On Sunday's This Week, ABC's George Stephanopoulos condemned John McCain for charging that “Senator Obama would rather lose a war in order to win a political campaign.” Stephanopoulos, who interviewed McCain on Saturday at his Arizona ranch, declared: “I can't believe you believe that.” McCain insisted “I'm not questioning his patriotism. I'm questioning his actions. I'm questioning his lack, total lack of understanding,” leading Stephanopoulos to counter: “But that is questioning his patriotism. When you say someone would rather lose a war, a candidate, that's questioning his honor, his decency, his character.”
As McCain continued to defend his assessment, Stephanopoulos kept rejecting his reasoning (“So putting lives at risk for a political campaign, you believe he's doing that?”) and excoriating his characterization of Obama: “But you're questioning his motives.”
Stephanopoulos matched a theme pushed on Wednesday's World News by ABC reporter David Wright. My July 23 NewsBusters item recounted:
Wright began his interview with McCain by scolding him for his “extraordinary statement” that “Obama would rather lose a war in order to win a political campaign.” Wright demanded: “Do you really think he's that craven?” Wright also lectured: “But what you seem to be saying there is that it's all about personal ambition for him and not about what he honestly thinks is right for the country.”
The exchange on the Sunday, July 27 This Week in the interview taped the day before in Arizona, with McCain's dogs walking around them at least once:
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You've taken heat this week with your comments saying that Senator Obama would rather lose a war than win a political campaign. I can't believe you believe that.JOHN McCAIN: Well, I'm not questioning his patriotism. I'm questioning his actions. I'm questioning his lack, total lack of understanding.
STEPHANOPOULOS: But that is questioning his patriotism. When you say someone would rather lose a war, a candidate, that's questioning his honor, his decency, his character.
McCAIN: All I'm say something is, and I will repeat, he does not understand. I'm not questioning his patriotism. I am saying that he made the decision which was political in order to help him get the nomination.
STEPHANOPOULOS: So putting lives at risk for a political campaign, you believe he's doing that?
McCAIN: I believe that when he said that we had to leave Iraq and we had to be out by last March and we had to have a date certain, that was in contravention to and still is to the Chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General David Petraeus. When he never asked to sit down for a briefing with General Petraeus, our commander on the ground, when he waited 900 days to go back again where young American lives are on the line, I think that's a fundamental lack of understanding and I think the American people will make the appropriate choices.
STEPHANOPOULOS: But you're questioning his motives.
McCAIN: I say that it was very clear that a decision had to be made, and I made it when it wasn't popular. He made a decision which was popular with his base, and that is a fundamental difference and he does not understand and did not understand and still doesn't understand that the surge was the vital strategy in us not having to lose a war, chaos, genocide, increased influence of Iranians in the region, the consequences of failure would have been severe. Now the benefits are enormous of a stable ally in the region, of a country that is a friend of ours, a break on Iranian influence, certainly a break on al Qaeda and other jihadist organizations. So he made the decision that that was the best way to go to get the nomination of his party.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
STEPHANOPOULOS
July 28, 2008 - 00:37 ET by bigpapaSTEPHANOPOULOS = what a douche...
NOBAMA 08 !!!
BigP, maybe we should send...
July 28, 2008 - 00:57 ET by HillbillyKingol' Georgie boy one of these
http://www.amazon.co...
to wash his mouth out with after talking that sh!*?
Stephanopoulous = ABC's Democratic BS mouthpiece
If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you.
Don Marquis 1878-1937
Ok,, HBK,
July 28, 2008 - 01:13 ET by bigpapathat's funny :)
But why did you have that so quick???? LOL just kidding..
NOBAMA 08 !!!
Question....
July 28, 2008 - 00:52 ET by ScrapironThe question, if Hussein O would rather lose the war and win an election, was answered by Hussein O himself when he refused to admit the American military surge was a success. Past statements that 'I will stand with Islam' is all the proof of where his loyalty lies that anyone other than an idiot would need. Hussein O is patriotic, it's just a question of 'to who'.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
Scrapiron
July 28, 2008 - 01:06 ET by Cool Arrow" If the political tide ever change in the US I will stand with Islam" - Obama
You're being too hard on the lad. All he's saying is that he'll sell out his country in favor of Islam if he sees an opportunity.
For once he was being truthful.
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Quit Lying
July 28, 2008 - 11:24 ET by JoelCTEveryone who knows me and everyone who has seen my posts know I am to the right of Rush Limbaugh. Most also know that I get really upset when Conservatives lie, because it does not help our cause and gives the leftists ammunition to use against us.The quote above that you repeated is false. In fact, it is an outright lie. Obama is a Communist who can be defeated on his own merits, and I intend to help do that. Repeating racist lies does not help our cause, Cool Arrow.
"In the wake of 9/11, my meetings with Arab and Pakistani Americans, for example, have a more urgent quality, for the stories of detentions and FBI questioning and hard stares from neighbors have shaken their sense of security and belonging. They have been reminded that the history of immigration in this country has a dark underbelly. They need specific reassurances that their citizenship really means something, that America has learned the right lessons from the Japanese internments during World War II, and that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."
Do you see the word "Islam" or "Muslim", Cool Arrow? You can agree or disagree with his statement concerning how people from the Middle East in America were treated after 9/11, but you can no longer repeat that lie, in my opinion. I happen to disagree with his statement. It implies these folks were rounded up by the FBI without any thought, merely picked up for the color of their skin. My studies seems to imply that the FBI made a couple mistakes, but their arrests were made based on pretty solid evidence.
Still friends?
Agreed
July 28, 2008 - 08:25 ET by KC MulvilleObama's refusal to credit the surge is enough. I don't know about the "standing with Islam" quotes, but we don't even need to go that far. We have plenty already. Harry Reid said the war is lost, for narrow political purposes just to denigrate Bush and the Republicans. Hillary challenged Petraeus at his September 2007 hearing that his testimony that things were getting better required a willing suspension of belief. They proclaimed that the war was lost as soon as possible. Why so soon? So they could reap the political rewards of pinning a lost war on the GOP. In their minds, what difference did it make, since the war was already lost?
You have to punish politicians when they do things like this. You can’t just allow them to say anything, including words that make victory more difficult, and then walk away without consequences. The Democrats, by any standard, advised surrender and pullout in Iraq because they thought the war was already lost. But now the Democrats now refuse to take responsibility for all their proclamations of defeat. They can’t even give the military their deserved credit for their role in the surge. They’re perfectly happy to exploit Bush’s mistakes and demand accountability, yet they refuse to accept any themselves.
Yes. You need to call these bastards for using reckless rhetoric. Will McCain back down? I hope he doesn’t.
If Harry Reid had said
July 28, 2008 - 09:17 ET by motherbeltIf Harry Reid had said "This war is lost" to Steffie in an interview,
can anyone imagine Steffie saying "I can't believe you believe that!"
to him?
I know I can't.
Or if Pelosi said her famous "God bless him, bless his heart, president of the United States -- a
total failure, losing all credibility with the American people....?
he would likely ask "What are his failures, in your eyes?"
Obama's theme song
Good point
July 28, 2008 - 10:02 ET by KC MulvilleAnd it isn't like we need to use our imagination. We can already point to specific examples were the media didn't challenge the Democrats' reckless rhetoric:
Then they shake their heads, wondering how could anyone think the Democrats aren't fully in support of the troops? The issue isn't whether they would support the troops if directly asked. The issue is their refusal to see how their reckless rhetoric undermines the troops and their mission. And God forbid you should ask them to be responsible in their comments, because they start whining about "dissent" and "repression" and how the GOP is attacking our sacred civil liberties and ... well you know the rest.
The liberals claim that it's not a real war because Bush never asked us to sacrifice anything for the war effort. But we did ... we asked liberals to drop the reckless rhetoric. They refused. They wanted more taxes.
Stephanabooboo: "But,
July 28, 2008 - 01:13 ET by Prez RudyStephanabooboo: "But, but, but.....he's the MESSIAH!!..How dare you, you , you white old mean man!!...He's going to save us all from ourselves...He's going to save us from YOU!!!"
Pathetic.
"...white man's greed runs a world in need." Barack Obama
Why is this so hard? Just
July 28, 2008 - 01:33 ET by USA4freedomWhy is this so hard? Just say yes, we are questioning his patriotism. See that is not so hard? When you go to other countries and undercut our foreign policy like Nancy Pelosi did, we have a right to call you unpatriotic, just be happy it stops there. Its closer to Treason!
Step, if by some reason you ever read this, you are a short little toad...
Its funny, the more the MSM hammers Mc Lame, the more of base might come around to liking him.
For me I’m still pissed for all the times he flipped us off.. IF, he picks a real good conservative for VP, and promises to run only one term, I would consider him..maybe. If only because:
Ob looks like a total idiot when you get him off of theTela prompter..uhhhh, ohhhh..ummmm...like I said..uhhhmmm, welllllll uhh,ummmmm...
And the press makes fun of W for his lack of great speech making ability. They don’t use a tela prompter at news conferences.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Romney / Jendil 2012 (if,we survive)
USA4Freedom
July 28, 2008 - 05:02 ET by DoktorFrankenI couldn't agree with you more. Especially about Pelosi and the other traitors to our nation.
By the way, I believe that "Stephanopoulos" actually means "short little toad" in Greek. ;) But I am not as multi-lingual as our Messiah would want me to be.
Dear Mr. Stephanopoulos,
July 28, 2008 - 01:41 ET by dodecahedron“I can't believe you believe that.”
FYI - I believe it too.
Thank you John Mc Cain for disinfecting Staphie..
July 28, 2008 - 01:43 ET by upcountrywaterI see george and think of Bill Clinton, always.
You know what ! John is becoming a good statesman.
Keep it up John, it's only down hill from here.
Liberals62%
IranianUranium
Finally McCain is finding his voice on this issue
July 28, 2008 - 04:04 ET by DaMavThere are millions of people in America who question Obama's judgement and consider him someone who will sell out America and certainly play Israel as a pawn if it furthers his career. The media is apparently so out of touch that it doesn't even realize that that perspective exists, and hopes that if it treats McCain as if he were crazy he will have to back down.
The magnitude of Obama's blunder on Iraq can hardly be overstated. He and his followers almost lost America a war. It's hard to imagine a mistake worse than that or to find a more dishonorable action in the history of this country.
Had Obama simply said he was wrong on the surge but right on the war, and that he had learned a tremendous lesson from his error, I would not agree with him, but would have some respect for him. But he and his minions have dug their feet in and refused to even acknowledge their error. Which means that if he becomes President he will repeat that error again.
We came damn close to losing the Iraq War because it was an advantageous thing to do for many of the liberals in this country. America defeated, Bush blamed, the liberals win. Sacrificing the good of the country to their own personal ambition. Obama is the poster boy for this, and Stephanopoulos, who is supposed to be in the news business, doesn't even realize it.
Same bunch of
July 28, 2008 - 13:35 ET by kilrodThe same bunch/type of sorry socialist sobs(sssobs) done lost us one war, called Vietnam. They shat on our country and shat on our soldiers and got clean away with it, and they will do it again, and are still tryin right now. Their day in the barrel is a comin and i will lmao when it happens. A good place to start is with the embarrassin defeat of o-Dumb-uh, then it will likely go to the streets, a good place to do some a-k-n.
(GRINS) kilrod
Remember, only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American Soldier
Obama's Media Arm
July 28, 2008 - 04:31 ET by Kuso JijiThe game Stephy is playing here is to take a substantive argument and make it unsubstantial.
Instead of Stephy asking Ol Bawacko for a response to John McCain's assertion that he is putting politics ahead of winning the war, he instead tries to cover for him by accusing McCain of questioning the man's patriotism.
McCain is smart enough to know the backlash that would cause from Bawacko's adoring media. If McCain sticks to his position and keeps pounding him on it, Bawacko will eventually have to answer the question.
Either he tries to wiggle out of it now, or he tries to wiggle out of it closer to November. I guess that all depends on when the media starts living up to its journalistic responsibilities.
George went from his role as
July 28, 2008 - 05:49 ET by Gat New YorkGeorge went from his role as Interviewer to Debater when he made remarks like that to undercut McCain.
I guess that all depends on
July 28, 2008 - 06:09 ET by motherbeltI guess that all depends on when the media starts living up to its journalistic responsibilities.
I think the condition is "if," not "when."
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
It's OK when Dems do this?
July 28, 2008 - 05:41 ET by MystapittThe DemocRATs have been doing this for over 5 years. They say Bush lied people died, that Bush is doing it for oil, that Bush is scaring people to win an election. So please don't get all rightous about something like this Georgie.
All Dems are traitors
July 28, 2008 - 05:58 ET by WingletDriverIt's the elephant in the room that not even McCain can talk about. Let me count the ways:
Pelosi and Reid are the heads of the chambers of Congress. Which of these two dimwits has ever attempted to punish anti-Americanism, anti-military acts within their party. Heck, Pelosi's district has actively tried to run the Marines out.
Jack Murtha is an out-and-out traitor--just ask the Marines at Haditha.
John Kerry's "I voted for the funding before I voted against it" was a political stunt to appease the Dem base. He was criticized for poor triangulation (a political term) but not for being anti-military.
Barak Obama says he wants to eliminate future weapon systems from the budget. Hmm, that'll help the Marine, soldier, sailor or airman fighting on the ground, on the sea or in the air.
Let's see. The NYT outed our banking intel program, our cell phone intel program and the name of the guy who actually interrogated Saddam Hussein. There was no outrage whatsoever from the Dems and this is their mouthpiece.
My response to Stephy is: "Yes, BHO would rather lose a war than an election. He has said so himself so ask him about it. Furthermore, he'd rather get in a good workout than visit wounded American troops. Ask him how patriotic that is?"
Good post, spot
July 28, 2008 - 06:04 ET by USA4freedomGood post, spot on!
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Romney / Jendil 2012 (if,we survive)
All Dems are not traitors
July 28, 2008 - 06:23 ET by Cool ArrowSome are weasels, some are misled, some are sheep, some cling to the name but espouse conservatism in varying degrees.
And, yes, some are traitors.
I understand your frustration, but the rhetoric is too all encompassing.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
And they all tolerate those in their party
July 28, 2008 - 16:28 ET by WingletDriverWould you tolerate traitors in your party? Would you continue to vote with them in lockstep despite it weakening our country? Would you stay in the party knowing that Pelosi and Reid will be the Speaker of the House and Majority leader?
If three members of your party were on a CODEL just prior to the Persian Gulf War that was paid for by Saddam Hussein, wouldn't you at least file an ethics complaint against them?
Stehpi on BHO Payroll?
July 28, 2008 - 06:09 ET by ChasvsIs little Stephi back on the Dem payroll or is he auditioning for Press Secretary?
This little twerp wouldn't know a man of honor if he saw one. He's spent his life as an evil liberal and now has to cover for his party.
Barak, we don't need no stinkin change!
Is little Stephi back on
July 28, 2008 - 06:14 ET by motherbeltIs little Stephi back on the Dem payroll or is he auditioning for Press Secretary?
Neither. He's just being who he is.
If they were talking about an increase in food stamp subsidies, which McCain opposed because something ridiculous was in the same bill, Steffie would be saying "I can't believe you want kids to go hungry!!"
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Anyone noticed how Kirsten
July 28, 2008 - 06:24 ET by Jack BauerAnyone noticed how Kirsten Powers has changed recently?
She used to be one Democrat shill on Fox I could stand, even when I diusgreed with her point.
Now she's been got at, because she just barks out the Dem Talking Point de Jour word for word. It's kinda sad and embarrassing, for her.
This week's DTP was John McCain is a WHINER because even media people are finally commenting on the huge disparity in media suckage for each candidate.
And to be fair to McCain, one thing he hasn't done is whine. In fact, he's been quite humorous on the subject.
Yes Jack
July 28, 2008 - 06:28 ET by Cool ArrowI've seen her wither into a cheap Alan Colmes sock puppet.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Too bad too she's a good
July 28, 2008 - 06:43 ET by USA4freedomToo bad too she's a good looking woman.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Romney / Jendil 2012 (if,we survive)
Good analogy. Though
July 28, 2008 - 07:13 ET by Jack BauerGood analogy. Though Colmes has become even nuttier than before. Every segment on Obama turns into a segent on McCain in Sheer Luck Colme's spongey brain. Very irritating.
Though to concur with USA, Powers is still high on the babelicious quotient -- though I'm thinking a touch of botox.
Mr. Stephanopolis...
July 28, 2008 - 06:54 ET by c5thenAre you here to interview me, or are you here to defend Mr. Obama as part of his campaign? I've answered that question at least three times now. If you ask it again, this interview is over and ABC will have to cover my campaign remotely. Now, the ball is in your court.
It's a shame that John McCain is not quick on his feet in an interview.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
Stephanopoulos is little
July 28, 2008 - 07:00 ET by bretzysdudeStephanopoulos is little pissant. McCain should've body-slammed him during the interview.
two little
July 28, 2008 - 08:28 ET by docbpi$$ants in the same room..McCain is increasingly agitated and off point on most things to do with any topic other than his...His comment is offbase on Obama but who cares what McCain thinks anyway.
The press generally and most of Obama's...
July 28, 2008 - 07:05 ET by ThalpyThe press generally and most of Obama's associates are the Left. Why would a thinking person not question their allegiance?
Stephanopoulos' response
July 28, 2008 - 07:35 ET by ConservativeRexStephanopoulos' response was typical of the left. Always question, and try and plant doubt in what someone else believes. I am sure McCain knows to always be on the offensive with these people. Turn it right back around on him. He knows McCain is correct in what he said.
The American public knows McCain is correct as well. I am glad McCain put it out there. Now, don't back down.
I Can't Believe!
July 28, 2008 - 08:17 ET by ChasvsWhat he's really saying is that he can't believe that John McCain doesn't love BHO like he does!
These Democrat MSM pukes are just so disgusting!
Barack, We don't need your stinkin CHANGE!
delete
July 28, 2008 - 09:06 ET by motherbeltdelete
Political? It would be like......
July 28, 2008 - 09:15 ET by jondelwicheCasting aside decades of people adhering
to public financing, just to win an election.
He's never do that, right?
Huh?
It's all about winning, not leading with the libs
July 28, 2008 - 09:18 ET by kdizzydazeThis portion of McCains answer illustrates the real issue with all liberals:
McCAIN: I say that it was very clear that a decision had to be made, and I made it when it wasn't popular. He made a decision which was popular with his base, and that is a fundamental difference
To the libs, it's all about "winning". What will get me votes, who can I dupe into voting for me. They have a willing media laying the ground work with their constant theme of "all Bush moves are failures, thus, change is good" and then this dude Barry O shows up as the chosen change agent. Good Lord!
A key difference between the left and right is really coming to light - The Right is all about individual freedom and responsibility. That each individual controls (or at least should control) their destiny.
The left seems to be in utter need of a ruler. Someone who can mandate change through a"royal decree" if you will. Someone who will state what is going to be done and the public numbingly, mindlessly follows. Yul Brynner in The Ten Commandments comes to mind "so it is written, so it shall be done".
Democrats and their "patriotism"
July 28, 2008 - 10:28 ET by needleJohn McCain is right not to question a Democrat’s patriotism. Via a hundred rhetorical manipulations Democrats have converted the word “patriotism” and the concept of “patriotism” into nothingness, at least as far as they are concerned. When a Democrat says he is patriotic, I think to myself “Yeah, right. Try and prove it, you traitor”
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
So what if McCain did
July 28, 2008 - 10:39 ET by stormy67So what if McCain did question Obama's patriotism and motive? When did this become a bad thing?
There is just cause to question both and McCain should darn well point that out - along with his reasons for doing so.
Why?
July 28, 2008 - 11:38 ET by xyzzypoofsI don't understand... why should you have to deny that you are questioning the patriotism of an unpatriotic SOB? Why doesn't someone (like McCain) stand up and say "Heck yeah I'm questioning his patriotism, what are you going to do about it?" Just like the "Whiner" proclamation, instead of backing away from it, McCain should've said "Well, maybe all Americans aren't 'whiners' but according to polls, apparently about half of them are" Quit letting these liberals play jedi mind tricks and start forcing THEM to have to start arguing to defend their half-a$# accusations for a change. So what if the 'liberal' base gets vocal about something...the louder they shout and whine, the more that Centrist and Conservatives will see them for the nutcases that dems really are.
coverup-olis still at it
July 28, 2008 - 15:12 ET by wizardjrGeorgie spent huge amounts of time covering up for the Clintons. He's still at it but more broadly for the entire liberal establishment. Now he's covering for the Obomination. What a surprise.
Now McCain... ...Stick to
July 28, 2008 - 16:41 ET by bigtimerNow McCain...
...Stick to your guns, don't back down...and most of all DO NOT Apologize!
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh