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McCain Surrogate: The Truth About Iraq Undermines Our Troops
Ooooooooooo-kaaaaaaaay....
Now we have a McCain surrogate explaining away McCain's flubbing of the Anbar Awakening and surge timing by saying that asking for the truth about Iraq undermines the troops...
We listened to that several times, and we're pretty sure that this McCain surrogate, Nancy Pfotenhauer, actually said...
"Barack Obama and his supporters can try to litigate what came first or what was crucial, but that's really an attempt to undermine the significance and the impact of the American troops and their sacrifice and their effort."
A Deluxe TPM Lava Lamp to anyone who can name a single thing about Obama's entire existence that doesn't undermine the troops at this point...
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Oooohh... Trial lawyers! Nice straw man to throw in there.
I've got a feeling McSame won't be at all happy with the jury verdict he gets in November.
July 23, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of which, many were trial lawyers in Hilter's Nazi Germany!
July 23, 2008 7:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Appointing himself chairman of the senate banking committee doesn't...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjzb61wfyN0
...did I win?
July 23, 2008 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
sorry, no, that does undermine the troops, because...
well, it just does, that's all.
July 23, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg, why doesn't anyone point out that McCain's point of view seriously undermines THE IRAQIS? Seriously, there is nearly unanimous support in America for our veterans. No one wants to devalue their service. But the McCain/Bush/GOP vision of Iraq is that the Iraqis are not and will not be capable of doing anything on their own. It is highly paternalistic, and dooms us to stay there permanently. And worse yet, they are taking this position for political gain.
July 23, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
You guys on the right really shouldn't be throwing stones when it comes to verbal gaffes.
July 23, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dude, I'm just picking them up and throwing them back...Ibelieve the guy in the picture above me has written at least 4 posts in the last week about McCain saying "Chezeslovakia."
July 23, 2008 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Four posts were probably necessary, since McCain repeatedly refers to Czechoslovakia...Something tells me Obama isn't going to make the same mistake twice.
July 23, 2008 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
And that's a fair point. If each post was in direct response to each time McCain made the mistake, 4 posts wouldn't begin to cover it. (I mean, come on, even Bush nailed McCain on that in 2000.)
July 23, 2008 4:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can't speak to what the other guy has said previously, I'm just saying. In a battle of verbal gaffes, McCain has been far worse.
July 23, 2008 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, you don't really want to keep a scorecard comparing McCain and Obama gaffes.
July 23, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
It might help your argument if you could in fact spell Czechoslovakia.
July 23, 2008 9:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
yeah...you just took the time to go look it up...
July 24, 2008 8:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sorry, but isn't that EXACTLY what McCain's been doing these past few weeks with his focus on the surge? Hasn't he gone back and tried to litigate that the surge came first then stability, yada yada?
http://strategy08.wordpress.com
July 23, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
its nice that we can see through the bs of mccain's campaign, but we're already convicned. i'm wondering how all this is "playing in peoria" though...
do you think the people out there who haven't been paying attention yet will realize that mccain has no real solutions so he's just trying the same old tactics and mudslinging and namecalling?
it seems mccain is spending all of his time attacking obama and not much time at all offering up solutions to the country's very problem.
but will anyone notice, and will anyone care?
July 23, 2008 4:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe we should have learned from the OJ trial or any of the thousand or so missing blond women stories that watching cable news just makes you crazy.
The folks on cable have to fill up 24 hours a day with something, including mindless garbage served up by the likes of Nancy Pfotenhauer.
I can understand Joe Lieberman or John McCain making such comments, after all they are cranky old men well around the bend, but to me the interesting question now is why so many of the younger McCain surrogates are willing to trash any hope of a future career by shoveling McCain's silly rant? Do they really think this crap plays? Didn't anybody notice that Rudy's campaign collapsed because be was unable to get beyond a single talking point? A campaign built on "a noun, a verb and 9/11" didn't play, neither will a campaign built on "a noun, a verb and the surge."
Americans want forward looking leaders.
Personally I hope McCain keeps this nonsense going all the way to the election. Obama will win in a walk.
July 23, 2008 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
"watching cable news makes you crazy"
truer words were never written.
that's why i only allow myslef to watch Countdown. Other than that, i try to avoid cable news as much as possible.
July 23, 2008 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
His Flag Pin.
Do y'all need a mailing address?
July 23, 2008 4:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Geez...sheesh...
Who the hell is running his campaign?
Total incompetence.
Forget the country, McCain can't run for Mayor in Hillsview, South Dakota
I don't want him to win, ofcourse, but this is just too lame. They're not even trying at the moment.
FYI: Total population as per US Census Bureau in Hillsview, SD: 3.
July 23, 2008 4:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
This morning, Scarborough claimed that he had an email from a soldier in Iraq who supported Obama but was hurt that Obama diminished the work the troops had done in Iraq.
"I'm not going to read the email but I recieved it," said Scarborough. Sure you did, Joe. Sure you did!
July 23, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
The email (if there really was one) probably came from McCain's son.
July 23, 2008 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nah, that's typical troll bullshit.
"I'm an Obama supporter... but I'm really concerned about him being a radical Muslim terrorist who hates America."
The fact that it was sent to Joe f'n Scarborough more or less confirms it.
July 23, 2008 4:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, the lurkers support me in email,
And they're sure to back up what I post,
But they're far too scared to admit it,
Since the flamers here char them to toast...
The lurkers support me in email,
And I *do* know about netiquette,
I can prove that my sig looks fine fifty lines big,
You should see all the fan mail I get...
July 23, 2008 5:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Everything out of the McCain camp this week has been a noun, a verb, and The Surge.
(can't take credit for this. anonymous poster at Politico).
July 23, 2008 4:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
How true.
McCain's "Surge" = Rudy's "911"
July 23, 2008 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anonymous poster at Politico, and ronbyer above.
Sorry, ronbyer. Didn't read your comment. My bad.
July 23, 2008 4:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was paraphrasing Biden on the noun verb thing...Now we have Fartanhour as a surrogate, what a name. Guess it goes with johns stool softener.
I hear he just got Keating on board to replace Gramm, since he mentioned yesterday that many of his volunteers are on work release.
July 23, 2008 5:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course, we all know that the truth has a liberal bias.
July 23, 2008 4:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
greg: Obama can nail those three pointers under pressure! let me know when you need my address..ok?
July 23, 2008 4:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
that was pretty cool, huh? can you IMAGINE the nonstop video loops if he had missed??!
July 23, 2008 5:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I loved Jon Stewart's coverage of that shot, and his "holy shit, he made the shot!" look.
July 23, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
The more they spin, the more the discussion about the Anbar Awakening.
July 23, 2008 4:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
And when I say "our troops", I obviously mean John McCain, universal soldier.
July 23, 2008 4:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Richie: Holy Cow, Fonzi McCain, you can't jump that shark!
Fonzie McCain: Oh yes I can Richie, watch this!
Fonzi McCain flashes Richie a thumbs up right before he signals Catie Couric to head the boat towards the ramp. As they approach the ramp, however, Fonzie McCain's dentures fall out and get tangled between his waterskis causing him to wipe out. As Couric turns the boat around to retrieve the diaper wearing Fonzi McCain she stops, as if struck by lightening. A strange look transforms her face and she says.
Couric: I had just had an epiphany Fonzie McCain, you really aren't all that cool. Why do I keep bending over backwards to help you out? You don't even know what the hell you are talking about.
Fonzie McCain: Shut up you little turd.
July 23, 2008 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
What a crock. It only undermines McCain's claims that "his surge" is the end all be all. What is wrong with the GOP and telling the truth about the war?
Pat Tillman parents and Jessica Lynch just want the truth to be told in their cases.
I think exaggerating or fabricating stories does the fighting men and women a greater disservice because in a way it makes it seem that their real sacrifices and successes were not good enough, that you have to lie and fabricate stories in place of them.
July 23, 2008 4:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well said.
July 23, 2008 6:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Open Letter to CBS:
To Whom It May Concern:
I was utterly dismayed at CBS' handling of a significant piece of news regarding the presidential campaign that arose during Ms. Couric's interview of Senator McCain. As a network news host, Ms. Couric's failure to follow up on Senator McCain's blatant misstatement regarding the "history" of the war in Iraq (as it pertains to the so-called "Anbar Awakening" and the so-called "surge") demonstrates a profound lack of knowledge by your lead newscaster, a complete lack of intellectual curiosity, or an utter lack of journalistic integrity.
But that glaring omission, as disappointing as it was, pales in comparison to your editorial decision to wipe Senator McCain's false statement from the televised record and send it "down the memory hole." Your decision to edit Senator McCain's falsehood out of your televised interview deprived Americans of a crucial piece of information regarding a major-party presidential candidate. Moreover, your decision to edit in a different answer to Ms. Couric's question (while playing the question to which Senator McCain responded with a lie) smacks of blatant bias in your news broadcast.
Ms. Couric's performance during that portion of the interview was inexcusable, Senator McCain's dissembling falsehood was a gross error in judgment, and your decision to conveniently excise those two blatant mistakes is the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. Count me among the Americans who will never again watch a single second of a CBS "News" broadcast. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
July 23, 2008 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
You should mention Edward R. Murrow. There's a rule somewhere that you can't criticize CBS News without mentioning Edward R. Murrow.
July 24, 2008 2:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is now saying he was right about the timing of the surge...
July 23, 2008 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
And the Anbar awakening began in September 2006.
John? When you're in a hole, stop digging.
You're there, dude.
July 23, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good grief.
Surge = 20,000 troop Escalation
Counterinsurgency strategy ≠ 20,000 troop escalation
July 23, 2008 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
This makes NO SENSE. The "Surge" was the influx of 30M additional troops. My understanding is those additional troops didn't start arriving until the Spring of 2007.
This man is not ready to be president. Or, should I say, his time has past....
July 23, 2008 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I shouldn't be surprised anymore when the rebubs rewrite history to fit their political needs. They know that most people won't notice or won't care.
July 23, 2008 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
So the "Surge" McCain has been talking about is just short for In- surge -ncy. Umm...No.
However even if the MSM wanted to accept this, it still doesn't explain away the fact that McCain said the troop surge allowed the US to protect the sheiks which led to the Anbar Uprising. That's is patently false. So either he doesn't know what is going on, or he does and he decided to lie about it.
And the surge McCain has always referenced has been the troop surge. This latest "explanation" is nothing but pure spin and nobody should accept it.
July 23, 2008 5:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I find this supremely ironic. A few days ago Obama said there were other factors in addition to the surge that helped bring down the violence in Iraq, such as the Awakening and al Sadr's cease fire. McCain and his supporters were all apopelctic saying the surge was the main thing and all the rest were mere side shows. Now they've reversed course and are saying everything is part of the surge. First it was separate now it's all part of the same thing.
July 23, 2008 10:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
One day after it was revealed the presumptive Republican presidential candidate was slated to hold a closed-door meeting with the 37-year old governor, Jindal told Fox News there is no way he will fill the bottom half of the GOP presidential ticket.
"I'm not going to be the vice presidential nominee or vice president," Jindal said. "I'm going to help Senator McCain get elected, as governor of Louisiana."
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/23/jindal-i-will-not-be-vp/
Bob Novak got played.
July 23, 2008 5:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Novak should be used to it.
He has a reputation as someone who will publish anything. Remember Valerie Plame? The GOP knows exactly where to go when they want to push a BS point: Novak.
July 23, 2008 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
BTW... Bob Novak ran over someone in his car today and fled the scene.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11985.html
Apparently the police didn't think it was a big deal because, you know, he's Bob Novak.
July 23, 2008 5:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love the part where he says he didn't realize he hit the pedestrian, whereas the eyewitness says that said pedestrian was sprawled over the hood of Novak's car.
July 23, 2008 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn! I really wanted Jindal - between exorcism and castration for sex offenders, the guy's a real comic. Even more than the Mittster.
July 23, 2008 5:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nancy HR Puf-N-Stuff is one of the many know-nothing economic advisers in McShame campaign. Between her and Phil Gramm, the only dependable math applicable, is count on some bad advice.
July 23, 2008 5:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
When Barak Obama tells everyone that he respects John McCain's service, that does not undermine the troops.
Gimme that Lamp!!!
July 23, 2008 5:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
What undermines thr troops is knowing that Ace McCaine (call him ace cause he knocked down five American planes) doesn't think they deserve a college education upon return to civilian life. What a dufus.
July 23, 2008 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now that's funny!
July 23, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
But he says it while rolling his eyes and doing a "jerk off" motion with his hand.
July 23, 2008 5:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is only one correct answer to that: Obama doesn't undermine the troops at all. That is a GOP myth, a savage little piece of fear mongering that only those of small intellect will find credible. It is a strawman meant to distract, but it is such a silly strawman that it will, in all likelihood, backfire everywhere except Fox News and the various right wing websites that cater to the inbred and mentally challenged.
July 23, 2008 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Apparently Obama did an interview with Charles Gibson. I'm guessing it's a half hour worth of capital gains tax debate.
July 23, 2008 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain appears to believe that the troops are a class of second-graders who all have to win a prize or it'll hurt their self-esteem.
Somehow I doubt being given credit for every remotely positive development in Iraq, whether the facts support it or not, is the top concern of the troops right now.
July 23, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well said. These guys just wave the word "troops" like a magic talisman and expect everyone to shut the hell up about anything that matters.
But that's over now. Time to take their flagpins and shove 'em where the attorney general's head don't shine.
July 24, 2008 12:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
The fact that Obama is "...well-equipped -- physically..." (according to Angela Merkel) doesn't undermine the troops.
July 23, 2008 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Say what?
July 23, 2008 6:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
A Deluxe TPM Lava Lamp to anyone who can name a single thing about Obama's entire existence that doesn't undermine the troops at this point...
Send the lamp. The troops are about to have a commander in chief who made a three-point shot with a bunch of troops watching. Not exactly permission to go home, but not undermining either.
July 23, 2008 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
The GOP's pant is on fire.
July 23, 2008 5:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
This lie is is worse than Sen. Clinton's Tuzla tale, and we all know how much play the Bosnia-gate story received in the MSM.
July 23, 2008 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Aw hell - been here, done this have 2 dozen tee shirts.
We did this when Vietnam was winding down - same fucking bullshit. The hawks always claim that peace is disrespectful to our military.
Always - the Repugs love our military - to death.
Every goddamn time.
July 23, 2008 5:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
here's the link about Merkel's crush on Obama:
http://strategy08.wordpress.com/2008/07/23/from-the-tmi-file/#comments
the one comment is funny as well ;)
July 23, 2008 7:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Give me the prize.
Obama has never surrendered to the enemy.
Ace McCain has and distryed more American planes than over 90% of North Vietnamese pilots.
How's that!
July 23, 2008 6:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually....
Surge ≠ 20,000 troop escalation
Surge = 36,000 troop escalation
pre-surge troop level -> 132,000
max. surge troop level -> 168,000
Thus, 36,000 troops, not the 20,000 mentioned.
Source - http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq_orbat_es.htm
July 23, 2008 6:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
and that is what ails america under bush/cheney/republicans. truth has been sacrificed to fit one man's agenda. bush did it with iraq and now mccain is doing it to win.
it is disrespectful of the mccain campain to the troops to say that the men and women of the military do not know nor understand the truth/facts. the republicans revel and thrive in ignorance.
July 24, 2008 12:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
MCCAIN CAMPAIGN: A NOUN, A VERB and THE SURGE
July 24, 2008 12:34 AM | Reply | Permalink