White House fires back at McCain's comment on Iraq

[sabra]

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20060823-105632-1719r.htm

White House fires back at McCain's comment on Iraq

The White House yesterday fought back against Sen. John McCain's assertion that the administration wrongly led the nation into thinking the Iraq war would be easy, even as a new poll suggests that for the first time since it began a majority of Americans don't think the war is part of the fight against terrorism.

"It is difficult, and the president has said it is going to be difficult from the beginning," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino, who called it "puzzling to me" that Mr. McCain's comments were gaining attention because, she said, he had made similar criticisms before.

Mr. McCain, who has been a staunch defender of the war, said while campaigning in Ohio for Sen. Mike DeWine that the public had been "led to believe this could be some kind of day at the beach," and listed the claims of top administration officials that indicated an easier war.

"I think one of the biggest mistakes we made was underestimating the size of the task and the sacrifices that would be required," Mr. McCain said. "Stuff happens, mission accomplished, last throes, a few dead-enders. I'm just more familiar with those statements than anyone else because it grieves me so much that we had not told the American people how tough and difficult this task would be."

[Dhalgren]

1. So, will Bush not hug McCain on stage as a payback for

McCain's debasement in '04? McCain better stay out of small planes. This may cause Jeb to be forced to step into the Presidency, after all...

[Supersedeas]

20. how about CAKE-will they eat CAKE together in midst of a national disaster

[lumpy]

28. This is a Republican ploy to

insure McCain's popularity with the public to gain the White House in 08'. Does it really make a difference to the Bushies what McCain has to say? They are in collusion with McCain. A not-so-subtle
campaign strategy.

[Botany]

2. If bush was so right on Iraq why is 50 out of 51 Iraq vets

running against the war as dems?

[tanyev]

3. Maybe McCain and Bush should settle this with a duel.

Pistols at dawn.



Ann Coulter disclaimer: It's just a joke.

[kurth]

6. Can't duel with a cheater like Bush

Fatal mistake.

[gatorboy]

4. Anyone watch Tweety yesterday?

He had a tape of McCain saying the direct opposite in the beginning. Talking about how much the Iraqis will appreciate us.

Seriously, will the MSM stop talking about how "Maverick" this flip flop is?

[0007]

5. Just good foreplay

[Double T]

9. Every time I see that picture of bush and mccain, I get a wave of nausea

[elocs]

16. If McCain is the Republican candidate in '08

the Dems should show this picture over and over. This certainly proves that one picture is worth 10,000 words because it speaks volumes.

[0007]

17. More.....

"It's long past time that George Bush also take John McCain's advice and do the right thing by putting an end to the smears and lies attacking John Kerry's military service," said Kerry spokesman David Wade.
Both Mr. McCain and the Bush campaign already had filed complaints with the FEC in an effort to curb political advertising by 527s, which sprung up through a loophole in the McCain-Feingold campaign-finance law, which Mr. Bush signed in 2002.

[lumpy]

29. McCain is as sick and as sickening

as Geo.Bush Jr. McCain visually embracing Bush is horrifyingly sick. Oh my God, spare us.

[Nickster]

7. AHHHHHH!!!! This is driving me crazy. McCain throws out the false

argument that the White House should have told us how hard things would be and they really never told us how hard the war would be. The White House gets to follow up that false argument by saying, Dubya told everyone how hard it would be, really he did! Then the media gets to act like McCain is some maverick who's bucking the war, without really bucking the war. The White House gets to act like they are dealing with the honest and open criticism even from within their own party, even though they aren't even close to touching on the real subject(s). THEY LIED US INTO A WAR! THEY HAVE NO PLAN TO GET US OUT OF A WAR! THEY DIDN'T SUPPLY MILITARY CORRECTLY!

Hey McCain, remember, you got us into this, they couldn't have done it without your support and all your little neo-con friends. Go give Dubya another big smooch and hug you washed up has been.

[RethugAssKicker]

11. I agree... Its a fucking set up !

[leesa]

15. Exactly. The REAL issue is that the war invasion was illegal because

Bush lied to Congress and there was no violation of the UN Resolution by Iraq. THAT is the crime. The rest is criminal but the invasion is what we should have thrown him in jail for. That we haven't done it will be a black mark on the US forever.

[radfringe]

25. NEEDS TO BE PUSHED....send it out to everyone you know

From 8/21 Press COnference

THE PRESIDENT: What did Iraq have to do with what?

Q The attack on the World Trade Center?

THE PRESIDENT: Nothing, except for it's part of -- and nobody has ever suggested in this administration that Saddam Hussein ordered the attack. Iraq was a -- the lesson of September the 11th is, take threats before they fully materialize, Ken. Nobody has ever suggested that the attacks of September the 11th were ordered by Iraq. I have suggested, however, that resentment and the lack of hope create the breeding grounds for terrorists who are willing to use suiciders to kill to achieve an objective. I have made that case.

---
meanwhile... retrieved from the memory hole

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/08/20060821.html
Presidential Letter
Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate

March 18, 2003

Dear Mr. Speaker:

Consistent with section 3(b) of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), and based on information available to me, including that in the enclosed document, I determine that:

(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither (A) adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq nor (B) likely lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and

(2) acting pursuant to the Constitution and Public Law 107-243 is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH


and these snippets:

http://www.c-span.org/resources/pdf/Report107_243.pdf

Report In Connection With Presidential Determination Under Public Law 107-243

--snip--

This report also explains that a determination to use force against Iraq is fully consistent with the United States andother countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.

--snip--

4. Use of Force Against Iraq is Consistent with the War on Terror In Public Law 107-243, Congress made a number of findings concerning Iraq’s support for international terrorism. Among other things, Congress determined that:

• Members of al Qaida, an organization bearing responsibility for attacks on the United States, its citizens, and interests, including the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, are known to be in Iraq.

• Iraq continues to aid and harbor other international terrorist organizations, including organizations that threaten the lives and safety of United States citizens.

• It is in the national security interests of the United States and in furtherance of the war on terrorism that all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions been forced, including through the use of force if necessary.

[Jacobin]

24. So very well said.

The RW and the media are just playing with people's heads.

[Mark E. Smith]

8. Anybody got that image of McCain sniffing Shrub's armpit at...

...the 2004 GOP convention?

Oh, here it is.



Gee, he wasn't talking all that straight back then.

[Old and In the Way]

12. "Daddy, make those mean Democrats stop saying these things about me."

I hope this picture is hung around McCain's neck like a millstone in 2008.

[TlalocW]

10. Bush must be in shock

He's probably thinking, "This is the man I used to call friend who gave me a birthday cake on an airport tarmac while I wasn't doing anything about New Orleans being destroyed. Such good times..."

TlalocW

[saigon68]

13. Get on your Knees

[cliss]

14. The night of the long knives.....

Notice how everybody is getting into the Bush Bashing act? I mean, it's become very fashionable to attack this administration .....especially since it's an election year....

Let no one accuse the people in Washington of not knowing how the public feels.

Just watch out for the ones who are in truth loyal to this administration.....

[stepnw1f]

18. Bullshhhiiiitttt

McCain is purposely distancing himself from Bush with Bush's help.

[AX10]

19. And the MSM will crown this flip-flopping opportunist the next King.

:puke:

[bluedog]

21. is a game to get McCain elected.all smoke and puff

[0007]

22. Yes!

[0007]

23. junior wants to keep the war going as long as he can.

[lumpy]

26. McCain is playing the game of:

I WANT TO BE PRESIDENT. The first move is cash in on Bush's drop in the polls by critizing Bush's sorry handling of Iraq. This guy will jump, slide, or slither over the fence to stay in poltitics. As trustworthy sane and competent as Bush has ever been.

[lumpy]

27. McCain is playing the game of:

I WANT TO BE PRESIDENT. The first move is cash in on Bush's drop in the polls by critizing Bush's sorry handling of Iraq. This guy will jump, slide, or slither over the fence to stay in poltitics. As trustworthy sane and competent as Bush has ever been.