MyDD :: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is?

Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is?

by Steve M, Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:05:20 PM EST

Josh Marshall flags this eyebrow-raiser from John McCain's trip to the Middle East...

Speaking to reporters in Amman, the Jordanian capital, McCain said he and two Senate colleagues traveling with him continue to be concerned about Iranian operatives "taking al-Qaeda into Iran, training them and sending them back."

Pressed to elaborate, McCain said it was "common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al-Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training and are coming back into Iraq from Iran, that's well known. And it's unfortunate."

Did you know al-Qaeda is training in Iran? Me neither! In fact, I would have thought it highly unlikely that an extremist Sunni group like al-Qaeda would get much help from a Shiite nation like Iran, but what do I know.

Fortunately, a true giant of foreign policy was on hand to set McCain straight.

A few moments later, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, standing just behind McCain, stepped forward and whispered in the presidential candidate's ear. McCain then said: "I'm sorry, the Iranians are training extremists, not al-Qaeda."

The Post's take on this little oopsie?

The mistake threatened to undermine McCain's argument that his decades of foreign policy experience make him the natural choice to lead a country at war with terrorists. In recent days, McCain has repeatedly said his intimate knowledge of foreign policy make him the best equipped to answer a phone ringing in the White House late at night.

It is possible - just possible, mind you - that being a war hero doesn't actually mean you have a clue about foreign policy. Anyone remember when McCain came up with this insightful recommendation?

"One of the things I would do if I were President would be to sit the Shiites and the Sunnis down and say, `Stop the bullshit,'" said Mr. McCain.

Please, I beg of you, don't let him pick up that phone! I swear, if we hadn't just endured 8 years of Bush, I'd start to wonder how we could possibly lose to this guy...

Poll

Votes: 13
Results : Vote Link : Polls

Tags: al-Qaeda, Iran, John McCain, Joe Lieberman (all tags)

Permalink :: 31 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (2.00 / 4)

I am as caught up in the battle between Clinton and Obama as anyone, but FYI, there's going to be an election in November as well. In case you hadn't heard.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:08:45 PM EST

Thank you, Steve... (none / 0)

For reminding me that amidst the current intra-party primary conflict, we still must remember that there's a bumbling hard-right idiot that we have to beat in November. Jeez, McCain doesn't even know what al-Qaeda's all about? By any chance, does he even know the difference between Sunni and Shi'a? Or Iraq and Iran?

Wow, I don't see why anyone would trust McCain to answer that phone at 3 AM.

Want to defend marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how!

by atdleft on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:24:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (none / 0)

Singer's post kind of stole you're thunder but I can't believe your diary did not make the rec-list.

This is key information for Democratic success in Nov.

by JoeCoaster on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 04:07:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (none / 0)

It may take a few of these diaries, but Democratic people will wake up and get it. :)

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 04:12:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

What 'Commander-in-Chief' Threshold Was That Again (none / 0)

As I have pointed out before his military experince is as a Lt Cmdr, grade O-4, the most junior of middle grade officers, while not squadron commander he claims to have led some missions in Viet-Nam which is highly credible. He won the Silver Star, which is a significant honour.

While there is no doubt about McCain's bravery he was a 'line' officer, making no tactical decisions and quite distinct from the kind of leadership which the Commander-in-Chief position entails. In fact he found his orders often objectionable:

"The target list was so restricted that we had to go back and hit the same targets over and over again.... Most of our pilots flying the missions believed that our targets were virtually worthless. In all candor, we thought our civilian commanders were complete idiots who didn't have the least notion of what it took to win the war."

John McCain - John McCain Wikipedia

With all do respect to McCain's exemplary service, and heroic personal history, he has no strategic or flag officer experience either and this should be pointed out constantly and unequivocally.

by Shaun Appleby on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 05:09:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (2.00 / 1)

Good post. Joe Lieberman, blech.

by NewOaklandDem on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:09:29 PM EST

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (2.00 / 2)

Mccain is beginning to undermine himself .

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:09:39 PM EST

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (2.00 / 3)

It's like he's running for Bush's third term in a policy sense, and Reagan's third term in a mental sense.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:13:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (none / 0)

Wow.

Torture me once, shame on you; torture me and get away with it, shame on us all.

by freedom78 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:17:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

snap! (none / 0)

BHO/HRC 08

by omar little on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:21:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (none / 0)

Does that mean you won't vote for him over Obama if it comes to that? I know I've given you crap before, but I'm genuinely hopeful that perhaps this kind of evidence has changed your mind somewhat.

by HSTruman on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:15:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (2.00 / 1)

I have never said I would vote for Mccain over Obama , i don't know where you got that from.

What I said recently is that with all of the race issues going on , I would be voting based on conscience not as a straight party ticket and I didn't know how it would turn out.

I admire Mccain , I have made that clear and it is not based on ideological reasons , I am more on the conservative side of things and liberals scare the crap out of me.

However I haven't said i would vote for Mccain , rather what I have said is the supreme court is on the line and I can't jeopardize that , so that would make it unlikely that I can vote for him.

But if Mccain is fumbling all over sunni and shite , then someone should check his mental health.

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:23:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (none / 0)

" it is based on ideological reasons "

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:24:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (none / 0)

In all seriousness, can I inquire precisely how McCain is a better fit ideologically? I'll confess, I don't quite understand a self-professed "conservative" supporting Hillary Clinton or posting on MYDD, but I would be curious to understand your perspective.

At the very least, I gather that you are not conservative on judicial nominations. Since you support HRC, I assume you similarly are not conservative on issues like universal health care or a progressive approach to managing the economy. Are we really just talking about foreign policy?

by HSTruman on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 04:14:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (none / 0)

Are you just trying to distort a lot of what I say for some reason.

I live in Tennessee , and it is not uncommon in these parts and in the south to be somewhat conservative/moderate in your views.

There are democrats here too you know and we have different views and values some from people on the coast.

On foreign policy I am out of whack with the national democrats , which is not uncommon in these parts that is why we have Reagan democrats in these parts , and on Economic issues fiscal responsibily and balanced budgets is important to me . As well as tax cuts for the middle class and unions.

On social issues I can't compromise on a woman's right to choose.

If I say I am on the conservative sides of things ,it doesn't make me a conservative a la the newt gingrich etc .

My folks are Reagan democrats and I was raised in a pretty conservative household which is not new in the south .

With regards to me posting on mydd I think conservative , moderate and liberal dems are allowed to do that.

By the way if you look at the profile of those supporting Hillary Clinton , Reagan democrats and blue collar workers are fueling her candidacy. So there must be something we see in her.

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 04:51:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (none / 0)

I misunderstood what you were saying, for which I apologize. I didn't realize you meant "conservative" in terms of "conservative democrat." Which, obviously, makes you a moderate when compared to the Republican party.

I would still like to hear what specific foreign policy issues differentiate you from the national democratic party, but I will stop bothering you if you'd rather not discuss it. We're certainly a big tent and you're entitled to your opinion. I'm just curious what "conservative" foreign policy views even means today. In Reagan's day, that meant you were hardline anti-communist and wanted to spend more on defense. Nowdays, it seems like it just means you want to stay in Iraq forever and bomb Iran...

by HSTruman on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 05:14:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (none / 0)

In terms of foreign policy , I don't want a war with the country and at the same time i don't want the president to meet on a personal basis one on one with these dictators without seeing what you can achieve by using your lower level diplomats including your secretary of state .

I am basically where she is on Iran , sticks and carrots.

On Iraq I disagree with her position and the position of national democrats , I have a family member currently deployed in Iraq and his morale is high and feels they are making a difference , so I am not in the camp of those who want a rapid withdrawal and I am not opposed to a careful withdrawal but I don't want to sacrifice the gains and sacrifices our troops have made thus far both in lives and limbs .

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 05:36:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (none / 0)

OK, thanks. I appreciate the discussion. We disagree, but that's perfectly fine with me. And for what it's worth, although I was against going into Iraq from the start my thoughts thereafter were -- for a very long time -- a variation on the Powell doctrine: you break it, you buy it.

That only changed for me because I concluded that there was no way that our presence was ever going to lead to political reunification. It still hasn't, but I understand where you're coming from.

by HSTruman on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 05:56:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (none / 0)

Steve, you should update with this:

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/03/18/mcca in-iran-al-qaeda/

He made THE SAME CLAIM on Hugh Hewitt's radio show the other night.

HH: What's the concern you have about Iran, and about, in particular, Ahmadinejad? Some people want to meet with him. He's not on your agenda this trip.

JM: (laughing) The day I meet with the president of Iran will be the day after he announces his country no longer is dedicated to the extinction of the state of Israel, the day after they stop exporting these most lethal explosives into Iraq. Just yesterday, up in the Mosul area, they uncovered a cache of weapons, and a lot of it was these Iranian copper, high...most lethal explosives. As you know, there are al Qaeda operatives that are taken back into Iran, given training as leaders, and they're moving back into Iraq. I think Americans should be very angry when we know that Iran is exporting weapons into Iraq that kill Americans. And so all I can say is that I think they continue to be a threat. I think one of the big mistakes that's made recently was this NIE, which sort of relieved pressure, certainly as far as the Europeans were concerned, on Iran as far as sanctions are concerned.

by animated on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:13:49 PM EST

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (none / 0)

This guy has no idea what he's talking about. If Obama made a similar gaffe, multiple times, I don't think we'd ever hear the end of it.

by animated on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:16:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (none / 0)

And MyDD would be leading the way. ;)

by Brillobreaks on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:20:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (2.00 / 1)

My goodness. It's a wonder he didn't stop and start arguing with Lieberman about it.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:19:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Lieberman = Wormtongue? (none / 0)

I'm not sure what is more alarming here: McCain flubbing this kind of basic information or Lieberman as the power behind the throne.

"Mom, baseball, apple pie, and a unified Democratic juggernaut."

by Purplepeople on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:23:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Good Diary (2.00 / 1)

It's stuff like this that makes me think McCain will end up being quite beatable for either of our candidates. People talk about Obama never being tested, but McCain has never really been attacked from the left either. Frankly, I don't think he'll hold up that well to prolonged scrutiny.

As always, screw Joe Lieberman. God that guy sucks.

by HSTruman on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:14:28 PM EST

Re: Good Diary (2.00 / 1)

Lieberman should be ashamed. I don't care if he frames his support of McCain in the foreign policy sense...does he really believe the Supreme Court can bear the weight of another conservative appointment...or two...or three?

Torture me once, shame on you; torture me and get away with it, shame on us all.

by freedom78 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:18:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (2.00 / 1)

This is why I think that EITHER Clinton or Obama is going to destroy McCain this Fall; too many errors and slip-ups on his part.

by Cycloptichorn on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:15:48 PM EST

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (none / 0)

What? There's another party too?!?!?! ;)

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

by thezzyzx on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:16:24 PM EST

Maybe? (2.00 / 1)

McCain has managed to be on the wrong side of virtually everything foreign policy related his entire career, in spite of being a war hero.

by Brillobreaks on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:16:44 PM EST

no judgement whatsoever (2.00 / 1)

McCain is so beatable. He just throws anything out there, knowing he won't get called on it.

by grover738 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:20:40 PM EST

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (none / 0)

Pressed to elaborate, McCain said it was "common knowledge and has been reported in the media that al-Qaeda is going back into Iran and receiving training and are coming back into Iraq from Iran, that's well known. And it's unfortunate."

Translation: Operation "Iranian Salvation" (a.k.a. dropping an assload of nukes on a country full of brown anti-Christian heathens) will commence Jan. 2009.

by sricki on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:29:04 PM EST

Re: Does McCain Know What al-Qaeda Is? (none / 0)

G*d, I hate to say it but you are right.. they are spinning the meme that it's time to go after Iran. Couple this with the stepping down of Fallon and my guess is we will attack Iran sometime this summer.

by JustJennifer on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:33:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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