Webloggin » McCain Straight Talk Express, Not So Straight - Obama

Yeah this is what the country needs. Another person in the White House who will say anything to get elected including mis-characterizing and trashing the intentions of his opponent by making up lies about him. (h/t Hot Air).

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — John McCain accused Mitt Romney Saturday of wanting to set a timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, drawing an immediate protest from his Republican presidential rival, who said: “That’s simply wrong and it’s dishonest, and he should apologize.”

McCain countered: “I think the apology is owed to the young men and women serving this nation in uniform, that we will not let them down in hard times or good. That is who the apology is owed to.”

The Arizona senator stood before a crowd in Sun City, Fla., and said he was quoting Romney as favoring a “timetable for withdrawal.” However, quotes circulated by McCain’s campaign didn’t show Romney making that comment.

“Clearly, the impression was that he was ready to set a date for withdrawal. You can’t read it any other way,” McCain explained.

The exchange highlighted the growing intensity of the race in Florida in the final weekend before Tuesday’s primary, a campaign that previously had been a fairly civil debate over economic records and leadership credentials.

By raising Iraq, McCain sought to shift the campaign in Florida back to his strength, national security, and away from Romney’s, the economy. Aides portrayed McCain’s Iraq comments as part of a broader effort in the coming days to question Romney’s leadership, foreign policy experience and judgment.

Speaking in Fort Myers, Fla., McCain said of Iraq: “If we surrender and wave a white flag, like Senator Clinton wants to do, and withdraw, as Governor Romney wanted to do, then there will be chaos, genocide, and the cost of American blood and treasure would be dramatically higher.”

Minutes earlier, the Arizona senator took a slap at Romney without naming him during a question-and-answer session with Floridians, saying: “Now, one of my opponents wanted to set a date for withdrawal that would have meant disaster.“

That’s not what Romney said at all. Even the AP reported the quote that McCain was referring to:

In an interview with ABC News last April, Romney never uttered those words but said: “There’s no question that the president and (Iraqi) Prime Minister al-Maliki have to have a series of timetables and milestones that they speak about. But those shouldn’t be for public pronouncement. You don’t want the enemy to understand how long they have to wait in the weeds until you’re going to be gone.”

You know what, if given the choice between John McCain and Obama I would probably not vote for either of them. I definitely wouldn’t vote for the grumpy Senator for Arizona; a guy who pretends to be some sort of straight shooter but in reality is just another double talking Senator who served his country well as a war hero but fails his party whenever they need him most. I’d rather have Democrats be at the helm then have John McCain tear up what remains of the Republican party.

I don’t need John McCain or anyone else to tell me what his or her opponent did or may do; especially if that little out of context “factoid” leans more on the side of fiction than fact. Every time that happens I know that the person doesn’t have enough personal conviction to be the leader of this country. Worse, in John McCain’s case it simply serves to emphasize that he is running away from his own record.

Americans are sick of this kind of politics.

AllahPundit at Hot Air has a video of the words spoken by Mitt Romney. He also dug up a January 26th, 2007 quote from John McCain that shows that he is not only smearing Romney with a lie but John McCain himself is the one who talked about “other options”, i.e. withdrawal if benchmarks aren’t met. I’m not even going to fault McCain for saying what he said but at least own up to it. John McCain went one step further than Mitt Romney at worse and is no different at best.

Asked what penalty would be imposed if Iraq failed to meet his benchmarks, [McCain] said: “I think everybody knows the consequences. Haven’t met the benchmarks? Obviously, then, we’re not able to complete the mission. Then you have to examine your options.”

This is why John McCain could never represent me. He is so desperate that he will say anything to get elected; something that I criticize Hillary Clinton for often. In that respect he is no different. Where’s the change in that?

One thing to note is the reaction by Democrats to McCain’s statements; including Barack Obama. I think this says it all:

“We Catholics call that an epiphany,” said Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Joseph Biden, D-Del., who is sponsoring the main Democratic resolution opposing the troop buildup.

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said: “I called for that . . . several weeks ago. I’m glad that John McCain agrees with me.

What did Mitt Romney say a week before John McCain made the above comments one year ago today?

“I agree with the President: Our strategy in Iraq must change. Our military mission, for the first time, must include securing the civilian population from violence and terror. It is impossible to defeat the insurgency without first providing security for the Iraqi people. Civilian security is the precondition for any political and economic reconstruction.

“In consultation with Generals, military experts and troops who have served on the ground in Iraq, I believe securing Iraqi civilians requires additional troops. I support adding five brigades in Baghdad and two regiments in Al-Anbar province. Success will require rapid deployment.

“This effort should be combined with clear objectives and milestones for U.S. and Iraqi leaders.

“The road ahead will be difficult but success is still possible in Iraq. I believe it is in America’s national security interest to achieve it.”

Nuff said.