WaPo: Obama gets 2 Pinocchios for 100 Years War
posted at 4:50 pm on April 2, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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What’s the difference between the Washington Post and the Boston Globe? The WaPo can take a hint. After the CJR wondered why the national media wouldn’t call out Barack Obama for his serial distortions on John McCain’s 100-years-in-Iraq comments, the Globe tried to help Obama rationalize it. Michael Dobbs scolded Obama in today’s Fact Checker:
Democrats seized on McCain’s remarks. At one time or another, both Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton have said that the presumptive Republican nominee is willing to fight a 100-year war in Iraq. When challenged about this claim on Monday, Obama referred journalists to the YouTube version of the Derry Townhall meeting. But the YouTube clip does not back up his case.
Whether the war in Iraq is actually winnable is a separate question. But there is a difference between fighting a war and occupying a country. World War II lasted for nearly six years (3 1/2 years in the case of the U.S.), but there is still a significant U.S. troop presence in Germany.
Dobbs thinks the Democrats have a better case on challenging McCain’s stand that the war in Iraq can be won at all. He thinks they made a bad choice in opting for distortion, but they don’t have much in the way of alternatives. No one who wants to win national office in America will run on the “We Can’t Win — Surrender Now” platform. The Democrats know that; they wouldn’t insist on a surrender even after winning a national election.
Cheap distortion is all they have left. Some in the media, like Brian Mooney, want to assist in the distortion. Others remain silent — but perhaps Dobbs will provoke more honest reporting in the future.
Here’s the YouTube in which McCain made the remarks last January in New Hampshire:
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Thank God the WaPo hinted Obama is wrong. Until I hear it from them, it didn’t happen.
JiangxiDad on April 2, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Is he still at that gas station?
Brat on April 2, 2008 at 5:03 PM
When Obama isn’t spouting plattitudes, he’s spouting left extreme left wing rhetoric.
BohicaTwentyTwo on April 2, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Sarcasm on a sunny Hump Day, Dad? Tut, tut.
Jaibones on April 2, 2008 at 5:12 PM
Notice the, “as long as our men are not killed or wounded” comment, not exactly quoted by Obama. In fact Obama said the same thing, keep them there,or nearby, as long as they are not in harms way.
right2bright on April 2, 2008 at 5:22 PM
This election is going to be filled with distortions worse than this one.
AbaddonsReign on April 2, 2008 at 5:44 PM
Disappointed to see Susan Rice pushing that “100 Years’ War” crap. She one exceptionally talented person, and far too smart to be peddling this cheap bs.
petefrt on April 2, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Obama lied, racism died.
/bumper sticker slogan
SouthernGent on April 2, 2008 at 5:56 PM
It’s worth pointing out that the Glob (misspelling intentional) is owned by the New York Times. So the lack of ability to take a hint is far from surprising.
Centerfire on April 2, 2008 at 5:57 PM
When the Dems think they have found a “hot button” they keep pushing it. Never mind that is not what the man said. It is too bad that a lot of the unwashed out there will believe it.
duff65 on April 2, 2008 at 6:08 PM
I find myself feeling almost proud of the media.
Almost.
Actually doing their job for a change. Well, sort of. A little bit.
But its a start.
Professor Blather on April 2, 2008 at 7:03 PM
So how many “Pinocchios” does Juan get for distorting Romney’s Iraq position far more?
5? 10?
How many does Juan get for distorting his and Swimmers “Comprehensive Immigration Reform”?
10? 20?
MB4 on April 2, 2008 at 9:10 PM
Yes put for about the last 62 years there has been a whole lot less IED’s there and a whole lot more Frauleins and beer.
MB4 on April 2, 2008 at 9:14 PM