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