that has become sterile by the constant ridicule of our country. i as a moderate conservative almost want obama to win. for two reasons: 1. to allow this inexperienced , enigmatic empty suit to have a chance at the steering wheel and realize how hard it its to be the president of the best country in the world
2. so i can have some relief from all the whiny libs that have been saying the same tired rhetoric for last 8 years. i can't wait til it's my turn.

[Oregon4Obama]

Im voting for Obama but Honestly.....I think he should go to Iraq and meet our troops.....many of them want him to be president

He could leave with McCain, assess the situation and report back.......

Seriously, McCain was escorted by 6 platoons, 4 apaches, 10 humvees (+/-) and came back and said "we're winning"

Obama could go with the same escort and report that he could'nt walk the streets of bhagdad without the troops.....

Either way he would show his support of the troops, and not the war...

[Oren]

"For all his talk McCain still doesn't know and Arab from a Persian or a Sunni from a Shite"

I guess any time a candidate mis-speaks we assume that they meant every word? So Obama thinks there are 57 states, right? And he must've "lied" about his uncle's WW2 experience, right? Follow anyone and transcribe every word they say for a year and you're bound to find mistakes.

Bottom line, you're kidding yourself if you think Obama has anywhere near the foreign policy knowledge or experience that McCain does.

[tom]

its amazing to me that mccain did not support the new gi bill..but wants to talk about obama not going to iraq..if mccain was really concerned about the troops..then pull them out..i do not believe mccain will ever end this war..he is only saying that he will end it in 2013..because he was hammered for his 100 year comment and found out americans will not wait but a few more years..we are taking our money..paying for new buildings..hospitals..roads..airports..etc..when we have serious problems he in our own country..that we have no money to pay for.,while iraq is making 130.00 a barrel for its oil..why isn't iraq giving us oil for 20.00 a barrel to start paying us back.

[Wyldman]

What must we do to start the impeachment process, so that we can once and for all get to the whole truth about the Bush administration, and then if and when found guilty, let the world behold democracy in action. Justice will then be served and future elected officials will think twice about committing crimes against our nation. We lost six years because no one could even ask questions about happenings behind Bush's closed doors. It is a new day so bring on the questions and investigations.

[tlsmith1963]

Being a world leader means that you sometimes have to meet with your enemies. It's called diplomacy. Even Nixon did it when he went to China. And it doesn't mean that you want to be friends with your enemies. It is done to prevent us from blowing our planet up because certain countries can't get along. But I guess McCain doesn't want to do anything he can to ease tensions. He'd rather be the one blowing things up.

[Jefferson]

I can't trust anyone who says "my friends" that much. I know FDR said it, but not with the psychotic repetition of McCain. By the way, I'm not his friend. And actually he doesn't seem that friendly.

[Higher Prophet]

I guess they should visit Iran together too, sice that's the next place we'll be going if McCain is elected President.

[wolf]

I don't think, that anyone believes McCain at this point. He's switched sides so often, I don't know, where he stands on anything... today.

Maybe I'll just wait until tomorrow, when he goes back to his old positions...

[BJ]

THE OBAMA SHUFFLE

Preconditions
Preparations
Maybe...
Shuffle to the left
Shuffle to the right
Ahh
Errr
Ummm
DEFLECT!
Accuse them of what they're accusing you
Throw it back!
Back Track
If that doesn't work
Throw them under the bus
IF that still doesn't work
Run to David Axelrod and make him do the talking

[sferris]

McCain is grasping. He will lose because he doesn't have a clue on how to campaign. The Republican party is bereft of ideas.

[JF Sebastian]

Obama should NOT go to Iran. The Republicans want him to go Iraq so that their Blackwater mercenaries can take him out.

[Gerry]

John McCain is a celebrity – the voice of some Republicans.

HilLIARy Clinton is a professional victim – the voice of some Democrats.

Barack Obama is a scholar – the voice of America.

[Tom J]

Jefferson, 'my friends' is part of John McCain's anger management coping method. The other part is that forced smile he does. It's to remind himself not to blow up, and to make his audience think he's not close to the edge.

Scary, isn't it?

[gorefan]

Its a shame that Senator McCain wants to go on a fact finding trip to Iraq with Senator Obama now, when he could not be bothered to check the facts 5 years ago. Maybe he wouldn't have voted to recklessly go to war in the first place.

Maybe the democrats should start an online clock of the number of days its been since Senator McCain naively voted to authorize the worst mistake in American history and refuses to apologize for it.

At the same time they could create a checklist of issue that McCain and Bush agree on (Iraq, health care, nuclear arms, the environment, taxes, the economy) . Every day the list seems to get longer.

[Shawn]

It will be tragic if McCain ends up winning this election. Look at how poor Obama polls in some of these battleground states McCain just might win after all.

[Rachael Vaccaro]

I'm an Australian watching news of the Presidential hopefuls - McCain, come Down Under so I can feed you to the crocodiles in the Northern Territory, you're as prehistoric as them!! I hope Americans have the good sense to elect Obama as the next US President!

[Jason]

Basically, if you break down everything that is being said, you come to this conclusion: Republicans think you are stupid and Democrats hope that you are not.

[S]

One fool here suggests that Iraq should give US oil at 20$ as a step to "pay US back".

What should Iraq pay Us for? for the murder of millions? for all the sexual abuse? for creating terrorists?

[FlaLady]

Exactly right. The first thing I thought was: way to go, Barack. Way to demonstrate your bipartisanship. You can't even stand up in front of our troops and show a united front for our country. LOVE the hypocrisy, Obama. Keep changing (i.e., clarifying) your positions, too. All the media and blind left-wing support will not win you the election, but hey! Keep on reminding us why we will never vote for you.

[American Eyes]

Barrack Hussein Obama – Background Information

Father Barack Hussein Obama Sr.
A Muslim, hard-drinker, was married three times. Barack Obama, Sr., was married at the time to Kezia Obama, who was three months pregnant when her husband moved to Hawaii on a government scholarship to attend the University of Hawaii. Obama never formally divorced Kezia, yet married Stanley Ann Dunham while living in Hawaii. Six months after Barack and Stanley Ann wed, they announced the birth of Barack Obama, Jr. on August 4, 1961. Barack Obama, Sr., soon left his wife and newborn son, Barack, Jr., to continue his studies at Harvard University. Obama claims he was an atheist, but he was raised Muslim and was given a Muslim burial at Barack's family's request.

Mother Stanley Ann Dunham
An atheist and communist sympathizer.

Stepfather Lolo Soetoro
An Indonesian Muslim, a Wahabbi extremist.

Stepbrother Abongo “Roy” Obama
Luo activist and a militant radical Wahabbi Muslim who argues that the black man must “liberate himself from the poisoning influences of European culture.” He urges his younger brother Barack Obama to embrace his African heritage.

Frank Marshall Davis
Poet and a columnist for the Honolulu Record. Member of the Communist Party USA. Mentor and Friend of Obama. Involved in Marxist-related activities in Chicago.

“Obama writes in Dreams From My Father that he saw "Frank" only a few days before he left Hawaii for college, and that Davis seemed just as radical as ever. Davis called college "An advanced degree in compromise" and warned Obama not to forget his "people" and not to "start believing what they tell you about equal opportunity and the American way and all that ####." Davis also complained about foot problems, the result of "trying to force African feet into European shoes," Obama wrote.” Source: Obama’s Communist Mentor by Cliff Kincaid

To read more visit: obamas-communist-mentor @ http://www.aim.org/aim-column/obamas-communist-mentor/

Michelle Obama
The wife of Barrack Hussein Obama has made anti-American statements. Mrs. Obama’s college dissertation, entitled "Princeton-Educated Blacks and the Black Community" was written under her maiden name, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, in 1985. Barack Obama championed a $1,000,000 earmark for a Chicago area hospital in 2006. It benefitted Michelle Obama, that same hospital’s VP of Community Affairs.

“For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country.” Michelle Obama

“Because sometimes it’s easier to hold on to your own stereotypes and misconceptions.
It makes you feel justified in your own ignorance… That’s America.” Michelle Obama

[Bright American Eyes]

Obama's guilt by association:

Frank Marshall Davis
Michelle Obama-anti-American
Raila Odinga
Keith Ellison
Aníbal S. Acevedo Vilá
Mohammed Abdi (known as Mohammed Abdi in the U.S. and aka Mahamed Wali in Kenya)
Nadhmi Auchi
Antoin Tony Rezko
Daniel Mahru
William “Bill” Ayers
Carl Davidson
Khaleel Ahmed
The New Black Panther Party
Jeremiah Wright
Louis Farrakhan
Al Sharpton
Jesse Jackson
Aiham Alsammarae Alsamarra
Rashid Khalidi
Ali Abunimah
Gregg Steinberg

[Hal Seeley]

How do we pick who we like and eventually vote for? How do we eventually come to like or dislike our politicians. If you give a moment of thought to these questions you will come to realize that since most of us have never met the candidates and do not personally know them, then you have developed your likes or dislikes based upon someone else's opinions, either written or voiced on the media. So how do we filter through all those opinions that may have ulterior motives and may actually be bold faced lies or just plain and simple propaganda to influence you and most likely manipulate you?
I suggest you look at which candidate, or those who support the candidate, who use fear the most to get your vote. There is so much fear in the world that we look to that person who can save us. That is not the person you want to vote for. Vote for the person who does not create fear that he or she then has to protect you from. Vote for the person who does not use another's shortcomings to hide his or her own shortcomings. This is very simple.

[jonny bullet]

So the bugs come out from under the rocks throw their barbs and run away anonymously because its easy. EASY to defame easy to smear, easy to lie, easy to distort facts, easy to dehumanize any one that you don't like because they look different than you, speak different than you, have ideas that are foreign to you, because your minds are closed. I suppose that fear will do that to you, especially when you are told that the Boogie man is coming to get you. and when the powers that be tell you then it must be so. Well that belief factor is just like 9-11 and all the lemmings that crapped their pants hid under rocks and asked a bunch of simpletons to save them. that is what you got and what it seems like what many of you want again WAR not change. We have been doing this for a long time with the same actors the same script and expect a different ending instead of changing the writer, Why? Fear, along with lack of education and failing to be informed is the best way to control the population, and when they have control by Fear, it takes a long time to over come. SO follow the lemmings or make a change to someone whom actually knows something about the world.

[tlsmith1963]

Michelle Obama is around the same age as me, & guess what, conservatives? I feel the same way as she does about this country! I haven't felt proud of my country in a long time, either. Not when the conservatives have spent so much time destroying it. So before you go after Michelle, you need to realize that she is far from being the only person who has felt ashamed of her country.

[Ronald Loui]

Seems to me the last time McCain was in Baghdad, it wasn't exactly the way he wanted us to remember it. Weren't there helicopters overhead trying to make sure no bad guys got too close? Didn't his "easy stroll in the streets" have to be cut short for security reasons?

[Proud Conservative]

What a din of left wing liberal nut jobs, Its people like the one that say she is like" Mrs. this is the first time I've been proud of America" That just make me sick to my stomach. Picture this Mrs. Hussein Obama laying the wreath at the TOMB OF THE UNKNOWEN on Memorial day of 2009. But Shes never being proud of the men and women who gave their lives for HER FREEDOM.

Get real you bunch of unmoral heathens That support queer marriages, abortions, and any other kind of immorality.

No need to rerspond i won't be back, I feel i need a shower for just being on this blog.

[Kaleokualoha]

Cliff Kincaid and his colleagues have accused Frank Marshall Davis (1905-1987) of being a Stalinist, a lifetime member of the Communist Party, and “Obama’s Communist Mentor.” Kincaid heads “Accuracy In Media” (A.I.M.), an organization dedicated to “fairness, balance and accuracy in news reporting.” Kincaid and his colleagues are all honorable men.

Having asked Kincaid to substantiate some of his accusations, and having received no reply, one can only conclude that Kincaid must be preoccupied with more important questions, because Kincaid is an honorable man.

Although the ironically named “Accuracy In Media” has yet to substantiate that Davis actually mentored Obama (among other claims), such a relationship could have provided a bi-racial teenager with the key to success in mainstream America. To minimize criticism and maximize their potential, bi-racial African-Americans must walk a narrow identity path between group expectations. Davis was uniquely qualified to show the way. He may have significantly facilitated Obama’s vision of an inclusive society.

Davis may have advised Obama that to succeed in mainstream America, African-Americans must consider worst-case scenarios without wearing a chip on their shoulders, even though this normally requires judgment borne through actual experience. They must learn to give others (such as Cliff Kincaid) the benefit of the doubt. Success within mainstream America requires that abusive behavior should be attributed to bias only when there is no other plausible explanation.

Davis’ crusty radicalism may have perfectly counterbalanced Hawaii’s laid-back lifestyle for an African-American teenager destined for greatness. He provided coherent insight on African-American history, politics, and culture vis-à-vis mainstream America. Obama’s grandfather may not have recognized the true value of his gift.

Davis recognized the folly of cultural nationalism, including Black Separatist movements, long before meeting Obama. He supported a fully integrated mixed economy, because neither laissez–faire capitalism nor Marxist authoritarianism enable the greatest benefit for the greatest number. He also had a libertarian streak that may have made Ron Paul proud.

As an honorable man, Kincaid must be unaware that by the 1970’s, the twin forces of Hawaiian and hippie cultures had mellowed Davis to the point that “Stalinist” charges are especially absurd. By the early 1970’s, Davis had become a virtual teddy bear, a permanent fixture of the Koa Cottages in the “Waikiki Jungle,” noted for its counterculture residents. Davis was known as a kindly old man, usually sitting on his porch a few steps from Kuhio Avenue, waving at all that passed. Although he had little money, he was always willing to share with those in deeper need.

While he was justifiably bitter over the Jim Crow racism of his youth, recent decades made Davis quite optimistic regarding race relations. He strongly supported the nonviolent strategy of Dr. King, and believed that all mankind should be judged by the content of their character. He rejected militant African-American groups as counterproductive.

Kincaid and his honorable colleagues must also be unaware that although Davis shared King’s opposition to American intervention in Vietnam, he did not oppose his son’s decision to join the Air Force in 1968. His son eventually retired as an Air Force Intelligence Officer after 24 years of service, with full TS/SCI (SI/TK/G/B) access. As an honorable man, this fact alone should mitigate any concerns about “Obama’s Marxist Mentor.”

As an honorable man, Cliff Kincaid must also be unaware that his portrayal of a raving Stalinist could not be further from the truth. Davis deeply loved the United States, despite his occasional flirtation with radical ideology. He recognized, perhaps belatedly, that the United States offers a unique combination of economic opportunity and personal freedom, thus providing sufficient strength and moral authority to champion human rights worldwide. If he HAD been so lucky, Barack Obama could not have found a finer mentor anywhere.