Joe Lieberman makes political issue of John McCain's son

John McCain has carefully avoided mentioning the military service of his son Jimmy, a Marine who returned from his first tour in Iraq earlier this year, on the campaign trail -- to prevent anyone from  suggesting he would use his son’s service for political advantage.

But this morning, McCain surrogate Joe Lieberman invoked that service to defend McCain, who was under fire from Democrats for saying during an interview that it’s "not too important" when U.S. troops leave post-surge Iraq.

When McCain was asked in the NBC’s "Today Show" interview about whether he could estimate when U.S. troops could leave Iraq, he said "No, but that's not too important." On an ensuing conference call organized by McCain’s campaign, Lieberman charged McCain’s Democratic foes and Barack Obama's campaign with distorting McCain’s words "to distract the American people from the fact that John McCain has been both courageous and right about the surge in Iraq and Barack Obama has unfortunately been consistently wrong."

He noted that McCain was answering a question about his estimate of when troops would return from Iraq based on the success of the troop surge in Iraq.

Lieberman said it was outrageous for McCain's critics to suggest that he’s out of touch with the needs of our troops.

"More than most any American, Sen. McCain knows the sacrifices that our men and women in uniform make and the burden that their families bear, and it really is wrong to suggest otherwise," Lieberman said. "Obviously he knows that from his own—from his father’s service and the impact it had on his family; from his own service and incarceration; from his eight visits to Iraq -- on which I’ve been with him on a lot of them -- and interacting with our troops there; and of course from the fact that his son was deployed to Iraq."

Lieberman dropped off the conference call in the middle of questions from reporters. McCain's foreign policy advisor, Randy Scheunemann, declined to comment when asked whether Jimmy McCain's service would now be part of the campaign.

-- Maeve Reston

Comments

[grannie53]

So, how come Barack Obama did not sign up to defend our country. Was he in the military??

[Stan G]

Sorry McCain, but you didn't learn military strategy and tactics in military academy where you graduated at the bottom of your class. You don't learn military tactics and strategy languishing as a captive in a prison camp. You don't get to be a hero by being shot down, as the whole idea behind putting you in charge of a billion dollar weapon was to shoot down the other guy.
If Lieberman thinks McCain should get Brownie points for his son's service in Iraq, why hasn't he castigated Bush and the rest of the Bush cabinet, for their children's failure to serve? And, by the way, does anyone know where ChickenHawk Lieberman was during Korea and Vietnam?

[ob08]

Typical McSame - lives don't mean anything to him.

[Shawn]

How many Obama-drones have served their country??

Obama’s service is so thin; it isn’t even featured on his website!

John McCain:

http://www.johnmccain.com/McCainTimeline/

Silver Star
Bronze Star
Legion of Merit
Purple Heart
Flying Cross

Etc....

[Mike]

Let me see if I have this straight:

The Obama campaign makes a ludicrous claim that McCain doesn't understand the the plight and travails of military families, despite -

1) growing up in a military family, with family away at war.
2) having had a family worried to death about him while he was captured and tortured while in the military
3) being the father of two sons in the military, including one in combat zone.

And the LA Times chooses to nitpick about whether Mac's son's service is relevant, rather than question a ludicrous charge by the Obama campaign?

Please let me know when you decide to become a news-reporting organization.

[Mike]

I can only wonder why McCain's sons' service WOULDN'T be a political issue? Yes, I say "Sons", because he has two adult children in the military now.

McCain raised his sons to respect the flag and serve their country. It is an important reflection of his character and judgement. He has earned my respect for his family's patriotism and service. It goes a long way towards earning my vote.

Now my larger question is this: Why is the press so unwilling to talk about his sons' service? They are both adults and in the service of the U.S. Government. I don't see why the press should choose to hide or denigrate that service. It makes me wonder if there's a political agenda afoot by the LA Times and the press generally toward a particular candidate. Hmmmm.

[Jenn]

McCain knows all about the military, that is all he knows besides the joys of the political profiteering elites.. What he doesn't know is the life of ordinary folks like the rest of us. We do not live on military bases, have free healthcare etc..

I am afraid he really is out of touch with us regular people..how could he be? He is NOT one of us.

[gink1961]

I may disagree with McCain on some issues but loyalty to our country and it's defense IS NOT ONE of them.

"By there fruits you will know them"

Obama has shown his disdain for the military contrary to his oratory time and time again.

[Vito]

Obama did not sign up to defend our country. In fact he signed up to offend our country.

[Oscar]

Quote: Why is the press so unwilling to talk about his sons?

maybe its important to keep them out of the press so they don't become targets?

Dont you think some terrorist leader would love to kill the son of an American leader who is for the war in Iraq?

(As some may recall, Sen. McCain was singled out for special torture in Vietnam because he was known to be the son of a U.S. admiral. Later, he was offered early release for the same reason, which he turned down unless everyone went home.)

[mateo]

It is not patriotic to blindly support a failure of a war, a failure of party and a failure of an ideology.

It's patriotic to try to fix the problems those failures left behind.

McCain is a wooden duck this election cycle. The republicans aren't going to blow their wad in 08, they know they're sunk.

[Ron Grube]

I don't rember of ever hearing that Franklin D. Roosevelt of Harry S. Truman ever were in the military. The Second World War didn't last as long or cost as much as the current conflicts we are in.

[Sean]

I respect those who have what it takes to serve in the armed forces but it would make little sense to say that my unwillingness to go kill people is indicative of cowardice. I do no believe in saying "I have an ideological difference, and you have an ideological difference, so let's get a group of people from each country and duke it out and that'll somehow settle our differences." That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

Obama believes in diplomacy, as I do, and it makes no sense to impugn his military record (or lack thereof) when he disagrees with wars in the first place. He is serving his country already by serving in public office. It is relevant to McCain, however, since this "100 years" nonsense is something he believes in.

What IS an issue is when someone has no problems authorizing and agreeing with it but refuses to sign up or insists on dodging drafts. However, the war in Iraq is not being fought by a conscripted army so to say that the sons of politicians are not there is not totally fair -- they have simply decided that the military is not for them.

Tell me: what defensive, legitimate war did the US participate in since WWII that Obama would have joined to, as some claim, "defend" our country? If his ideology is anti-war, why the HELL would you expect him to -- and absent this, consider it a flaw -- to participate in the most direct advocacy of war there is?

Obma: "I don't believe in putting ANYONE in harm's way without sufficient cause. Getting our greedy paws on oil from an ubstable, poor region is not one of them. "
You: "Obama is a hypocrite; he should have put HIMSELF in harm's way, if not our youth. Why isn't he in Iraq/Nam/etc. shooting up people?" - You
Sounds like a fairly stupid argument, doesn't it? But then again, if you weren't inclined to those, you'd be for Obama, who at least has some semblance of logic in his positions.

"It sounds like segregation to me, etc., etc., etc.," - Ellen
"I understand all that but I disagree." - Nice reasoning and justification, Mr. McCain!
"Why don't you support equal pay for women?"
"I understand but I think it'll help trial lawyers." Well gee, he might as well have said it'll help the communists. The reasoning has no relevance to the question or justification!

[Reality Check]

Oh come on. Obama's lack of military service or McCain's previous CHOICE to serve in the military has NO consequence on how either would act as President. As for family history what other job in the US would it be legal to ask for family history during a job interview? Judge the person and the ideas presented for the job, not the useless past. History should at least teach us what not to do right?

Where was your need for Military service when McCain was running against Bush? Did Bush have military service but I bet you voted for him. Stop blabbing and talk about what Leadership really is. What are the ideas and goals of a McCain presidency? Obviously he has none since he has been the dog and pony show of the Republican party in order to get nominated. I only hope the real John McCain will stand up and start actually saying what his policies are instead of continuing the Fear Mongering of the Bush administration. Since McCain has seen the impacts of war firsthand should know that it is a waste of resources, life, and time.

[LEPhil]

This is what is called a political game - I am an Obama supporter

I do believe that McCain his son and all of those who serve this country honorably in our military should be respected

I did not volunteer to go to Vietnam, I did not run to Canada, I did not hide in what in those days was a safe place called the national guard. Am i a coward - perhaps but if I am then every other man in the United states alive in those days and every day sense who did not volunteer is equally a coward.

This is a political game because 4 years ago military service of the Democratic candidate was denigrated while the serving president who did not go to war was honored - now the people of the right want to do the opposite. Make up your mind.

I think service in the military should be honored for what it is - service to our country by those willing to give their all to sustain and care for our nation. They are no longer draftees who have no choice but individuals who for personal reasons or service ideals find that the military is their choice in life - I respect and honor that choice.

Being in the military does not give you wisdom on the world stage - it does not give you an automatic understanding of the world around us in all its facets.

I do not mean this disrespectfully I mean it honestly - just as living a long time does not guarantee wisdom - it does increase your chances in my experience but it does not guarantee

So respect McCain for his service both in Vietnam and in the Senate but also respect Obama for the life he has lived - both have unique perspectives that are different than most Americans - both have been chosen by their party to represent us - Decide who is better not just beating on them and looking for who is evil

With respect, LEP

[Dave]

I can't believe I voted for Joe Lieberman as a democratic vice presidential candidate. Talk about being a sneaky underhanded manipulative backstabbing turncoat. Why won't that frog looking low life piece of fecal matter go ahead and just join the republican party already and get it over with.
Joe Lieberman is a representative of the state of Israel, not the USA.
He might as well leave the country and get elected to their government and keep defending this stupid war in Iraq, that was nothing but a gift to the Israelis government. This argument that you have to serve in the military to be elected president is an insult to all past presidents that didn't serve and normal citizens that work and pay taxes. You military people get off of your high horses because you are getting paid for your service. It's not like you are volunteering anything. You get benefits room, board and paychecks. Also, your service in Iraq has done nothing to make America safer. This stupid war supported by scum like Lieberman, McCain and Bush has done nothing but ruined our image in the world. It has forced the world into an energy crisis, and has created new enemies all over. When is he going to endorse McCain as president?

[chrisd]

How about this little fact: Since, Hillary Clinton has bailed out, Obama has touted her economic policies, meanwhile, he criticized her economic policies when she ran against him. So far, Obama has stated that removing the federal tax on gas would be beneficial if we tax the profits of the oil corporations further (Hillary's plan), he has touted Hillary's healthcare plan, etc. Its amazing. And only one news organization picked it up, and it was in an editorial (New York Times). Meanwhile, Obama states that he wont go negative. What do you call it when a person's campaign organizers publicly call out a individual... not his plans or theories, but the person itself? Is that not negative tactics? I honestly believe people make Obama out to be something he is not. Everyone just wants a Kennedy back in office (well, the Kennedy mentality anyway)... Change can be good and bad. Lets make a good decision, an informed decision. Listen and learn when the candidates speak, dont just vote based on party politics.

[ShameUponShame]

America has invested far more Iraqi lives than American lives in all of this. Sure Bush is an idiot, but we can't change what has been done no matter how much we wish to.

Somehow "all men are created equal" has been lost in the american conscience. If we abandon the millions of Iraqi lives we have pledged in this fight to be slaughtered, tortured, and raped by those that would rise to power in America's absence, we have no honor left in our country at all.

If Obama has a plan to prevent this, then let's hear it. Only thing we have heard so far is tantamount to cut and run and hide our eyes and ears from the cries of those we left behind to suffer and die. If we ignore it long enough, the cries will dim as the bodies they come from are buried in the earth or shut away in prisons and then we can back to important things like the next iphone.

We made the mess, now we have to clean it up. it's called being responsible, its called being an adult, and it should be part of being an American.

Isn't it ironic that black and white american race relations have come so far, that we can come together to support racist policies that give no value to arab lives.

[Andrew Austin]

McCain's words were taken out of context.

[Abalone]

I thought McCain fought in WWII? Is this wrong?

[Alfred Neuman]

The only reason Lieberman is so pro war is because his allegiance lies with Israel. He does not give a rats ass about American lives as long as his real country Israel is better off.

[Pat Triot]

McCain graduated 890 out of 895 and was allowed to become a naval aviator because of "affirmative action" granted to the admirals son. He went on to crash four planes before being shot down in his fifth and brainwashed for 5 years. Now this Manchurian Candidates' psychological status is a closed file accessible to only a privileged few. McCain is AIPACS puppet and Lieberman is his handler.

[Greg]

grannie53 ...
Show me the requirement to sign up with the military.

The quesiton should be why would someone who was a prisoner of war support abusing prisoners.

Why does someone who is a veteran require people who sign up to defend this country to have to deal with benefit levels?

So you are telling me if someone did their time in Iraq and came out under his system they would not be worthy of benefits???? This goes back to the old story that to be respected as a veteran you have to show wounds. Otherwise people see them as just another person which is sad.

I'm waiting for the various news agencies to stop treating McCain like the Jessica Lynch we were lead to believe.
When will they reveal his respected service also has some stains. Google it: SONGBIRD McCain

Peace!

[IbKuba]

Reality Check.... Your post took the words right out of my mouth.

[ROBERT BURNS SR]

TO sean, ...jenn,...and stan g....what a crock of babble
you folks represent...you really need an education...if you did go to college...you were cheated!
And to you RonGrube....The price of a war is not measured in dollars, butt head!...it's measured in men KIA for the likes of you. When you get into adult hood you will
read better and learn something...All of you folks!...Start with a new book on the market "The Great Upheaval"...from there start again...good luck you poor poor folks...uncbob