Posted on 07/27/2008 4:08:03 PM PDT by flyfree
ABC News' Mary Bruce reports: Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., distanced himself this weekend from previously saying that Sen. Barack Obama's, D-Ill., 16-month timetable for withdrawal from Iraq would be "a pretty good timetable." In an exclusive "This Week" interview with George Stephanopoulos, McCain explained, "Look, it’s not a timetable, as I said. I was asked, ‘How does that sound?’ Anything sounds good to me ... Anything is a good timetable that is dictated by conditions on the ground."
McCain went on to question his rival's grasp of the situation in Iraq: “Now, look. Sen. Obama doesn’t understand. He doesn’t understand what’s at stake here.
"Sen. Obama said that he would come out, no matter what. He said that he would be out -- according to his original plan, it would have been last March," McCain explained. "He says that the surge has not worked. He said it couldn’t work. He said it wasn’t working ... How could any rational person see the change on the ground in the last two years and say that the surge hasn’t succeeded?"
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.abcnews.com ...
During the Dem primaries the big argument was over who would withdraw quickest from Iraq. Obama trumped everyone saying he would order a withdrawal day one of his presidency.
No one seems to have noticed that he has essentially adopted Bush’s position. 16 months is just a number; he’s admitting he can not order an immediate withdrawal, he’ll have to wait until the proper time.
In a debate between the Dems and Bush, over the central point of their presidential campaign, the Dems have already caved.
Obama with his ego inflated by the media and the euro tour is headed for a big crash. McCain better keep his marbles in line.
The MSM is trying their hardest to portray McCain a flip-flopper but the fact of it is that he has constantly said draw downs can be timed as long as conditions on the ground are right.
I hope you’re correct.
That doesn't matter (to the Democrats) any more, so don't expect them to get wrapped around the axle about it, and don't expect the MSM to make a big deal about it. The objective of the Democrts and the MSM is for Obama to WIN at any cost.
McCain did not back off it, he explained the comment more than six times, trying to clarify it and explain his position.
No matter what McCain says, the Democrats and media/press will twist it into what they want to portray.
and some people here will believe in what the media says...
You don't have to remember what you said when you always talk straight.
McCain attacks Romney on Timetables
Yeah, but the problem is McCain’s campaign has been lackluster at best. Bob Dole had a more interesting campaign. McCain will get my vote, but if he does nothing to derail the Obama express, it won’t matter much. Just my two cents...
**Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., distanced himself this weekend from previously saying that Sen. Barack Obama’s, D-Ill., 16-month timetable for withdrawal from Iraq would be “a pretty good timetable.” **
I would hope he backed away from it!
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