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McCain ad: “Tiny”

posted at 8:15 am on August 27, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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John McCain will spend this week reminding people of the fundamental unreadiness of Barack Obama to lead the nation in perilous times.  Yesterday, he used Hillary Clinton as his unwitting spokesperson, but today he uses … Barack Obama.  His extemporaneous comments on the lack of threat from “tiny” Iran in May get featured in “Tiny” today:

Iran. Radical Islamic government. Known sponsors of terrorism. Developing nuclear capabilities to “generate power” but threatening to eliminate Israel.

Obama says Iran is a “tiny” country, “doesn’t pose a serious threat”.

Terrorism, destroying Israel, those aren’t “serious threats”?

Obama — dangerously unprepared to be president.

The ad actually could have been stronger if it had used video from the actual remarks. It’s tough to do this in a 30-second spot, but here is the original video of Obama’s foolish and frighteningly naive remarks:

Actually, this clip provides a cornucopia of material for a series of ads. The Soviet Union fell because we conducted an economic war against it, not because we got friendly with Mikhail Gorbachev, who then decided to turn out the lights. McCain could also press Obama to identify the “common interests” we would have with the Iranian mullahcracy. Democracy? Nope. An alliance with Israel? Uh-uh. An end to terrorism in the Middle East? Given that Iran sponsors most of it, that seems extremely unlikely.

Team McCain needs to hammer on this theme. Obama’s laughing dismissal of Iran as a serious threat demonstrated that he has no clue as to the dangers arrayed against the US and our allies. Anyone this clueless doesn’t even qualify for the Senate, let alone the Presidency.


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Comment pages: 1 2

well um uh uhm y’know I did uh change…I did CHANGE my view……it’s not change we believe in it is CHANGE WE NEED…..good night now…heh….

sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 8:17 AM

In all fairness, Obama did come out the next day and say Iran was a threat. McCain can still use this though to show that Obama has no clue when it comes to international issues. Most Americans know that Iran is a threat. Obama had to be told that it was.

guitarplayer on August 27, 2008 at 8:19 AM

Totally off topic, but I saw the Obama ad where he claims that McCain feels that $5 million a year is middle class.

At first I was angry, because I know the truth about what McCain said. But then I thought about it a bit.

Outside the nutroots, how many people would actually believe that McCain said something like this.

If the claim had been say $500,000. That at least would be believable.

There are only a handfull of people in the US who make more than $5M. Which would mean that almost nobody in the US is rich.

If you are going to slander someone, at least make your slanders believable. When you don’t, you ruin your own credibility instead.

MarkTheGreat on August 27, 2008 at 8:23 AM

He’s just wingin’ it.

We’ll correct his work for him and let him vote on issues from his seat as Illinois Senator.

If he deigns it necesary to be “Present”

Shivas Irons on August 27, 2008 at 8:23 AM

The You-Tube video should be followed with “I’m John McCain and I approved this ad.”

Marcus on August 27, 2008 at 8:25 AM

Yay. Four more wars years.

thePajamaPundit on August 27, 2008 at 8:26 AM

I meant the second video of course. The debates are going to bury the Messiah.

Marcus on August 27, 2008 at 8:26 AM

Can the American people ever forgive the democrat party for fielding such a candidate? Its my belief that the dem party has destroyed itself. They are terminal. I give them 10 years.
Its time for a new 2nd party. DD

Darvin Dowdy on August 27, 2008 at 8:27 AM

If Obama’s initial response is that Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba are “tiny countries” that “don’t pose a serious threat” and that Georgia is an aggressor to Russia, when they weren’t, how is he a leader? What kind of idiot says those things?

McCain could do an ad in Spanish and/or add Chavez and Fidel and how they were sponsors of Marxist guerrillas in South America as well as sponsoring the Islamo-terrorists by allowing them to train in Venezuelan amazon as well as giving them ammunition and false passports. There are some Americans as well as Latinos that would definitely pay attention to that ad.

jencab on August 27, 2008 at 8:30 AM

I caught some Nat X BET show and there was a young black guy on the panel who I expected would support Barry. He instead said that all his rap producer friends thought that he is too inexperienced to run the country.

He could have been coached to say that, those shows are more orchestrated than anything, but it was unexpected.

Liberalism is the philosophy of adolescence, I get that vibe from Barry, that he is a high schooler.

benrand on August 27, 2008 at 8:30 AM

Obama is proving to be an empty headed, empty suit.

TooTall on August 27, 2008 at 8:30 AM

Notice how the Tool says “allowed the kind of opening that brought down the Berlin Wall“? We he couldn’t allow himself to say was that it brought down a communist regime.

Never mind the technical/geo-political inaccuracies of his blabbering.

pugwriter on August 27, 2008 at 8:32 AM

Oback Barama is willfully ignorant. He couldn’t manage a 7/11. He should not become leader of the free world in these dangerous times.

indythinker on August 27, 2008 at 8:34 AM

I like that. Not not ready to lead…but “dangerously(msp?) unprepared to lead”. Hit that little sissy hard Mav.

LtE126 on August 27, 2008 at 8:34 AM

MarkTheGreat: remaining off topic–sorry.

Sorry, Dems, McCain said $5M defined “rich.” I realize that it’s a difficult argument to make in a sentence, but “rich” really is a relative term.

The thing that’s unfortunate is that neither McCain nor the press has hammered Obama for stating at Saddleback that anyone making under $250K is middle class.

Of the two statements, I think Obama’s demonstrates a greater level of being out of touch.

BuckeyeSam on August 27, 2008 at 8:37 AM

LtE126 on August 27, 2008

“little sissy”

That’s exactly what he is. A fairly common trait for Democrat men, it seems.

pugwriter on August 27, 2008 at 8:38 AM

Obama wants the power to grab this country by the scruff of the neck and push us to our knees so we’ll quit “threatening” the rest of the world.

It’s like he views the world as a bunch of squabbling kindergartners who need a firm but smiling caretaker to single out the bully and make him sit in the corner. And he can never be accused of favoritism, nooooo, because the one he punishes is his own kid.

RushBaby on August 27, 2008 at 8:39 AM

Does Team McCain not realize that they’re being typecast as Manichean warmongerers?

ninjapirate on August 27, 2008 at 8:39 AM

Darvin Dowdy on August 27, 2008 at 8:27 AM

Darvin,

Look at their history. They often try to get a radical left-winger elected and it always blows up in their faces. Humphrey, McGovern, Mondale, Dukakis, the list goes on. When they wise up and nominate a centrist, things go their way (sort of). Jimmy Carter ran as a centrist, but barely beat Ford, who had Watergate hanging around his neck like an albatross. Bill Clinton was also a centrist who wouldn’t have won were it not for Ross Perot. Al Gore tried to ride Bill Clinton’s economic success into office and nearly made it.

Kafir on August 27, 2008 at 8:40 AM

Candy-ass works too.

pugwriter on August 27, 2008 at 8:41 AM

“[T]here are worse things than war and they all come with defeat.” -Ernest Hemingway

Disturb the Universe on August 27, 2008 at 8:41 AM

Does Team McCain not realize that they’re being typecast as Manichean warmongerers?

ninjapirate on August 27, 2008 at 8:39 AM

better to be a manichean warmonger against people who want to use your nation for a flashbulb, than to be weak enough to invite that flashbulb moment and spend your effort being a manichean classwarrior on your own populace.

sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 8:43 AM

So how long before some political analyst on MSNBC says that the title is a veiled reference to Obama’s…er…manhood?

CherokeeJack on August 27, 2008 at 8:44 AM

Even if it didn’t include footage from his actual remarks I think it’s a fairly effective ad. McCain should put together some other ads from that footage since there’s a lot of it there to work with.

Kronos on August 27, 2008 at 8:44 AM

Yay. Four more wars years 9/11’s

thePajamaPundit on August 27, 2008 at 8:26 AM

Sure “hope” Baracki can talk them planes down.

Rovin on August 27, 2008 at 8:45 AM

Ok the Ad is good, but my two cents.

1. Isn’t Sen. McCain’s campaign unwittingly positioning himself as Not Obama candidate, shouldn’t he be more forceful about his impressive experience and record.

2. Isn’t it possible that continuing negative campaigning generate backlash among voters.

May be it will be a good idea to outsource negative campaigning to independent group and McCain campaign take high road. Kind of good cop/bad cop.

Gaurav on August 27, 2008 at 8:46 AM

He just loves terrorists, especially ones that think that they did not do enough.
Hope!

bbz123 on August 27, 2008 at 8:49 AM

IDIOTS WILL GET US ALL KILLED. HAD WE TAKEN HIS ADVICE IN WW2 WE WOULD ALL BE LAMPSHADES NOW!

Mercy4Me on August 27, 2008 at 8:50 AM

Totally off topic, but I saw the Obama ad where he claims that McCain feels that $5 million a year is middle class.

MarkTheGreat on August 27, 2008 at 8:23 AM

Actually, I believe the question to which McCain gave that answer was, “How would you define wealthy”, or something to that effect. He was not talking about “middle class”.

Syd B. on August 27, 2008 at 8:50 AM

Barack Tiny Obama said: Strong presidents/countries talk to their adversaries….”

Is that why Bambi doesn’t talk to Hillary???? Unity my foot. Strong my foot.

poxoma on August 27, 2008 at 8:54 AM

INDYTHINKER:

THAT IS SOOOOOOO FUNNY. HE COULDN’T MANAGE A 7/11. ACCORDING TO OBIE1NOBODY’S RUNNING MATE, YOUR RIGHT! cAUSE HE ISN’T EASTERN INDIAN OR PAKISTANIAN AND THATS ALL U SEE IN 7/11′S.

Mercy4Me on August 27, 2008 at 8:54 AM

ED: “Actually, this clip provides a cornucopia of material for a series of ads.”

…and that may well be exactly WHY they’re holding off to use “the good stuff” at a more appropriate/effective time.

Lockstein13 on August 27, 2008 at 8:55 AM

Marcus on August 27, 2008 at 8:25 AM

You beat me to it.

aunursa on August 27, 2008 at 8:56 AM

2. Isn’t it possible that continuing negative campaigning generate backlash among voters.

May be it will be a good idea to outsource negative campaigning to independent group and McCain campaign take high road. Kind of good cop/bad cop.

Gaurav on August 27, 2008 at 8:46 AM

If McCain gets nailed for going “negative” what is Barry’s spiel thus far?

Nah this is not “negatove” it uses Barry in his own context to make a point well. Barry’s initial instinct is almost always wrong on international affairs, y’know the President’s “job”?

He got the surge wrong, he misread Iran, he misreads Russia and China and in the level of poker super powers play there are not an abundence of “well its been 24 hrs I’d like a do over” opportunities.

Better to have not said anything and formed your thoughts than do a 180.

sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 8:58 AM

It is interesting how dismissive he is diabolical dictators but can’t clear hurdles when questioned by children and pastors.

EyesOpen on August 27, 2008 at 8:58 AM

Given that so many Americans are geographically illiterate, I wish the ad had pointed out that Iran is about the size of Alaska, with a population roughly that of Australia, Canada, and Chile…combined! How any knowledgeable person, say someone who feels themselves qualified to become the leader of the free world, could consider that tiny is a mystery.

By that standard, the McCains own a tiny number of homes.

TedInATL on August 27, 2008 at 8:58 AM

sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 8:58 AM

Actually I should have said ‘critical’ ads, not negative. Pardon, the statement was “inartful” :-)

Gaurav on August 27, 2008 at 9:00 AM

For that matter Israel is a tiny country, so all its Muslim neighbors should just get over it.

Disturb the Universe on August 27, 2008 at 9:01 AM

1. Isn’t Sen. McCain’s campaign unwittingly positioning himself as Not Obama candidate, shouldn’t he be more forceful about his impressive experience and record.

2. Isn’t it possible that continuing negative campaigning generate backlash among voters.

May be it will be a good idea to outsource negative campaigning to independent group and McCain campaign take high road. Kind of good cop/bad cop.

I agree completely. I really don’t think they know what they’re doing. They’re taking the easy way out in campaigning. They need to refute his narrative by not attacking his strengths(celebrity ads) but by refuting the premises of his narrative and saying the McCain is better for the job by citing his experience.

ninjapirate on August 27, 2008 at 9:02 AM

Naive about Iran. Naive about Iraq. Naive about China. Just plain dumb about world languages. All over the map on the issues. How can I trust this guy and vote for him?

Seixon on August 27, 2008 at 9:04 AM

I agree completely. I really don’t think they know what they’re doing. They’re taking the easy way out in campaigning. They need to refute his narrative by not attacking his strengths(celebrity ads) but by refuting the premises of his narrative and saying the McCain is better for the job by citing his experience.

ninjapirate on August 27, 2008 at 9:02 AM

I look at the swing in polling data and come to the opposite conclusion and I started out overly critical of the skill of Juan’s tactics. The M$M and donks have programmed the American people to expect some very bad things from the GOP this campaign and thus far McCain has stubbornly refused to follow their narrative leaving their moderates confused and more and more leaving for “that sexy Maverick fellow the M$M was going on about back in 2002-2007.

I detest most of McCain’s “maverickhood” but the fact is that the M$M and Donk’s themselves have built up McCain as a viable alternative to Bush for a lot of years and are now ranting like he is Goldwater rerisen.

a) the GOP knows that’s not true

b) the donks in their hearts know that’s not true.

sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 9:07 AM

At the end of the Obama clip he says that WE have caused the tensions around the world, you get that! (He blames America for the “tensions” NOT IRAN)

Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 9:16 AM

In all fairness, Obama did come out the next day and say Iran was a threat. McCain can still use this though to show that Obama has no clue when it comes to international issues. Most Americans know that Iran is a threat. Obama had to be told that it was.

guitarplayer on August 27, 2008 at 8:19 AM


The fact that he changed position within 24 hours is not a ringing endorsement of his thought process..

Vashta.Nerada on August 27, 2008 at 9:16 AM

“Naive about Iran. Naive about Iraq. Naive about China. Just plain dumb about world languages. All over the map on the issues. How can I trust this guy and vote for him? Seixon on August 27, 2008 at 9:04 AM

You can say that again…

“…McCain has never had an Alzheimer’s test, even though he has 6 of the 10 warning signs , including his inability to remember recent facts like the number of homes he owns, the $1M lawsuit he filed in 1990, or the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.
John McCain owes America a thorough test for Alzheimer’s and cognitive impairment long before Election Day.

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 9:17 AM

Iran is a State Sponsor of Terrorism he couldn’t be talking about that.

Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 9:18 AM

One of the dumbest people I’ve ever had the misfortune of seeing was Conan O’Brian. He’s as funny as a weeping genital wart, pleasant to look at as a cow pie, and he’s got the IQ of an only moderately advanced simian. And this idiot continues to bash President Bush as being ’stupid’. It’s amazing how he can say that, in the face of Obama’s BARRAGE of gaffes and general buffoonery (as well as that of his wife). I’m sure this idiot also thinks Obama’s the real-life President David Palmer (of 24). Nevermind the fact that both Palmer presidents sucked, and were complete idiots on matters of national security.

Virus-X on August 27, 2008 at 9:18 AM

The second video is no longer available on youtube.

Gee, I wonder why?

Winebabe on August 27, 2008 at 9:20 AM

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 9:17 AM

STFU, he had Alzheimers you would know it.

He didn’t answer the house question because he didn’t want to get it wrong have it used against him also he wasn’t sure if the houses were in his name or in Cindy’s name.

Give Obama an Alzheimer’s test he has on at least 3 occasions, said the wrong name of the city that he was in, he said that the United States has “57 States 1 left to go”, That “the Bomb” landed on Pearl Harbor and he’s from Hawaii

Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 9:23 AM

Jun 20, 2008 … “They’re going to try to make you afraid of me. …”

Afraid of you for good reason.

“… He’s young and inexperienced …”

You finally got something right.

“… and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he’s black?”

Yawn.

Paul-Cincy on August 27, 2008 at 9:23 AM

Obama can’t even count

Obama, “John McCain Running For Bush’s 4th Term”

Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 9:29 AM

Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 9:23 AM

Top of the morning, to you too, Sir…!

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 9:31 AM

Obama said:
“If Iran ever tried to pose a serious threat to us, they wouldn’t stand a chance”

Ever heard of asymmetric warfare? Terrorism? State-sponsored terrorism? Hezbollah? Hamas? Suicide bombers? The rise of Islamofascism? The Persian Gulf? The Straits of Hormuz? The Iranian hostage crisis? Operation Eagle Claw? Ayatollah Khomeini? Thousands of centrifuges? A nuclear bomb within 5 years? The destruction of Israel? Seventy two virgins in Paradise? Religious fanatics? Ring a bell? Anyone?

Paul-Cincy on August 27, 2008 at 9:34 AM

GWB’s 4th term, 57 states…give him a break; he’s not a math major./

Disturb the Universe on August 27, 2008 at 9:36 AM

Tiny is, as tiny does.

Landslide!!!!

Hening on August 27, 2008 at 9:41 AM

“Ever heard of asymmetric warfare?… Paul-Cincy on August 27, 2008 at 9:34 AM

Damn sure wish, Rummy, Cheney and Bush had…!

We wouldn’t be in this Iraqi “pickle jar” if they had.

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 9:41 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9hZpJp7U3Y

Watch that one(And lots of gaffes were even left out of that!)

Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 9:43 AM

Damn sure wish, Rummy, Cheney and Bush had…!

We wouldn’t be in this Iraqi “pickle jar” if they had.

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 9:41 AM

go back and reread how we toppled Tali Tim in ‘ghani and get back to me….

they gambled wrong on Iraqi sectarianism…..we’re gonna be out of there w/in 3 years anyway.

sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 9:43 AM

Watch this Video

“B. O.” NObama’s Case Against Flip-Flopping youtube

Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 9:54 AM

What is even more scary then the fact that Obama is a moron when it comes to foreign affairs are the people who know so little they stand up and applaud when he mouths his craziness.
The Democrats and the teachers unions have finally gotten their wish a mindless electorate. I have never seen a lemming, but seeing these people’s faces I know now how they look when they leap off the cliff.

Jdripper on August 27, 2008 at 9:56 AM

“…we’re gonna be out of there w/in 3 years anyway. sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 9:43 AM

Hopefully and with Iraqi’s “standing up so we can stand down” ; Barrack will be able to accelerate that timeframe…!

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 9:57 AM

Hopefully and with Iraqi’s “standing up so we can stand down” ; Barrack will be able to accelerate that timeframe…!

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 9:57 AM

It’ll happen even when the ONE loses, and I think in that sense Maliki is doing Bush and McCain a favor by syaing “no you won’t be here in 2015.”

Barry is like a 6 year old wetting himself one last time for old time’s sake on foreign policy….confidence in the GWoT and Iraq is at an all time high.

He doesn’t have a lot left but stopping Bush’s 4th term and the Siegfried and Roy entertainment value of his ego masturbation.

That won’t win him many new converts champ.

sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 10:02 AM

“…we’re gonna be out of there w/in 3 years anyway. sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 9:43 AM

Hopefully and with Iraqi’s “standing up so we can stand down” ; Barrack will be able to accelerate that timeframe…!

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 9:57 AM

Obama can speed up time? And move Military equipment with his special Messiah powers?

Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 10:04 AM

Obama can speed up time? And move Military equipment with his special Messiah powers?

Chakra Hammer on August 27, 2008 at 10:04 AM

Oh I am thinking he has visions of a Saigon ‘75 withdrawl with us leaving a boatload of kit behind….

sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 10:05 AM

“…they gambled wrong on Iraqi sectarianism… sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 9:43 AM

“Gambled wrong”…Is that something a leader of the free world does when it comes to the lives of hundreds of thousands of human beings and our very best young men and women in the armed services..?

Rather a quaint throw away line there, sven, baby…!

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 10:07 AM

“Gambled wrong”…Is that something a leader of the free world does when it comes to the lives of hundreds of thousands of human beings and our very best young men and women in the armed services..?

Rather a quaint throw away line there, sven, baby…!

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 10:07 AM

You’ll have to show me the lost “hundreds of thousands” with better sampling than the moonbats have thus far.

My wife is over there Champ. I have been in love with her since I was 12, I joined the Army at 17 minus an injury I suffered in the ’90s I’d be over there myself. You are not gonna win a “there but for the grace of God go we poor sinners look at their suffering” routine. My spouse has been Oconus for more than 60% of the last four years.

I seem to remember that potentiality being part of the oath we raised our right hand for.

The ONLY thing that hurts is the impact on our child.

War is a series of gambles, could Iraq have gone better and been better planned?

Sure it could have, and it would have if “brother can you spare 10 divisions” hadn’t happened in the 1990s.

The drawdown was a team effort started by Bush the elder and accelerated by Beijing Bill. The US needs to grow up and decide if we really are world cop. If so I think it’d be swell if we tried to have more than 48 brigades to run the world.

All of that said the mission is going better, Iraq is the most strategic area in the region and I support my President, my wife’s mission, and our force’s potential.

The pity is our electorate lacks the will their weapon the military has.

sven

sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 10:13 AM

Hey…….we have not even gotten to the October surprise yet or the debates. Oh man, this is gonna be good!!!

Winebabe on August 27, 2008 at 10:13 AM

Rovin on August 27, 2008 at 8:45 AM

All The Messiah has to do is say the word and the planes will land. Just ask Tim Kaine.

jdkchem on August 27, 2008 at 10:15 AM

I think the McCain ad strategy is probably going to bear out to be a good one. This is precisely the time to be going negative on Obama — while Obama is basking in all the adoration from his followers and the media at his convention — remind the independents what a loser he is by contrasting the glorified images on television with the reality of who this clown is.

During and following the Republican campaign, McCain should then go much more positive about his plans to lead the country, and carry the “positive” attitude into election day.

D2Boston on August 27, 2008 at 10:17 AM

TINY is very apt for the one!

jdsmith0021 on August 27, 2008 at 10:18 AM

“…we’re gonna be out of there w/in 3 years anyway. sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 9:43 AM

Maybe you are privy to a phone call from Mc to Barack?

Did Saint Mc promise him he wouldn’t insist on a “hundred year war” when the Senate reconvenes in 2009…?

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 10:20 AM

Maybe you are privy to a phone call from Mc to Barack?

Did Saint Mc promise him he wouldn’t insist on a “hundred year war” when the Senate reconvenes in 2009…?

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 10:20 AM

Nice mischaracterization….

what was FDR’s exit plan for Japan and Germany?

Truman’s for Korea?

Having a regional presence is not “having a war”…..unless you think like our nice buddy from Pennsylvania Happy Jack Mothra that “Okinawa is just over the horizon”.

Housebreaking rad islam is for better or worse a generational war.

One of the two candidates grasps that and it ain’t the guy who was educated in a Madrassa as a kid.

Mailki seems insistent we get out by 2012 unless I misread him.

sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 10:24 AM

What he was saying was that Iran isn’t big enough to do something really threatening, like create AIDS.

LibTired on August 27, 2008 at 10:27 AM

Obama can’t even count

Obama, “John McCain Running For Bush’s 4th Term”

Maybe Obama is counting on losing, so that McCain can run for Bush’s fourth term in 2012.

Steve Z on August 27, 2008 at 10:33 AM

sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 10:13 AM

Thanks so very much for your and “she who must be obeyed” service to our great country…!

“Sure it could have, and it would have if “brother can you spare 10 divisions” hadn’t happened in the 1990s.”

All the Cheney, Rummy and Tommy, “Shock and Awe” was accomplished exactly with the military force structure in place from President Clinton’s tenure.

If the force was insufficient for their cowboy bar fight, the dimbulbs in charge should have amplified the force structure, prior to “Dubyah’s Great Adventure into Mesopotamia”…!

God and all mankind know; there was absolutely no pressing reason to attack the sovereign nation of Iraq!

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 10:35 AM

All the Cheney, Rummy and Tommy, “Shock and Awe” was accomplished exactly with the military force structure in place from President Clinton’s tenure.

If the force was insufficient for their cowboy bar fight, the dimbulbs in charge should have amplified the force structure, prior to “Dubyah’s Great Adventure into Mesopotamia”…!

God and all mankind know; there was absolutely no pressing reason to attack the sovereign nation of Iraq!

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 10:35 AM

Our force is perfect for punching WAY over its manpower density in lethality. The problem is we are not really in the lethality business anymore because of bedwetting liberals who never could have won world war 2. You mocked my use of the word “gamble” I’d far rather gamble on an enemy having too much capability than too little.

Saddam wanted to pretend he had WMD, ok we played along and birthed a potential democracy as part of the bargain.

sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 10:39 AM

More gotcha-take-comments-out-of-context nitpicking with a dashof double standard thrown in.

Yes he said tiny. Then he clarified his comments.
McCain has also said X then later clarified with Y.

Are you only going to grant your own candidate such a courtesy? How juvenile.

Obama’s clarification on the very next day:

“The Soviet Union had the ability to destroy the world several times over, had satellites spanning the globe, had huge masses of conventional military power, all directed at destroying us. So, I’ve made it clear for years that the threat from Iran is grave. But what I’ve said is that we should not just talk to our friends. We should be willing to engage our enemies as well. That’s what diplomacy is all about.

Iran is a grave threat. It has an illicit nuclear program. It supports terrorism across the region and militias in Iraq. It threatens Israel’s existence. It denies the Holocaust. The reason Iran is so much more powerful than it was a few years ago is because of the Bush-McCain policy of fighting in Iraq and refusing to pursue direct diplomacy with Iran. They’re the ones who have not dealt with Iran wisely.”

Next.

Dave Rywall on August 27, 2008 at 10:47 AM

McCain will need to emphasize the economy if he expects to win this election.

He needs to hammer his own party on their hypocrisy when it comes to spending the country blind.

mylegsareswollen on August 27, 2008 at 10:48 AM

For those posters here who are not sure about McCain’s recent “negative ad” strategy, I think McCain has this right. Obama has been basking in fawning media coverage of his highly-overrated speaking ability, yet he has made a long series of gaffes and self-contradictions that the MSM has been unwilling to document (or eager to hide). Voters might not have been taking notes over the summer, but they’re watching now that the convention has started, and this is the perfect time for McCain to point out Obama’s numerous blunders that the MSM have covered up, but even Hillary has tried to point out.

Obama has been campaigning on “judgment to lead” and “change”, but if McCain can point out that his judgment is consistently wrong and/or frequently changed, people will start to have doubts about Obama. Obama has also painted himself as a “new outsider” who can change Washington, but if McCain can point out that Obama has a long history as a sleazy Chicago insider, Obama’s credibility collapses.

Obama IS a good speaker with a teleprompter and thousands of adoring fans, but he frequently gets flustered and hesitating when placed on the defensive, while McCain is actually stronger when on the defensive. McCain can win this if Obama is on the defensive most of the time, facing tough questions and tying himself in knots with self-contradictions. Since the MSM won’t ask Obama tough questions, McCain has to ask them.

Steve Z on August 27, 2008 at 10:50 AM

Yay. Four more wars years.

thePajamaPundit on August 27, 2008 at 8:26 AM

You seem to be equating acknowledging a threat with preparing for war. We didn’t go to war (in a traditional sense) with the Soviet Union, but it was still acknowledged as a significant threat.

Maybe you are privy to a phone call from Mc to Barack?

Did Saint Mc promise him he wouldn’t insist on a “hundred year war” when the Senate reconvenes in 2009…?

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 10:20 AM

First of all, we’re signing agreements that have us out within the next few years. Second of all, why would McCain want a hundred year war? Finally, the Senate will be in Democratic control (potentially veto-proof), so he’d find no support there.

Hopefully and with Iraqi’s “standing up so we can stand down” ; Barrack will be able to accelerate that timeframe…!

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 9:57 AM

You’re sh*tting me, right?

amerpundit on August 27, 2008 at 10:50 AM

Iran is a grave threat. It has an illicit nuclear program. It supports terrorism across the region and militias in Iraq. It threatens Israel’s existence. It denies the Holocaust. The reason Iran is so much more powerful than it was a few years ago is because of the Bush-McCain policy of fighting in Iraq and refusing to pursue direct diplomacy with Iran. They’re the ones who have not dealt with Iran wisely.”

Next.

Dave Rywall on August 27, 2008 at 10:47 AM

Yeah Dave and Varry thinks he’ll talk I’mAdinnerjacket out of his nuke program without selling out Israel right?

Oh wait I am fairly certain Barry has no issues with betraying Israel.

sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 10:52 AM

our very best young men and women in the armed services..?

Liberals don’t care about our soldiers, except as pawns in their anti-American rants.

What’s hilarious is you think you’re clever….too much DU kool-aid LOL.

ex-Democrat on August 27, 2008 at 10:55 AM

The reason Iran is so much more powerful than it was a few years ago is because of the Bush-McCain policy of fighting in Iraq and refusing to pursue direct diplomacy with Iran.

Dave Rywall on August 27, 2008 at 10:47 AM

And when we met with Iran recently, they told us exactly what they’re willing to discuss: America’s government changing, America abandoning its military bases, and America leaving Iran. But not it’s nuclear program.

amerpundit on August 27, 2008 at 10:56 AM

sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 10:39 AM
“…The problem is we are not really in the lethality business anymore because of bedwetting liberals who never could have won world war 2.


When to drop the
“lead balloon” that’s always the conundrum, isn’t it?

As I recall it was Harry Truman who possessed the cajones to pull the death lever.

Yeah, that was back in the good olde days when Democrat’s weren’t pansy asse, Kool-Aid drinking, sorry liberal, SOB’s…!

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 10:56 AM

I must say that I like the fight I have been seeing from McDole McDrillin

Dpet on August 27, 2008 at 10:57 AM

I know that Obama completely mischaracterized McCain’s Saddleback statement. It was a joke, and he was defining rich, not middle class.

My point was that, taken all by itself, the ad was not just ineffective, but counter productive by being so over the top that the producer of it ruins his own credibility just by being associated with it.

MarkTheGreat on August 27, 2008 at 11:11 AM

Gambled wrong”…Is that something a leader of the free world does when it comes to the lives of hundreds of thousands of human beings and our very best young men and women in the armed services..?

Rather a quaint throw away line there, sven, baby…!

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 10:07 AM

So in your world, presidents always have perfect information so they always know exactly what the results of their actions are going to be?

Out here in the real world, presidents have to gamble, or they risk doing nothing. (which in itself is a gamble)

MarkTheGreat on August 27, 2008 at 11:18 AM

Did Saint Mc promise him he wouldn’t insist on a “hundred year war” when the Senate reconvenes in 2009…?

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 10:20 AM

You know the liberals are getting desperate when they have to resort to lying.

McCain never said it would be 100 years of war. He said that if the situation were like Germany or Japan, where no service men were getting hurt or killed, he wouldn’t mind if our troops were there for 100 years.

Why is it that liberals are incapable of dealing with, much less telling, the truth.

MarkTheGreat on August 27, 2008 at 11:21 AM

“…You mocked my use of the word “gamble” I’d far rather gamble on an enemy having too much capability than too little.”
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 10:39 AM

My purpose was not to mock you; but rather the fact that our leadership did exactly what you described, “gambled”.

The gamble you state above; is the gamble [if they were going to take one] they should have bet on.

Unfortunately they underestimated all the political, ethnic and religious contingencies.

They didn’t have a damn clue, about the consequences of poking a hornet’s nest with a short stick…!

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 11:22 AM

God and all mankind know; there was absolutely no pressing reason to attack the sovereign nation of Iraq!

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 10:35 AM

When you lie, you really get into whoppers don’t you.

1) The liberals were already demanding that the troops be removed from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
2) The liberals were already demanding that the sanction regime be lifted.
3) Every intelligence agency in the Western Hemisphere was convinced that Husein either had active WMD programs, or would restart them as soon as the sanctions were lifted. Both of these positions have been confirmed by post war intelligence. If you haven’t heard, it’s probably because you don’t listen to any news source that’s likely to tell you anything you don’t want to hear.
4) Do you really think that Husein would have waited the 10 to 20 years it would have taken to build the armed services back up to what they were when CLinton took office? Or is that just another veiled excuse to not do anything?

MarkTheGreat on August 27, 2008 at 11:25 AM

The only gamble that liberals are willing to take, is when they gamble that new taxes and regulations will not harm the economy, and when they gamble that prostrating ourselves before our enemies, will entice them to be nice to us.

MarkTheGreat on August 27, 2008 at 11:28 AM


The fact that he changed position within 24 hours is not a ringing endorsement of his thought process..

Vashta.Nerada on August 27, 2008 at 9:16 AM

+1 lol

funky chicken on August 27, 2008 at 11:29 AM

“Iran. Radical Islamic government. Known sponsors of terrorism. Developing nuclear capabilities to “generate power” with zero electrical infrastructure and all the while threatening to eliminate israel.”

A small tweak but one that makes the case a lot stronger. Iran has zero ability to deliver all this “electricity” they are racing after. That point should be made every time this is discussed!

America1st on August 27, 2008 at 11:32 AM

“…So in your world, presidents always have perfect information so they always know exactly what the results of their actions are going to be? MarkTheGreat on August 27, 2008 at 11:18 AM

Come now Mark… we all know this President just made $tuff up… to cajole congress and dupe the American public with respect to the continuing, duplicitous, changing reasons for his “ Great [Mis] Adventure into Iraq”…!

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 11:35 AM

Do you really think that Husein would have waited the 10 to 20 years it would have taken to build the armed services back up to what they were when CLinton took office? MarkTheGreat on August 27, 2008 at 11:25 AM

Mark, you need a seasoned military advisor.

You could easily train up a quarter million in eighteen months if you could only find enough able bodied fools for the meat grinder…!

Oh and Mark… President Bush has been in charge for almost eight years now, where’s the “ground beef” so to speak…?

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 11:49 AM

The Democrats attempted to preempt negative ads by predicting them, but the predictions — racism, xenophobia, fear of change — turned out to be offensive in themselves, and blew up in the Democrats’ faces.

Then the Republicans responded with negative ads that were clearly not a bit like what the Democrats predicted — they were based on what everybody perceives to be the truth. And because everybody sees what these ads are highlighting, they’re working.

This is not a stupid campaign, folks. Mistakes have been made, but McCain’s guys seem to be handling this pretty effectively, and the poll numbers are showing it. I don’t recall Bush being neck-and-neck at this point; the early campaign usually favors the Democrats.

McCain benefits from good name recognition right out of the gate. He doesn’t have to spend a lot of money on building a public image because he already has one, and it’s the right one for this campaign season.

philwynk on August 27, 2008 at 12:29 PM

Philwynk:

I suspect that at least some of Juan’s staff have embraced Boyd’s theories put forth in ‘Patterns of Conflict’….

McCain is well w/in Barry’s OODA Loop.

sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 12:35 PM

Come now Mark… we all know this President just made $tuff up… to cajole congress and dupe the American public with respect to the continuing, duplicitous, changing reasons for his “ Great [Mis] Adventure into Iraq”…!

J_Gocht on August 27, 2008 at 11:35 AM

The President didn’t write the 2002 NIE- it was handed to him. Go read it and come back.

Chuck Schick on August 27, 2008 at 12:43 PM

I am getting more confident in McCain’s campaign. His ads are getting better and better. This Iran ad really packs a punch. “dangerously unprepared to be president” — that stings.

scrubjay on August 27, 2008 at 12:50 PM

This ought to get some lunatic non-sequiturs out of J Gocht

Rasmussen: Voter confidence in Iraq and War on Terror highest ever

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/war_on_terror/war_on_terror_update

Chuck Schick on August 27, 2008 at 1:08 PM

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