2008 Woodie Awards
McCain lays into war critics
Neal Sauerberg - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 2/19/07 Section: Metro
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"These people saying they actually support the troops is crap," he said.
In a full ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cedar Rapids on Feb. 17, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., also made clear it's impossible to get behind the troops while working to undermine their mission.
"Presidents don't lose wars, and parties don't lose wars," the senator said. "Nations lose wars."
Responding to a question from Abolins, McCain said success in Iraq can come only with a renewed commitment from the American people.
In his address, the Republican presidential-nomination hopeful questioned the wisdom of leaving Iraq based on the number of casualties incurred. A withdrawal in the near future, McCain said, would send a dangerous signal to America's enemies.
He pointed to military pullouts over the past 35 years in such places as Vietnam, Lebanon, and Somalia as examples of what not to do.
"[Extremists] have seen a steady record of success," McCain said. "Every time they kill enough Americans, we leave."
He drew fire from critics after supporting President Bush's plan to increase troop levels in Iraq by 21,500 - a move that sparked debate in Congress and across the nation.
While he admitted he cannot promise victory in the war by bulking up the number of forces committed to combat operations in Iraq, the senator did guarantee negative consequences if the United States prematurely abandons its mission.
"If we leave Iraq, I am convinced [extremists] will follow us home," the senator said. "They're not after Iraq, they're after us."
Another veteran backing McCain's call to maintain a military presence in Iraq is Army Reserve Maj. Chuck Larson. A UI graduate and former Iowa state senator, he joined the Arizona senator's campaign because he believes him to be the only candidate capable of understanding the complexities inherent within international diplomacy.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Jenna
posted 2/19/07 @ 11:40 AM CST
Yet again, the old lie about how the Vietnam war wasn't lost by the military -- it was somehow lost because of intangible public sentiment. When will we learn from history?
eua315
eua
posted 2/19/07 @ 7:11 PM CST
Yes once again the old Lie. In his last days, Hitler blamed the German defeat in World War II on the German People. That the German People were not worthy of him. (Continued…)
Greg Weisheipl
posted 2/19/07 @ 9:37 PM CST
Does it really matter whether or not it is a lie? What matters is how radical Islam will grow and metastasize. The NVA and the VC wanted to kill us there, but they never had any intention of chasing us back home once we left! Unfortunately, radical Islam won't just go away. (Continued…)
Mark
posted 2/20/07 @ 3:29 AM CST
Yes, it really does matter that this was all a lie. Just as the justification for Vietnam was a lie made a differences.
"Radical Islam" as you call it has no truck with us. (Continued…)
Steve Davis
posted 2/20/07 @ 11:12 AM CST
What if we can't win the war? When is someone with some bravery (and smarts) going to ask that question? The Soviets couldn't win in Afghanistan, the Israelis can't in Palestine, the US in Vietnam, etc, etc. (Continued…)
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