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McCain's Patriotism Two-Step, On Video!
I'm the narrator of this new TPMtv episode, which is all about McCain's Patriotism Two-Step -- the glaring contradiction between McCain's claim that he isn't questioning Obama's patriotism, and the things he's actually saying about Obama -- and the media's general failure to call him on it:
It's really worth a watch: Peerless TPM video editor Ben Craw did a great job digging up examples of pundits saying again and again that McCain really doesn't want to be running such a nasty and vicious campaign against Obama, even though he himself has repeatedly accused Obama of treason and his own campaign has endorsed similar quotes from surrogates. Enjoy.
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If Obama really wants to hit back he'll stop saying McCain is questioning his patriotism and start having his surrogates argue McCain would rather prove himself right on Iraq than admit it's time to bring the troops home: McCain wants to stay because of his ego.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 25, 2008 10:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent point. Joe Biden, there's a call for you on line one!
August 25, 2008 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
actually, that's a great idea.
August 25, 2008 10:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
wow, GREAT idea.
http://strategy08.wordpress.com
August 25, 2008 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
the way the media is making excuses for mccain is abysmal...when exactly does mccain become responsible for his campaign?
August 25, 2008 10:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain would rather troops die than admit that Iraq was a mistake. Woudl rather troops die than to admit that he was wrong to oppose a timeline for withdraw, which now ALL parties have agreed to.
Obama was right about the timeline for withdraw. McCain was wrong. But he'd rather stay for 100 years and have thousands and thousands die, because of his massive ego. He can't admit his mistake -- just like GWBush,
August 25, 2008 10:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Woudl rather troops die than to admit that he was wrong to oppose a timeline for withdraw, which now ALL parties have agreed to."
I agree that's how you and the MSM will spin it, but it's factually wrong. Any troop reductions now are based on the success of operations in Iraq and the current security situation. Obama wanted everyone out reguardless of the situation...big difference.
August 25, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Fact: McCain wants to stay UNTIL "VICTORY". 100 years if need be. He mentions our eternal occupation of Korea as an example.
Fact: Obama, the Iraqi govt, and now Bush agreed to a timeline to withdraw in the next two years.
Why can't McCain admit he was wrong to oppose a timeline for withdraw? Americans want out, so do Iraqis. And now Bush has signed on. We are getting out. Unless Johnny McWar has his way. That nutcase is still fighting the Vietnam war.
August 25, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
observer,
well its obvious that Bush, Obama and Maliki are raising the white flag of surrender.
August 25, 2008 2:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
The only problem with this logic is that McCain seems to be totally out of the loop regarding facts on the ground. If the negotiations have advanced to the stage that there is a general agreement for the removal of combat troops by 2011, the general points of negotiation have been known for many months.
So while the GOP-led government is busy negotiating a TIMELINE FOR WITHDRAWAL, McCain has been running around saying that setting a timeline is the same as "losing the war to win an election".
In truth, he either he knows damn well that the sovereign nation of Iraq is asking us to leave by 2011 and simply couldn't bring himself to be honest with the American people - or he simply didn't know.
Whatever the case, it is pretty difficult to ignore that the "out by 2011" treaty we are signing looks an awful lot like what Obama has been proposing all along - and NOTHING like what McCain has been saying.
August 25, 2008 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
kgb999,
McCain's criteria for leaving Iraq were never something you could hold him to.
"when the circumstances on the ground permit..."
Who gets to decide that? Now that Bush and Malaki are talking of timetables McCain will no doubt say the circumstances on the ground are right for the timetable.
And don't forget; "The Surge is working my friends,"....... and that's why we can accept a timeline. :-)
August 25, 2008 2:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
obama has to sop complimenting mccain's "service"...he needs to start calling him out for his two-faced b.s.
August 25, 2008 10:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
OK OK....when's Kleefeld going to get some 15 min of TPMTv face time fame
I hope y'all have penciled in some time for the Convention Extravaganza
HEARTY PARTY! Let's roll
August 25, 2008 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Love this, thanks Greg! This issue is the main one that really burns me and I can't quite get why the MSM either can't or won't see McCain for what he is. And what it will take for those scales to fall from their eyes.
How about if we send a link to Greg's video here to friendly MSM journalists? Share the love...
August 25, 2008 10:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, guys. Can someone send a memo to Axelrod?
August 25, 2008 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
I keep hearing people lament that Barack opens up every criticism of McCain by first praising his service. Need I remind people of another example of this line of attack?
August 25, 2008 11:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Marc Antony wasn't operating with a 24-7 news cycle, and most of those who got that nuance were probably at an orgy at the time.
August 25, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
But still, orgies or not, good snark has its place.
August 25, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
John McCain is an honorable guy. It's his *campaign* and the people he chose to run his campaign that are the bad guys. It's not John. He was a POW - that means prisoner of war. This *automatically* absolves him of any negative responsibility for his entire life and bestows upon him unquestionable honor - especially as he runs to be president of this country. So, lay off our John!
August 25, 2008 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
John has no sense of honor, he sold his soul and now measures the worth of his honor in millions of dollars.
August 25, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sold his soul to the devil:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxrPGFjOUYI
August 25, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
When I see that photo of McCain and Bush hugging, I'm reminded of that old saying:
"When you dance with the Devil, he doesn't change, you do."
August 25, 2008 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink