Stephanopoulos falsely suggested Obama "now" aligned with McCain...

[babylonsister]

Stephanopoulos falsely suggested Obama "now" aligned with McCain on more troops in Afghanistan -- but Obama has called for more troops for years

Summary: ABC News' George Stephanopoulos falsely suggested that Sen. Barack Obama shifted positions on increasing U.S. troops in Afghanistan and is "now" aligned with the position of Sen. John McCain. In fact, Obama has been calling for increasing U.S. troops in Afghanistan since at least 2006.


While discussing Sen. Barack Obama's trips to Iraq and Afghanistan, ABC News' chief Washington correspondent George Stephanopoulos falsely suggested during the July 21 edition of ABC's World News that Obama shifted positions on increasing U.S. troops in Afghanistan and was "now" aligned with the position of Sen. John McCain. Stephanopoulos stated that "despite this major difference with Senator McCain on the surge itself, there's been a blurring of lines on foreign policy generally. He agrees now with McCain on more troops for Afghanistan." Stephanopoulos' comments follow speeches by Obama and McCain last week in which both advocated increasing the number of troops in Afghanistan. In fact, as several reports about the speeches have noted, Obama has been calling for increasing U.S. troops in Afghanistan since at least 2006.

Both Obama and McCain addressed the need for an increased military presence in Afghanistan in separate speeches on July 15. In his speech, Obama stated, "Our troops and our NATO allies are performing heroically in Afghanistan, but I have argued for years that we lack the resources to finish the job because of our commitment to Iraq," and proposed "send at least two additional combat brigades to Afghanistan, and use this commitment to seek greater contributions -- with fewer restrictions -- from NATO allies." During his speech, McCain asserted: "Our commanders on the ground in Afghanistan say that they need at least three additional brigades. Thanks to the success of the surge, these forces are becoming available, and our commanders in Afghanistan must get them." As Media Matters for America has noted, after his speech, McCain reportedly said that his proposal to deploy three additional brigades to Afghanistan would require "greater participation on the part of our NATO allies" adding that, in the words of The Washington Post, "he might call on NATO to supply part of the additional troops he hopes to send to the region."

Indeed, Obama has been calling for an increase of U.S. troops in Afghanistan since at least 2006 and has specifically proposed the addition of at least two combat brigades since 2007. For instance:

* In a November 20, 2006, speech, Obama asserted: "The President should announce to the Iraqi people that our policy will include a gradual and substantial reduction in U.S. forces." He added: "I am not suggesting that this timetable be overly rigid. We cannot compromise the safety of our troops, and we should be willing to adjust to realities on the ground. ... Perhaps most importantly, some of these troops could be redeployed to Afghanistan, where our lack of focus and commitment of resources has led to an increasing deterioration of the security situation there. The President's decision to go to war in Iraq has had disastrous consequences for Afghanistan -- we have seen a fierce Taliban offensive, a spike in terrorist attacks, and a narcotrafficking problem spiral out of control. Instead of consolidating the gains made by the Karzai government, we are backsliding towards chaos. By redeploying from Iraq to Afghanistan, we will answer NATO's call for more troops and provide a much-needed boost to this critical fight against terrorism."

* In a January 19, 2007, floor statement on the proposed troop "surge" in Iraq, Obama argued for a "a gradual and substantial reduction in U.S. forces." He stated: "Drawing down our troops in Iraq will put pressure on Iraqis to arrive at the political settlement that is needed and allow us to redeploy additional troops in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the region, as well as bring some back home."

more...

http://mediamatters.org/items/200807220005

Take that, you ABC ass!

[whistle]

1. Stephanopoulos is a complete dirt-bag

[jwirr]

3. Especially since he once was supposedly on our side. He must be

bending over backward to prove to his corporate bosses that he can be a good little repub.

[whistle]

10. Actually, he is showing himself to be a good little fascist

[jwirr]

12. Maybe it isn't even that - maybe he is so spineless he just follows

wherever the top guy leads.

[whistle]

13. Perhaps, I rarely watch Ste_phony_apoulos

[ccharles000]

7. I agree

[BeyondGeography]

2. Now if McCain could just figure out where Afghanistan is...

[Cha]

4. gs is a little abc

pimp and needs to be held accountable for the words that come outta his pimphole.

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. Never forget they were booed by the crowd in the primary debates

[JuniperLea]

6. These idiots are on my last nerve...

For weeks now we've all been screaming "copy cat" at McCain! He has followed Obama's backside so closely, well, you know.

[AtomicKitten]

8. Snuffalopagus has turned out to be a real ass.

Jon Stewart Rips Into McCain, Stephanopoulos: Sweet Talk Express

The Huffington Post

Jon Stewart turned his attention from the Democratic primary to analyze George Stephanopoulos' interview of John McCain. Stewart hits McCain -- and the media generally -- for the huge discrepancy between questions asked to Obama a week ago and questions asked to McCain this weekend.

The whole thing is worth a watch. If you weren't impressed by Stephanopoulos after his debate performance last week, this probably isn't going to bring you closer to him:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/25/jon-stewart-rips-into-mcc_n_98640.html

[curious one]

9. That's what he has been doing all along. what else he can do.

BTW, ABC and Clear com has signed up Hansanity for $100 mil for 5 years. See the connection.

[grantcart]

11. I refuse to listen to ABC anchors or reporters who do not wear flag pins