Video: “Make it a hundred”
posted at 7:51 pm on January 4, 2008 by Allahpundit
He’s talking about a truly peaceful occupation in the mode of South Korea, but still.
Dear Maverick,
This is electoral suicide. But thanks for the having the balls to say it anyway.
Love, AP
Blowback
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Dang I’d love to see this video (work filter)… I’m guessing McCain says he’s ready to be in Iraq for a hundred years. That sounds like suicide to me.
Dig your own grave buddy…
Theworldisnotenough on January 4, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Gutsy. Very gutsy. Can’t fault him for being bluntly honest. One of the rare times.
MadisonConservative on January 4, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Malkins, sir.
Malkins.
Press on. Til we are Victorious.
Subsunk
Subsunk on January 4, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Sorry, RWS, I’m still not taking this boyfriend back. But I gotta admit, sometimes when I close my eyes, I sure do like the way he talks purty.
a4g on January 4, 2008 at 7:57 PM
He’s not totally useless. I’m glad he said what he said.
Now, how about tax cuts and a border fence? Oh, freedom of political speech, that would help too.
Zorro on January 4, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Looks like he’s with Mr. Lieberman too. Must really unnerve the left, not that it matters at this point.
Entelechy on January 4, 2008 at 8:01 PM
Second thoughts indeed. I’m not saying he’s my first pick either, but given the Dems’ strong turn out last night, it’s time to get down to brass tacks on our side … so, if Fred! doesn’t make the cut, tell me again why a recalibrated McCain is any less viable than Huckajesus, Mitt the Mormon, and Rudy the thrice-married?
Blacksheep on January 4, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Too bad. Illegal migration and the 1st Amendment killed this guy.
Mojave Mark on January 4, 2008 at 8:03 PM
He’s the most capable on national defense in the field either D or R. That’s about the only thing I can say good about him, but he’s better than everyone else.
ThackerAgency on January 4, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Nope – not electoral suicide – but completely sensible straight talk of the sort that will be necessary to frame a meaningful and intelligent as opposed to panicked and defeatist discussion of our strategy.
It’s essential to get the Democrats, and the Democratic presidential candidate in particular, either to confirm that it’s in America’s interests to support the new Iraq, or to put themselves on record as favoring a de-stabilizing and self-destructive withdrawal – a self-inflicted defeat. Anything else simply concedes the issue to the Democrats, while leaving future policy dangerously uncertain.
This is probably the main reason why those of us with sincere doubts about McCain on many other issues will support him unhesitatingly if he wins the nomination.
CK MacLeod on January 4, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Jekyl and Hyde
SouthernGent on January 4, 2008 at 8:04 PM
Ballsy. He could be a great VP for Fred. ;)
joewm315 on January 4, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Stones.
Spirit of 1776 on January 4, 2008 at 8:06 PM
That is what I call the straight talk express.
TheSitRep on January 4, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Blacksheep on January 4, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Because we KNOW from experience he’s a back-stabber on the subject of illegal immigration and free political speech.
None of the above are acceptible.
tickleddragon on January 4, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Nice to hear the truth but, a stopped watch is right two times a day.
tickleddragon on January 4, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Wow. This one clip, at least, is very impressive. Now, if he just wasn’t so bad on other issues…
American_Pride1701 on January 4, 2008 at 8:10 PM
He’s right, and it’s what I’ve assumed all along. We’ll be in the Middle East for decades to come–if we’re smart, anyway. We should NOT turn our backs on that powderkeg.
aero on January 4, 2008 at 8:16 PM
good for him! this needs to be said over and over till people get it.
trailortrash on January 4, 2008 at 8:16 PM
My thoughts exactly
NickTx on January 4, 2008 at 8:17 PM
Off Topic….
Hey Fredheads, Fred’s wife called Bill O on his radio show today and he will play some of it on his show tonight.
csdeven on January 4, 2008 at 8:17 PM
Barring a big attack before the election in Nov., and the enemy is not that stupid, the WoT will not be front and center. It is to many of us, but not for the majority of Americans. They will learn the hard way.
Entelechy on January 4, 2008 at 8:17 PM
I’m not sure they’ll ever get it.
NickTx on January 4, 2008 at 8:18 PM
Thanks
NickTx on January 4, 2008 at 8:19 PM
csdeven, buddy, I like this kinder/gentler csdeven :) Felt for you last night, sincerely. Fredheads hurt, but you obviously did too.
Entelechy on January 4, 2008 at 8:19 PM
You cannot talk foreign policy with idiots that don’t understand what’s at stake in the long term. At least he’s not putting a Populist view just to pander for the votes, I’ll give him that.
Kini on January 4, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Ten years,fifty years,a hundred years.
How about peace and secruity in that part of
the region,for freedom—let time stand still.
Oh,and McCain has gut’s,and yes truth hurts.
canopfor on January 4, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Moonbats can’t deal with the truth.
RobCon on January 4, 2008 at 8:31 PM
No reason to feel for me. I don’t have a horse in the race that I am committed to. In the end, I’ll vote for the rep candidate. Except for Huck. I haven’t decided yet if I’ll sit on my hands or vote for him. If someone can convince me that he will nominate and fight for constructionist justices then I’ll vote for him.
csdeven on January 4, 2008 at 8:31 PM
Seconded…but did I miss something last night?
tickleddragon on January 4, 2008 at 8:32 PM
Only the MSM can take the FOURTH PLACE candidate and claim HE is the GOP savior!!
Warner Todd Huston on January 4, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Idiot.
Nonfactor on January 4, 2008 at 8:39 PM
How desparate is he for a sound bite that will play among the arch-conservative base that he’ll talk with glee about America staying in a country we don’t need to be in for longer than his grandchildren will live.
Nonfactor on January 4, 2008 at 8:42 PM
I prefer Fred, but if McCain wins the nomination I’ll vote for him in a heartbeat.
packsoldier on January 4, 2008 at 8:43 PM
NH – Reuters / C-SPAN / Zogby 1/4/08
McCain 34%
Romney 30%
Huckabee 10%
Giuliani 9%
Paul 7%
Thompson 2%
NH – Franklin Pierce 1/2/08
McCain 37%
Romney 31%
Giulani 10%
Paul 6%
Huckabee 5%
Thompson 2%
http://www.johnmccain.com/pathtovictory/
bnelson44 on January 4, 2008 at 8:45 PM
It’s interesting that McCain is playing nice with Huckabee, and that he’s apparently good buds with Fred. If Mitt’s failure to meet high expectations cause him to fade in the coming weeks, he is really well positioned to hang around for a long time… and the MSM will pump him up throughout. Without Mitt, Rudy is the only one who will attempt to lay a glove on him, but Rudy seems to have passed his prime.
Just from an issues standpoint, McCain and Huckabee match up pretty well if they were the ticket.
MT on January 4, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Better open your minds to McCain, people, because there’s a fair chance he could still win the nomination. Here’s my reasoning:
As I understand the situation, Fred’s folks would mostly roll to McCain if Thompson goes broke (which is likely), as would the security crowd supporting Rudy if he flames out (also looking likely). And how about Mitt’s backers if/when he spits the bit? Can’t see them going to Huckabee (actually, I think we can take this one to the bank given how ugly things are getting between them). I’m not thrilled about those developments, but they appear to reflect our emerging electoral reality.
As for the issues, there’s only three that matter to me: security, taxes and immigration. Taxes are going up for those of us in the $200K bracket no matter who wins unless it’s Thompson, and maybe even then if the Dems win big in Congress. That sucks, but again, this is reality.
Immigration is a huge issue IMO, because it factors directly into the other two (taxes and security), since illegals cost a lot to maintain, and terrorists can easily cross our borders the way it stands.
McCain says he’s learned his lesson on immigration, but I don’t believe him yet. However, I could probably be persuaded over the long haul if he keeps doing what he’s been doing lately.
There’s also no question that McCain is by far the most experienced candidate on either side, and the only one we know for sure will rain down a merciless attack on the terrorists should another 9/11 type event come along (anyone willing to bet they won’t try something like that again sometime over the next 4-8 years?)
God help me, but I’d at this point I’d probably vote for Bush again if he could run for a third term.
Blacksheep on January 4, 2008 at 8:50 PM
McCain is trying not to go negative. That is what happened to him in 2000 and he is resisting the urge to do the same.
bnelson44 on January 4, 2008 at 8:55 PM
http://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp?BlogID=10220
American Spectatorʼs AmSpec Blog: McCain Blogger Call
bnelson44 on January 4, 2008 at 9:01 PM
He says, “Maybe a hundred.”
The rest still stands… but it is a lot less callous when he bays “maybe” instead of “make it.”
VolMagic on January 4, 2008 at 9:02 PM
True.
Are you lost Nonny? The PaulNuts aren’t here.
Buy Danish on January 4, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Actually guys, I think this is great. But I am wondering if the Fredheads if this is the kind of stuff they’d like Fred to start saying.
csdeven on January 4, 2008 at 9:10 PM
Yeah, like tickle said above, even a broken watch…….
I don’t think anyone believes that McCain would be anything but great on national defense issues. But man! He sucks on so many other things. But if Mitt or Fred don’t pull out a miricle soon………I hate to say it but we may have to pull for him before long.
conservnut on January 4, 2008 at 9:22 PM
I don’t think it’s electoral suicide.
I’ve been wanting our leaders to say once and for all that we are not leaving. No matter what Iran or Al Queda tries to do to break our will. It is unbreakable.
The people who want us out of there, no matter what the consequences, aren’t going to vote for him anyway.
If it weren’t for Shamnesty, or McCain-Feingold, he’d be the perfect candidate, dagnammit.
So close. And yet so far.
But kudos to him for saying it.
Hawkins1701 on January 4, 2008 at 9:22 PM
He’s always been pretty strong on the WOT though. It’s the “illegal alien” thing he doesn’t seem to get.
thedecider on January 4, 2008 at 9:46 PM
I realize the context but are we intent on occupying all 194 nations worldwide?
Speakup on January 4, 2008 at 9:49 PM
How many of them are possible hotbeds of terrorism? There’s your answer.
TexasDan on January 4, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Man, the guy says one thing we like and everyone is willing to give him a free pass on everything else. Incredible. Mitt supporters and Fred supporters better get on the same page and back whichever guy is the last man standing or we can kiss any chance at conservatism in the white house good bye.
lan astaslem on January 4, 2008 at 10:05 PM
The Diggbats are already going nuts about McCain’s comment.
Afterimage on January 4, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Occupying? We aren’t occupying Iraq right now. We already maintain a military presence in a very large number of nations and they generally appreciate our presence there.
Buford on January 4, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Don’t forget Hunter, even though he’s in single digits. Check his creds – Vietnam vet as Airborne and Ranger, and his son has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He has been chair on House defense committee, and a member for over 20 years. Maybe SecDef if not VP????
McCain is TOTALLY unacceptable. He may be strong on defense overseas, but his rewards for illegal aliens policy is NOT good for national security on our borders. I remember well when he insulted me and all like-minded voters who objected to his proposed rewarding trespassers with a “path to citizenship.”
Unfortunately, border security is part of national security, and McCain falls down on this worse than anyone else. He FOUGHT for the shamnesty/rewards bill. It doesn’t help to have the front door double-bolted if you leave the back door wide open with a “Welcome” sign. I will never vote for McCain, and have told him so in letters about illegal immigration.
fred5678 on January 4, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Nothing, other than the agony of the Fredheads, Mittens, and the glee of tommylotto and maybe the libs’.
Entelechy on January 4, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Yeah, they really appreciate our money.
Occupation may not be accurate at the same time we really don’t need a presence in every square foot of the world, the ability to attack every square foot maybe.
Speakup on January 4, 2008 at 10:53 PM
The central battle of the War on Terror is in the middle east. I say pull everyone out of germany, japan and anywhere else and give iraq a surge that will make al queida shat their pants.
peacenprosperity on January 4, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Yep! McCain 4th and he is ON FIRE, Fred 3rd and he is toast?
Gatordoug on January 4, 2008 at 11:02 PM
And california also. They aren’t friends of this country, why should we have military bases there helping their economy.
peacenprosperity on January 4, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Wow.
AP, what have you been drinking that produced all this love?
Anwyn on January 4, 2008 at 11:11 PM
The best example of what Senator McCain is trying to express would be our relationship with the Philippines up until the early 90′s. We nurtured the island chain for the better part of last century as a valued security partner.
pc on January 4, 2008 at 11:57 PM
It’s called leadership: Something that McCain has in spades (to say nothing of an understanding about how world affairs are run) — unlike the current occupant of the White House (or either of his past two predecessors).
sanantonian on January 5, 2008 at 12:38 AM
Already there, my friend.
Maybe McCain would be a fine SecDef or SecState?
major john on January 5, 2008 at 1:12 AM
You ever sit in a restaurant as I was, nibbling on your runny scrambled eggs, gazing around aimlessly..when you notice an old guy, a really old guy, wearing an old ratty WWII cap, and you stop eating for a minute and kinda get tears that dont run down your cheek, but they are there, and think to yourself, I love that guy, even though he may be an old crank at home yelling at his wife all the time if he even had one. He’s a man. A real man. Lucky enough to have served before the days when Liberals made them out to be part of the problem in any conflict. He was sitting alone, and me being a shy type, I wasnt comfortable starting a conversation with him. But as I walked by him, as he was gazing down lazily into a cup of soup, I tapped him on the shoulder, he looked up at me with typical tired watery eyes, and I asked him how the soup was. A smile shot across his face saying he comes here every week for it. I said “take care of yourself, maybe I’ll see you here again.” How I wish I thanked him for his service to America. Maybe next time.
malkinmania on January 5, 2008 at 6:32 AM
Get real. We paid rent to stay there. When Aquino asked for a billion a year to stay on Bush I said no. Then the volcano blew up the air base. The people of the Phillipines are great folks – they just have no luck in getting competent and honest people in charge of the government.
Japan is a much better example to use. They are one of the few countries who actually pays for most of the construction and most of the salaries for the Japanese working on the bases.
Bradky on January 5, 2008 at 8:07 AM
What he’s saying makes a lot of sense. We’ve been in Korea for nearly 60 years. He turned it back on the questioner by basically saying “I hope it’s okay with you that we stay safe.” (paraphrased) Gutsy.
jdawg on January 5, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Wish more folks would do that. It really means a lot.
jdawg on January 5, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Yeah, that sure is suicide. Only SEVEN PERCENT of Americans support an occupation of that length.
“I hope [a 100-year occupation of Iraq, as long as no Americans were being wounded or killed] would be fine with you.” Takeaway: we have the right to have a military presence in any country, and as long as our troops aren’t being wounded or killed there is absolutely no reason why any American should question it.
Mark Jaquith on January 5, 2008 at 5:32 PM
“McCain/Feingold” and “McCain-Kennedy” killed this candidate for me. It’s too bad…. he screwed himself.
Ernest on January 6, 2008 at 12:49 PM