McCain: “We have incurred a moral responsibility in Iraq”

posted at 4:27 pm on March 26, 2008 by Allahpundit

Two money excerpts from today’s big foreign policy speech to the Los Angeles Human Affairs Council, the text of which you’ll find here. The first half is aimed at convincing McCainocrats that he’s not Bush: “Mutual respect and trust” with our allies, no torture at home, a shiny new UN-esque “League of Democracies” to check American power and promote illiberal values abroad, etc etc. The one part where I perked up was where he called for Russia to be kicked out of the G8 and replaced with Brazil and India. Compare that with the passage where he calls for (cautious) outreach to China, provided they clean up their human rights record. A provocative triangulation.

The segments here come from the very beginning and very end of the speech. The latter is the bitter pill he’s asking swing voters to swallow after spooning on the sugar; the former is his attempt to derail the Democrats’ endless carping about his “100 years in Iraq” comment. Can a man who spent five years having his limbs broken in an enemy prison camp really be regarded as sweet on war? We’ll find out soon.

Link: sevenload.com

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Still ain’t voting for him.

Et tu Brute on March 26, 2008 at 4:30 PM

Still ain’t voting for him.

Et tu Brute on March 26, 2008 at 4:30 PM

I wasn’t, then I was thinking I would…now I won’t. And ya’ll can just save the, “He’s better than Clinton or Obama” stuff, after reading this speech, I simply don’t believe that.

Weight of Glory on March 26, 2008 at 4:36 PM

a shiny new UN-esque “League of Democracies”

If he means throwing the UN bums out and starting over with a democracy-only version, I’m all for that, but there is a lot of gray area about who is and isn’t a democracy.

pedestrian on March 26, 2008 at 4:36 PM

I simply don’t believe that.

Weight of Glory on March 26, 2008 at 4:36 PM

I’m sure Obama will stay in Iraq, take a hardline stance on Iran, etc. Don’t worry.

amerpundit on March 26, 2008 at 4:37 PM

Allah. You’ve touched on a point that I’ve been wondering about, but not seen directly addressed. I’ve noticed at times that McCain holds his arms awkwardly. It reminds me at times of how Bob Dole almost cradles his arm that was wounded in combat. Was part of the torture McCain went through having his arms broken? And was permanent damage inflicted?

I’m asking out of curiosity. I’m not trying to pull a Soros and make a nasty issue out of something that should be honored.

nukemhill on March 26, 2008 at 4:38 PM

Still ain’t voting for him.

Et tu Brute on March 26, 2008 at 4:30 PM

I am not voting for him either. Not sure if I will stay home and save my gas–you know McCain wants us to save the planet. Staying home would reduce my carbon foot print a little.

Or I might go thrid party. Have mentioned to a couple of folks that I thinking of writing my own name in. Three people have said they would vote for me if I decide to do that. Sure I would lose, but at least I would know exactly what kind of person for which I was voting. No bait and switch on that ticket.

USBB on March 26, 2008 at 4:38 PM

If he means throwing the UN bums out and starting over with a democracy-only version, I’m all for that, but there is a lot of gray area about who is and isn’t a democracy.

Ditto. I think that would be awesome.

nukemhill on March 26, 2008 at 4:39 PM

And was permanent damage inflicted?

Yes. He can’t lift his arms high enough to comb his own hair. His staff does it for him.

Allahpundit on March 26, 2008 at 4:39 PM

I’m sure Obama will stay in Iraq, take a hardline stance on Iran, etc. Don’t worry.

amerpundit on March 26, 2008 at 4:37 PM

Okay.

Weight of Glory on March 26, 2008 at 4:40 PM

nukemhill on March 26, 2008 at 4:38 PM

From Wikipedia:

McCain fractured both arms and a leg,[38] and then nearly drowned when he parachuted into Truc Bach Lake in Hanoi.[34] After he regained consciousness, a mob gathered around, spat on him, kicked him, and stripped him of his clothes.[39] Others crushed his shoulder with the butt of a rifle and bayoneted him in his left foot and abdominal area; he was then transported to Hanoi’s main Hoa Loa Prison, nicknamed the “Hanoi Hilton” by American POWs.[39][40]…

In August of 1968, a program of severe torture methods began on McCain, using rope bindings into painful positions, and beatings every two hours, at the same time as he was suffering from dysentery….

His injuries left him permanently incapable of raising his arms above his head.

amerpundit on March 26, 2008 at 4:41 PM

Still ain’t voting for him.

Et tu Brute on March 26, 2008 at 4:30 PM

In other words, you still don’t care about winning the war on terror.

Complete7 on March 26, 2008 at 4:41 PM

Still ain’t voting for him.

Et tu Brute on March 26, 2008 at 4:30 PM

Who let the troll out?

Chakra Hammer on March 26, 2008 at 4:42 PM

Who .. who.. who.. who????

Chakra Hammer on March 26, 2008 at 4:42 PM

Yes. He can’t lift his arms high enough to comb his own hair. His staff does it for him.

Allahpundit on March 26, 2008 at 4:39 PM

No doubt about it, the guy had a rough time over there and served his time with dignity and courage.

I still don’t want him for president.

Et tu Brute on March 26, 2008 at 4:42 PM

Y’all are nuts. Obama, Hillary, or McCain? There’s only one choice. Perfect? Hell, no. But way, WAY far ahead of the other two.

Get over yourselves. To give it up to the Democrats, either of them, is a senseless act of stupidity. I don’t want four or eight years of Obama or Clinton, and with all the talk about not voting for McCain is bringing that day closer.

Arrrggghhhhh.

Grantman on March 26, 2008 at 4:44 PM

Okay.

Weight of Glory on March 26, 2008 at 4:40 PM

And just keep telling yourself that when the pro-surrender, pro-reparations, pro-socialized health care, anti-Iran hardliner Messiah.

amerpundit on March 26, 2008 at 4:45 PM

gets sworn into office.

amerpundit on March 26, 2008 at 4:45 PM

I still don’t want him for president.

Grow up. NO one cares if you don’t vote. No one. It is your responsibility as a citizen of this country to vote for someone. You don’t want McCain? Fine – vote for someone else. But don’t delude yourself into thinking that not voting is somehow making a really great statement on the US politics. All it means is that you’re being a child.

No one is going to notice if you don’t vote. You’re just not that important.

mjk on March 26, 2008 at 4:47 PM

Still ain’t voting for him.

Et tu Brute on March 26, 2008 at 4:30 PM

Me either. His performance on amnesty was like a rusty bayonet twisting in my kidney. If he wins, it will be without my vote. I’m sitting this one out, and will not be intimidated to vote for him. If obama wins, he will be like Jimmy Carter and set up a new reagan Revolution if we survive his term.

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 4:49 PM

“It would be an unconscionable act of betrayal … if we were to walk away…”

Didn’t Lyndon Johnson share the same sentiments towards Viet Nam?

pilamaye on March 26, 2008 at 4:56 PM

Still ain’t voting for him.

Et tu Brute on March 26, 2008 at 4:30 PM

How exciting for you.

Did anyone else notice–back in whatever debate it was–that Barry O replied to a question by a worshipful moderator regarding his promise to meet with any dictator, anywhere, anytime, that to set preconditions would be to promote the idea of “American exceptionalism” which evidently then is a notion that’s not allowed in the new and improved Obama-nation.

Sure, there were things in here I don’t agree with, most notably his “global warming” position. However, I read the whole speech, and I don’t think anyone can argue that the man who gave it would not see “American exceptionalism” as a bad thing.

Go get ‘em Mav.

Typhoon on March 26, 2008 at 4:56 PM

“Global Alliance” a “League of Democracies”?

McCain/Kennedy Comprehensive Immigration Reform?

North American Union?

Anyone else see a pattern here?

Seven Percent Solution on March 26, 2008 at 4:56 PM

Grantman on March 26, 2008 at 4:44 PM

I have to agree with you. I was thinking 3 things when I heard the soundbites on Rush: 1) Moron. All he had to do is keep his mouth shut and he had it in the bag; 2) I can see why he considered being Kerry’s running mate and switching partoes and 3) He is the luckiest man since Ringo Starr, in any other year he’d get his clock cleaned if the Dem was remotely acceptable.

TheBigOldDog on March 26, 2008 at 4:56 PM

Another “troll” here to weigh in. We have to vote for conservatives at all levels of government so please do not stay home. Leaving the top of the ticket blank (or voting Constitution Party) is the best thing you can do for America this year. They are all Commies who despise conservative ideals..

Valiant on March 26, 2008 at 4:59 PM

I’m voting for him. I donated money. I may become a fund-raiser. I disagree with his immigration ideas from last summer and probably half a dozen other positions. But my perfect candidate is not in the race (i.e. me). McCain is better than Pantsuit or Barry O any day of the week. He’s honorable and sincere, has a terrific understanding of the military, and will appoint competent, conservative people to his cabinet and to judgeships. No Harriet Myers or Gonzolo or that dufus in charge of FEMA.

I voted for Bush in ’04 only because he was better than Kerry, not because Bush was a great president (he’s not) or a great candidate (he wasn’t). But he was better than Ketchup Boy.

Elections are contests. You vote for who is closer to your ideas. If you wait around for a flawless candidate who agrees with you on everything then you will never vote.

Vote Sauron 08 on March 26, 2008 at 4:59 PM

But don’t delude yourself into thinking that not voting…
mjk on March 26, 2008 at 4:47 PM

Not what I said. Those are your words. Not mine.

Please show me where in my post that I said I would not vote at all.

Oh, you can’t.

You are the one that is deluded.

Please check your facts before you post.

Thank you for your comment.

Et tu Brute on March 26, 2008 at 5:01 PM

I hate many of McCain’s stances on all the obvious things, yet I consider anyone who doesn’t see substantial differences between him and Hussein Hitlery Clobama crazy. If you’re asked to chose between having your foot broken and having your neck, back, both arms, both legs AND the foot broken and you can’t see the difference, there is nothing anyone can do for you.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:02 PM

Exactly. John McCain is absolutely right on this issue. Bravo for you, Senator McCain.

While it could be argued that our invasion of Iraq was a mistake, it is our absolute moral responsibility to stay. We broke it, we fix it.

Still can’t vote for you though. Your other policies, (especially your belief in “America causes GoreBull Warming”) are going to destroy the American economy.

Sure, the other guys aren’t any better on economics, but I don’t want a Republican President getting the blame for creating another Great Depression. That will give the leftists full absolute power for decades.

LegendHasIt on March 26, 2008 at 5:02 PM

Anyone else see a pattern here?

Seven Percent Solution on March 26, 2008 at 4:56 PM

I see illegal immigration as the biggest threat to the US. Wars will come and go, but amnesty will last forever. I already am very upset with the government doing nothing to stop the invasion, and any of the three boneheads running will make the Illegal situation worse.

The middle east is filled with people that are products of their sick culture, and mcCain can’t fix that. They have been killing each other for centuries, and getting their asses kicked by other countries just as long.

The only good thing about Iraq is it has oil, and if we stay the course, we should be at the top of their list for that oil.

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 5:03 PM

McCain: “We have incurred a moral responsibility in Iraq”

What about a moral responsibility to America, Juan?

MB4 on March 26, 2008 at 5:05 PM

You people who will stay home on Nov. 9th are like spoiled children. Please don’t vote for him, it is your choice. But keep your whining and mewling to yourselves. We have an election to win and you have opted out. Have a lolly to lick, it might help you pass the time until Obama, the most liberal candidate of all time, takes office in January.

Dr. Manhattan on March 26, 2008 at 5:07 PM

MB4, so he is a jerk. So let’s let Obama in?

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:09 PM

The only part of the world worse than the middle east is Africa. But, like welfare dollars in America, welfare dollars spent in Africa go down the well just as fast.

The only thing that will fix the middle east or africa is cultural evolution. I just don’t know how effective we can be in moving the ball any significant amount on that front. We have already spent billions trying, and I just don’t see any high quality progress.

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 5:10 PM

I’m voting for him. I donated money. I may become a fund-raiser. I disagree with his immigration ideas from last summer and probably half a dozen other positions. But my perfect candidate is not in the race (i.e. me). McCain is better than Pantsuit or Barry O any day of the week. He’s honorable and sincere, has a terrific understanding of the military, and will appoint competent, conservative people to his cabinet and to judgeships. No Harriet Myers or Gonzolo or that dufus in charge of FEMA.

I voted for Bush in ‘04 only because he was better than Kerry, not because Bush was a great president (he’s not) or a great candidate (he wasn’t). But he was better than Ketchup Boy.

Elections are contests. You vote for who is closer to your ideas. If you wait around for a flawless candidate who agrees with you on everything then you will never vote.

Vote Sauron 08 on March 26, 2008 at 4:59 PM

funky chicken on March 26, 2008 at 5:10 PM

Still can’t vote for you though. Your other policies, (especially your belief in “America causes GoreBull Warming”) are going to destroy the American economy.

LegendHasIt on March 26, 2008 at 5:02 PM

McCain has said he won’t act unless the Chinese and Indians do. And the fact is, they’re not about to. I figure with McCain, he’ll address the issue and hold talks and act or even be “concerned” until a few more cool years go by and the whole scam falls apart.

Barry, however, will “take the lead” and be “progressive” and not wait on anyone and join hands with the Democrat majorities in the House and Senate our economy right away.

Typhoon on March 26, 2008 at 5:11 PM

to ruin our economy, that is to say.

Typhoon on March 26, 2008 at 5:12 PM

The only good thing about Iraq is it has oil, and if we stay the course, we should be at the top of their list for that oil.

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 5:03 PM

Don’t count on it.

Mar 6, 2008

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq and China are close to re-signing a $1.2 billion oil deal that was called off after the 2003 U.S. invasion, an Iraqi Oil Ministry official said Thursday.

MB4 on March 26, 2008 at 5:13 PM

Typhoon, that’s exactly right. The passage of time can do any of the following things: have the whole Global Warming thing be completely exposed as a fraud, have the local anti-illegal measures take effect, have McCain concentrate on Iraq instead of either Global Warming or the illegals. That only works if it’s McCain and not Barry.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:15 PM

MB4, so he is a jerk. So let’s let Obama in?

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:09 PM

I don’t want either, but I have always expected more out of a Republican than I have out of a Democrat.

I may have been in error.

MB4 on March 26, 2008 at 5:16 PM

Let’s see, what is a more immediate danger to me?

Hyped up islamic knuckle-draggers, or proven dilution of American culture via criminal aliens, and bogus, cult worship of enviro crisis of the decade which will cripple our country for years.

Glad you political neophytes are so excited about the Maverick. Hope you guys stick around for the aftermath.

ClassicCon on March 26, 2008 at 5:17 PM

A couple thing that I don’t understand about the speach.
1) Outreach to China? Its ok to trade with one communist country(China), but not for another country(Cuba).
2) League of Demcracies, WTH more government. Maybe we should have a Dept. of Peace also.

menoname on March 26, 2008 at 5:18 PM

and will appoint competent, conservative people to his cabinet and to judgeships.

Vote Sauron 08 on March 26, 2008 at 4:59 PM

Men like Juan Hernandez?

MB4 on March 26, 2008 at 5:21 PM

I don’t want either, but I have always expected more out of a Republican than I have out of a Democrat.

I may have been in error.

MB4 on March 26, 2008 at 5:16 PM

MB, I have no expectations and try to see reality. I read a book recently about why rational voters make irrational choices. The theory was that each individual vote has zero chance to change the outcome of the election, so the political benefit to the particular person voting one way vs. the other is the same. However, if you vote your “prejudice”, meaning vote the way to make your self feel good, there is an obvious benefit. So why vote rationally?

In this case, too much is at stake to let Obama or Hillary in. The country may recover after McCain because he may be slow in doing his damage or may die. Obama will just plain destroy the country in three years.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:22 PM

You people who will stay home on Nov. 9th are like spoiled children. Please don’t vote for him, it is your choice. But keep your whining and mewling to yourselves. We have an election to win and you have opted out. Have a lolly to lick, it might help you pass the time until Obama, the most liberal candidate of all time, takes office in January.

Dr. Manhattan on March 26, 2008 at 5:07 PM

Sorry dad, your right. Guess I should just be a shallow political whore like yourself. I am done swallowing the repub parties worthless nominations since papa Bush. I am moving on. Maybe someday you will develop some convictions of your own.

Me continuing to vote for these soft-belly losers only ensures that my former party will puke up more of the same every four years.

ClassicCon on March 26, 2008 at 5:24 PM

McCain has said he won’t act unless the Chinese and Indians do.
Typhoon on March 26, 2008 at 5:11 PM

Was that before or after he said that he would use Executive Orders, if necessary to enforce his Cap and Trade plans, his promise to forever place ANWR, all the coastal and a couple of interior oilfields forever off limits to drilling?

Before or after he embraced the idea of an additional tax of 50 cents a gallon of gasoline to combat ‘GoreBull Warming’.

Etc.

As I said, I don’t want a Republican President getting the blame for creating a depression. It IS going to happen, barring the miracle of getting a common sense majority in Congress to block the Presidential idiocys.

LegendHasIt on March 26, 2008 at 5:24 PM

Let’s see, what is a more immediate danger to me?

Hyped up islamic knuckle-draggers, or proven dilution of American culture via criminal aliens, and bogus, cult worship of enviro crisis of the decade which will cripple our country for years.

Glad you political neophytes are so excited about the Maverick. Hope you guys stick around for the aftermath.

ClassicCon on March 26, 2008 at 5:17 PM

Classic, you don’t have to be excited about him. He makes me want to throw up every time I see him or hear his name. And yet a radical Marxist like Obama or Hillary will let the illegals in so much quicker. Why can’t you understand that nothing is completely certain, but the certainty of the illegals being legalized in the first two years is much higher under Hillary (close to 100% with the right congress) than under Mav? Even the bogus “border certification” will take a year or two. By that time the political situation may change one way or the other.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:25 PM

Let’s see, what is a more immediate danger to me?

ClassicCon on March 26, 2008 at 5:17 PM

Though no federal statistics are kept on murders or any other crimes committed by illegal aliens, a number of groups have produced estimates based on data collected from prisons, news reports and independent research.

Twelve Americans are murdered every day by illegal aliens, according to statistics released by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. If those numbers are correct, it translates to 4,380 Americans murdered annually by illegal aliens. That’s 21,900 since Sept. 11, 2001.

But the carnage wrought by illegal alien murderers represents only a fraction of the pool of blood spilled by American citizens as a result of an open border and un-enforced immigration laws.

While King reports 12 Americans are murdered daily by illegal aliens, he says 13 are killed by drunk illegal alien drivers – for another annual death toll of 4,745. That’s [another] 23,725 since Sept. 11, 2001.

MB4 on March 26, 2008 at 5:26 PM

Glad you political neophytes are so excited about the Maverick. Hope you guys stick around for the aftermath.

ClassicCon on March 26, 2008 at 5:17 PM

Well, which is it? I always like to hear from pseudo intellectuals !

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 5:29 PM

MB, I’m for shooting to kill anyone trying to cross the border illegally. If I were in charge, there’d be measures against the illegals most Americans can’t even imagine. And yet you still have to make a choice in Nov.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:30 PM

pseudo intellectuals, like me that is.

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 5:31 PM

Sorry dad, your right. Guess I should just be a shallow political whore like yourself.

ClassicCon on March 26, 2008 at 5:24 PM

Gringo, you must do what is right for el Presidente Juan and America del Norte.

If you must develop a case of SAC (Síndrome de Abusos Conservador) and become an habilitador, then that is what you must do.

VinyFoxy on March 26, 2008 at 5:34 PM

Why can’t you understand that nothing is completely certain

Here is what I do understand that IS certain. Me countinuing to hold my nose and continue to vote for the consistantly sliding left Repub nominations, will ONLY ensure that the party will contine to nominate these types of people.

We are fighting for two different things. You are fighting for the 2008 election. To me it doesn’t matter who wins because I feel the damage will eventually be the same. I am looking beyond the election to the future of the country.

Making sure I had the winning President’s bumber sticker on my car losts its importance for me decades ago.

ClassicCon on March 26, 2008 at 5:34 PM

To me, the illegal immigration invasion is a disaster getting worse by the hour. They are already everywhere, and niether republicans or democrats give a $h1t. I want to throw them all out; illegals and politicians. It is the number one issue with me because it is a national security threat of epic proportion. We kept the Japanese out, and the Nazis out in WWII. But now, we have been invaded and the government plays the violin.

All the choices suck beyond belief as far as I am concerned. I see nothing but trouble ahead whoever gets elected, so let the sheeple have their useless dance and elect tweedle dee, tweedle dumg, or tweedle doe.

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 5:38 PM

ClassicCon, after Obama there will never again be any Republican nominations. Obama will become a de facto Marxist dictator, so your justified rage will have to find another outlet. After any legalization of illegals, whoever does it, there won’t be another Republican nomination as well. Venting is fine, but making a choice is imperative.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:38 PM

MB, I’m for shooting to kill anyone trying to cross the border illegally. If I were in charge, there’d be measures against the illegals most Americans can’t even imagine.

No serf shooting needed, just enforce the law against the anti-American plantation owners.

And yet you still have to make a choice in Nov.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:30 PM

SECOND LOOK AT COLONIZING MARS!

MB4 on March 26, 2008 at 5:39 PM

saiga, there are a lot of local measures being implemented. McCain will be slower to act against them than Hillary or Obama simply because it will be less politically expedient for him.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:39 PM

Didn’t Lyndon Johnson share the same sentiments towards Viet Nam?

pilamaye on March 26, 2008 at 4:56 PM

I don’t know with absolute certainty that he did hold such a view. If I had to guess, I would imagine he did.

Either way (and regardless of other feelings about LBJ), it’s undoubtably true – walking away from Vietnam in 1975 was indeed an unconscionable act of betrayal – and one we should never repeat.

thirteen28 on March 26, 2008 at 5:40 PM

I thought the speech was OK, except for the crapola about “torture” and closing Gitmo.

flipflop on March 26, 2008 at 5:41 PM

McCain isn’t going to win in November anyway. So knock it off with the name-calling Maverick faithful. Don’t call other people children when you can’t even play nice yourselves.

Grayson on March 26, 2008 at 5:42 PM

MB, I’d enforce the law AND shoot the serfs at the border. Makes for vivid pictures. I would also drag out both the company CEOs and the illegals out of factories, kicking and screaming in front of TV cameras and refuse treatment at any hospital to an illegal.

My point still stands. Until Mars is open for business, you have to make choices. It’s like those people who get pinned down without anyone to help: your either cut off your own arm or die. Thinking “if I only stayed home” or whatever won’t help.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:44 PM

One of many examples:

You people who will stay home on Nov. 9th are like spoiled children. Please don’t vote for him, it is your choice. But keep your whining and mewling to yourselves. We have an election to win and you have opted out.

Oh, now we’re whiners and mewlers? OK. But the only thing worse than a whiner is one who thinks ‘President McCain’ somehow counts as winning an election.

innominatus on March 26, 2008 at 5:45 PM

Either way (and regardless of other feelings about LBJ), it’s undoubtably true – walking away from Vietnam in 1975 was indeed an unconscionable act of betrayal – and one we should never repeat.

thirteen28 on March 26, 2008 at 5:40 PM

Easy for you to say.

I would still be there.

MB4 on March 26, 2008 at 5:45 PM

There is one issue that, for me, eclipses all others in this election, and that issue is the Global War on Jihadist Terror, which includes, as critically important subissues, both Afghanistan and Iraq.

John McCain would, I believe, pursue that war, with the selfless acumen he so fully demonstrated by chamioning the Surge before all others, regardless of the risk such advocacy posed to his political future.

His general election opponent, whether Hillary or Obama, has promised to cut and run in that conflict, handing the forces of freedom a crushing defeat, and awarding both Al Qaeda and Iran substantial territorial and propaganda victories. The territory would be used to train the jihadis drawn to their cause by the propaganda lure of our defeat and retreat, snatched once again from the jaws of victory by feckless and venal politicians, for further attacks within our own borders. Al Qaeda and the Taliban would cease to be pressured in Pakistan, and would once again expand into Afghanistan, as the US and its NATO allies abandoned and betrayed the Afghan people just as the US-led Coalition would abandon and betray the Iraqi people – yet again (the first time being following Gulf War I). Al Qaeda would resurge in Anbar, and slaughter Iraqi civilians in order to establish an enclave there, from which they could train for attacks against us. And meanwhile, with her border pressures relieved and her opinion of us as paper tigers once again validated by events, a religious-fanatic-led Iran would proceed full scale not only towards the destruction of Israel via their proxies in Lebanon (Hezbollah) and Gaza (Hamas), but also towards nuclear and ballistic missile armament, while using their proxy militias in Shia Iraq to seize control of Shia Iraq to seize control of Iraq’s southern port and oilfields.

Those who would allow their own petty political peeves regarding relatively ancillary issues to serve as excuses to do other than to vote for the one electable candidate in this race who is publicly committed to preventing these things from happening are, in my opinion, willing to sacrifice this country’s safety and security and much future loss of blood and treasure on the altar of their own egocentric miffedness. I consider them to be not patriots, but prepubescents. I just hope and pray, for the sake of the future of this great country, that they grow up before November, and cast responsible votes.

Salamantis on March 26, 2008 at 5:45 PM

You people who will stay home on Nov. 9th are like spoiled children. Please don’t vote for him, it is your choice. But keep your whining and mewling to yourselves. We have an election to win and you have opted out. Have a lolly to lick, it might help you pass the time until Obama, the most liberal candidate of all time, takes office in January

.
How very persuasive.

Mike H on March 26, 2008 at 5:48 PM

Either way (and regardless of other feelings about LBJ), it’s undoubtably true – walking away from Vietnam in 1975 was indeed an unconscionable act of betrayal – and one we should never repeat.

thirteen28 on March 26, 2008 at 5:40 PM

Easy for you to say.

I would still be there.

MB4 on March 26, 2008 at 5:45 PM

It’s the stupid unwillingness to use nuclear weapons, or appropriate other weapons, that leads to the current situation. It’s so simple “See Iran do bad stuff. Destroy Tehran. See Iran not do bad stuff anymore.” It’s the concern with the damn “innocent civilians” that has become the root of all evil.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:50 PM

saiga, there are a lot of local measures being implemented. McCain will be slower to act against them than Hillary or Obama simply because it will be less politically expedient for him.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:39 PM

I sure hope you are right. Like ClassicCon I am looking past this next election, and I see big trouble no matter who gets elected. I’m not sure what happened to America, but it is really lost and I’m worried sick for her. When i look at all three of the candidates, it is beyond belief that these represent the best we have to offer. Hillary the liar, obama the stooge, and McCain the plankton drifting in the Ted Kennedy current.

None of these even know what leadership like Ike or MacArthur or Shwartzkof or Reagan is.

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 5:51 PM

From the US Army War College -

Vietnam in Retrospect: Could We Have Won?

Norman Podhoretz, who believes that American intervention in the Vietnam War was “an attempt born of noble ideals and impulses,” has concluded that “the only way the United States could have avoided defeat in Vietnam was by staying out of the war altogether.”[50] His judgment, in retrospect, appears to be as reasonable as any. The United States intervened in the Vietnam War on behalf of a weak and incompetent ally, and it pursued a conventional military victory against a wily, elusive, and extraordinarily determined opponent who shifted to ultimately decisive conventional military operations only after inevitable American political exhaustion undermined potentially decisive US military responses. Even had the United States attained a conclusive military decision, its cost would have exceeded any possible benefit. Vietnam was then, and remains today, a strategic backwater, and the US decision to fight there in the 1960s was driven by a doctrine of containing communism that in the 1950s was witlessly militarized and indiscriminately extended to all of Asia. Bernard Brodie observed in the early 1970s that “it is now clear what we mean by calling the United States intervention in Vietnam a failure. . . . We mean that at least as early as the beginning of 1968 even the most favorable outcome . . . could not remotely be worth the price we would have paid for it.”[51]

The key to US defeat was a profound underestimation of enemy tenacity and fighting power, an underestimation born of a happy ignorance of Vietnamese history, a failure to appreciate the fundamental civil dimensions of the war, and a preoccupation with the measurable indices of military power and attendant disdain for the ultimately decisive intangibles. In 1965, Maxwell Taylor confessed that “the ability of the Viet Cong continuously to rebuild their units and make good their losses is one of the mysteries of this guerrilla war. We still find no plausible explanation of the continued strength of the Viet Cong.”[52] Four years later, Vo Nguyen Giap commented that the “United States has a strategy based on arithmetic. They question the computers, add and subtract, extract square roots, and then go into action. But arithmetical strategy doesn’t work here. If it did, they’d have already exterminated us.”[53]

The United States could not have prevented the forcible reunification of Vietnam under communist auspices at a morally, materially, and strategically acceptable price.

MB4 on March 26, 2008 at 5:53 PM

Salamantis on March 26, 2008 at 5:45 PM

He is certainly better than Hillary or Obama, and that’s why advocate voting for him. But let’s not go overboard. The way to fight the jihadists is to have no mercy. Certainly now in Iraq the only way is to see the thing through, but it has cost a lot, a lot more than it should have. But McCain hasn’t demonstrated the ruthlessness needed to destroy anyone who performs a single hostile act against the US and who can be destroyed with relative impunity. When he speaks of “God’s children” he makes me gag.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:54 PM

The best Democrat on the November ballot will be John McCain and that’s who I’m going to vote for. It’s unfortunate that we won’t have a Republican to vote for but we aren’t always going to get what we want. It may be unfair, it may be upsetting, but it’s the reality of the situation. Some Republicans sat out the ’06 elections because they were understandably upset with Congress and with Bush. How’s that working out? Speaker Pelosi?!?! I never thought I would see such an abomination in my lifetime.

Django on March 26, 2008 at 5:54 PM

The country may recover after McCain because he may be slow in doing his damage or may die. Obama will just plain destroy the country in three years.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:22 PM

I disagree. With bipartisan support, McCain will burn down Rome in a day. We can hope the Republicans would fight Hill or Obama so Rome burns down a little slower. McCain will continue leading the GOP over a cliff.

Valiant on March 26, 2008 at 5:59 PM

I sure hope you are right. Like ClassicCon I am looking past this next election, and I see big trouble no matter who gets elected. I’m not sure what happened to America, but it is really lost and I’m worried sick for her. When i look at all three of the candidates, it is beyond belief that these represent the best we have to offer. Hillary the liar, obama the stooge, and McCain the plankton drifting in the Ted Kennedy current.

None of these even know what leadership like Ike or MacArthur or Shwartzkof or Reagan is.

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 5:51 PM

I agree with you 100% and I’m just as worried. Why has it happenned? Many factors. The 60s made it acceptable to besmirch America. As an immigrant, this is hard to say, but importing various Third World people combined with the multicultural push made the concept of a better culture meaningless. Billionairs like Soros using Alinsky’s tactics found a way to defeat democracy using it’s own rules. I can trace the history of this debasement to more than 100 years ago, but it would be too long.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:59 PM

When they come to get my guns, it will be butt ugly. At some point, there is a limit to the crap I will allow to be shoved down my throat. I consider myself a patriot, and loyal to the constitution. As I look around, I see too many wimps and chickens being swept along in a Jimmy Carter malaise wind.

I like John Wayne Americans, not Woody Allen or Sean Penn Americans. They better not tread on me.

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 6:00 PM

How very persuasive.

Mike H on March 26, 2008 at 5:48 PM

I am so glad that you are persuaded. Now don’t forget your next step Gringo, aprender espanol!!!

VinyFoxy on March 26, 2008 at 6:02 PM

MB4: Easy for you to say. … I would still be there.

What’s that mean?

DaveS on March 26, 2008 at 6:04 PM

I disagree. With bipartisan support, McCain will burn down Rome in a day. We can hope the Republicans would fight Hill or Obama so Rome burns down a little slower. McCain will continue leading the GOP over a cliff.

Valiant on March 26, 2008 at 5:59 PM

I understand your point of view, I’ve heard it before, but I disagree. McCain is surrounded by many advisers, some open-border types, and some solid conservatives. They will slow him down more than the open-loop Democrats. McCain did say “border certification”, that will not be done in a month. Just gaining two years counts for a lot, you get a new Congress. There is now evidence that a filibuster-proof majority will be easier on McCain than Obama. Also, if you let Hillary or Obama in, they will stack the decks so NO Republican will ever win again, count on it. These are not your grandfather’s Democrats. I do agree that if does legalize the illegals, the game is over just as surely as with Obama.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 6:04 PM

What’s that mean?

DaveS on March 26, 2008 at 6:04 PM

Come on, think about it.

Grayson on March 26, 2008 at 6:08 PM

but we aren’t always going to get what we want.

Django on March 26, 2008 at 5:54 PM

When America had a few million people we had Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Adams.

Now with 300,000,000 million, we get Fallen Messiah, HildaCackleBeast and Juan Plantation McVano to choose from.

We are so scroomed.

MB4 on March 26, 2008 at 6:09 PM

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 5:59 PM

You are right about controlling illegal immigration. We used to be a melting pot, but became a tossed salad. Now, we are simply broken. We must get a handle on the Illegal alien invasion. Like Cesar Milan (The dog Whisperer) says, we need to be the pack leader, and not let the dogs train us. We have lost control of the American pack.

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 6:11 PM

I’ve said before that I’m not going to vote for him. I’m going to write-in the person that I like. I’ll also be voting for Norm Coleman to defeat Al Franken. I wonder how that will work out for me.

cjs1943 on March 26, 2008 at 6:12 PM

When America had a few million people we had Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Adams.

Now with 300,000,000 million, we get Fallen Messiah, HildaCackleBeast and Juan Plantation McVano to choose from.

We are so scroomed.

MB4 on March 26, 2008 at 6:09 PM

All societies eventually get fat, dumb, and soft. Then they get a wake up call. It either wakes them up, just weakens them, or kills them. We’re getting a wake up call, and we’ll have to see where it’s taking us.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 6:13 PM

I’ve said if before. I’ll say it again.

No matter who wins in November… WE LOSE!!!!

-Wasteland Man.

P.S. Yes I will vote for him over the other 2 but dear G_d I am stocking up on “Supplies” before the end of this year for SURE! things are gonna get UGLY folks. PREPARE!!!!!

WastelandMan on March 26, 2008 at 6:16 PM

You are right about controlling illegal immigration. We used to be a melting pot, but became a tossed salad. Now, we are simply broken. We must get a handle on the Illegal alien invasion. Like Cesar Milan (The dog Whisperer) says, we need to be the pack leader, and not let the dogs train us. We have lost control of the American pack.

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 6:11 PM

I saw Milan yesterday, I made a joke that he should be the Whisperer for the Illegals. American people had it too good since 1945 and can’t conceive of different groups fighting for limited resources on a global or country-to-country scale. The Marxist professors brainwash the students into believing that the American culture is sub-standard at most, if not downright evil. As life gets harder and harder there will be eventually dramatic change, it’s just hard to predict the particulars.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 6:19 PM

We’re getting a wake up call, and we’ll have to see where it’s taking us.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 6:13 PM

Americans used to represent self reliance. Not any more. We are now seen as hip hop Rap music, political corruption, gang bangers, morally sick, spoiled, lazy, materialistic, and heading downhill at breakneck speed.

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 6:22 PM

I know there are millions of fantastic American people living and working hard every day. They are smart and have good hearts and morals. I just hate to say it, but it seems as a percentage of the population, that segment is getting smaller. However, when the going gets tough, the cream will rise to the top, and I still hope we can get it together. One good man is better than 1000 sheep.

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 6:28 PM

Americans used to represent self reliance. Not any more. We are now seen as hip hop Rap music, political corruption, gang bangers, morally sick, spoiled, lazy, materialistic, and heading downhill at breakneck speed.

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 6:22 PM

Well, you have FDR who was almost a Marxist and an admirer of Stalin to thank for starting us on the road to this reality. The New Deal solidified the idea that the Government will take care of you if you only pay a little more in taxes. Of course the intervention of the Fed, the offshoot of an idea that the Government should regulate the economy really created the Great Depression which made people scream for government help. Trust Busting and lots of radical immigrant organizers from Eastern Europe paved the way too. It take a long time to destroy independent people, but it can be done.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 6:31 PM

I know there are millions of fantastic American people living and working hard every day. They are smart and have good hearts and morals. I just hate to say it, but it seems as a percentage of the population, that segment is getting smaller. However, when the going gets tough, the cream will rise to the top, and I still hope we can get it together. One good man is better than 1000 sheep.

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 6:28 PM

Oh, this is still the greatest country in the world, bar none. The acceptance of the principle of fair play by most of the population unlike 99% of the world is really what makes the country great, and what leads to economic achievement and a chance for anyone to better themselves. Hillary’s lying meltdown and Obama’s pastor after Obama had been built up into a saint will act as a shock that may have positive consequences.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 6:35 PM

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 6:31 PM

Thanks for the water splash in the face. I makes me feel better that I’m not the only one worried.

I will stay tuned, but am signing off now.

Like you, I will be focused long term.

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 6:35 PM

saiga on March 26, 2008 at 6:35 PM

Bye! I’ll be off too.

Igor R. on March 26, 2008 at 6:37 PM

Uh, guys? Does anyone here really think that the outcome of the election hinges on whether Hot Air commenters vote for McCain or not?

Roughly half of eligible voters don’t vote in any given presidential election. Those that are comforatable voting for McCain should. Those who aren’t may decide not to- not because they want Obama or Hillary to be President, but because McCain doesn’t represent their beliefs. That’s perfectly legitimate, but perhaps best kept to one’s self.

McCain is the nominee. I don’t like it, and a lot of you don’t either. Going on about how you personally won’t vote for him, or berating others for not supporting him changes nothing and only decreases the signal to noise ratio.

Hollowpoint on March 26, 2008 at 6:38 PM

Me continuing to vote for these soft-belly losers only ensures that my former party will puke up more of the same every four years.

Classic you speak truth to power. McCain is the new Republican party. There are many more folks like you and me out here who don’t buy the hype about McCain. Line up all the endorsements it doesn’t change the fact that he is wrong on immigration, taxes, global warming, and has called Republican religious leaders “agents of intolerance” while staying silent about liberal religious leaders such as Rev. Wright. I could go on, but why?

Read up on the issues and vote your conscience.

Angry Dumbo on March 26, 2008 at 6:42 PM

“It would be an unconscionable act of betrayal … if we were to walk away…”

…and if anyone knows something about betrayal, its Juan McCain. The man tried to give our country away behind our backs.

I swear, many conservatives have battered wife syndrome.

He WAS a patriot, now he’s a corrupt politician.

The more you hold your nose & vote, the more you’ll HAVE to hold your nose & vote.

DwnSouthJukin on March 26, 2008 at 6:44 PM

Hopefully McCain only runs for one term then let Bobby become our next president.

For people here who will say that voting for McCain will allow the Republican party to nominate another country club republican is wrong. In 4 years after McCain finish his only term in office, he will step down and we will have our candidate finally in Gov. Bobby. We just have to endure 4 years of nighttime with president McCain then we will have morning in America again.

BroncosRock on March 26, 2008 at 6:45 PM

You people carping about what will happen if conservatives don’t vote for McCain need to stop. Dude, with the way things are going with Hillary/Obama, there’s more than ample amounts of take downs out there. McCain never needed a conservative to get the GOP nod, and he won’t need conservatives to vote for him to win. Democrats are wrong-headed but there are still a large percentage that aren’t suicidal.

Basically, I’m gonna feel the same way I felt about Pres. Clinton if either one of these three get elected: “Wake me when it’s over.” I’m taking my kids and my money and going underground. Not gonna make any extravagent moves or purchases. And hope that the government doesn’t need to bail out anymore financial institution. When it gets as bad as lamanted card A, you get your gas on M-W-F, lamanted card B, you get your gas on T-TH-S and Sunday is Global-Warming Day, no gas for you, stay home and live by candlelight, I hope the Americans do what they did when RR came into town on horseback.

Sultry Beauty on March 26, 2008 at 6:49 PM

BroncosRock on March 26, 2008 at 6:45 PM

If by “BroncosRock” you mean the Denver Broncos, then no matter where you stand politically, you have a friend in me.

Weight of Glory on March 26, 2008 at 7:06 PM

When it gets as bad as lamanted card A, you get your gas on M-W-F, lamanted card B, you get your gas on T-TH-S and Sunday is Global-Warming Day, no gas for you, stay home and live by candlelight, I hope the Americans do what they did when RR Paul Revere came into town on horseback.

Sultry Beauty on March 26, 2008 at 6:49 PM

Fixed. For me, anyways.

Hollowpoint on March 26, 2008 at 7:08 PM

Iraq will not be anymore stable in 100 years than it is now. The Sunnis and Shias will still fight over Baghdad, it means too much to the both of them. Google: Hugh Fitzgerald Iraq.

aengus on March 26, 2008 at 7:32 PM

McCain was my “fouth” choice of the Republican candidate’s and he is now the chosen one. He got there as a result of the Demoratic’s equvilent of Rush’s current “Operation Chaos” and they are now crying “FOUL”. “GIVE ME A BREAK”. They have been playing that game for forty years.

That being said. There are alot of you Republicans “posted aboved” that state you can’t vote for McCain.

“If you stay home and don’t vote”, “don’t think/know that OB or HC will be one heck of a lot worse”.

I don’t like it, but I’m going to “Hold My Nose” and vote for McCain.

If you don’t vote for him, the next SC will totally change America into a “Socialistic HELL HOLE”.

IMHO!!!!!

bucko36 on March 26, 2008 at 8:12 PM

I can’t wait til Mav and Obama talk iraq. Game, set, match.

THE CHOSEN ONE on March 26, 2008 at 8:30 PM

Once again into the breech…a chose between the lesser of all evils, a compromise that only a realist will make. We can survive McCain, not the alternative….OT shuttle about to land..yeah baby!

dmann on March 26, 2008 at 8:38 PM

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