Video: McCain cheers for victory in Iraq on Leno
posted at 9:41 am on February 1, 2008 by Bryan
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Before throwing the hate at me for posting this, just watch the first minute or two. I remain very very skeptical of McCain as a conservative for all the same reasons most of you do. McCain’s hypocrisy in bashing Mitt Romney for spending his own money, when his own campaign finance law is largely responsible for the rise of self-financed campaigns, all but makes McCain a joke. He reportedly flirted with becoming a Democrat in 2001 according to that 10-month old story that Drudge is flogging, probably out of personal rage for having lost to George W. Bush. He still has Juan Hernandez, someone I consider to be an agent of influence for the Mexican government, on his campaign staff and that’s totally unacceptable. Rather they being a straight talker, he distorted and dissembled during the last GOP debate. But in the first couple of minutes of the interview McCain does lay out one serious difference between himself and either of the Democrats: Iraq. Last night both Clinton and Obama made pledges to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq as soon as possible. McCain disagrees and won’t do that, and rather than hem and haw about Iraq, stated unequivocally that we’re winning there. That’s probably the one issue where McCain’s straight talk actually means something, but it’s one big issue. Click on the image to head over to Red Lasso to play the clip.
JAY LENO: Don’t quote Mao on the campaign trail.
(Laughter.)
Not a good idea. It’s interesting because I’ve watched your career, and you seem to revel in being the underdog. It seems like, when the times get rough, you do this conniving ‑‑ do you enjoy that?
JOHN McCAIN: In a way, yeah. If I could just tell you a brief story. I was in Iraq with my friend Senator Lindsey Graham. 688 brave young Americans ‑‑ temperatures like 125 ‑‑ reenlist to stay in Iraq and fight. I mean, it was one of the more moving experiences I’ve ever had. We were on the plane on the way back, and we were talking, and I said, “You know, you’ve got these kids out there, these brave young Americans out there, and I’m worried about my political future, and they are putting it on the line. We’re not going to let them get defeated. We’re not going to have them surrender, and they’re going to win,” and, by golly, they are winning, my friend.
(Applause.)
Does McCain’s undeniable support for finishing Iraq with a win complicate things? Yes, it does. There’s nothing simple about this year’s election. Nothing at all.
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Did you know John McCain was a war hero?
coffee260 on February 1, 2008 at 9:44 AM
A) McCain is not going to be elected, period.
B) Assuming a counter-factual world where he is elected, the following is what’s going to happen to our Iraqi vets as soon as it is politically expedient for McVain:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-08-05-mcain-ad_x.htm
Better an honest socialist than a dishonest filth-bag.
ebrown2 on February 1, 2008 at 9:44 AM
At least that’s what I was expecting him to say. He hasn’t used that tired old line in about two days.
srhoades on February 1, 2008 at 9:48 AM
So the fact that McCain condemned the Swift Boat ads means he’s going to cut and run from Iraq? What logic led you to this?
packsoldier on February 1, 2008 at 9:49 AM
That should be “brave young undocumented Americans
srhoades on February 1, 2008 at 9:49 AM
I imagine an effective McCain campaign poster: two columns. On the left, a very long column listing all the reasons not to vote for him, drawing from your list above and many others. On the right, a single item: consistent poll results showing he is the only GOP candidate who can beat Hillary or Obama.
Mitt’s my man by a longshot, but that tactic would convince me in the general.
Once again, I prefer Mitt by far, but anyone who would dare allow either of those two unrepentant Socialists near the WH (again) is nothing but suicidal. McCain’s flawed, but he’s our guy, and we can control him. The other two don’t even want to hear your voice. They owe you nothing. End of story.
Hannibal Smith on February 1, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Here is the bottom line: whomever the republican nominee is we must not let the Obama/Clinton regime win the White House in November. Just a few things that are going to happen with a democratic WH and Congress:
Death by taxation.
Instilling gay marriage and agendas
Supreme Court justice appointments (x3)
Appeasement to the radical Islamists/illegal immigrants
Socialist Health Care
Taxes on energy to thwart fictional man-made global warming
Ending the War on Terror and cutting back the military
Reversal of Bush tax cuts
carbon_footprint on February 1, 2008 at 9:50 AM
IMHO, we are at war and this election is all about how this war will or will not be fought. Everything else is an historical footnote.
bnelson44 on February 1, 2008 at 9:50 AM
It is the one thing keeping me from staying home should he be the nominee.
nailinmyeye on February 1, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Hey Brian,
Wasn’t McCain one of the Keating 5? That was some pretty ugly stuff. I haven’t heard anyone say anything about that.
What’s the deal?
saiga on February 1, 2008 at 9:53 AM
McCain is good on the War in Iraq. As far as I know, so is Romney. Unless some of ya’ll can show me where Romney is not. And don’t throw the “He was for time tables” schtick out there. It doesn’t fly.
Kinda OT (Sorry) – Why didn’t McCain sit next to Leno? Wasn’t he the big interview rather than Rudy?
PappaMac on February 1, 2008 at 9:55 AM
If “finishing” Iraq means McCain’s 100-year occupation- count me out.
Valiant on February 1, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Even if you forget the polls that show McCain leading Obama/Hillary. Just the simple fact that he attracts even the anti-war independent voters (like in NH) shows that people trust his judgment as a leader even if they disagree. I’m still not convinced that Romney will be able to win enough independents in the general election who are by the large part anti-war. Maybe he would be able to convince them in nine months or maybe nader will take enough of them away from the democrats. But at this point McCain seems like the stronger general election candidate.
Complete7 on February 1, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Yes. positive Mav press!
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 1, 2008 at 10:00 AM
It should make it simple how to vote in November.
frankj on February 1, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Which is why I can’t happily support McCain. Guantanamo and the right to effective interrogation tactics are very important to our war effort.
NeoconNews.com on February 1, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Doug Ross explains it all in a nice graphic. He’s a little squishy for Hugh Hewitt’s favorite son, but you get the point…
Chap on February 1, 2008 at 10:05 AM
“So the fact that McCain condemned the Swift Boat ads means he’s going to cut and run from Iraq? What logic led you to this?”
It’s indicative of his lack of character and general backstabbing nature. Even if he “stays the course” in Iraq, which would be from his refusal to ever admit a “mistake”* rather than any principled commitment to the War on Terror, his hiring of America-hating seditionist Juan Hernandez shows how much of a “patriot” he really is. A McCain presidency wouldn’t even merit a boot monument.
*which, of course, is not really a mistake at all, except for his MSM buddies.
ebrown2 on February 1, 2008 at 10:07 AM
It doesn’t get much clearer than that for simpletons like me. Thanks Chap.
Geronimo on February 1, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Did you know he was a POW?
My dear friends, McCain is not my friend, my friend.
fourstringfuror on February 1, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Are we also “occupying” Korea, Germany, Saudi Arabia, or Kuwait? McCain is not talking about occupation but just having strategic bases in Iraq for the foreseeable future, only with the consent of the Iraqi government of course.
Complete7 on February 1, 2008 at 10:09 AM
WHAT ABOUT THE KEATING 5…..
saiga on February 1, 2008 at 10:10 AM
How many people who ask about immigration does he give a follow-up question to? I’m guessing… none.
amkun on February 1, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Saiga,
“Wasn’t McCain one of the Keating 5?”
Yes, indeedy.
“That was some pretty ugly stuff.”
Pious hypocrites like McVain and Keating getting together to fleece old people out of their savings, yep.
“I haven’t heard anyone say anything about that.
What’s the deal?”
The MSM is saving it as a very special post-nomination present for McVain.
ebrown2 on February 1, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Bryan,
This is why I support Mac. He has never wavered. Never hedged. He has stood by our soldiers every step of the way. I doubt if Romney has had that level of commitment to anything in his life except the Mormon church.
JayHaw Phrenzie on February 1, 2008 at 10:11 AM
In six minutes he managed to touch on a variety of issues Iraq/reenlistment, climate change, alternate energy (ethanol, batteries), he got some name dropping in (Terminator), he flattered Iowa, NH, and SC by mentioning them by name, and much much more! Including the fact that his daughter is a blogger. Plus he looked cheerful, trim, and energetic.
Looking at it from the point of view as a television viewer not steeped in Conservatism and concern about McCain’s political history, that was a great performance.
Looking at it from my point of view…formidable — if he can maintain this persona.
RushBaby on February 1, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Heh. It’s always the tale of two McCain, eh Bryan?
Here on full display is the “by golly” one. Of course the other face is the one cursing Kyl for trying to implement some provisions in a shamnesty bill.
Spirit of 1776 on February 1, 2008 at 10:15 AM
I’ve not been a McCain fan at all, but I will say his appearance on Leno last night was good. Rudy made a surprise appearance with him (surprised Leno too) and it was good to see he’s exited the race with class.
CP on February 1, 2008 at 10:15 AM
I believe all 5 admitted wrong doing. I see plenty of examples where McCains judgement is poor at best. And, he says Americans don’t trust the Government to secure the border, but I don’t trust him to do anything right on illegal immigration. I just can’t vote for him.
saiga on February 1, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Romney could learn a lot about how to run a campaign with honor and how to lose gracefully from Rudy.
Romney is going to lose, but he is doing it ugly and losing any possible future support I might have given him.
JayHaw Phrenzie on February 1, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Carbon_footprint,
With the exception of health care, (but not the WOT since McCain will not secure the border) McCain agrees with the Dems on all the points you mention.
There’s no choice, better an honest socialist than a dishonest backstabber.
ebrown2 on February 1, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Chuck Norris has been targeted for termination.
Baphomet on February 1, 2008 at 10:28 AM
ebrown2 on February 1, 2008 at 10:07 AM
How does his condemnation of the Swift Boat ads make him a backstabber? McCain campaigned hard for Bush in 2004…and Bush himself kept his distance from those ads.
packsoldier on February 1, 2008 at 10:35 AM
There are dozens of reasons to not vote for John McCain but dang, that DUDE IS SO FRACKING OLD!!
EJDolbow on February 1, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Commitment? You mean like a marriage commitment?
John McCain dumps the woman who waited for him all those years he was a POW, and then pulls a John Kerry by marrying into money.
Mitt Romney knows what a commitment is … 1 marriage 1 wife.
burnitup on February 1, 2008 at 10:39 AM
burnitup on February 1, 2008 at 10:39 AM
One wife here on Earth, yes. He can have multiple wives sealed to him in the temple for the afterlife.
packsoldier on February 1, 2008 at 10:40 AM
“How does his condemnation of the Swift Boat ads make him a backstabber?”
Res ipsa loquitur.
“McCain campaigned hard for Bush in 2004″
Tactical reasons, not principle. I never said that he was -utterly stupid- when it came to political necessity.
“and Bush himself kept his distance from those ads”
which is miles apart from calling the SwiftVets “dishonest” and “dishonorable.”
ebrown2 on February 1, 2008 at 10:42 AM
this man is my president.
jummy on February 1, 2008 at 10:50 AM
ebrown2 on February 1, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Thank you. I made that point a few days ago. McCain didn’t only call out the Swifties, he backed KERRY’s position on this. The Swifties didn’t only complain about Kerry’s service, they yelled about his treason after he left Vietnam! What is McLiar’s position on Kerry’s actions AFTER Vietnam?
dish on February 1, 2008 at 10:54 AM
This sucks.
Rotten prick has us by the short hairs…
Jaibones on February 1, 2008 at 10:58 AM
This is all breaking my heart. Really.
Jaibones on February 1, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Hey, relationships can get strained, especially after a person is away for a few years and can’t communicate. You can bash McCain on issues, but the guy is pretty committed to doing what he thinks is best for the USA.
Big S on February 1, 2008 at 10:59 AM
This reminds me – I can’t believe no one up to this point (First!) has made the Saul Tigh comparison. It’s quite apt, IMHO.
Hannibal Smith on February 1, 2008 at 11:08 AM
“Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran”…haven’t seen that one in awhile.
WisCon on February 1, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Occupation is McCain’s word- not mine. We have bases in those countries. As long as Islam is in Iraq, we will be occupiers.
Valiant on February 1, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Too weak to beat the Dem machine and the MSM smear merchants.
“Old, cranky, pasty, testy and tired Washington insider” will look unpalatable compared to “new, fresh, inspiring, hopeful, vibrant, and historical agent of change” .
It’s a Dole Redux being engineered by the left-learning media and their shills to bring the Dems the weaker candidate so they can then reveal all of McCain’s MANY flaws (of character and voting record) which they are strategically holding-back on noting, now.
McCain guarantees an Obama/Clinton.
As the Keating Five scandal shows, he’s corrupt enough to be a sitting duck for the MSM pundits and Dem political operatives slavering to skewer him with his “non-straight talk” and b.s. and tease out his rancid temper.
Guess I’ll have to start learning how you do a “write in” for November if Super Tuesday gives us this pre-lamed duck.
profitsbeard on February 1, 2008 at 11:48 AM
The Republican Party hasn’t changed at all. It is a “conservative party” in one big sense. It never embraces the new guy. It always picks the guy whose turn it is. We were damn lucky that in 1980 it was Ronald Reagan’s turn. We were unlucky that it was Bob Dole in 1996, and we are going to be unlucky this year with John McCain.
Democrats are a much less conservative bunch in this way. They will readily dump the old guy (or gal) and pick the new guy. It works for them (JFK, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton). They went with the establishment guy the last two elections and they lost. They went with the establishment guy in 1968 and 1984 and he lost. That’s why I think they will pick Obama this time, and he will win. Republicans need to pay attention to what he is doing and forget all the Hillary-panic. He is a phenomenal candidate and he is generating gigantic turnouts in the Democratic primaries.
If Mitt Romney campaigns honorably and well from here on out, he will get his turn in 2012. He’ll have 4 years to put this party back together. If he’s as good at that as he was at putting Bain and the Olympics back together, we will have a hell of a nominee in 2012 and we will sweep back into office.
rockmom on February 1, 2008 at 12:01 PM
dish on February 1, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Actually, McCain has said that he was against the Swift Vets attacking Kerry’s military service. He added that Kerry’s actions after leaving the military are fair game.
packsoldier on February 1, 2008 at 12:14 PM
I will do everything in my power to prevent Obama or Hillary from being commander in chief. If it requires pulling the lever for McCain… so be it.
Staying home = vote for defeat in Iraq and GWOT
(Not by intent but by effect)
stillaneocon on February 1, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Why do I keep thinking Hillary is more conservative than McCain?
faraway on February 1, 2008 at 12:29 PM
What is victory in Iraq?
daileyck1 on February 1, 2008 at 12:35 PM
I’ll never forget McCain strolling through that Baghdad market saying it is safe, when it was not. The story by the MSM was about whether McCain was lying. The story in the blogs was whether a liberal reporter was heckling him. I was thinking, here is a truly great American — putting his high value target ass on the line, to create the impression of progress and stability, to improve the morale of the soldiers on the battlefield and those wavering at home.
I do not recall Mitt doing that…
tommylotto on February 1, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Bush should have claimed victory in week 3. Then said we were there to assist the Iraqi people.
faraway on February 1, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Dish,
You’re welcome.
Here is the real sentiment that he had in 2004:
http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/4/2/115508.shtml
ebrown2 on February 1, 2008 at 12:42 PM
McCain’s strategerie towards our enemies will most likely be to BORE THEM TO DEATH WITH MONO-TONE MONO-LOGUES…
Chuck Norris is correct…he’s too old an lifeless…..
Not to mention the FACT he is a LibTurd in RINO clothing…..
awesum on February 1, 2008 at 12:52 PM
“Green technologies.”
Shut up.
No. Really.
Shut. Up.
Why doesn’t he just say “green collar jobs” and be just like Hillary?
I’m not the only one who noticed it and I hope it becomes something, but in the last debate, McCain let slip his mask more than a little and we got a peek at just how much this guy not only has no clue how markets work, but doesn’t have much respect for capitalism or the people who make it work at all.
“Green technology” will save us. The rallying cry of idiots who believe the government can decree a need for something and make it so.
I think this self-congratulatory little man may just be the biggest statist in the race on either said, and possiblt the biggest liar as well. I can see him, as President, thinking that if he believes a thing is good for us, well we’d just by-gawd better not complain and do what he says.
Y’know, FDR campaigned on the promise we’d stay out of Europe’s wars; LBJ campaigned on a pledge that “American boys shouldn’t be dying in place of Asian boys.” Democrats have a habit of being slapped in the face by reality (unless they’re Carter.)
So I don’t know. The sad thing is, if it weren’t for the war, I’d have McCain in a bag out on the curb and not even look back.
I do not like this guy at all.
Typhoon on February 1, 2008 at 12:52 PM
“I was in Iraq with my FRIEND Lindsey Graham.” Enough said
Jordan Yentsch on February 1, 2008 at 1:01 PM
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