McCain blows Obama’s cover on Iraq trip?
posted at 7:47 pm on July 18, 2008 by Allahpundit
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No, Steve, I’m not afraid to mention it, and yes, it’s perfectly fair to call it an error in judgment, although I’ll pass on the barely veiled accusation of senility per the word “confusion” that all the hip lefty kids are using these days. Also, I’m not sure why the cycle of outrage and victimization or the studious ignorance of information damaging to one’s own side is supposed to be unique to right-wing bloggers; those are standard garbage blogospheric dynamics that cut across ideological lines. Wake me when Think Progress goes after some lefties, ok?
I don’t know what McCain was thinking here. Maybe because of the intense media coverage he figured Obama’s itinerary was already known, or maybe he was just guessing as to the scheduling. That’s what it sounds like:
“I believe that either today or tomorrow — and I’m not privy to his schedule — Sen. Obama will be landing in Iraq with some other senators” who make up a congressional delegation, McCain said at a Republican fund-raiser.
McCain’s campaign spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan insisted to reporters later: “He doesn’t know when he’s going. He’s not privy to that information. He was speaking in broader terms, about when Obama does land in Iraq.”
Either way, it’s sloppy. Guess we’ll find out tomorrow if Obama turns up in London whether McCain really was in the dark or not. Honest question: If Reuters thought this incident was dangerous enough to warrant a full news story, why didn’t they redact the part of McCain’s quote that specified when he thought Obama will be arriving? I chose not to redact here myself because the cat’s already out of the bag and on the wires, but how about rewriting it this way: “I believe that either [on X day or on Y day] — and I’m not privy to his schedule…” Or would that have made it sound even worse than it was, like McCain was giving specific dates?
Update: Keep your eye on Memeorandum as the leftist reactions pour in and prove Steve right that only right-wingers contrive extravagant uproars over innocent mistakes for political advantage.
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The narcissism strikes again.
baldilocks on July 18, 2008 at 9:15 PM
I keep wondering if he tries the “We are the change we’ve been hoping for” psychobabble-drivel, the sophisticated (cynical?) Europeans will crack up at it. What works with lefty college students and adolescents of all ages might sound a little corny to Euros.
Wethal on July 18, 2008 at 9:21 PM
Yes, this is right up there with Bush’s and Rove’s outing of Super S-E-C-R-E-T CIA Special Agent V. Plame. Fact is, “Send Karl Rove To Jail” is the hot topic at Netroots Nation convention this year…
Karmi on July 18, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Sloppy?
McCain said, “I believe that either today or tomorrow … … Sen. Obama will be landing in Iraq with some other senators’
and the best McCain’s spokeswoman can come up with is, ““He doesn’t know when he’s going. He’s not privy to that information. He was speaking in broader terms, about when Obama does land in Iraq.”
So what does that mean? That to McCain today or tomorrow” really means sometime during the next month or two?
MB4 on July 18, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Wait a second. What exactly are they worried about? That Obama will be delayed by throngs of adoring Islamofascists?
Potfry on July 18, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Or maybe it was just another senior moment like you suggested earlier! Better get used to these!
Monkei on July 18, 2008 at 9:48 PM
The only way an absolutely definitive medical diagnosis of alzheimers can be made is with a brain autopsy.
MB4 on July 18, 2008 at 9:49 PM
ha ha, very funny, so what happens if something does in fact happen now with idiots like you making stupid comments like these … maybe security issues are all in your head and not a real risk? Yeah, we get it, there are people out there who still watch Fox and think Obama is a muslim and is out to get you.
Monkei on July 18, 2008 at 9:51 PM
Or an old fart whisperer.
Come on MB. You can argue a mean anti-McCain when you get on a roll. This claptrap isn’t worth it.
Limerick on July 18, 2008 at 9:51 PM
I honestly don’t see the problem. Everyone knew HIs Holiness was going to Iraq, and McCain’s referring to a whole weekend, not “He’s arriving at 4PM on HopeAndChange Air.” I really think this is way overblown.
irishspy on July 18, 2008 at 9:58 PM
I didn’t say that the old coot had Alzheimer, I just said what was the only way to make an absolutely definitive diagnosis of it.
MB4 on July 18, 2008 at 9:59 PM
Hell, why would terrorist want to hurt obama he wants to GIVE them Iraq.. Obama is the terrorists best friend… Anyhow, the libs say that NO terrorist are in Iraq anyhow so… it shouldn’t matter..
Chakra Hammer on July 18, 2008 at 10:03 PM
I apologize for any negative inference that may have been interpreted from last nite.
I am now a fan.
jerrytbg on July 18, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Once again monkei and MB4 are on the same page.
Birds of a feather and all that.
Terrye on July 18, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Monkei:
Considering the fact that Obama and his fan club have done everything short of sky writing to make sure everyone not living in a cave knows that the Messiah is about to grace the rest of planet earth with his presence….how could this be a surprise? It is much ado about nothing. And you know it.
This guy is more like a rock star than a candidate. This trip is no surprise and McCain gave away no information that we did not already have.
Terrye on July 18, 2008 at 10:13 PM
jerrytbg:
Right back at you.
Terrye on July 18, 2008 at 10:14 PM
My guess is the Obama people are afraid that if the terrorists know he is coming, they will show up with Obama buttons and be carrying signs that say Yes We Can in Arabic.
Terrye on July 18, 2008 at 10:16 PM
I don’t even know who monkei is and I have my own books anyway. I don’t have feathers either. Does monkei? Why do you think that anyone who doesn’t drink the McKoolaid is “on the same page”. Illogical.
MB4 on July 18, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Exactly, and how many airplanes come and go into Iraq every day? LOTS!
Chakra Hammer on July 18, 2008 at 10:17 PM
I hear he is a big hit in Iran. They just love him. And we all have heard about Hamas’s endorsement. What candidate for the US Presidency would not kill for that? And all those snotty little antiAmerican socialists will see Obama as their kind of guy. So they will be thrilled to see him.
This guy’s ego is too big to keep a low profile. Not him. Nosiree.
Terrye on July 18, 2008 at 10:18 PM
When you get pictures of that be sure to link to them.
MB4 on July 18, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Funny, I heard that it was Bush who decided to open up a “quasi” embassy in Iran.
MB4 on July 18, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Wow, Terrye,
Why are you such a bitter little bumpkin?
From flyover territory, perhaps?
alphie on July 18, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Did you see the latest from JibJab?
Entelechy on July 18, 2008 at 10:39 PM
He follows your Messiah.
Entelechy on July 18, 2008 at 10:39 PM
I should have taken someone’s advice and ignored alphie.
Terrye on July 18, 2008 at 10:48 PM
And maybe not just alphie.
Terrye on July 18, 2008 at 10:49 PM
For four years….or eight?
tgharris on July 18, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Like this is some secret mission or something. It’s going to be a media circus!
WisCon on July 18, 2008 at 10:58 PM
BO is as safe on his trip as a baby in his Mother’s arms. Besides, he has a trio of acolytes who would jump on a grenade or step in front of a bullet if the need arose. what’s a little martyrdom among bff’s?
they’ll do everything else they can to help polish his plastic foreign policy cred “participation” trophy.
TheCulturalist on July 18, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Those colors on your mizzenmast are unmistakable. We ‘get’ you. We ‘get’ MB4. We might not ‘get’ flenser. But what is with the crap? Does every adversary have to be some lower life form?
Limerick on July 18, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Lemerick:
It depends.
Terrye on July 18, 2008 at 11:22 PM
alphie is like the rubber band man. Suave,debonair.
Terrye on July 18, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Alphie is just a tree hugging twig eating cave dweller. Do we really need to figure out wtf it’s deal is other then I just don’t gave a damn?
MB4 won’t tell me what rank or his unit (which almost any military member will give)… need I say more then who gives a damn?
Frankly… I am tired of pandering to the rejects of the world…. that is how we got into this mess to begin with.
upinak on July 18, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Were the situation reversed, and Obama spilled beans about McCain’s itinerary, none of you would have a problem with it, right?
Dave Rywall on July 19, 2008 at 12:37 AM
Better men than BO have been taken down because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Maybe the sissy should reschedule.
winemkr on July 19, 2008 at 12:47 AM
If the three network anchors are going, they and their posse know the schedule and to all intents, it is public knowledge. The Iraqi government probably knows too and they have spies out the wazzoo in the government. I do not believe that Al Queda or the Mahdi army would hurt Obama. He is their last best hope.
KW64 on July 19, 2008 at 12:48 AM
MB4 is a tool, he can still be in the military, weve got a few too.
Squid Shark on July 19, 2008 at 12:50 AM
I haven’t been in the Army for decades. Can’t you do any better than calling someone a “tool”? Apparently not. So sad.
MB4 on July 19, 2008 at 5:16 AM
He is not my Messiah. I don’t no where you get that. I am very much of the Mark Twain branch of religion anyway.
MB4 on July 19, 2008 at 5:22 AM
noknowMB4 on July 19, 2008 at 5:24 AM
Naturally al-Reuters cannot bring itself to mention Obama’s opposition to the surge, which they also could not mention by name.
drjohn on July 19, 2008 at 7:45 AM
McCain didn’t do anything wrong with his comment about Obama landing in Bagdad, he just scooped the NY Times.
dalec on July 19, 2008 at 10:15 AM
well in the you say tomato I say tomaato world of politics, it seems now that GWB is looking at a “horizon” for pulling out US troops out of Iraq. In other words a “withdrawal and a time frame”. GWB must hate America. Obama is the big winner either way Iraq goes. If it comes off the table and the economy becomes even the BIGGER deal, than McSame looses. I don’t see anything positive to the old guy no matter what happens in Iraq or how Obama’s trip is perceived or even if Maliki is pushing Obama.
These parties are both alike, they both flip fiop, except the GOP calls it policy evolutions or something crappy like that.
I love to come here and read how the MSM is the reason for the problems we face today … you can read the same exact comments on any left wing blog you go to also.
These parties got us just where they want us, fighting each other in the middle.
Monkei on July 19, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Whatever “shadow” security concerns exist are based on the MSM desire to cover their own ass en route w/Obamarx. Don’t forget how they keep promoting Obama’s international reception as a love fest! So big deal over security hype that is no more, no less than nothing worth mentioning. Tralala as the MSM makes a mountain out of a mole hill. Had Obama wanted total secrecy, he would have no entourage. He demands his rock star treatment, so he can either take what’s coming like a man or scream like a pig. If they want to sh*t in their own pants, let them.
maverick muse on July 19, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Terrye wrote
duh, maybe because no one knew WHEN he was going? but why should facts like that excuse you from making a solid statement?
actually the correct statement is it does not make a difference if he goes or not at all. the war is going to wind done no matter how many years the old guy wants to stay there if he is elected and the big ticket item now is the economy and energy where the old guy has no clue anyway.
Monkei on July 19, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Give me McCain old over Obambi young any day. BHO is the first truly dangerous presidential candidate of my lifetime.
Mojave Mark on July 19, 2008 at 10:40 AM
I don’t think it’s a big deal, frankly. If the visit has to be in complete secret then don’t make it so that McCain knows of it in advance.
I really can’t see a terrorist group saying to eachother. OK, as soon as Obama takes off, pull all your anti aircraft guns. How do we know when? Let’s all listen to McCain says on his campaign trail.
freevillage on July 19, 2008 at 10:44 AM
You don’t inspire anything else, therefore a more creative term is not warranted for your insipid drek.
At least LegendHasIt and Misterpeas are creative and interesting TC’s.
Squid Shark on July 19, 2008 at 11:05 AM
How can McCain’s “today or tomorrow” comment put BO at any risk when we all knew, via the MSM and his own campaign mouth pieces (apparently all 300 close advisers), that he was going overseas as soon as this weekend…Criminy-the big 3 evening anchors had their bags packed and were ready to go with him according to reports on Friday morning news shows. Reports I believe they themselves provided in order to inflate their own self worth and that of the empty suited candidate for hope and change. How audacious!
This whole topic is just plain dumb.
What I really want to know is what is the line in Vegas on the first stupid comment ol’ big ears makes to a foreign dignitary over the next 72 hours!
evilcon555 on July 19, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Oh yeah..one more thing..Monkei – thank you for proving that the party of tolerance has none. You are a shining example of what is totally wrong with the progressive point of view. It lacks the stuff required to be one of it’s own members.
But hang in there….staying here and reading the thoughts of some of the brightest and funniest wordsmith’s in the blogosphere can only be good for you. And we accept your presence with no malice, and much hope that you will be enlightened..
evilcon555 on July 19, 2008 at 11:15 AM
slow news day?
windansea on July 19, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Did you see the latest from JibJab?
Entelechy on July 18, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Wow! Thanks for the link. It is really well done
About McCain, what did he give away? Who did not know Obbie was going over there sometime soon? The press was already in perpetual chant mode to the shrine of the pseudo-JFK journey.
This stuff about McCain’s stupidity is making McCain look good. I think the hissy fit over McCain makes the Obbie camp look like sissies
It makes a bad sound bite on the local news. What is retained in the cranium …Obbie camp shook by McCain mentioning a well publicized trip
Finally, I enjoy the posts of MB4. MB4 has lured many into battle where they spent their ammunition to no avail
At any site there are posters I consider gnats. MB4 is fun to read
I also look forward to the posts from Entelechy, who gives a great argument and many insights, He is the civilizing influence and a worthy opponent in the fray
entagor on July 19, 2008 at 12:48 PM
jerrytbg on July 19, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Let’s not forget that Kruschev took JFK’s measure early on and found him wanting. OhBummer is naive to think that creating himself in the JFK image is a winnah.
Likewise, AlQaeda repeatedly referred to Billy Jeff as “the boy president” and thought of us as a weak horse while the terrorists escalated their atrocities against us.
McCain’s remarks were so generic about OhBummer’s itinerary that the whereabouts of the adolescent wanderer on his personal vision quest could be presumed by all but the most brain-dead.
onlineanalyst on July 20, 2008 at 9:23 AM
“Much ado about nothing”
duff65 on July 20, 2008 at 3:26 PM
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