McCain: Americans led to believe Iraq 'day at the beach' (Says we were Misled!)

Ohio.com - Akron Beacon Journal ^ | 8/22/06

[areafiftyone]

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain, who has been a staunch defender of the war in Iraq, said Tuesday that the sacrifices required were underestimated and Americans were misled into believing the conflict would be "some kind of day at the beach."

McCain, who has said the U.S. military should have gone into Iraq despite questions raised later about intelligence, said Americans feel frustrated because they had no idea of the toll the war would take.

"I think one of the biggest mistakes we made was underestimating the size of the task and the sacrifices that would be required. Stuff happens, mission accomplished, last throes...," McCain said during a campaign stop on behalf of fellow Republican Sen. Mike DeWine.

"We had not told the American people how tough and difficult this could be. It has contributed enormously to the frustration that Americans feel today because they were led to believe this could be some kind of day at the beach, which many of us fully understood from the beginning would be a very, very difficult undertaking."

McCain, considered a possible 2008 presidential contender, campaigned in a state expected to be crucial again to the presidential race, having given President Bush the electoral votes he needed to win in 2004.

McCain has supported the American presence in Iraq. He said Monday in an appearance in suburban Cleveland that if American troops announce a specific date to leave Iraq, insurgents will bide their time until they have an opportunity without interference from the U.S. troops.

"The chaos that would ensue would have direct implications for our national security," McCain said.

Other Senate Republicans, such as Sen. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, have been more vocal in their criticism of the war.

[AFreeBird]

Her Heinous, Queen Hitlery tried to pull that crap on Rumsfeld. He slapped her down with the fact that neither he, nor the administration ever said it was going to be a walk on the beach, or words to that effect.

[bmwcyle]

I never heard Bush say; sand, sun, fun, vacation, one day, beach, swimming, beach balls, sharks, fishing, surfing, or any other related item. McCain is sick and should be retired now.

[notigar]

Wolfowitz

[TexasCajun]

MeCain/Lieberman 08 -- Republicrat Party?

[edzo4]

wow, parroting the DNC and MSM talking points
what a maverick!

[CaptainK]

Unfortunately for John, they won't be voting in the primaries.

[CaptainK]

Unfortunately for John, they won't be voting in the primaries.

[BradtotheBone]

You are right, Wolfowitz.

[TommyDale]

John McCain is making the same mistake as Rudy Giuliani...

Southern and Midwestern conservatives will not vote for the candidates who stand against them on the issues:

Abortion
Partial Birth Abortion
Higher Taxes
Gun Control and/or Confiscation
Religious issues
Homosexual Agenda
School Vouchers
Illegal Invaders and/or Immigrants Amnesty

..... IN ADDITION to national security.

[meandog]

I think one of the biggest mistakes we (Bush) made was underestimating the size of the task and the sacrifices that would be required. Stuff happens, mission accomplished, last throes..., (but they wouldn't happen had I been in charge)" McCain said during a campaign stop on behalf of fellow Republican Sen. Mike DeWine. "We (Bush) had not told the American people how tough and difficult this could be. It (Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld have) has contributed enormously to the frustration that Americans feel today because they were led to believe this could be some kind of day at the beach, which many of us (xcpt Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld) fully understood from the beginning would be a very, very difficult undertaking."

[VeniVidiVici]

With any luck maybe he'll join the Connecticut for Joe party.

[PackerBronco]

One beef I do have with the administration was that it was announced or implied that the oil revenues would offset the cost of the war

Really? When did you hear that? Can you provide a citation? I only ask because I heard a lot of that talk from pundits but never heard that said by someone in the administration. In fact, I heard just the opposite: time-after-time the administration stated that the oil revenues belonged to Iraqi people; but I would readily admit my error if you could provide evidence.

[Coop]

McCain is absolutely frightening, considering how close he may one day be to the nuclear button. Aaaaaaaaggggggghhhhhhhhh!!!

The guy's a complete idiot.

[Mad Dawg]

I swear the problem in DC is these guys just slip into believing the MSM. Anybody who thought this would be a piece of cake just wasn't paying attention.

I'm sorry. I know he's a hero and everything, but I really do not like what McCain stands for.

[MNJohnnie]

Yeah I would like to see the source for this claim about Oil Revenues paying for the war as well.

[Chi-townChief]

Nah - and most of the "cakewalk" b/s was also said by the lefties.

[MNJohnnie]

Wolfowitz

Link to a source proving this?

[TexasCajun]

"Errrrrr Give me that damn briefcase!"

Be afraid, be very afraid.

[Prokopton]

"It is pretty clear that the coalition can win in Afghanistan and Iraq in one way or another, but it will be a long, hard slog."

Donald Rumsfeld, October 16, 2003

[day10]