McCain acknowledged in this "60 Minutes" interview that he had been accompanied by heavy security during his tripBig deal! He'd be covered by heavy security if he were at the Republican National Convention too.
Posted on 04/06/2007 6:33:36 PM PDT by AntiGuv
NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Senator John McCain (news, bio, voting record) said in an interview to be broadcast on Sunday he misspoke in his recent upbeat comments about security in Baghdad, where he traveled under heavy military protection.
The Arizona senator, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, maintains progress has been made in the U.S.-led war in Iraq, according to comments to be aired on CBS' "60 Minutes." Excerpts were released on Friday.
McCain said he regrets comments he made after a tour of Baghdad last Sunday, when he said he could see progress and the American people were not being told the "good news" about the war, according to excerpts of his comments and a press release provided by "60 Minutes."
"Of course I am going to misspeak and I've done it on numerous occasions and I probably will do it in the future," said McCain, according to "60 Minutes."
The excerpted quotes provided by "60 Minutes" did not indicate which comments McCain thought were misspoken.
A strong supporter of President George W. Bush's plan to send nearly 30,000 more troops into Iraq, McCain said last week after his tour: "I believe we have a new strategy that is making progress. That is not to say things are well everywhere in Iraq. Far from it, we have a long way to go."
McCain had been upbeat about his drive from the Baghdad airport into the city and his visit to a market where multiple car bombings killed 71 people in February as signs of improved security.
"Never have I been able to drive from the airport, never have I been able to go out into the city like I did today. The American people are not getting the picture of all that is happening here. Things are better ... but I am not saying mission accomplished," he said at the time."
After he spoke, Iraqi citizens, merchants and others said security had been stepped up for the choreographed visit.
Once seen as the Republican frontrunner for 2008, McCain has been overtaken by former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, in part because of his support for Bush's unpopular Iraq war policy.
In fund-raising reports released this week, McCain raised about $12.5 million, well behind Republican Mitt Romney who raised more than $20 million in the first quarter and behind Giuliani, who raised more than $15 million.
McCain acknowledged in this "60 Minutes" interview that he had been accompanied by heavy security during his trip.
"I can understand why (the Army) would provide me with that security, but I can tell you that if it had been two months ago and I'd asked to do it, they would have said, 'Under no circumstances whatsoever,"' he said.
"I view that as a sign of progress."
McCain also acknowledged many Americans do not agree with his position on the war.
"I believe we can succeed and I believe that the consequences of failure are catastrophic," he said.
The ONLY time that this RINO opens his pie-hole is when he has to change feet.
Phuque him.
So sue him for being an optomist. It could be worse or course. He is a high ranking senator so of course he will be guarded heavily. Maybe he is is trying to sell the new Iraq to people.
This is the continuous spinning / lying BS coming out the agenda driven MSM. McCain is not faltering in his nod for the GOP nomination because of his support for the WOT/Iraq (In fact Giuliani is an even bigger supporter!...yet this isn't mentioned)....McCain is faltering because of his non-conservative actions over the last several years OUTSIDE of the WOT/IRaq...
So what did he mis-speak about? I didn’t get it.
McCain acknowledged in this "60 Minutes" interview that he had been accompanied by heavy security during his tripBig deal! He'd be covered by heavy security if he were at the Republican National Convention too.
That is not to say things are well everywhere in Iraq. Far from it, we have a long way to go." One could have said the same thing accurately 10 years ago too!
Right on.
You do not need any lessons in Picturesque Speech.
The other part they left out was who was seeing John McCain as the early frontrunner in the first place, besides the liberal media and John McCain
My guess is he 'mis-spoke' earlier this week when he denied he almost switched parties in 2001.
I will never be a McPain supporter but me thinks this is more FUD from 60 Minuets...
Hey Senator!! Shut up!!!
Don’t even give him the credit of being a RINO for this flip. McCain has always been in it for himself. I did not like this guy from the beginning, war hero or not.
This man as been a first class a## kisser of the MSM from the start of his entry into national scene.
“Don’t even give him the credit of being a RINO for this flip. McCain has always been in it for himself. I did not like this guy from the beginning, war hero or not.”
I’m with ya, 1000%
Now I know why I stopped watching "60 Minutes" back when Ronald Reagan was President.
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