Juan Cole dispels McCain's lies about Obama

[lies]

Brilliant piece today by Juan (as is usually the case).

http://www.juancole.com/2008/02/mccains-holiday-from-history-in.html

In short:

Senator John McCain could not get the independents out in Wisconsin, and the Republican turnout was lackluster. In politics, failure always produces bluster. McCain spoke after his primary victory in Wisconsin last night, casting himself as a voice of experience in foreign policy.

He said things like this:

'I will fight every moment of every day in this campaign to make sure Americans are not deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change that promises no more than a holiday from history . . .

Today, political change in Pakistan is occurring that might affect our relationship with a nuclear armed nation that is indispensable to our success in combating al Qaeda in Afghanistan and elsewhere. . .

Will the next President have the experience, the judgment experience informs, and the strength of purpose to respond to each of these developments in ways that strengthen our security and advance the global progress of our ideals? Or will we risk the confused leadership of an inexperienced candidate who once suggested invading our ally, Pakistan, and sitting down without pre-conditions or clear purpose with enemies who support terrorists and are intent on destabilizing the world by acquiring nuclear weapons?

These remarks were aimed at Barack Obama, and they are lies. Obama never advocated invading Pakistan with US ground troops. He said that the US should strike at al-Qaeda if it had actionable intelligence about its whereabouts in Pakistan, even if the Pakistani authorities refused to give permission.

This stance is US policy. In fact, George W. Bush implemented it with a Predator attack on an al-Qaeda leader in Pakistan just a couple of weeks ago, an attack that the Pakistani government declined to authorize.

Actually, one of our overly deferential journalists should please get some backbone and just ask McCain what he would do if he had intelligence on Bin Laden's whereabouts in Pakistan and could not get authorization from Islamabad to strike at him.

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He then follows it up with a pocket history of Pakistan which is invaluable and highly recommended reading!!

Wanna win those PK debates with your right-wing friends? Go read this post!

[lies]

1. Kick

In honor of McCain's very bad day!

[ShortnFiery]

2. Oh yeah. Cindy McCain won't have the chance to sling mud while she's defending hubby.

:evilgrin:

[Adelante]

3. Juan Cole knows the ME like the back of his hand

He's always a good read.

[lies]

4. Agreed

Any candidate that had him on staff would get my vote. :)