McCain: Obama doesn’t understand “the fundamental elements of national security and warfare”

posted at 1:37 pm on April 1, 2008 by Allahpundit

A vigorous parry of yesterday’s dishonest distortion of his “100 years in Iraq” comment by Obama that’s harsher and more dismissive than it should be. It’ll play with the base and with our readers, but I hasten to remind you that the brightening in the polls of late about Iraq does not extend to the question of whether the war was the right or wrong decision. On the contrary, public sentiment on that point has actually soured slightly over the past year. Telling Obama he doesn’t know jack about war when most of the electorate now shares his early skepticism is, perhaps, a bit more Straight Talk than the hawk of hawks should permit himself. But I know I’ll be ripped to shreds for suggesting as much, so flame away.

Exit question: When are we going to bring our boys home from Kuwait? Or is Obama cool with the “100 year” plan for that country, like he is with Japan, Germany, South Korea, etc.? Click the image to watch.

mccain-fundamentals.jpg

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Comment pages: 1 2

Men like you are what makes this country great.

ArmyAunt on April 1, 2008 at 3:51 PM

Actually, I’m a woman, but thanks.

baldilocks on April 1, 2008 at 4:36 PM

This isn’t at all the survey you cited earlier.

How about admitting that the survey you posted, was falsified?

NoDonkey on April 1, 2008 at 4:30 PM

Can’t you even read?

That is exactly the survey that I was referring to and of which I posted the part about which country had benefited the most.

I said Iran 37%, China 21% and America 20%.

The China part should have been 22% rather than 21%.

And I said that you would like part of it even though you called it a fraud before even seeing it.

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 4:37 PM

Oh goody, another 100 foot wall and machine gun nest border zealot. Pitchfork Pat’s not running this year, you might be able to find him under the table at some Irish dive bar though.

I didn’t know John McCain commented at Hot Air!

jaime on April 1, 2008 at 4:39 PM

Jaime have you actually seen and heard Obama talking about this?

Sure. He’s worse than McCain on this issue. I know it’s hard to believe that anyone is worse than McCain on this issue, but Obama has managed it.

jaime on April 1, 2008 at 4:41 PM

Can’t you even read?

That is exactly the survey that I was referring to

No, you are referring to the Asia Times.

This is the link to the actual survey. Nothing about what country benefited:
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4198

You’ve been lied to and now you’re spreading the lie.

NoDonkey on April 1, 2008 at 4:44 PM

There are only a few hundred gutless traitor Democrat politicians, fortunately.

The people that voted them in are merely ignorant, not traitors.

NoDonkey on April 1, 2008 at 4:33 PM

Must be EXCEEDINGLY depressing to think that about half of your fellow Americans are such ignoramuses that they would vote for hundreds of gutless traitors for the U.S. Congress.

You sure don’t seem to like Americans much.

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 4:46 PM

Must be EXCEEDINGLY depressing to think that about half of your fellow Americans are such ignoramuses that they would vote for hundreds of gutless traitors for the U.S. Congress.

No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people, especially after our public schools got finished with them.

And not even close to half voted for these people. Democrats steal votes and elections as a matter of course.
Corpses, housepets, multiple voters, etc., all break swiftly for worthless Democrats.

NoDonkey on April 1, 2008 at 4:51 PM

NoDonkey on April 1, 2008 at 4:44 PM

Try reading your own linked article.

Five years into the war in Iraq, for example, a majority of the officers report that either China or Iran, not the United States, is emerging as the strategic victor in that fight.

jaime on April 1, 2008 at 4:56 PM

Still works!
It has become all to clear that Obama will not be held to account for anything he says/does/is by both the press and the public! He has already cleared the Rev. Wright turbulence and in fact gained support. The Messiah will be able to lie, twist and distort facts without fear of repercussions. Just as some on this site that harbor absolutely clueless perspectives on Islam, terrorism, strategic deployments and cannot stay focused on a topic, instead they continually hijacking comments to push their pathetic agendas! Its all about hearing ones inner voice and feeling your opinion is correct regardless of undeniable facts and irrefutable truths! Well good F’in luck to one and all and may God help us survive the next decade!

dmann on April 1, 2008 at 4:42 PM

dmann on April 1, 2008 at 5:00 PM

Then the survey is completely inconsistent and therefore unreliable. If nine out of ten officers think success is within reach in Iraq, how could they also answer that China or Iran is emerging as the strategic victor? I am very skeptical of this survey, this is a think tank, not an official survey. I really question their methodology here.

NoDonkey on April 1, 2008 at 5:02 PM

You’ve been lied to and now you’re spreading the lie.

NoDonkey on April 1, 2008 at 4:44 PM

You sure do like to call people liars.

From the Asia Times (Feb 21, 2008) with previous and next paragraphs included.

Those views are likely informed by survey respondents’ opinions about the way the civilian leadership handled the war in Iraq in the immediate aftermath of the fall of Saddam Hussein. Nearly three quarters of the officers said that the goals of the civilian leadership for the military were “unreasonable”.

Furthermore, it appears that many officers find that the efforts of US forces have sometimes been counterproductive. Asked what country had gained the “greatest strategic advantage” from the war in Iraq, 37% said Iran while 22% answered China. Just one in five of the officers answered that the US had gained the most.

Though many of the results of the survey were negative, the officers were not pessimistic about the forces themselves. Sixty-four percent of the officers said that they believe morale is high in the military, and nearly 9 in 10 believe that the “surge” escalation was having a positive effect on the war effort.

I really doubt that they would have just made up the middle part out of whole cloth when it would be so easy to check and they include “they believe morale is high in the military, and nearly 9 in 10 believe that the “surge” escalation was having a positive effect on the war effort”.

Maybe they have access to more of the survey than was published for the general public.

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 5:11 PM

NoDonkey-
From Foreign Policy:

About the Foreign Policy/Center for a New American Security U.S. Military Index
Participants in the survey were selected by the Center for a New American Security and Foreign Policy. The nonscientific survey was administered online from December 7, 2007, to January 15, 2008.

You are correct that it is non-scientific.

MayBee on April 1, 2008 at 5:12 PM

Here’s a freebie for McCain:

“Sen. Obama gives very insprirational speeches. So does Tony Robbins. And he’s just about as qualified to be President of the United States and Commander in Chief of our Armed Forces. President Tony Robbins… doesn’t really have a ring to it, does it?”

wordwarp on April 1, 2008 at 5:13 PM

Here, I’ll say it for McCain, Fauxbama’s an idiot. Everytime this clown opens up his mouth about foreign policy it’s a bad joke. He hasn’t got a clue as to how any international relations work. He’s useless without a teleprompter, and that’ll be evident when McCain has to debate this gluehead….If Fauxbama wins this thing, expect the Jimmuh Cahtuh Presidency part Deux………..

adamsmith on April 1, 2008 at 5:16 PM

I am very skeptical of this survey, this is a think tank, not an official survey. I really question their methodology here.

NoDonkey on April 1, 2008 at 5:02 PM

You are really getting me confused now. First you say that the Asian Times is basically junk and making things up and that we should go with FP (your own link) and now you seem to be saying that FPB is junk. Can you make up your mind?

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 5:17 PM

FPB S/B FP

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 5:19 PM

You are correct that it is non-scientific.

MayBee on April 1, 2008 at 5:12 PM

All surveys are “non-scientific”. Some say so, some don’t.

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 5:21 PM

Must be EXCEEDINGLY depressing to think that about half of your fellow Americans are such ignoramuses that they would vote for hundreds of gutless traitors for the U.S. Congress.

You sure don’t seem to like Americans much.

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 4:46 PM

Hmmm… 60% voter turnout last election, Bush won with 51%, so we’re really only talking about a 30.5% to win.

So, you don’t even need to fool most of the people any more, just the STUPIDEST 1/3…

Romeo13 on April 1, 2008 at 5:21 PM

The staff at CNAS appear to be former Clinton Adminstration staffers. Based on their bios:

1) “From 1997-2000, Dr. Miller was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Requirements, Plans, and Counter-proliferation Policy, where his office led the planning phase of the department’s planning, programming, and budgeting system, reviewed war plans for the Secretary of Defense, and oversaw efforts to improve U.S. and coalition defenses against chemical and biological weapons.”

2) Co-founder Michele Fournoy’s bio doesn’t include specific dates for Gov’t positions held, but…”Prior to joining NDU, she was dual-hatted as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Threat Reduction and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy. In that capacity, she oversaw three policy offices in the Office of the Secretary of Defense: Strategy; Requirements, Plans, and Counterproliferation; and Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasian Affairs. Ms. Flournoy was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service in 1996, the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service in 1998, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award in 2000.” This may imply Clinton Administration service.

3) Co-founder Kurt Campbell also does not have specific dates for Gov’t positions, but the timing (prior to 2001) seems to imply Clinton Administration service. Also, these activities speak for themselves: “He has also been a contributing writer to The New York Times, a frequent on-air contributor to NPR’s All Things Considered and a consultant to ABC News. ”

Hmmm.

Perfesser on April 1, 2008 at 5:26 PM

Democrats steal votes and elections as a matter of course.
Corpses, housepets, multiple voters, etc., all break swiftly for worthless Democrats.

NoDonkey on April 1, 2008 at 4:51 PM

So what are you saying now, that if “Corpses, housepets, multiple voters” didn’t vote, the democrats would have lost seats in 2006 instead of gaining a lot?

Sounds like that.

Also sounds a lot like some of Gore’s supporters in 2000 about Florida and some of Kerry’s supporters in 2004 about Ohio.

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 5:27 PM

You sure don’t seem to like Americans much.

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 4:46 PM

One can like them a lot, and still find a bunch of them uninformed dunces, on both sides. See, for ex., how the conservatives have no clue on where McCain stands on amnesty, having voted for him in droves.

Entelechy on April 1, 2008 at 5:27 PM

So, you don’t even need to fool most of the people any more, just the STUPIDEST 1/3…

Romeo13 on April 1, 2008 at 5:21 PM

So what are you saying, that only the stupidest people vote?

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 5:29 PM

See, for ex., how the conservatives have no clue on where McCain stands on amnesty, having voted for him in droves.

Entelechy on April 1, 2008 at 5:27 PM

OK, well now you kind of got me there I suppose.

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 5:30 PM

Actually, I’m a woman, but thanks.

baldilocks on April 1, 2008 at 4:36 PM

Well damn, I thought the “baldi” part was a dead giveaway!
But I meant what I said to you!

ArmyAunt on April 1, 2008 at 5:32 PM

One can like them a lot, and still find a bunch of them uninformed dunces, on both sides. See, for ex., how the conservatives have no clue on where McCain stands on amnesty, having voted for him in droves.

Entelechy on April 1, 2008 at 5:27 PM

Uninformed dunces??
Let’s see…vote for Obama who I disagree with on most everything….or….vote for McCain who I disagree with on a few things…..hmmmmmm what should I do…..?

ArmyAunt on April 1, 2008 at 5:34 PM

More things that make you go Hmmmmm…..

CNAS Board of Directors includes (drum roll please!):

“The Honorable Dr. Madeleine K. Albright
Principal, The Albright Group LLC”

There’s several others that may be Clintonistas as well.

It seems that was a VERY unscientific study.

Perfesser on April 1, 2008 at 5:44 PM

4 years of Obama will seem like 100 I am very sure!

SouthernGent on April 1, 2008 at 5:47 PM

So let me just try to recap now.

NoDonkey says that my link, and me, is a fraud and lies.

NoDonkey then post his link to FP which he seems to think is great.

Jaime, after reading NoDonkey’s link, calls attention to it’s saying basically the same thing as my link did, just not giving the actual percents.

NoDonkey then turns on his own link.

Is that about it?

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 5:49 PM

This should at the very least put to rest fears that McCain was going to be too “soft” when dealing with the democratic nominee.

Hog Wild on April 1, 2008 at 5:50 PM

Let’s see…vote for Obama who I disagree with on most everything….or….vote for McCain who I disagree with on a few things…..hmmmmmm what should I do…..?

ArmyAunt on April 1, 2008 at 5:34 PM

What you should do is vote for my boy Juan for el Presidente. Also please send money to him. Dollars only, no pesos please.
Then you should spend more time aprender espanol. Gracias a usted ya tiene un buen día.

VinyFoxy on April 1, 2008 at 5:55 PM

MAVERICK ON LETTERMAN TONIGHT!!!!

THE CHOSEN ONE on April 1, 2008 at 6:00 PM

Is that about it?

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 5:49 PM

Yeah, that’s about it.

My only point was that name-calling is a lazy way to argue, and it was about the only method that I noticed NoDonkey using. Didn’t even bother read his own linked article. Seems he’d rather just call other commenters liars, dupes, etc.

Usually I find good discussion at Hot Air. Other times, not so much.

jaime on April 1, 2008 at 6:07 PM

I haven’t had a chance to read the thread because I just got home. My guess is that MB4 is on another three hour cry session about how life’s not fair and that Mav loves open borders and tacos. Get a life dude.

THE CHOSEN ONE on April 1, 2008 at 6:14 PM

Y’know what would give this statement even more weight?

A willingness to do something about our most glarring National Security weakness: our pouress southern border!

What? Juan Hernandez and “La Raza” (La Raza or “The Race” that doesn’t include white folks, black folks, American Indians, Asians, well, pretty much anyone who isn’t Mexican)
might get pissy about that? Damn shame…choose your friends a bit more carefully next time.

SuperCool on April 1, 2008 at 6:18 PM

Usually I find good discussion at Hot Air. Other times, not so much.

jaime on April 1, 2008 at 6:07 PM

LOL

oakpack on April 1, 2008 at 6:24 PM

Get a life dude.

THE CHOSEN ONE on April 1, 2008 at 6:14 PM

Get some better material, dudette.

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 7:14 PM

Everyone knows my material if fab dude. Why do you think I haven’t been thrown off this gem yet? I’m good for ratings, muchacho.

THE CHOSEN ONE on April 1, 2008 at 7:17 PM

Why do you think I haven’t been thrown off this gem yet?

THE CHOSEN ONE on April 1, 2008 at 7:17 PM

A prohibition against hurting those who believe that they are THE CHOSEN ONE.

Or maybe just charity.

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 7:38 PM

I’m huge in Europe.

THE CHOSEN ONE on April 1, 2008 at 7:41 PM

The issue of whether we should or should not have invaded Iraq is a moot point. We did. I’m not the hugest fan of McCain on a lot of issues, but he gets it on the war. When the US enters a war, we need to win. It’s as simple as that.

bopone on April 1, 2008 at 8:55 PM

Well McCain is not dealing with a full deck!

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 2:45 PM

Oh, that’s a good one idiot!
Why are you on the wrong side of each and every issue? Shouldn’t you be hanging out with your Kos friends about now?
Your constant whining and copy/pasta sickens me.

carbon_footprint on April 1, 2008 at 9:25 PM

When the US enters a war, we need to win. It’s as simple as that.

A F’in men! Folks forget (unbelievable at this site)that we are at war with an enemy that is far more determined than we are and far more committed to do what ever needs to be done to win! Somehow we chose to argue semantics and forget (MB4) that short of the nuclear option this conflict needs to be persecute to the extreme or we will indeed repeat the injustice and indignation suffered by Vietnam era veterans. Why we continue to savage President Bush for standing up to a legitimate threat to our way of life is beyond comprehension, those that ignore this reality do deserve to die…slowly and painfully!

dmann on April 1, 2008 at 9:40 PM

Your constant whining and copy/pasta sickens me.

carbon_footprint on April 1, 2008 at 9:25 PM

Well take a Pepto-Bismol then.

Or cover you eyes an yell nanu nanu nanu.

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 9:43 PM

those that ignore this reality do deserve to die…slowly and painfully!

dmann on April 1, 2008 at 9:40 PM

I think you have been reading too much of the Koran.

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 9:46 PM

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Best we understand the nature of the beast we confront!

dmann on April 1, 2008 at 9:49 PM

When the US enters a war, we need to win. It’s as simple as that.

bopone on April 1, 2008 at 8:55 PM

That is the mindset of an obsessive compulsive gambler who just can’t quit. Damn the consequences, I must win!

Now evry gambler knows that the secret to survivin
Is knowin what to throw away and knowing what to keep.
- Kenny Rogers

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 10:00 PM

Best we understand the nature of the beast we confront!

dmann on April 1, 2008 at 9:49 PM

And best we understand that we should direct our “deserve to die…slowly and painfully!” at the actual beast.

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 10:03 PM

MB4 on April 1, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Sorry for the delay, Stohli called! Therein lies the problem, how one defines the beast and required sacrifice is indeed dicey. The current administration should be drawn and quartered for failing to provided an irrefutably convincing argument to justify the loss of life and treasure. You are correct in-oh-so-subtily suggesting Bush Co. has not ;-> All gamesmanship aside, we need to prevail, PERIOD!

dmann on April 1, 2008 at 10:27 PM

As I poured the next (w/white grape juice), “look at the bottle” STOLI…life is indeed cruel!

dmann on April 1, 2008 at 10:35 PM

Somehow we chose to argue semantics and forget (MB4) that short of the nuclear option this conflict needs to be persecute to the extreme or we will indeed repeat the injustice and indignation suffered by Vietnam era veterans.

Why not nuke ‘em? They’re gonna nuke somebody first if we don’t. Are we playing nuclear chicken here?

Mojave Mark on April 2, 2008 at 12:37 AM

Vietnam turned out pretty well after we left.

I think Iraq will, too.

alphie on April 2, 2008 at 1:37 AM

or we will indeed repeat the injustice and indignation suffered by Vietnam era veterans.

I don’t seem to recall suffering injustice and indignation as a Vietnam era veteran.

MB4 on April 2, 2008 at 2:12 AM

or as an actual Vietnam veteran for that matter.

MB4 on April 2, 2008 at 2:14 AM

The statement is dead on, but there’s an element of pot/kettle here. McCain’s record on amnesty doesn’t exactly peg him as a trustable source on national security.

Dark-Star on April 2, 2008 at 9:10 AM

Dark-Star on April 2, 2008 at 9:10 AM

Stretching a bit aren’t we? pot/kettle how bout apple/brick!

dmann on April 2, 2008 at 12:52 PM

Vietnam turned out pretty well after we left.

I think Iraq will, too.

alphie on April 2, 2008 at 1:37 AM

You must not be Vietnamese.

silverfox on April 2, 2008 at 5:36 PM

“Vietnam is a remarkable country. For decades you had been torn apart by war. Today the Vietnamese people are at peace and seeing the benefits of reform. The Vietnamese own their own businesses, and today the Vietnamese economy is the fastest growing in Southeast Asia. Vietnamese students have great opportunities here at home and abroad. The Vietnamese people are traveling around the world and sharing this ancient culture with peoples of the world. And the United States, as well as other APEC partners, look forward to strengthening our ties.”

President George W. Bush
November 17, 2006

alphie on April 2, 2008 at 11:55 PM

Vietnam turned out pretty well after we left.

I think Iraq will, too.

alphie on April 2, 2008 at 1:37 AM

You must not be Vietnamese.

silverfox on April 2, 2008 at 5:36 PM

Certainly not Cambodian…

right2bright on April 3, 2008 at 10:46 AM

McCain looks strong. Many of you commenting on this site are blithering idiots: unintelligent, immature, boring.

McCain will make a great President. (I hope Romney is the VP)

revolution on April 3, 2008 at 3:04 PM

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