“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.

How I wish I thanked him for his service to America. Maybe next time.

malkinmania on January 5, 2008 at 6:32 AM

Wish more folks would do that. It really means a lot.

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

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.

give iraq a surge that will make al queida shat their pants.

Already there, my friend.

Maybe McCain would be a fine SecDef or SecState?

AP, what have you been drinking that produced all this love?

and anywhere else

And california also. They aren’t friends of this country, why should we have military bases there helping their economy.

Warner Todd Huston on January 4, 2008 at 8:34 PM

Yep! McCain 4th and he is ON FIRE, Fred 3rd and he is toast?

they generally appreciate our presence there.

Buford on January 4, 2008 at 10:16 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.

Seconded…but did I miss something last night?

tickleddragon on January 4, 2008 at 8:32 PM

Nothing, other than the agony of the Fredheads, Mittens, and the glee of tommylotto and maybe the libs’.

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

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.”

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

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.

I realize the context but are we intent on occupying all 194 nations worldwide?

Speakup on January 4, 2008 at 9:49 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.

This is electoral suicide. But thanks for the having the balls to say it anyway.

The Diggbats are already going nuts about McCain’s comment.

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.

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.

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.