Obama: "That's the news John McCain!"

[featherman]

Rapid response to McCain's "Al Queda in Iraq" line of attack

"But I have some news for John McCain," Obama said, "and that was that there's no such thing as al Qaeda in Iraq until George Bush and John McCain decided to invade Iraq!"

He added: "I've gone some news for John McCain: He took us into a war, along with George Bush, that should have never been authorized and never been waged. They took their eye off the people who were responsible for 9/11, and that would be al Qaeda in Afghanistan that is stronger now than anytime since 2001."

"I've been paying attention John McCain! That's the news," Obama roared into the mic so loudly that he was barely intelligible.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/27/709573.aspx

[liberal N proud]

1. Great slam Obama

Obama went on to lay the blame for terrorist activity in Iraq on McCain's shoulders. "But I have some news for John McCain," Obama said, "and that was that there's no such thing as al Qaeda in Iraq until George Bush and John McCain decided to invade Iraq!"

[Cha]

9. Facts always are,

eh? :)

[easy_b94]

2. nice

[habitual]

3. mmmm this is a response i like. :) n/t

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. Reading the responses is funny.

It's hard to tell who's supporting McCain and who's supporting Hillary, either case they've got nothing.

[Barack_America]

39. Unfortunately, that line is becoming blurred among many supporters in general.

I don't know how you stomache those comments. The lowest dirt in America seems to hover around those boards.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

5. I have to say, I'm really starting to warm up to Obama.

I didn't think he quite had this in him. This was a great moment for him and for our party.

[JimGinPA]

6. McCain Is Going To Look Foolish Debating Obama

I can't wait!

[RDANGELO]

7. You have to be impressed.

The immediate and direct responses are encouraging.

[Mooney]

53. It's about fucking time

I'm really sick of having candidates who can't or won't hit back. I think both Obama and Clinton have learned from the last few years that you have to respond to this type of shit immediately and forcefully. Thank god.

[BeyondGeography]

8. "that would be al Qaeda in Afghanistan"

Really, you have to love these Republicans with their national security swagger after they've been wrong about absolutely everything since 9/11.

Obama has the right idea; play offense.

[AtomicKitten]

10. Obama knows how to thrust and parry deftly.

[bdamomma]

11. oh, Barack, you are killing them with the truth.

[Drunken Irishman]

12. This is why Obama will win.

Think back to 2004 and how Kerry never really shot back at Bush. He tried staying above it all, when he needed to get down to Bush's level and expose his lies. Well Obama has a rapid response team that does just that. Every remark McCain makes will quickly be refuted by Obama -- it will get no play. Then McCain will look like the idiot.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

13. "Memories. Nothing more than memories!"

[FlyingSquirrel]

14. Did you read the first response to that story?

"But, but, isn't Obama not tough enough to take on the Republicans? I mean, that's what the Clinton people keep telling me."

Sounds like a GDP'er

;)

[CyberPieHole]

15. Yet Obama voted to fund the war he now decries...

why is that? Could it be politically expedient?:shrug:

[SteppingRazor]

16. Yeah, you're right. He should've just caved and talked about how correct Bush and McCain are.

:eyes:

[CyberPieHole]

20. He should have walked the walk and voted against funding the war...

Or do you want him to do one thing and say another? That's not much different than W.

[SteppingRazor]

25. I dwell in reality, and so I recognize the fact that if he had voted against funding...

he wouldn't be the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination right now. He'd be relegated to the "far left yahoo" contingent populated by people like Kucinich and Gravel, dismissed by the media and most of the voters for not understanding pragmatism.

I don't begrudge either of our candidates, Hillary or Barack, their votes to fund the war. Withholding funding is a pretty bad way to end this mess. The best way to end it is by having Democrats in the White House and a majority in Congress, so that removing our troops from Iraq can be done in an orderly, timely fashion -- not piecemeal as funds run out.

[CatnHat]

24. If Obama was so

against the war, and that's even questionable; why did he vote to fund the war? Obama has nothing.

[Yael]

35. Better that we starve the troops and keep them from reloading their ammo

[Window]

29. If they stop funding the war,

what will happen to my two nephews and the rest of the troops in Iraq.

Bring them home....NOW!

[thereismore]

30. He voted to fund the troops, like many others. nt

[robertpaulsen]

38. You've got a problem with Presidential candidates that are politically expedient?

So who do you support? Nader? McKinney? :shrug:

[Political Heretic]

17. When we get to the general we are going to SO thankful for his charisma, deftness, inspiration,

passion, and ability to galvanize and mobilize. All the things that he is being attacked for right now are the reason why we are going to win.

[CatnHat]

26. All the charisma in the world

doesn't put food on the table, doesn't pay the bills. Obama and his supporters are completely "out of touch".

[Political Heretic]

27. I was purely talking about beating McCain

..political strategy and all that.

Obama's policies will serve America very well I think. And if you don't think they will do the job in putting food on the table or paying the bills then your SOL I guess, since they are nearly identical to Hillary Clinton's.

[CatnHat]

44. The big difference

is Hillary is a doer and Obama is talker.

[jakem]

49. seems like Hillary is talking and Obama is doing to me-

[Yael]

18. w00t!!

Thats our guy!!

[calmblueocean]

19. Great article. "That's the news, John McCain!" could become the next campaign catchprase.

Painting him as old and out of touch.

Heck, it could catch on outside the campaign. When your buddy asks you if Lost is a repeat tomorrow, you say, "No it isn't. That's the news, John McCain!" :)

[DefenseLawyer]

23. I dig that

"Is it going to rain today?" "That's the news, John McCain!"

[underpants]

32. Oh I LIKE that!!!

It sounds like a wrestler but hey I 'll take it

[MoJoWorkin]

21. Damn! I want to see the video of this one.

[DaveJ]

22. Hasn't made YouTube yet

I'm sure it will soon though. I think Obama will be effective at delivering powerful sound bites like this in the GE. I can't see McCain doing the same thing.

[ericgtr]

28. Another great line..

"So John McCain may like to say he wants to follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of Hell," Obama said, "but so far all he's done is follow George Bush into a misguided war in Iraq that's cost us thousands of lives and billions of dollars."

Obama is going to be a great leader.

[MoJoWorkin]

31. yep!

[intaglio]

33. hmmmmm

This is interesting. I don't think that the Pres campaign is going to play out the way the GOoPers think

I wonder as well if some Hillary supporters might have to eat their words regarding Obama .... we'll see

[DaveJ]

34. That's because McCain was a Hillary firewall, not an Obama one

McCain was selected due to his ability to beat Hillary, and now it looks like we may switch candidates at the last minute. Pretty clever, I think, almost as if it were planned out.

[Yael]

36. Good insight

I hadn't thought about that -- but it makes sense.

:evilgrin:

[Barack_America]

41. I agree. Huckabee would've been a better match-up against Obama, IMO.

-Personable
-Executive experience
-No IWR vote
-Unite the evangelicals and staunch conservatives (more or less)
-Southern

etc.

[tex-wyo-dem]

37. Excellent! Now this is the toughness we so...

Desparately need in the leader of the Democratic party!

I'm not one to underestimate the enemy, but if Obama ends up being the nominee I have a sneaking suspision that McCain is going to have his ass handed to him in November.

[Abacus]

40. He was perfectly intelligible on the clip I heard /nt

[featherman]

42. Where did you see/hear? Thanks

[Abacus]

43. CNN was playing it about 40 minutes ago. /nt

[Olney Blue]

45. McCain was disgusting- smiling and smirking like a Cheshire cat.

My apologies to Cheshire cats.

[Onlooker]

46. Obama's comeback helps, but his original mistake was stupid

He has to be more careful. Karl Rove already said the Republicans will try to exploit his inexperience, and Obama's comment ""If al Qaeda is forming a base in Iraq, then we will have to act in a way that secures the American homeland and our interests abroad," was just stupid.

Given the inexperience meme, Obama's mistake took on greater significance than it otherwise would.

[sandyj999]

48. This Is My Concern About Obama

And before I start, I am not a Hillary supporter but am looking for a civil answer to my question. Where is his experience? Sure he can give a great comeback and a great speech but where is the experience? I am really concerned about our President getting on the job training. Maybe someone can reassure me about this. I am for either Democratic candidate and will vote for whoever is nominated, but this is a concern of mine. Great oratory is wonderful but experience is also.

[Onlooker]

50. Experience, exshperience

Certainly, Bush and Reagan had more experience than Obama, but what did it get us? From a practical point of view, for Obama to be an effective president he needs to surround himself with intellectual talent (to come up with the specifics) and political talent (to get things done). His campaign has demonstrated that he attracts and surrounds himself with some of the best talent in the business.

The bigger worry is the GE campaign, where the experience meme may count for a lot. Obama cannot afford to demonstrate his inexperience by giving answers to questions that could raise doubt. But, once he's in office, he obviously has the ability to lead (he inspires people) and I believe he will surround himself with exceptional people. I believe from things he has said in the past is that he knows and understands his limitations and does not view himself as some of his followers do, namely as someone who can do no wrong. Should he become president, he will put together a very smart and savvy team that will exploit his leadership skills to get things done.

[sandyj999]

54. That Makes Sense.

And I do feel he has a better chance against McCain. I have always felt that way.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

51. Obama has held legislative office longer than Hillary.

[sandyj999]

55. Thanks for responding. n/t

[mrreowwr_kittty]

52. What is Clinton's?

If experience trumped all, we'd be looking at a race between Joe Biden and Bill Richardson right now.

IMHO, the experience of the leader is far less important than their judgment and the advisors they surround themselves with.

[sandyj999]

56. I agree about the advisors and I am sure Obama will probably have more than he needs.

Thanks for the response.

[angie_love]

47. I saw the clip, pure political genious, Obama said it in a way that

made him seem humourous and at the same time slammed McCain back to reality. It was Brilliant! The crowd went nuts.