ABC This Week: McCain on Obama’s Failure to Visit Wounded Soldiers in Germany
By SusanUnPC on July 27, 2008 at 11:45 AM in Barack Obama, George Stephanopoulos, Germany, John McCain
George Stephanopoulos interviewed John McCain at length on his Sunday morning program, ABC’s This Week, and asked Sen. McCain about Obama’s decision not to visit the wounded soldiers at Landstuhl:
As Memeorandum.com makes clear, this issue has “legs.” In case you missed it, Larry Johnson wrote an excellent analysis early this morning, “Obama Using the Troops.”
Via the McCain press release:
“I think people make a judgment by what we do and what we don’t do. He certainly found time to do other things.” — John McCain
John McCain
ABC’s “This Week”
July 27, 2008ABC’s George Stephanopoulos: “There’s also been a flap about Senator Obama’s decision in Germany not to visit the troops at Landstuhl. He now says that, based on what he was hearing from the Pentagon, there was no way that wouldn’t be seen as a political trip, which is why he decided not to go. Do you accept that explanation?”
John McCain: “Well, I know this, those troops would have loved to have seen him. And I know of no Pentagon regulation that would have prevented him from going there without the media and the press and all of the associated people. Nothing that I know of would have kept him from visiting those wounded troops. And they are gravely wounded, many of them.”
…
“In Landstuhl, Germany, when I went through, I visited the hospital. But the important thing is that, if I had been told by the Pentagon that I couldn’t visit those troops, and I was there and wanted to be there, I guarantee you, there would have been a seismic event. And so, I believe he had the opportunity to go without the media. And I’ll let the facts speak for themselves.”
…
“There was nothing to prevent him from going, if he went without the press and the media and his campaign people. But we’ll see what happens.”
…
“I think people make a judgment by what we do and what we don’t do. He certainly found time to do other things.”
Actions always speak louder than words. Obama is a coward.
Whether it’s cowardice or smug-self righteous far left libralism I don’t know
no matter how you feel about soldiers who volunteer to fight in this lie called Iraq
wounded is wounded and they are OUR GUYS AND GALS and guess what BARACK????? I bet MOST Of them would agree with you about now if you would show them the RESPECT they deserve.
but no you frigged up (yet again) with your nose so high in the sky
I’m a vet and I questioned the motives of MANY that joined once the truth came out but still they are US SOLDIERS, ETC and if you can’t find a way to honor them you should NOT call yourself an American. EVER AGAIN!
Dawnelle — Obama as a Presidential Candidate had no business making Foreign Policy decisions in other countries. Only the President of the US should be able to do that. However, the one thing a candidate can and should do is see Americans abroad, especially our Military and especially those who were wounded in wars which continue to this day. Obama is too busy acting like a President to think about anything except pictures showing him with large adoring crowds–When the Pentagon said — No Reporters Obama said No Visit.
I have not read this on the blogs yet and could not resist…
An email from Ireland to all of their brethren in the States…a point to ponder despite your
political affiliation:
‘We, in Ireland, can’t figure out why you people are even bothering to hold an election in the United
States.
On one side, you had a pants wearing female lawyer, married to another lawyer who can’t seem to keep
his pants on, who just lost a long and heated primary against a lawyer, who goes to the wrong church, who
is married to yet another lawyer, who doesn’t even like the country her husband wants to run!
Now…On the other side, you have a nice old war hero whose name starts with the appropriate ‘Mc’
terminology, married to a good looking younger woman who owns a beer distributorship !!
Now what in God’s name are ya lads
thinkin over in the colonies !
author unknown
I am sure that Wes Clark is proud of his little protege today.
Everyone who supported HRC and jumped on the Oblowme Rose Bowl Turdfloats should be ASHAMED of themselves.
Thank God Bill Clinton hasn’t actually DONE anything for Oblowme yet. I hope that he goes on an extended speaking tour. Tomorrow.
Don’t diss Wes Clark. He LOVES the troops! He campaigned enthusiastically for Hillary. I see no enthusiasm when he talks about BO. None.
As a matter of fact,I believe he doesn’t like BO at all. Just my opinion, from observing the scene.
Where did that come from? Wes Clark has never had Obama as a protege. If he was asked for his expert opinion, I’m sure Wes would have given it freely because he’s country first, not party first.
Wes Clark has advised many of the Democratic candidates.
And some of them may have been from Illinois. He probably would not know that since he concentrates on becoming president rather than representing his state. Bush is known to stop by the Walter Reed after hours to talk to patients and visit military hospital. Other presidents have done the same thing and as privately as possible. Mr. O is sometimes compared to Lincoln due to the Illinois connection and the falsely assumed thin resume of Lincoln. Lincoln was a frequent visitor to field hospitals. There is something very odd, narcissistic, about Mr. O. He would have to attend to the patients. Those poor unfortunates who served their country do not offer him enough attention.
Yeah! We should send men to war for Halliburton?
The veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan rated the senators on how they had voted on veterans benefits Obama got a B+ and McCain got a D. The lowest grade of any Democrat was higher than any Republican. Who by the way “support” the troops!
Obama wants to send the troops to Afghanistan for Halliburton. Many of his 300 advisors want to send our troops to various parts of Africa, for Halliburton and the oil companies.
Hey, did you know that Obama voted for the 2005 Bush/Cheney energy bill which gave billions to the oil and energy companies?
Obama took in $222,309 from donors at Exxon, Shell, Chevron and others, according to campaign-finance data. Two oil company CEOs have pledged to raise at least $50,000 each as part of Obama’s fundraising team.
http://www.usatoday .com/news/ politics/ election2008/ 2008-04-15- obamainside_ N.htm
Obama has a very special relationship with oil and energy companies.
I love how McCain just smiled at the end of the quote when he said “other things”
It was good, I want more like this, ASAP. Election is not that far off and Obama is just beyond belief. Or maybe Supers wake up before it’s too late.
imustprotest –Unlike Obama McCain knows who he is and is comfortable in his own skin.
That was brilliant.
I don’t think Obama missed the hospital out of cowardice. I think he chose not to go because he couldn’t get a photo op out of it. He’s all about the spotlight and the framing. May have framed this one wrong.
Wow another off the cuff Q&A with Presumptive President McCain and through out no umm, errr’s or ahh’s to be heard, simply direct answers to questions professionally given.
Difference shown between a man or honor and a pathological liar!
Amazing, eh? During dinner with a friend’s son (he’s 19 years old in college), he made much of the fact that McCain can’t speak off a teleprompter (as though that somehow disqualifies him from being president) which speaks VOLUMES about how the younger generation thinks. If the person wouldn’t be good in a new movie in the “Bourne” series, or if he might look bad on “American Idol” then he’s not fit to be president.
Meanwhile, the guy they lurve can’t answer a simple question with a simple answer.
No cameras = No Obama
NObama!
John mccain is a man of integrity. uuuuhhhhhhhuuuuuuhhhhhobarf is a disgrace.
hillary 08
mccain 08
hillary 12
Rule 1 - Write-in votes will not be counted if the candidate does not file as a write-in candidate.
Rule 2 - Write-in candidates are not allowed in presidential elections.
Rule 3 - A candidate losing the primary cannot file as a write-in candidate in the general election.
Forget Write In Hillary
Rule 4: Obamatrons such as yourself cannot vote since you only have mass and occupy space. You are not considered a life form.
Hi Ferdberfle -
I don’t know whether Fred is an Obama supporter or not but I am a passionate Hillary supporter who would vote for a brick before I would vote for Obama.
That said, Fred is absolutely right!
Hillary has been adamant that she will not register as a write-in candidate in any state. Unless she registers, write in votes go directly to the trash bin - OR WORSE - some states like Georgia will count any write in vote (for an unregistered candidate) as a vote for Barack Obama.
The write-in Hillary people are well-meaning and devoted to their candidate, but they are doing her a real dis-service by not facing facts.
The last thing we need are Hillary supporters sticking their heads in the sand and, in doing so, aiding and abetting the crooked DNC and Obama campaign.
Go to the Write-in Hillary sites and see if you find the Obamalytes insulting the Hillary supporters posting there. Nope. They are joyful at the prospect of Hillary write-in votes.
HOLD YOUR NOSE - USE YOUR HEAD - CAST THE ONLY VOTE THAT COUNTS AGAINST OBAMA - VOTE JOHN MCCAIN!
Actually, I meant to say Fred is right about his first point. I have never heard that write-in’s are not allowed in Presidential elections or that a losing Presidential candidate can not be a write-in.
Fred, where did you get that information? If it’s true, I’d really like to know.
linda Well Said
HOLD YOUR NOSE - USE YOUR HEAD - CAST THE ONLY VOTE THAT COUNTS AGAINST OBAMA - VOTE JOHN MCCAIN!
The thing is I am really starting to like McCain.
Remember this folks..Kerry begged McCain to be his running mate in 2004..
If he was good enough for the democratic presidential race in 2004..he is good enough for me now!!
And at least he served this nation..i can’t see that man doing any harm to this nation..but i sure can see Barky doing such..
Think of who you would want in control of nour national security..a seasoned man..or a newbie no nothing????????
Fly..a 2004 Democratic Kerry Delegate
Fly..
I was a Dean supporter up until the scream.
This year after the democrats showed me that they are Stalinist wannabies I have to be for McCain.
I feel safe with a man that values Country before Self.
The republicans made it easy for us this year!
So you make it real simple for us.
Straight Republican Ticket!!!
You do realize that it has been confirmed that the Pentagon asked Obama not to visit the troops because it would look too political, right?
I love how this site just doesn’t pay attention to news and the facts whenever they inconveniently don’t prove the point you are trying to make.
you do realize that your comment was completely debunked by John McCain in the above interview with ABC.
Not to mention the Pentagon itself debunked the lie put out by the Obama camp.
Right, because John McCain is not a politician who is running against Obama, and doesn’t have a vested interest in making Obama look foolish, and so everything he says must be objective fact.
Sorry, I hadn’t seen it that way.
Anchovy.
This one is useless as bait, though.
Yes…it’s a dessicated one, isn’t it..no juice. For this reason, it doesn’t even stink all that much! It just sits there, bug-eyed and pathetic, taking up space! Not even a suckerfish would be troubled by this one!
Dry as dust, you bet.
Who put that F**KING thin in my Pizza!
ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww……….
no pizza for me tonight..that visual got me!!!!!
fly
The Pentagon said Obama could visit as a member of Congress while he was in the area. He just couldn’t bring his campaign staff or the media. So Obama went to the gym at the Ritz instead. Because if he can’t have his picture taken with the troops then why bother?
That’s NOT what the Pentagon said. They said that Obama’s campaign misstated what they were told (lied). Obama was welcome to visit, they were ready for him, he just couldn’t bring the media and the cameras, just like EVERY OTHER politician must agree to do. You can’t use a military hospital as a campaign backdrop, even Obama. The voters are not fooled.
Right, and the pentagon isn’t a political arm of the Bush administration, which doesn’t have an interest in seeing McCain get elected, and wouldn’t ever, ever politicize anything like this. Right.
right!
how dare you suggest the soldiers would politicize that shit
you are HEINOUS and don’t know your ASS from a foxhole in the ground
ESAD
How dare I suggest the soldiers would politicize this? I’m not suggesting the soldiers would politicize it. I’m suggesting the high up, Bush appointees (remember Rumsfeld?) would politicize it.
I’m not talking about the men and women who actually do the fighting. I’m talking about the folks who are political appointees who sit in air conditioned offices and push papers all day.
if Barry had WANTED to he could have visited the “SOLDIERS” at the base w/out cameras or his “sucky newnew pacifier” called Axelrot!
IF he WANTED to go show his respect and he was truly a LEADER (presumptive) of these kids he would have MADE it happen w/out fawning hordes!
That’s what leadership is!!
KobiOshiMaru and he can’t even DO THAT WELL!!!
but his minions sure keep trying to rewrite all the rules…. just like their GW counterparts!
We’re SICK OF IT!!!
Rumsfelf?? He is long gone, in case you havn’t heard. The new guy, Gates, seems to be respected by repubs and dems alike.
The Democrats blaming everything on Bush is getting old. Notice how Congress’ approval ratings are lower than the President’s. Voters are sick of it, and you’ll see it at the polls.
Thanks for demonstrating beyond doubt the real motivation of the posters on this site. You aren’t ex-Hillary supporters who moved to McCain — you’re just a bunch of republicants in disguise. Of course, being republicants, your disguises suck.
Oh, and heck of a job, Larry. Nice
sitecesspool you’re running here.Rumsfeld is not the Sec. of Defense, you Stupid Piece of Shit!
In case you weren’t aware, the Military is forbidden to join in any political fray, Republican or Democrat. I understand your confusion, however, since you have apparently been assimilated.
That’s true, the military isn’t supposed to be politicized, but neither is the justice department. The Bush admin politicizes everything and appoints folks to each department who will also politicize everything.
Hey, genius. In politics, everything is political. A skilled politician knows how to play the game.
1. The DoD told Obama no press entourage or campaign staff, because it would be in bad taste otherwise. Our soldiers are not props.
2. If Obama wanted to visit the troops, he could have. FAIL.
NO body hates what the DOUCHE JR administration has done more than I
but NOT even I will resort to acting JUST LIKE THEM to prove a point or turn this in to “it’s OUR TURN”
BS - it’s only OUR TURN if we can nominate a WINNER!!!
BHO is a LOSER OF THE PEOPLE
HE LOST THE POPULAR VOTE and if it were repeated today
HE WOULD LOSE BY MORE THAN 300,000 VOTES!
I’d bet a years wages (or lack thereof) on it!
jesus Noah..how many excuses do you have up your frigging sleave???????? You are pathetic beyond words..go back under your rock..you fool no one .. you Obama asswipe!
fly
amazing..they can’t even admit that bo made a mistake. oops, HE doesn’t make mistakes. i forgot.
Well there is one voter above (Noah) that has obviously been fooled based on his support in Obama’s visit decision. (Note once again Obama pointed the finger instead of owning up to his mistake)
Lets hope come November this country will not be in the hands of the fooled voters.
1) Obama didn’t visit the wounded troops
2) Obama pointed the finger at the Pentagon (are they now under the bus?).
3) Obama didn’t appologize for his mistake. (sometimes you don’t intentionally hurt someones feelings but once you recognize that you have the right thing to do is to appologize.) Appologizing shows integrity and humility which Obama doesn’t have.
LOL @ number 2
r they now under the bus?
HAHAHAHA!
Noah, your comment has been debunked by the Dept of Defense via a written memo. Read it and weep!
PUMA Power
Noah my love, it would only have been too political for the Pentagon if he tried to take his media and campaign
armies with him.
Which of course would be impossible for Bam Bam -
cuz he gets lonely so easily! Who would be there to comfort him when he whines?
What are you even saying? The Pentagon and the Dept of Defense are both political arms of the Bush administration, which wants to see John McCain get elected.
The Bush administration politicizes everything (US Attorney scandal, etc).
Therefore, all I’m saying is that it’s ridiculous to take anything the Bush Dept of Defense or Pentagon says about a Democrat running for President at face value.
They will do everything in their power to make a Democrat look bad.
Anchovy
And an Obamatron will do anything to foist that untermensch Oblockhead on an unsuspecting public.
You can’t say with any certainty what the Bush administration’s agenda is. Your assertion has no basis in fact or evidence. Take off the tinfoil hat.
You have to be one of the dumbest fucks that has ever bloged here……….
Anchovy
nah there’s no name for this one
or it’s so bad not even my MAMMA would let me use those words (and you all know how I cuss)
lol
The Pentagon made it quite clear that Pampers could have visited the troops. He just couldn’t do it without the press. No photo op = no Pampers visit.
Anyone holding office, or running for office, who refuses to visit our soldiers, especially when they have been wounded in the service of our country, because they couldn’t get press coverage for it is unfit to serve as the Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, period.
Hillary or McCain ‘08.
Why do the right thing if no one sees you do it? If you can’t get the publicity for doing the right thing, why bother. Obama is the type of person who would stop to call the media before he tried to save people from a burning building. Shameless.
The Pentagon made it quite clear that Pampers could have visited the troops. He just couldn’t do it with the press. No photo op = no Pampers visit.
Anyone holding office, or running for office, who refuses to visit our soldiers, especially when they have been wounded in the service of our country, because they couldn’t get press coverage for it is unfit to serve as the Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, period.
Hillary or McCain ‘08.
You do realize that’s NOT TRUE, doncha, troll?
His Major General ASSHOLE shopped that lie to the press–and the press found out the truth, and NOW they’re pissed. Even the “liberal” press.
Ya don’t lie to the press … BLATANTLY…without repercussions.
He could have gone whenever he’d liked. He just couldn’t take LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION and his campaign asswipers with him.
What do you fat little basement dwellers say? EPIC FAIL!
Wrong. They told him he could go but without cameras and media.
Ergo, Obama decided not to go, because he couldn’t be the center of attention and use it for political gain. Face it, Noah, your candidate is self-centered to the core.
“I love how this site just doesn’t pay attention to news and the facts whenever they inconveniently don’t prove the point you are trying to make.”
– Spoken by someone who clearly knows what he’s talking about. Fella, you’re engaging once again in the favor Obamabot passtime: accusing other people of your own faults.
– They told him NOT TO TAKE HIS CAMERA/MEDIA PEOPLE because THAT would look too political.
Correction for the obot: The Pentagon said he COULD visit the troops AS A SENATOR - NOT as a campaign event. In other words (read carefully, you lying scum obazombie!), BAMBI COULD VISIT THE TROOPS AS LONG AS HE DIDN’T BRING REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS.
And, of course, The Precious would NEVER do ANYTHING that didn’t benefit him POLITICALLY - so, no visit to the troops. As far as bambi’s concerned, who needs them unless they’re good for a photo op?
The Obama camp LIED about this - lied, saying that the Pentagon would not allow the visit - period. Now you’re LYING about it too, bot.
I hope bambi’s campaign pays you well, bot, but due to all your lies and your threats it could never be enough to save your rotten soul…
thank you Sharon..well said!!
fly
You do realize, Noah, that if Obama chose to visit wounded soldiers without the media and his campaign staff, it wouldn’t be considered as campaigning, and therefore permissable? He’s a US senator, if he really wanted to go, he would have found a way.
Noah — That is absolutely not true. The Pentagon never told Obama he couldn’t visit the troops. This event had been planned for a month. They told Obama there was to be no media circus and Obama doesn’t travel without his trained seals in the media.
get your facts straight Noah, the Pentagon asked Obama not to visit the hospitalized troops with the media and his campaign troops. Nothing would have stopped this ass from taking time to visit with our wounded vets on his own without a photo op. That is the kind of thing a real PRESIDENTAL candidate does.
This argument is sooo stupid, because Oblahma’s whole trip was political, no? Give me one other reason why he went on this little world jaunt if it wasn’t a political ploy. Too bad so many Democrats are too stupid to think any better than NeoCons.
Visiting wounded troops would be too “real” for Obama. Hard to put a spin on true sacrifice or turn a hospital visit into an “event” without cameras and fawning faux-journalists. Might spoil the God illusion.
McCain has every right, even a responsibility to call Obama on this. There’s stagecraft and then there’s genuine honor. Obami is skilled in the former and devoid of the latter.
Strange how Obama could find time to go to the gym and have reports issued on how many reps he could perform.
Makes me ill. Please wake me when this nightmare is over.
PUMApac.org
I agree! I am tired of hearing about his cell phone, whether or not he wears jeans, what ice cream his kids like..it’s all BS. This guy is an Anti American, terrorist appeasing, wanna be dictator with no morality. People better wake up soon or this country will be unrecognizable.
I also find it ridiculous that you accuse the Obama campaign of being a cult of personality.
I am an Obama supporter, but I haven’t “drank the Kool-Aid.” I was an Edwards supporter before he dropped out, and then decided on Obama, but not enthusiastically.
I agree with some arguments No Quarter makes about many folks “drinking the kool-aid” and thinking that Obama is the second coming of Jesus. I for one am not one of those people. I disagree with him on many things.
However, I find it ridiculously hypocritical of this site to call Obama’s campaign a cult (when in some respects, it kinda is), while at the same time advocating that we continue to destroy this country by electing a Bush clone just because your candidate of choice didn’t win.
A willingness to destroy America out of spite just because Hillary didn’t win? Now that is a cult.
I agree, put country ahead of party. However, McCain will continue to destroy everything that is great about this country, just as Bush has done for the last 8 years.
But, at least you can say, you tried to help stop the guy who defeated your political hero.
I also might point out that if Hillary had won the nomination, all these right wing blogs that you link to (Black Five, etc) would be writing terrible, sexist things about her, yet you decided to join forces with them just because they don’t like Obama.
Your chosen one is suffering from NPD. Not a good thing for the potential POTUS.
http://riverdaughter.wordpress.com/2008/07/26/what-is-wrong-with-barack-obama/
Thanks for your opinion. However, re-read your own doubts about Obama.
This goes far deeper than a few right wing websites and not liking Obama (sob, sniff, sob).
This is about defending democracy and saying no to the dirty politics of Donna Brazile and the DNC.
PUMA!!!
Alligator Tears
DUDES!!!
Your resident TROLL is practicing all forms of TROLL CATEGORY!!! He would be the multitasking troll.
lmao
or the multi-functioning troll
or JELLO TROLL
Rofl,,ahhhhh thank you for the laugh Dawnelle, hahhaaa, perfect.
or the multiple personality disorder troll.
better yet! The SYBIL TROLL!
Maybe the multi-disfunctioning troll?
noah…we will get back to you, sweetie..
If you are pushing the meme that McCain is a Bush clone then I’m afraid that you have in fact drunk the kool-aid.
Pampers Ovomit voted for FISA after he said he’d filibuster the bill. He supports the EXPANSION of Bush’s Faith Based Initiatives program. He rejected public campaign financing. He voted for the Cheney Energy bill. Obama is Bush, even the Wall Street Journal agrees.
We’re fighting for Hillary to be nominated because she is a Democrat. Obama has pissed on and flushed Democratic values down the crapper. We want a Democrat not a Demagogue. And if we can’t have that then we will have to settle for choosing the candidate that embraces public service over narcissistic self-interest. John McCain.
And we will strengthen Hillary in the Senate by supporting her agenda, and lobbying our Senators and Legislators to do the same.
The way I see it, that would be Barack Obama. And lately, he’s adopting more of Bush’s policies and ideas. I think Obama is cut from the same cloth as Bush, moreso than John McCain.
You do know that they are related.
No. It’s worse than that actually. He’s kin with Cheney. Isn’t that just the BEST?
If you are pushing the meme that McCain is a Bush clone then I’m afraid that you have in fact drunk the kool-aid.
Pampers Ovomit voted for FISA after he said he’d filibuster the bill. He supports the EXPANSION of Bush’s Faith Based Initiatives program. He rejected public campaign financing. He voted for the Cheney Energy bill. Obama is Bush, even the Wall Street Journal agrees.
We’re fighting for Hillary to be nominated because she is a Democrat. Obama has pissed on and flushed Democratic values down the crapper. We want a Democrat not a Demagogue. And if we can’t have that then we will have to settle for choosing the candidate that embraces public service over narcissistic self-interest. John McCain.
And we will strengthen Hillary in the Senate by supporting her agenda, and lobbying our Senators and Legislators to do the same.
You see, party doesn’t mean shit if the party’s nominee is a fraudulent, self-serving liar who only cares about his own rise to power. McCain at least sees himself as a public servant, unlike Ovomit who believes he is hand picked by destiny to be the ruler of our country.
Who writes the scripts you post Noah? They’re not very intelligent.
Thanks!
Barack Obama himself writes them and then uses ESP to channel them directly into my monkey brain.