McCain touts service, hits Democrats for 'defeatism': The Swamp
 
The Swamp
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Posted September 27, 2007 1:04 PM
The Swamp

McCainatHudson

Sen. John McCain, at the Hudson Institute's New York Briefing Council today, slams Democrats for 'defeatism.' AP Photo by Frank Franklin II


by Jill Zuckman

NEW YORK – As he wages a campaign to convince voters that he alone has the background and vision to manage the threats posed by Islamic extremists, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) denounced the Democratic candidates for president today, accusing them of "political cowardice," "defeatism" and "pandering."

In a speech to the non-partisan Hudson Institute, McCain said the Democratic candidates do not understand the consequences of withdrawing troops in Iraq, which he called a defeat.

"Leading Democrats and presidential candidates spurn a clear-eyed assessment of the opportunities and difficulties ahead and a strategic grasp of the consequences of an American defeat for whistling past the grave yard alternatives, which seldom rise above the level of sound bites and that lack, either by design or inexperience, even a crude understanding of the realities of our situation,'' McCain said.

McCain's speech comes just as his campaign unveiled two new television commercials and one radio ad to begin airing throughout New Hampshire this weekend. The ads emphasize McCain's military service with old television footage of him as a prisoner of war in a hospital bed in North Vietnam reciting his name, rank, and serial number, as well as describing his injuries from ejecting from his fighter jet after getting hit by a missile.

"What is your rank in the Army?" a 31-year-old McCain is asked. "Lt. Commander in the Navy ... Hit by either missile or anti-aircraft fire, I'm not sure which. I ejected and broke my leg and both arms."

"And your official number?" he is asked.

"624787," said McCain.

See the ads, and read on about McCain's address today:

A new poll by the University of New Hampshire and WMUR-TV shows McCain within striking distance of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in the first primary state after weeks of emphasizing his views on the war in Iraq.

Campaign officials said they hope to continue that theme as they tell the story of his military career, surviving five and a half years as a prisoner of war, as well as a deadly fire on the U.S.S. Forrestal.

"John McCain knows the horrors of war, he's seen the face of evil,'' said ad maker Mark McKinnon, adding that McCain's life story is "so good it could be made into a movie."

During today's speech, McCain did not reserve his criticism only for the Democrats. He also took a swipe at Romney, suggesting that he has no background to take on the threats posed by terrorists.

"Tough talk or managerial successes in the private sector aren't adequate assurance that their authors have the experience or qualities necessary for such a singular responsibility,'' McCain said. "We have to make far-reaching reforms to our government to prepare for the long threat our enemies plan for us, and the cruel and desperate means they will employ to harm us."

As president, McCain said he would boost the level of troops in the Army and Marines from 750,000 to 900,000. He said he would also issue a call to service for the nation's young people to defend the country.

McCain plans to create an "Army Advisor Corps" with 20,000 soldiers to work with other militaries in friendly nation, and he would start a "crash program" in civilian and military schools to increase the number of experts in languages such as Arabic and Pashto.

"We could produce more interrogators who can attain critical knowledge from detainees using advanced psychological techniques and not the kind of repugnant tactics that are rightly prohibited by the Geneva Conventions,'' he said of a plan to start a new field in strategic interrogation for the Foreign Service.

McCain said the country needs a modern-day O.S.S., the precursor of American intelligence, to fight terrorism around the world in a quick and nimble manner. And he said the loss of the U.S. Information Agency under former President Clinton was a mistake that should be reversed to disseminate information about the U.S. and democracy around the world.

But McCain's harsh criticism was primarily targeted at Democrats who are pushing to withdraw the troops from Iraq.

"Democrats who aspire to the office of commander in chief ought to be able to demonstrate that their positions on Iraq and the long war against Islamic extremists are the product of sober reasoning and their promise of more realistic statecraft is based on, well, reality," he said.

And he accused them of being "circumspect to the point of political cowardice" for refusing to denounce the far left wing of their party for its attacks on General David Petraeus, the commander in Iraq. A recent ad by MoveOn.Org called the commander "General Betray Us," and suggested he was taking his marching orders from the White House.

"Peace at any price is an illusion and its costs are always more tragic than the sacrifices victory requires,'' McCain said, warning of the consequences of leaving Iraq too soon.

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Comments

"McCain Touts Service, Hits Democrats For 'Defeatism"?

This is the same kind of nonsense as it was when Crazy McJohn said "Baghdad is safe".

This nut is getting desperate for attention.


McClain is right!!! Republicans have a monopoly on all things virtuous. No one is patriotic but them. No one can possibly be more moral than Republicans. When it comes to courage and bravery, Republicans have no peer. Even the most hawkish Republican who wants to dominate the world, but refuses to serve in the military is more American than everybody else. Go figure.


Hey, are we sure McCain didn't shoot himself down in Vietnam??


I can't see how boosting the military to a strength of 900,000 standing troops, encouraging young people who aren't doing it for college money to enlist, and setting up an exchange program with friendly nations could in any way be bad things. In fact, it's what many military experts have been calling on the Bush administration to do for years.

It's no wonder the polls in the early primary states (the only ones that matter) show him within range of Rudy and Romney. Don't be surprised if this veteran pol doesn't pull an upset.

p.s. It's always refreshing to see leftists who have never served their country refer to decorated veterans as "crazy." Once again, the far left will win this election for the Republicans, just like it did in 2004.


McCain'e desperate.


I know John D, Bruce, Jerry White and Terry, among others, join me in admonishing the Trib for devoting so much attention to candidates of one party. Here's just one more example blah blah blah...


Dear John:

Not all of us have lost their marbles the way you have. We recall that even from pre-war days, you were a worthless slug who provided no oversight or guidance to this criminal administration. You gave them a rubber stamp. You held them accountable for nothing. You watched every step of this disaster and did nothing.

In short, your record proves beyond any real dispute that you lack the brains, courage or integrity to lead anything, let alone lead the country out of this disaster. Shut your face and go home, you pathetic phony.


This so-called Military expert was captured by the enemy. The primary objective in war is to stay alive and stay out of the enemies hands.


The fake poster at 2:22, that would enemy's hands.

I love this. I have Ding Dong Loony Leftists criticize me for not debating. There is not one post in here from any Ding Dong Loony Lefty that is a debate, just name calling, attacking, etc. And the Ding Dong Loony Lefties can't even post under their own assumed names, but have to use other people's names to do it.
What garbage the Left is.


Actually, Susan, the primary objective of war is to carry the fight to the enemy, to destroy his will to fight, or failing that, to defeat him utterly. Those who simply try to stay alive and stay out of the enemy's hands generally succeed at doing neither.


John D feels so proud that he posts under his real name, and then he cries about it when people start to hunt him down on the internet. His home, his job, his work. John D has also offered what car he drives, and to what organization he donates to (WWF), how far is to his house to the church(round trip) that he attends each weekend. He also let us know he gets plenty of "lovein." Not only was all this acknowledged or offered by Mr John D, but he never lets anyone forget. Stop baiting the cat, rat, unless you want to end up being on the menu for dinner. Spare me the argument. I don't care about John E. Want to debate?? Well, go right ahead and do so. And, keep on debating. Don't let the looney left stop you. After all they are looney (we get it), and there are plenty of republicans you could talk to on here. Instead you slap them on the back after they do all the work, or chime in to add your -- looney left ... worst humankind ever.


Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) denounced the Democratic candidates for president today, accusing them of "political cowardice," "defeatism" and "pandering."

McCain sounds like he's taken a page out of one of the Swamps crazy commentators playbook.

"Ding Dong Loony Lefties & What garbage the Left is."

Posted by: John D | September 27, 2007 3:11 PM

McCain's antiquated at best. Obsolete may be a better description. I'm sure even the GOP knows this isn't they're guy. All that sucking up to George Bush and what did it get him, a shopping trip in Baghdad!!!

"Senator McCain, I just read in the Internet that you said there are areas in Baghdad that you can walk around freely," a reporter asked.

"Yeah, I just came from one," McCain replied.

But backing up that stroll through the market were ten armored Humvees, soldiers with rifles, and two Apache attack helicopters circling overhead.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/04/60minutes/main2648779.shtml


Mr. No Sympathy, as usual, you are incorrect. I did not ever mention my hometown, nor my job. I did put forth my car. Big deal. Even noted how far I drive to go to church. Again, no big deal. As far as job, just mentioned at one time I covered the hvacr industry. Still, no big deal.
Doug Zook, noted he worked for a union. Have I or Bruce or any other crazy rightie sought out where he lives? Where he currently works, etc.? No.
I don't care where a Swamp poster works, where they live, etc. I don't even care when they post under a fake name, unless that fake name happens to be that of someone else or someone I personally know. Got it, loser?


Doug Zook, noted he worked for a union. Have I or Bruce or any other crazy rightie sought out where he lives? Where he currently works, etc.? No.
I don't care where a Swamp poster works, where they live, etc. I don't even care when they post under a fake name, unless that fake name happens to be that of someone else or someone I personally know. Got it, loser?

Posted by: John D | September 27, 2007 5:10 PM


I agree John D,
You loony lefters disgust me.
George W Bush is the best President EVER and we can't help it that you people don't know any better.
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_opinion_letters/2005/12/publishing_hate.html


Posted by: John D | September 27, 2007 5:10 PM

Poco Johnny D,
usted sufre de envidia del pene y usted es un pendejo.


John D.,

I support you on this.

Going after someone where they live or work crosses a line that none of us should cross.

It leads to no good for anyone involved. If I need to spell that out to the miscreant, you're too stupid to understand it anyway.

Don't do it.


Posted by: John D | September 27, 2007 5:10 PM

Poco Johnny D,
usted no tiene ningún pene.


If you don't pride yourself on using your real name, why the panic when someone uses an assumed name of someone you know? Do you and the people you know have a monopoly on assumed names or their usage? Didn't think so.

Your so consistent on certain things that if one was to pull up all the things you write about yourself going way back, one would be able to track you down by a process of elimination and connection. Hence, stop baiting the cat, rat, unless you want to end up being on the menu for dinner. You cry about people having an obsession with you, and then you go and routinely disclose information about yourself. Understand, one can take your name, your occupation, any work you proved of doing, what you drive, radius around your house based on splitting travel time in half to locate churches (or deduction using churches in a certain area you are likely to reside in based on other information), and knowledge of when you attend.

Either way you are the loser. Not priding yourself on using your name, but thinking that some code exists governing assumed names you know. Or, if you pride yourself on using your real name (including offering up other information) while some "steal" the names of others. Not so smart either. I might have misread your original post but either way your read it I still have no sympathy for you.


I Still have no sympathy for you,

My name is my own. It is full. It is complete.

My wife and my son are not part of any beef anyone has with me. They do not post here. They have no interest or knowledge of my political or other interests.

Despite whatever slight I may feel, I do not seek out anyone else's home or job.

You shouldn't either.


Doug, I was responding to John D, 5:10, in my last post 7:24. Not you. Not one bit was my post directed to any of your posts, or anything in his post about you 5:10(it was irrelevant to my point).

I'm not looking to find anyone Doug. I originally read John D's 3:11 post as him being the usual trifling idiot. This time attacking lefties for "fake" names, and being proud of the fact he uses his real name. So I called him out on what I thought he meant. Saying using your real name (esp when this guy has incessantly provided information about himself year round) was asking for trouble while crying about certain people's obsession with him. Hence the cat analogy. Then he corrected me, 5:10 post, on what he meant and added that the stuff he disclosed in the past is "no big deal." My point was not to find him, and only to address that comment showing him he is wrong. There is not safety on the internet.

Whether you read the original post from John D the way he intended for it to be read, or the way I thought he meant for his original post of 3:11 to be read, John D is incorrect. Depending how you read the post, your being stupid if your whining about some monopoly on assumed names (what he meant) or stupid if you pride yourself on using your real name while nagging on others who do not use their real names (which is what I thought he meant). The later is stupid because your setting yourself up when you disclose so much about yourself as John D has routinely in the past. And, we all know that John D likes to talk about himself over time more than anyone ales on here. Ok maybe not more than the looney left which my post addressed and his need for "debate".

Now if I reacted to the 3: 11 post and it was you under John D's assumed name I have to give it up to you. It was quiet a convincing rant. My intentions were not to find any one, including our resident nut himself. Just to make a point.


Oh, and I'm not slighted one bit by him. Actually by pointing out the naive attitude he exhibited on the subject in his last post 5:10 I was looking out for him. I could have omitted it the subject when he corrected me since it was a result of me misreading his post, but I thought I'd explain. Maybe he will think twice about that stuff.


Mr. No Sympathy, the point I was making was partly in reference to a post in this particular Swamp item in which the idiot used the name of my boss, which has happened on several occasions in the Swamp. Sorry, but when Loons (and if calling these weirdos Loons offends you, sorry, but these actions are Loony and frankly sick and demented) use other people's names such as someone's boss, that is just f-ed up.

As far as putting the pieces together. All I ever did was note that I covered hvacr. It seems King Loon John E googles the hvacr industry, searches through Trib archives in which letters I wrote to Voice of the People were printed in the newspaper or online and puts two and two together, which I am amazed the loser could even do, considering how incapable he is in everything else.
Then of course the loser tracks me to my last job and tracks me to my new job. There is nearly 20 years of published work by me that googlers can find. It is what it is.
But I can play that game too.


What garbage the Left is.
Posted by: John D
-
You sink lower with every post while saying nothing new. I am glad to see you weigh in on every topic because you are THE face of republicanism. America is looking at you, and the whole GOP, with clear eyes, and they don't like what they see.


I didn't know this anti-Semitic Dyslin buffoon was an editor before he tried to establish credibility by invoking it. I didn't know his last name until HE wrote it in full on the Swamp. I didn't know he drove a shiny new Nissan Murano (its NOT an SUV, you know, even though Nissan classifies it as one) until he told all of us (still not quite sure why that information was pertinent), etc. etc.

I got a theory, Dyslin. Maybe if you weren't such a meanspirited, closeminded loudmouth hurling childish insults willy-nilly each and ever day, people wouldn't be digging up dirt on you.

But I suspect that would leave you with absolutely nothing left in your miserable little life. When I first came to the Swamp, it was clear that the loudest and dumbest of the posters, Johns D & E, would be the ones who would outlast the intelligent posters like RRD, Tony, Leo T, Bryan, Juanito, etc.


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