McCain vs. Obama

[RightIsWrong]

I figured that I would start a thread dedicated to their comments and campaigning against each other. I would like to see it stay as first person related as possible with third party or proxy attacks going in their own thread.

First shots fired:

McCain says that Hamas is rooting for Obama and have practically endorsed him.

"I think it's very clear who Hamas wants to be the next president of the United States," McCain, the putative Republican presidential nominee, said in a conference call on Friday with conservative bloggers.

"I think that the people should understand that I will be Hamas's worst nightmare," he said in response to a question from Jennifer Rubin of Commentary magazine.

Campaign spokesman Brian Rogers said Hamas support "is a legitimate issue for the American people to think about."

Obama fires back with;

?For him to toss out comments like that, I think, is an example of him losing his bearings as he pursues this nomination. We don't need name-calling in this debate."

Now, I took Obama's "losing his bearings" as a shot at McCain not really being able to see reality in the same light that most of us do. Apparently the McCain camp took it as a shot against the old man's age. They come back with;

"Every issue that the American people want to be an issue, and it's part of their discussions, it's fine with me," he said in response to the question about his age.

Not missing a beat, he added the controversial statements of Jeremiah Wright onto that same list. Obama, McCain noted, "has said that [Wright] is a legitimate topic of discussion.? He added, ?If that's what the American people want to discuss, that's fine.?

Now, I'm actually ok with Obama bringing into question McCain's age because it is directly relevant to the person campaigning for office. However, the Wright issue is based on the failed logic that what someone that was close to Obama believes and has stated are directly related to what Obama believes and stands for.

Oh well. Get ready for 6+ months of FUD and misdirection.

 

[chowderhead]

Obama is running on his judgment. His close association with Reverend Wright, Rezko, Ayers for the last 20 years shows he fundamentally lacks sound judgment. McCain has his own judgment problems but Reverend Wright is fair game that even Obama said it was a fair issue.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: chowderhead
Obama is running on his judgment. His close association with Reverend Wright, Rezko, Ayers for the last 20 years shows he fundamentally lacks sound judgment. McCain has his own judgment problems but Reverend Wright is fair game that even Obama said it was a fair issue.

Speaking of lost bearings... :roll:

 

[Farang]

McCain is taking a misstep with this Hamas issue. The only thing separating him from other Republicans is his "straight talk" pitch that will be exposed as a fraud if he continues.

I think the McCain campaign is showing a lack of skill when they walk right into the "bearings" line and bring up the age issue. It was a trap and they walked right into it.

 

[chowderhead]

why don't you stay on topic Vic.

 

[Genx87]

Pretty lame. They should know better than to do something like that. Let the zealots and talk shows bring that up.

 

[OrByte]

If part of McCains tactic is to bring up Rev Wright at every opportunity then I think that is going to get really old REALLY fast.

It didn't work for HRC. What more ground is there left to cover?

And just to keep this thread on topic:

McCain Hits Obama Again

Republican Front-Runner Assails Illinois Senator; Wins Evangelical Endorsement
By JAKE TAPPER and BRET HOVELL
SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 27, 2008 ?


Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., continued to attack Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., today for suggesting during a Democratic debate that after withdrawing combat troops from Iraq, Obama, as commander in chief, would be willing to send U.S. troops back into Iraq "if al Qaeda is forming a base" there.

"The fact is, al Qaeda is in Iraq," McCain said. "Al Qaeda is in Iraq today. If we left Iraq there's no doubt that al Qaeda would then gain control in Iraq and pose a threat to the United States of America. Ask anyone who knows about the situation on the ground in Iraq. I look forward to continuing this debate."

The remarks constituted the third time in one day that McCain had assailed the Democratic front-runner for his comment, in what seemed a preview of the general election matchup.


McCain vs. Obama
McCain started the day in Tyler, Texas, assailing Obama for his comments, then repeated the charge at a town hall meeting in San Antonio at the offices of USAA Insurance.

"I guess that means that [Obama] would surrender and then go back," McCain said.
Watch McCain's comments today HERE.

During last night's debate, Obama responded to a hypothetical question by moderator Tim Russert about whether he would go back into Iraq after withdrawing a sizable number of troops to quell insurrection or civil war.

As part of his answer, Obama responded, "As commander in chief, I will always reserve the right to make sure that we are looking out for American interests. And if al Qaeda is forming a base in Iraq, then we will have to act in a way that secures the American homeland and our interests abroad."

Obama responded to McCain's comments today at a rally in Columbus, Ohio.

"Well, first of all, I do know that al Qaeda is in Iraq. That's why I've said we should continue to strike al Qaeda targets," he said. "But I have some news for John McCain, and that is that there was no such thing as al Qaeda in Iraq until George Bush and John McCain decided to invade Iraq.



Obama Hits Back
"I've been paying attention, John McCain," he said. "That's the news. So John McCain may like to say he wants to follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell, but so far all he's done is follow George Bush into a misguided war in Iraq that's cost us thousands of lives and billions of dollars.

"I intend to bring [it] to an end so that we can actually start going after al Qaeda in Afghanistan and in the hills of Pakistan like we should have been doing in the first place.That's the news, John McCain," Obama said.
McCain also went after Obama for considering breaking his pledge to enter into the public financing system should he be the Democratic presidential nominee.

Obama's campaign received a financial contribution from its one millionth donor today, and his campaign has been floating the idea that there is no need for him to enter the public financing system, because his support is so widespread and from the grassroots.

"Sen. Obama signed a piece of paper and pledged to take public financing for his campaign if I did the same," McCain said.
"He signed a piece of paper, he made a commitment," he said. "I made that commitment. I made that commitment to the American people. I will keep it. I believe that Sen. Obama should keep his commitment also, which means taking public financing. The rest of it is ground noise."

McCain made the remarks today after receiving the endorsement of evangelical leader John Hagee, founder and senior pastor of the 19,000-member Cornerstone Church in San Antonio.


McCain's Evangelical Support
Hagee cited McCain's support of Israel and his opposition to legal abortion as reasons why he was backing him.

The pastor is best known in some Washington circles as a founder of Christians United for Israel and for his belief, as laid out in his book "Jerusalem Countdown" that the end of days scenario as spelled out in the Book of Revelation will occur after Russia, allied with the Islamic world, attacks Israel.

"Russia is going to get in that position and they are literally, with all that massive military force, going to attack Israel," Hagee told ABC News in 2006. "This is recorded in Ezekiel 38 and 39. God himself is literally going to destroy that army. Decimate it."

Hagee added that the confrontation would be followed by a Chinese army of 200 million coming to the city of Armageddon, where they will meet British and U.S. forces in the Battle of Armageddon.

"At that point, Jesus Christ returns to Earth and sets up his eternal kingdom in the city of Jerusalem and there's 1000 years of peace," Hagee said. "The Jewish people are going to see the supernatural hand of God preserve them and deliver them while the enemies of Israel are crushed. That's the end-time story."

Asked if he subscribed to this theology, McCain furrowed his brow.

"All I can tell you is I'm proud to have Pastor Hagee's support," he said.

Hagee added that his "support of Israel has absolutely nothing to do with an end times prophetic scenario. Our support of Israel is because we feel their cause is just. ... I support Sen. McCain because I know that he has pledged to be a strong defender of Israel."


Sorry about the Hagee stuff...it was just part of the article

BHO is going to beat us over the head with the McCain=Bush message. How does McCain respond to this? open question...

 

[bamacre]

I think McCain's perceived strength is foreign policy, but in reality this is actually a weakness begging for an attack.

The "100 years in Iraq" comment is not enough. But how is McCain going to look during the debates when a moderator asks him, "was invading Iraq a mistake?" If he answers as he has before, saying "no, it wasn't a mistake," there's a LOT of Americans that are going to disagree with him. If McCain can't admit that invading Iraq was a mistake, is he at risk of repeating it? Insert video of McCain speaking to CUFI members about Iran.

OrByte, while the Rev Wright controversy didn't work for Hillary, that doesn't mean it won't better work for McCain. Hillary is more hated than he is.

This is going to be a tighter race than some would like to think. However, I predict a 3rd party might swing things Obama's way. Of course, an OBL video, or terrorist attack is bound to show up sometime in Oct.

 

[CanOWorms]

I think that McCain can gain a lot from opening up his life story a bit more. His service in Vietnam, the whole torture and POW experience, adoption of a Bangladeshi child, etc. Those are things that would appeal to some people. I think that Obama has a privileged upbringing compared to McCain even though I prefer some of Obama's life factors (his education).

It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I think that McCain can gain a lot from opening up his life story a bit more. His service in Vietnam, the whole torture and POW experience, adoption of a Bangladeshi child, etc. Those are things that would appeal to some people. I think that Obama has a privileged upbringing compared to McCain even though I prefer some of Obama's life factors (his education).

It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

I hate to be the one to say this but McCain failed in Vietnam. He was shot down (nothing to be proud of). His honor came from not divulging secrets and refusing to leave alone. Other than that, I see nothing heroic from getting shot out of the sky and getting tortured. It's a sad commentary of modern American life when we celebrate losers.

Obama was raised poor. His mother used food stamps. He himself was even homeless at one time (after coming to NYC). I'm not sure how you call that privilege.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I think that McCain can gain a lot from opening up his life story a bit more. His service in Vietnam, the whole torture and POW experience, adoption of a Bangladeshi child, etc. Those are things that would appeal to some people. I think that Obama has a privileged upbringing compared to McCain even though I prefer some of Obama's life factors (his education).

It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

Are you on crack?

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I think that McCain can gain a lot from opening up his life story a bit more. His service in Vietnam, the whole torture and POW experience, adoption of a Bangladeshi child, etc. Those are things that would appeal to some people. I think that Obama has a privileged upbringing compared to McCain even though I prefer some of Obama's life factors (his education).

It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

Are you on crack?

He grew up in Hawaii and attended some of the finest schools in the country.

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I think that McCain can gain a lot from opening up his life story a bit more. His service in Vietnam, the whole torture and POW experience, adoption of a Bangladeshi child, etc. Those are things that would appeal to some people. I think that Obama has a privileged upbringing compared to McCain even though I prefer some of Obama's life factors (his education).

It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

Are you on crack?

He grew up in Hawaii and attended some of the finest schools in the country.

:laugh:

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I think that McCain can gain a lot from opening up his life story a bit more. His service in Vietnam, the whole torture and POW experience, adoption of a Bangladeshi child, etc. Those are things that would appeal to some people. I think that Obama has a privileged upbringing compared to McCain even though I prefer some of Obama's life factors (his education).

It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

I hate to be the one to say this but McCain failed in Vietnam. He was shot down (nothing to be proud of). His honor came from not divulging secrets and refusing to leave alone. Other than that, I see nothing heroic from getting shot out of the sky and getting tortured. It's a sad commentary of modern American life when we celebrate losers.

Obama was raised poor. His mother used food stamps. He himself was even homeless at one time (after coming to NYC). I'm not sure how you call that privilege.

I doubt McCain or Obama would be advertising McCain's experiences like that though.

Do you have a link? I thought he grew up primarily with his middle-class grandmother in Hawaii. Why would he be homeless while attending Columbia?

 

[jpeyton]

Hillary already proved using these fringe issues against Obama are a guaranteed losing ticket.

I'll be happy to see McCain re-hash them for his campaign.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I think that McCain can gain a lot from opening up his life story a bit more. His service in Vietnam, the whole torture and POW experience, adoption of a Bangladeshi child, etc. Those are things that would appeal to some people. I think that Obama has a privileged upbringing compared to McCain even though I prefer some of Obama's life factors (his education).

It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

Are you on crack?

He grew up in Hawaii and attended some of the finest schools in the country.

Are you saying that everyone in Hawaii is wealthy or something?

While McCain's family certainly had more money, they had comparable schooling in childhood, both attending prestigious prep schools, etc.

 

[conehead433]

Originally posted by: chowderhead
Obama is running on his judgment. His close association with Reverend Wright, Rezko, Ayers for the last 20 years shows he fundamentally lacks sound judgment. McCain has his own judgment problems but Reverend Wright is fair game that even Obama said it was a fair issue.

Obama has stated he never heard Wright say some of the things he said while he was at church. He could even further defuse this by admitting he didn't make it to church every Sunday, which is about the only possible way he hadn't heard any of Wright's comments, unless of course, he was sleeping through church.

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I think that McCain can gain a lot from opening up his life story a bit more. His service in Vietnam, the whole torture and POW experience, adoption of a Bangladeshi child, etc. Those are things that would appeal to some people. I think that Obama has a privileged upbringing compared to McCain even though I prefer some of Obama's life factors (his education).

It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

I hate to be the one to say this but McCain failed in Vietnam. He was shot down (nothing to be proud of). His honor came from not divulging secrets and refusing to leave alone. Other than that, I see nothing heroic from getting shot out of the sky and getting tortured. It's a sad commentary of modern American life when we celebrate losers.

Obama was raised poor. His mother used food stamps. He himself was even homeless at one time (after coming to NYC). I'm not sure how you call that privilege.

Do you have a link? I thought he grew up primarily with his middle-class grandmother in Hawaii. Why would he be homeless while attending Columbia?

They ran a story on him a couple of months ago in one of the daily Columbia papers. He referenced the fact that he was homeless for a brief time in one of his books.

And just because you were born and spent part of your life in Hawaii doesn't automatically makes you privilege. That's like saying all Americans are privilege.

And just because he went to the best schools doesn't mean he's privilege. He worked his way there. We can't say the same of the many elite families who get into these school because of money and connections.

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I think that McCain can gain a lot from opening up his life story a bit more. His service in Vietnam, the whole torture and POW experience, adoption of a Bangladeshi child, etc. Those are things that would appeal to some people. I think that Obama has a privileged upbringing compared to McCain even though I prefer some of Obama's life factors (his education).

It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

Are you on crack?

He grew up in Hawaii and attended some of the finest schools in the country.

Are you saying that everyone in Hawaii is wealthy or something?

While McCain's family certainly had more money, they had comparable schooling in childhood, both attending prestigious prep schools, etc.

No, but I thought he primarily grew up with his grandmother who was a VP at a bank.

 

[deathstorm78]

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I think that McCain can gain a lot from opening up his life story a bit more. His service in Vietnam, the whole torture and POW experience, adoption of a Bangladeshi child, etc. Those are things that would appeal to some people. I think that Obama has a privileged upbringing compared to McCain even though I prefer some of Obama's life factors (his education).

It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

I hate to be the one to say this but McCain failed in Vietnam. He was shot down (nothing to be proud of). His honor came from not divulging secrets and refusing to leave alone. Other than that, I see nothing heroic from getting shot out of the sky and getting tortured. It's a sad commentary of modern American life when we celebrate losers.

Obama was raised poor. His mother used food stamps. He himself was even homeless at one time (after coming to NYC). I'm not sure how you call that privilege.

I don't know you personally Dari, but to tarnish a man's image simply because he doesn't meet your criteria of heroism is just sad.

He served his country during a time of war! As far as I'm concerned that's heroic enough. Being a POW and tortured and not having divulged information is what is expected of servicemembers, but I would imagine is no easy task.

Maybe we'll have to agree to disagree here, but I think it's a poor call to minimalize someone's service to this country, no matter how insignificant you may find it.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I think that McCain can gain a lot from opening up his life story a bit more. His service in Vietnam, the whole torture and POW experience, adoption of a Bangladeshi child, etc. Those are things that would appeal to some people. I think that Obama has a privileged upbringing compared to McCain even though I prefer some of Obama's life factors (his education).

It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

Are you on crack?

He grew up in Hawaii and attended some of the finest schools in the country.

And unlike Bush, Obama didn't use the buddy-system to gain entry. He earned it through merit, and paid for it with loans, scholarships and hard work, like normal non-privileged people do.

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I think that McCain can gain a lot from opening up his life story a bit more. His service in Vietnam, the whole torture and POW experience, adoption of a Bangladeshi child, etc. Those are things that would appeal to some people. I think that Obama has a privileged upbringing compared to McCain even though I prefer some of Obama's life factors (his education).

It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

Are you on crack?

He grew up in Hawaii and attended some of the finest schools in the country.

And unlike Bush, Obama didn't use the buddy-system to gain entry. He earned it through merit, and paid for it with loans and scholarships, like normal non-privileged people do.

I'm not claiming otherwise.

I still support Obama. Parts of his personal story are well-told in the media, but I don't hear much of McCain's. I think that his is also interesting.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
I figured that I would start a thread dedicated to their comments and campaigning against each other. I would like to see it stay as first person related as possible with third party or proxy attacks going in their own thread.

First shots fired:

McCain says that Hamas is rooting for Obama and have practically endorsed him.

"I think it's very clear who the entire freaking world wants to be the next president of the United States," McCain, the putative Republican presidential nominee, said in a conference call on Friday with conservative bloggers.

"I think that the people should understand that I will continue GWB's bully cowboy foreign policy," he said in response to a question from Jennifer Rubin of Commentary magazine.

Campaign spokesman Brian Rogers said Hamas support "is a non-issue because the rest of the world doesn't want to see GWB2 either."

Fixed

(finally)

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: deathstorm78

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I think that McCain can gain a lot from opening up his life story a bit more. His service in Vietnam, the whole torture and POW experience, adoption of a Bangladeshi child, etc. Those are things that would appeal to some people. I think that Obama has a privileged upbringing compared to McCain even though I prefer some of Obama's life factors (his education).

It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

I hate to be the one to say this but McCain failed in Vietnam. He was shot down (nothing to be proud of). His honor came from not divulging secrets and refusing to leave alone. Other than that, I see nothing heroic from getting shot out of the sky and getting tortured. It's a sad commentary of modern American life when we celebrate losers.

Obama was raised poor. His mother used food stamps. He himself was even homeless at one time (after coming to NYC). I'm not sure how you call that privilege.

I don't know you personally Dari, but to tarnish a man's image simply because he doesn't meet your criteria of heroism is just sad.

He served his country during a time of war! As far as I'm concerned that's heroic enough. Being a POW and tortured and not having divulged information is what is expected of servicemembers, but I would imagine is no easy task.

Maybe we'll have to agree to disagree here, but I think it's a poor call to minimalize someone's service to this country, no matter how insignificant you may find it.

Well then let me pile on while I'm at it. Do you consider the victims of September 11 heroic? They've all been called heroes even though they were the victims of a terrorist act.

I don't know your definition of what constitutes a hero but mine is set very high. Someone like Eisenhower is a hero. McCain is not.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I think that McCain can gain a lot from opening up his life story a bit more. His service in Vietnam, the whole torture and POW experience, adoption of a Bangladeshi child, etc. Those are things that would appeal to some people. I think that Obama has a privileged upbringing compared to McCain even though I prefer some of Obama's life factors (his education).

It's going to be interesting to see what happens.

Are you on crack?

He grew up in Hawaii and attended some of the finest schools in the country.

Are you saying that everyone in Hawaii is wealthy or something?

While McCain's family certainly had more money, they had comparable schooling in childhood, both attending prestigious prep schools, etc.

No, but I thought he primarily grew up with his grandmother who was a VP at a bank.

Only from the 5th grade on. And we're talking comfortable middle class at best here, not privileged.

McCain's family has old money though. And both his father and grandfather were admirals. During Vietnam, McCain's father was THE 4-star admiral for all of Vietnam.