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McCain: Obama 'directly responsible' for Orlando shooting

McCain: Obama 'directly responsible' for Orlando shooting

 
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FILE - In this April 28, 2016 file photo, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. speaks on Capitol Hill in... Read more

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. John McCain said Thursday that President Barack Obama is "directly responsible" for the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, because of the rise of the Islamic State group on the president's watch. But he later issued a statement saying that he "misspoke."

"I did not mean to imply that the president was personally responsible. I was referring to President Obama's national security decisions, not the president himself," McCain said in his statement, issued as his initial comments were drawing heated criticism from Democrats.

McCain, who lost to Obama in the 2008 presidential election, spoke to reporters in the Capitol Thursday while Obama was in Orlando visiting with the families of those killed in Sunday's attack and some of the survivors.

"Barack Obama is directly responsible for it, because when he pulled everybody out of Iraq, al-Qaida went to Syria, became ISIS, and ISIS is what it is today thanks to Barack Obama's failures, utter failures, by pulling everybody out of Iraq," a visibly angry McCain said as the Senate debated a spending bill.

"So the responsibility for it lies with President Barack Obama and his failed policies," McCain said.

The gunman, Omar Mateen, killed 49 people and injured more than 50 in the attack at a gay nightclub. The 29-year-old Muslim born in New York made calls during the attack saying he was a supporter of the Islamic State. But he also spoke about an affiliate of al-Qaida and Hezbollah, both of which are IS enemies.

In the aftermath of the shooting, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has accused Obama of putting U.S. enemies ahead of Americans. Trump also has suggested that Obama himself might sympathize with radical elements.

Democrats criticized Trump and some Republicans tried to distance themselves from his remarks.

McCain is seeking a sixth Senate term from Arizona and is locked in a tight race. He has a Republican primary on Aug. 30 — the day after his 80th birthday — and a likely general election matchup against three-term Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick.

Questioned on his startling assertion, McCain initially repeated it: "Directly responsible. Because he pulled everybody out of Iraq, and I predicted at the time that ISIS would go unchecked and there would be attacks on the United States of America. It's a matter of record, so he is directly responsible."

However, about 90 minutes later, McCain issued his statement saying he misspoke, though his statement continued to lay blame for the attack on the president's policies — just not on the president himself.

"As I have said, President Obama's decision to completely withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq in 2011 led to the rise of ISIL. I and others have long warned that the failure of the president's policy to deny ISIL safe haven would allow the terrorist organization to inspire, plan, direct or conduct attacks on the United States and Europe as they have done in Paris, Brussels, San Bernardino and now Orlando."

Democrats quickly pounced on McCain's criticism.

Adam Jentleson, a spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said McCain's "unhinged comments are just the latest proof that Senate Republicans are puppets of Donald Trump."

 

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While they may blame Obama, many Republicans supported the invasion of Iraq and many supported the overthrow of Assad in Syria.  These are what led to ISIS being a success!  The Russians are helping to fix Syria, but Iraq will be a quagmire!  Sunni rights need to be addressed.

I do believe the withdrawal aggravated the divisions as the US was seen to maintain a semblance of balance.  Hey, we break it, we own it!!

FM

Questioned on his startling assertion, McCain initially repeated it: "Directly responsible. Because he pulled everybody out of Iraq, and I predicted at the time that ISIS would go unchecked and there would be attacks on the United States of America. It's a matter of record, so he is directly responsible."

McCain is a bloody idiot. First of all, if jackass Bush didn't invade Iraq looking for non-existent WMD's, the region would have been a lot more stable. Then after wrecking the place, there was no way we could sustain a large amount of troops in Iraq indefinitely. The senile old fool forgot that it was Bush who signed the agreement with the Iraqis to withdraw before Obama came into office. Obama wanted to keep a small force in Iraq of around 10,000 troops but the Iraq government objected and we were forced to withdraw completely. No wonder he had to backtrack on his comments and claim that he "misspoke". You didn't just misspeak, you outright lied. 

Mars
Mars posted:

Questioned on his startling bassertion, McCain initially repeated it: "Directly responsible. Because he pulled everybody out of Iraq, and I predicted at the time that ISIS would go unchecked and there would be attacks on the United States of America. It's a matter of record, so he is directly responsible."

McCain is a bloody idiot. First of all, if jackass Bush didn't invade Iraq looking for non-existent WMD's, the region would have been a lot more stable. Then after wrecking the place, there was no way we could sustain a large amount of troops in Iraq indefinitely. The senile old fool forgot that it was Bush who signed the agreement with the Iraqis to withdraw before Obama came into office. Obama wanted to keep a small force in Iraq of around 10,000 troops but the Iraq government objected and we were forced to withdraw completely. No wonder he had to backtrack on his comments and claim that he "misspoke". You didn't just misspeak, you outright lied. 

Actually you are right and not right.  True, Bush agreed on a withdrawal timetable after the military had assessed the Surge was a success.  However, the situation rapidly deterioriated after Bush left and Obama could have reassessed to risk and change.  Obama said he would end US involvement so he used the Bush accord as cover even though the risk had changed.  Personally, i always had my misgivings as clearly Iran had a big presence and te Sunnis were not going to accept.

The whole mess lies with those who supported that war, and that includes [crooked] Hillary.  Bernie Sanders and Trump both opposed. Hillary will not resolve that conflict.  I think Trump stands better chance.  If he wins, i believe that powerful Baathist wing of ISIS will reach out to him, contain the Jihadis and if he responds positively, will stomp them out in short order.

Trump will cede Syria to the Russians and he will focus on Iraq.  He will push back Iran and provide the Sunnis a comfort zone.  Russia will assist as they have influence with the Baathist and with Iran.  Trump gets this power interplay and will work with that hand.  After that he will turn to the Palestinian issue, an issue which he believes need resolving for real stability.  Under the hapless Obama the entire ME is a mess and it's coming to the homeland.  Not one single accomplishment.  The war he said he "ended", is now on the streets of the US.

Unless Trump wins, I dont see this ending soon or good for anyone.  The core of ISIS military prowess is Saddam's army and the vow revenge for the invasion and subsequent execution of their leaders.  History will judge that invasion as the first monumental error of this century.   This will equate to Pearl Harbor and the Nazi invasion of Russia!!

FM
ba$eman posted:
Mars posted:

Questioned on his startling bassertion, McCain initially repeated it: "Directly responsible. Because he pulled everybody out of Iraq, and I predicted at the time that ISIS would go unchecked and there would be attacks on the United States of America. It's a matter of record, so he is directly responsible."

McCain is a bloody idiot. First of all, if jackass Bush didn't invade Iraq looking for non-existent WMD's, the region would have been a lot more stable. Then after wrecking the place, there was no way we could sustain a large amount of troops in Iraq indefinitely. The senile old fool forgot that it was Bush who signed the agreement with the Iraqis to withdraw before Obama came into office. Obama wanted to keep a small force in Iraq of around 10,000 troops but the Iraq government objected and we were forced to withdraw completely. No wonder he had to backtrack on his comments and claim that he "misspoke". You didn't just misspeak, you outright lied. 

Actually you are right and not right.  True, Bush agreed on a withdrawal timetable after the military had assessed the Surge was a success.  However, the situation rapidly deterioriated after Bush left and Obama could have reassessed to risk and change.  Obama said he would end US involvement so he used the Bush accord as cover even though the risk had changed.  Personally, i always had my misgivings as clearly Iran had a big presence and te Sunnis were not going to accept.

The whole mess lies with those who supported that war, and that includes [crooked] Hillary.  Bernie Sanders and Trump both opposed. Hillary will not resolve that conflict.  I think Trump stands better chance.  If he wins, i believe that powerful Baathist wing of ISIS will reach out to him, contain the Jihadis and if he responds positively, will stomp them out in short order.

Trump will cede Syria to the Russians and he will focus on Iraq.  He will push back Iran and provide the Sunnis a comfort zone.  Russia will assist as they have influence with the Baathist and with Iran.  Trump gets this power interplay and will work with that hand.  After that he will turn to the Palestinian issue, an issue which he believes need resolving for real stability.  Under the hapless Obama the entire ME is a mess and it's coming to the homeland.  Not one single accomplishment.  The war he said he "ended", is now on the streets of the US.

Unless Trump wins, I dont see this ending soon or good for anyone.  The core of ISIS military prowess is Saddam's army and the vow revenge for the invasion and subsequent execution of their leaders.  History will judge that invasion as the first monumental error of this century.   This will equate to Pearl Harbor and the Nazi invasion of Russia!!

The Iraqi government turned down our offer to keep troops there so how were we going to stay? Obama proposed a force of 10,000 troops which was rejected by the Iraqi government. Trump supported the war and now claims that he did not. There is no evidence of him opposing the war before it started, except his claim. However, there is an interview with Howard Stern where he supported the war six months before it started. He doesn't know where he stands on any issue so which position are we supposed to believe? Hillary supported the war based on the intelligence she was given by Bush and his cohorts like McCain. How was she to know that the intelligence dossier that was presented to her was a complete fabrication? This mess was started by Bush's invasion which destabilized the entire region. To now blame it on Hillary and Obama is just ridiculous and Trump was also for the invasion.

Mars

Trump made that claim multiple times during the Primaries and debates.  He hammered Jeb Bush on that and not one single time did anyone including to Media confronted him. So he wins there!  Hillary supported the war against the wishes of many in her party including Sanders.  They all have the same info but she made a bad call.  She is a [crooked] foul up.  She had all data related to Benghazi and screwed that one big time.  Then she and Obama conspired to cover it up. Obama could have kept the troops.  He offered because it did look bad but he wanted to fulfill his election promise and cared not.  He knew of the rising Iran influence and turned a biind eye.

Obama/Clinton are massive and utter foreign policy failures.  That entire region is a mess due to them.  She will add or change nothing.  Unless there is a mojor break how we handle, this will not end well for anyone.  

FM
ba$eman posted:

Trump made that claim multiple times during the Primaries and debates.  He hammered Jeb Bush on that and not one single time did anyone including to Media confronted him. So he wins there!  Hillary supported the war against the wishes of many in her party including Sanders.  They all have the same info but she made a bad call.  She is a [crooked] foul up.  She had all data related to Benghazi and screwed that one big time.  Then she and Obama conspired to cover it up. Obama could have kept the troops.  He offered because it did look bad but he wanted to fulfill his election promise and cared not.  He knew of the rising Iran influence and turned a biind eye.

Obama/Clinton are massive and utter foreign policy failures.  That entire region is a mess due to them.  She will add or change nothing.  Unless there is a mojor break how we handle, this will not end well for anyone.  

Sure Trump made that claim in the primaries but it was just a claim and turned out to be untrue. There is a recording of Trump supporting the invasion of Iraq on the Howard Stern Show six months prior to the war. You can't just erase that now and claim that you didn't support the war. That is ludicrous. Hillary supported the war based on the intelligence that was presented to her and the rest of the senate/congress by Bush and his intelligence peeps. So much for their intelligence, pun intended, as it turned out to be false. The M/E is a mess started by Bush. Let's put the blame on the peeps who caused the fiasco. Trump has no clue about foreign policy. He claims that he has one but when you ask him to explain it, he says that he can't because he does want to divulge secrets to the enemy. He'll say any shit to appease his supporters even contradicting himself from time to time. Like he was for the Iraq War before he's against it.

Mars
Last edited by Mars

How come no one ever played it. And they went after Trump with a vengence!

Regarding him and foreign policy, well was that not one of the claims of Hillary regarding Obama back in 2008?  I mean she was right, but them Ms expert in foreign policy became Sec of State and what a big mess.  Now, i give them credit on Iran and Cuba. But this is all we have to show for eight years. I understand the job is diffiuclt, but where is success, and dont tell me standing still is, that's mediocre!

We can attack Trump on foreign policy, but he was never in govt, so what you you expect?  Trump wll assemble a sharp team and effectively manage them.  

FM

US_of_A's unacceptable and improper involvement in Iraq with the trumped up false accusation of weapons of mass destruction is the cause of the major issues.

Historically and of note, the current situation started with the involvement of the US_of_A, Britain, France etc., to occupy and control the region.

FM
ba$eman posted:

How come no one ever played it. And they went after Trump with a vengence!

Regarding him and foreign policy, well was that not one of the claims of Hillary regarding Obama back in 2008?  I mean she was right, but them Ms expert in foreign policy became Sec of State and what a big mess.  Now, i give them credit on Iran and Cuba. But this is all we have to show for eight years. I understand the job is diffiuclt, but where is success, and dont tell me standing still is, that's mediocre!

We can attack Trump on foreign policy, but he was never in govt, so what you you expect?  Trump wll assemble a sharp team and effectively manage them.  

You can listen to it yourself. The man is a lying buffoon.

Mars

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