July 6, 2008
Posted: 03:05 PM ET

From
Sen. John McCain's campaign says Barack Obama has not been consistent on Iraq.
Sen. John McCain's campaign says Barack Obama has not been consistent on Iraq.

(CNN) – Sen. John McCain's campaign said Sunday that Barack Obama's remarks on Iraq "have left a significant question as to exactly what he intends."

"He has held almost every conceivable position in the course of his relatively brief career in the Senate," said Randy Scheunemann, McCain's foreign policy adviser.

Obama maintains his stance has not changed and said Saturday that "every single word" he says is closely measured.

McCain's campaign suggested Obama's views could be becoming more in line with McCain's Iraq policy.

"The position of [McCain's] campaign is that words do matter, and Sen. Obama's words have left a significant question as to exactly what he intends. If he is now joining Sen. McCain's position and saying that the need to maintain peace and stability in Iraq is a prerequisite before responsible withdrawal, which is Sen. McCain's position, we welcome his conversion to that position," Scheunemann said Sunday in a conference call with reporters.

The war over words started Thursday when Obama told reporters questioning his stance on Iraq that he will "continue to refine" his policies as warranted.

Obama denied any suggestion that he was shying away from his proposed 16-month phased withdrawal of all combat troops from Iraq, calling it "pure speculation" and adding that his "position has not changed."

National reporters and Republicans pounced on his comments. The Republican National Committee put out an e-mail statement saying that Obama was backing away from his position on withdrawal.

Full story

Filed under: Barack Obama • John McCain


Bradley In Colorado   July 6th, 2008 3:18 pm ET

It won't work, McCain. I know what you're trying to do, and believe me, you won't find any good dirt on Obama. It's like the lyrics from one song: "Ride the tiger! You can see his stripes, but you know he's clean!"

Jeff   July 6th, 2008 3:19 pm ET

Common sense is something that eludes John McCain.

Vig   July 6th, 2008 3:21 pm ET

McCain has brought into his campaign a kick-butt operative. You are going to see a new and improved McCain campaign that will shake-down Obama at every turn. Before they are done with Obama, write-in's for Hillary will dominate the ballots in November.

Eric in Ca   July 6th, 2008 3:21 pm ET

Regardless how McCain or the RNC mince Obama's words, Obama is still the better candidate for many, many reasons. Obama has my vote. 8 years of this (add your own adjective) Economy, Iraq War, Healthcare, Energy, Above the Law Administration, Katrina, Foreign Policy failures, and the Out of Touch approach to government. THE ONLY CHOICE IS OBAMA!

REG in AZ   July 6th, 2008 3:23 pm ET

DECISION 08:
__________________
MORE OF THE SAME
or
CHANCE FOR CHANGE,
your choice!
____________________
(that is all there is, the rest is BS)

No McCain!   July 6th, 2008 3:23 pm ET

I know his, he wants to leave.

Yours, McCain is very clear. You want to stay for 100 years. To be honest, I'd take the vague, but correct one over the warmonger plan any day!

Obama '08!

Denise Groves   July 6th, 2008 3:26 pm ET

I do not see what the problem is with what Obama said. He wants to visit Iraq and refine what he stated earlier. If things have changed on the ground, he has to address those changes. he needs to confir with the guys on the ground. I don't have a problem with this.

Is he suppose to do what Bush did an ignore everybody around him and do what he wants to do?

NickNas   July 6th, 2008 3:28 pm ET

hmmmm Are the words to BIG or is the TRUTH to much for them to comprehend?

Independent   July 6th, 2008 3:31 pm ET

Oh sure, I would like to call lots of McCains word in question also….he is the major flip flopper….

By the way, is Mr. Black still with McCain??? Now there is a man with questionable words….

I thought McCain was going to run a campaign without bashing….it sure don't look like it, does it?????? McCain turned me off a long time ago….

Lisa in Cincy   July 6th, 2008 3:31 pm ET

Whatever. When McCain can remember from one minute to the next what HIS stance is on SEVERAL issues - then his campaign can comment on others.

CITIZENS FOR AMERICA FIRST   July 6th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

CALL THE OTHER GUY A LIER, HOPING VOTERS

WON'T KEEP TRACK OF YOUR LIES. NO ONE IN

THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN ELECTIONS HAS

FLIP-FLOPPED OR LIED MORE THAN MCBUSH.

MCSLEAZO ON VIDEO TELLING OVER 300 LIES.

Make Love Not War   July 6th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

THE RNC IS DELUDED AND GRASPING FOR ANYTHING.

WE HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN THAT MR. MCCAIN SAID THE UNITED STATES WILL STAY IN IRAQ FOR AS LONG AS 100 YEARS.

LIKE DR. PHILL WOULD SAY: THE RNC NEEDS TO GET REAL.

SMEARS/LIES WON'T WORK IN 2008 MY FRIENDS.   July 6th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

GIVE IT UP MCCAIN. OBAMA HAS CLEARLY STATED HIS POSITION OF IRAQ HAS NOT CHANGED.

Robert in OR   July 6th, 2008 3:33 pm ET

Im so sick of this sort of Bush-esque spin. Saying you would be willing to change a position, in the future, if circumstances change, is different than "flipfloping" by doing something like, for example, voting against a torture ban due to politically convenience despite a supposed lifetime of opposition to torture.

A man of many words   July 6th, 2008 3:33 pm ET

What????

You mean because he changes positions… I mean "let me make myself clear", I mean "let me be perfectly clear", I mean "don't parse my words"?

Obama is perfect. He has perfect judgement, perfect vision, perfect solutions and perfect words.

All he lacks is ACTION- and experience, and qualifications, and a track record, and trustworthiness….

Connie   July 6th, 2008 3:34 pm ET

I question John McBush's actions, like going to Canada and putting Barack Obama down,like Jan. 2008 signing an autograph on a picture of the American Flag , against the rules on respecting the flag.John McBush and his stooges are tiring to turn ever thing against Obama, but it is not going to work this time big dog.Also Mr.Liberman is it flip flopping when you lose the nomination for senator as a dem. and all of a sudden now you are an independent.Give it a rest,when you lay with dogs you get fleas. Barack Hussein Obama 08

Connie"Hussein"Sturgeon from Indiana

Out for himself   July 6th, 2008 3:34 pm ET

He intends to make history by becoming president.

He does not intend to DO anything…just like the last 10 years in elected office.

bk   July 6th, 2008 3:35 pm ET

Looks like now Obama is agreeing with McCain like he did when he ran against Clinton. Obama is a loser and doesn't have a clue what he is doing. Obama can read a prepared speech real good. I can't believe the American people would vote a guy in for president because he says hope and change, and reads a speech. Do you remember Bush ran on change too, and look what happened. Bush lost every debate and the people still voted for him. Obama won't even debate. Don't be fooled a second time, we can't afford another inexperienced president.

ANGIE   July 6th, 2008 3:35 pm ET

mccain give it up i thought you wanted to run a clean campaign but no instead you just attack obama and his campaign another one of your lies mccain well at least obama isint planning on keeping us in iraq for 4 years 12 years or 100 as you had stated sir and what about bomb bomb bomb iran is that also on your agenda sir mccain you are a dangerous person as well as mentally incompenet to run this country i think we should have a look at your mental records!!!

caribbean admirer of OBAMA   July 6th, 2008 3:35 pm ET

Mcsame can't do jack! The only improvement he made was to read slow from e prompter a speech he didn't write. Can't wait for the landslide in November when Obama will shake-down McCain dispite the unloyalty of the HRC-support for the Democratic nominee.

Obama'08

Dr.Mimi De La Cruz   July 6th, 2008 3:35 pm ET

OOOOUR "HERO" AGAIN.

A GERIATRIC BUSH, WITH LESS INTEGRITY.

MCBUSH & HIS OTHER FLIP-FLOP SOUL MATE LIEBERFOOL

CAN'T KEEP TRACK OF THEIR OWN POSITION.

Supreme Leader of the people   July 6th, 2008 3:36 pm ET

Stop it!

Do NOT question Obama.

That has been banned by Obama and his campaign.

His biracial ethnicity is all that matters… so just STFU!

Ralph   July 6th, 2008 3:36 pm ET

The GOP would rather fail than make any necessary changes.

bill for barack   July 6th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

I must say one thing for John McCain. His comments about Iraq have left us with no doubt whatsoever about his intentions. He intends to keep us there for at least another hundred. He intends to continue the death, the destruction, the carnage - all the things he dreamed he could inflict on the Vietnamese.
How ironic then that the ONLY endorsement McCain has been able to garner is from the Communist who was his captor.
John McCain - Endorsed by the Communists.

DM, Arlington TX for Barack Obama 08   July 6th, 2008 3:38 pm ET

The alternative to having senator McCain as President is continue counting the body casket returning to the family members, the children who have lost their mothers and fathers sisters as well as brothers.

Senator John McCain will never see reality until his family member return in the same way.. I love my children in the same ways I know him and Cindy love theirs.

Let not choose this way… Let choose peace and coversation to war…

NoMccain   July 6th, 2008 3:38 pm ET

Obama wants to get out of Iraq. Mccain does not.
Just watch the movie Syriana to see why Mccain does not want to get out of Iraq. He wants to perpetuate an American hegemony while oil still exists.

srw   July 6th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

What exactly is McCain's position?

Are most of the troops out by 2013? What if fighting begins again between Shi'ite and Sunnis? Or will there be permanent bases with a large troop presence regardless of the level of violence? McCain once said he did not favor permanent bases, but now that Max Boot is advising his campaign, he appears to favor them.

Meanwhile we know what Obama wants. Begin the withdrawal, understanding that we have to be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in. That has never changed.

McCain is a disgrace. Straight talker indeed.

Foreign observer   July 6th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

Obama was against American troups in Irak, he is against American troups in Irak and when President he will do so. Majority of Irak people don´t want the Americans to stay in Irak. Of course the government puppets chosen by Bush try to keep the American troops there.

Kula   July 6th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

Can McCain think seriously about Americans and concentrate on the Economy?

Obama fever is all the rage now   July 6th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

Why should Obama have a plan and state it and stick with it- when all the celebrities, African Americans and newbies are impressed by his image?

Who needs a viable and do-able platform? Being experienced, knowledgeable, qualified, informed, and ready to SERVE is what did Hillary in.

We want words and more words and more words.

Who wants substance when you can feel good over a speech?

Silly people, wanting a candidate vs a pop idol.

mountain man   July 6th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

Obama spent the whole primary attacking hillary on Iraq now he sounds exactly like her. So much for a new kind of politics.

Molly Weasley   July 6th, 2008 3:42 pm ET

A "kick-butt" operative? You mean a Karl Rove clone. The American people can do without that, thank you very much.

Obama says the same thing about Iraq every time. One AP reporter misterprets it (boy, have I lost respect for AP in this election) and the inside-the-beltway types go all atwitter.

Hey, I've got an idea: Why don't you ask Americans outside of Washington what they think? They'll tell you gas prices, the economy and how to get out of Iraq. And they'll ask the media why they aren't writing more about where the candidates stand on THOSE topics.

Belle2   July 6th, 2008 3:42 pm ET

Obama, the candidate of change, has simply changed his mind, like all politicians do from time to time. He castigated Clinton for her position on Iraq, yet it seems he agreed with her all alone. For all you Obama fans who do not understand why Clinton supporters prefer McCain to Obama, this is the reason. McCain has a history that we can look at and know how he will react in difficult situations. Obama has done nothing except run corrupt campaigns and use every dirt trick there is to demean, disqualify, and denigrate his opponents. We trust McCain to do what he believes is right (though we might disagree with his beliefs); we do not have a clue what Obama really believes. Trusting Obama simply defies logic.

Ryan   July 6th, 2008 3:43 pm ET

Are they serious? His position really hasn't changed.. people aren't dumb enough to listen to McCain's crap.

Gary Chandler in Canada   July 6th, 2008 3:43 pm ET

The G8 is meeting and it's like the ghost of John McCain is there. His stated approach of kicking Russia out should be debated ALONG with Obama's views of Russia and China, BEFORE the next President of the World's most powerful country is elected.
Y'all hankering for another Cold War?
Obama HAS to select, for VP, to the strongest mititary and foreign affairs expert available to him, Powell for example.

David Goldman   July 6th, 2008 3:43 pm ET

MCBUSH IS A DOCUMENTED THIEF, LIER & BIGOT.

HIS CALLING ANY ONE ELSE'S WORDS INTO QUESTION,

AMOUNTS TO A COMPLIMENT. WE DON'T HAVE TO

CALL MCBUSH'S WORDS INTO QUESTION.

WE KNOW HE IS A LIAR, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

Foreign observer   July 6th, 2008 3:43 pm ET

First redefine Obamas words - then attack him. Too stupid to have success.

Black is the color of my ......   July 6th, 2008 3:43 pm ET

Obama gives beautiful speeches- how can you question his words?

He said he was for change- and that is what he does to win votes.

Just so long as he can be all things to all people to win votes, he is okay.

Just don't expect him to have the courage of his convictions- he has no convictions.

He panders for votes so that he can continue to campaign away.

But… black is beautiful

Susan from Scotts Valley, CA   July 6th, 2008 3:44 pm ET

It sounds like the EXACT same strategy they used against Kerry in 2004. Hopefully, Americans won't be stupid enough to fall for it this time.

Write ins for Hillary are as good as votes for McCain so anyone that is planning to do that just be sure you know the outcome. You'll split the Democratic vote and McCain will win with a big unearned margin. You may get some emotional satisfaction from that but it will be short-lived. Because the future of this country will be on your heads…all of those that vote for McCain or write in for Hillary or stay home. You'll be responsible for us staying in Iraq, for our economy continuing to spin out of control, and for all the fat cats that are in bed with McCain continuing to reap the tax benefits for the economic and tax policies of their boy.

As you're rejoicing your accomplishment, the rest of us will just shake our heads and then do whatever we can to ensure that Hillary never wins another public office.

Julie   July 6th, 2008 3:45 pm ET

McCain has been barking at every statement out of Obama's mouth since he won the dem nomination. He's kind of like the boy that cried wolf - I stopped listening to McCain a long time ago.

John   July 6th, 2008 3:46 pm ET

It is very clear the John McCain and his campaign are going to take every word that Obama says and try to spin it in a way that devalues Obama's candidacy. This is just another attempt by McCain to catch up and make the American people think that Obama does not know what he is doing. My problem with the McCain campaign and the Republicans that I used to vote for, believe that the American people are naive and do not understand the issues.

We know Obama and we know McCain. Obama is going to pull out the troops in Iraq, McCain may stay there another 5 to 10 years. He needs to answer for that.

The other thing that is clear is McCain's surragotes take every advantage they can instead telling the American people about McCain's policies. They the only chance they have is to go negative on Obama and hope we believe McCain.

Message for the McCain campaign: The American people are not that naive, we know what you are doing and we know that Obama is our best choice right now, because of his judgement and his concern for the average American. John - stand up and tell the truth - what are y our positions, because its hard to tell with all the bickering that you are doing.

Giovanni   July 6th, 2008 3:46 pm ET

Obviously Obama is backing away from his previous position which was political possitioning for the primary. Now that he is facing a general election he is changing his position for that electorate.

Words to die by   July 6th, 2008 3:46 pm ET

But Obama has succeeded by spinning words.

By refusing to take a firm position.

By twisting his position to fit what is polling well that day.

Why change a successful strategy now?

John McCain   July 6th, 2008 3:47 pm ET

Barack Obama has said the same thing for months and months. But I am going to call him a liar because I want to win.

I tend to say things that I don't truly believe in my heart for all the wrong reasons. Specifically, AMBITION. (SEE MCCAIN 60 Minutes interview for specific quote-actually admitting lying for ambition to the presidency).

Therefore, I will continue to lie and spin to win. Spin, spin sugar.

John McLie

PUMA .. Hillary supporter   July 6th, 2008 3:47 pm ET

Obama is a flil flopper, everything he does is called into question.. This clinton supporter is voting for mccain…… mccain 2008, Hillary 2012…… PUMA

Ralph   July 6th, 2008 3:47 pm ET

The GOP tried the same smear on Bill Clinton, but it failed every time. Obama will not sit and take the smear like Kerry or Gore did. I wonder how many more times McCain will have to shake up his campain before November. Looks like Obama was right to opt out the public financing, because he is going to need a lot of resourses to fight off the smear.

Let me make myself perfectly Clear   July 6th, 2008 3:48 pm ET

He intends to pander for votes.

Then he intends to convince all Americans that WHATever he does is the perfect solution.

Everyone else is wrong. Only HE knows what is best…until it isn't best, then he clarifies and reclarifies and reclarifies what he meant.

Dave   July 6th, 2008 3:49 pm ET

Obama is hard to figure out. He does talk out of both sides of his mouth and then gets mad when people point it out.

Also, Obama seems to have more issues with words than most. Hillary seemed to imply he was just a guy who gave some speeches or "change you can Xerox" and I seem to recall Obama getting targeted with some plagiarism concerns about a speech similar to one by Deval Patrick.

I am not necessarily a fan of McCain, but I think he is raising a valid point by calling Obama's words into question.

John   July 6th, 2008 3:49 pm ET

It is very clear the John McCain and his campaign are going to take every word that Obama says and try to spin it in a way that devalues Obama's candidacy. This is just another attempt by McCain to catch up and make the American people think that Obama does not know what he is doing. My problem with the McCain campaign and the Republicans that I used to vote for, believe that the American people are naive and do not understand the issues.

We know Obama and we know McCain. Obama is going to pull out the troops in Iraq, McCain may stay there another 5 to 10 years. He needs to answer for that.

The other thing that is clear is McCain's surragotes take every advantage they can instead telling the American people about McCain's policies. They the only chance they have is to go negative on Obama and hope we believe McCain.

Message for the McCain campaign: The American people are not that naive, we know what you are doing and we know that Obama is our best choice right now, because of his judgement and his concern for the average American. John - stand up and tell the truth - what are y our positions, because its hard to tell with all the bickering that you are doing.

Farrell, Houston, Tx   July 6th, 2008 3:49 pm ET

Yeah, that's right McCain let's stay focused on the war in Iraq and the people will forget you don't know jack about fixing this economy. McCain is just like Bush who has done nothing for the American people in 7 years but focus on the Iraq war and thinks we will buy into it for another 100 years. WHOSE RUNNING MCCAIN'S CAMPAIGN, MCCAIN OR BUSH, I CAN'T TELL THEM APART.

HRC supporter   July 6th, 2008 3:49 pm ET

Bring back Hillary Clinton in Denver….

Give America a fighting chance to restore itself and its unity.

mb--texas   July 6th, 2008 3:50 pm ET

Sen.McCain spits some comments out and his press(promoters)
catches and runs with it whether it make sense or not.He is good at
throwing a bone for the press to chew on 2 or 3 days keeps his
name in the news.Trying to define Sen. Obama and forcing him to
respond.Sen.McCain gets a free ride from the press instead of
calling him out on his comments they print exactly the way MCCain
know they will,always looking for a gaffe. Not much coming out of
McCain"s camp about whant he will do to help the America people,
and get some common sense back into our country.

Jen, CA   July 6th, 2008 3:50 pm ET

Go, McCain! Call the freshman, loud-mouth, no-substance, 18-month U.S. senator on his "baloney."

Bob in houston   July 6th, 2008 3:50 pm ET

Can Mccain's be trusted? Absolutely NOT. I find it ridiculous to hear people suggest that Mccain's longetivity in Washington and in the public domain immunes him from any repercussion of the very inconsistent positions he has taken lately, most of which previously offended his own conscience. I agree with the observation that the once maverick Mccain would not support the Mccain we have today.

Ralph   July 6th, 2008 3:50 pm ET

It won't work because unlike Kerry, Obama will strike back every time.

Obama's campaign strategy   July 6th, 2008 3:51 pm ET

Obama is really really good at dividing people as he preaches about hope and unity and change.

He has locks of race-card decks yet to be played to get himself installed as the next president.

McCain=the draft   July 6th, 2008 3:51 pm ET

I call all your words into question, McCain.
You've changed your positions, according to the political climate.
And now you've hired low life, scumbag Schmidt, to spew lies about Obama.
NOT THIS TIME!

Rational View   July 6th, 2008 3:52 pm ET

McCain people have none of their policies but to attack attack on words and sentences of OBAMA. Why dont they try to show how will they be different to last eight years of Bush policy then people may think favourably. But I suppose they do not have any thing to offer and they are trying the same old formulas which may not work because people are aware of all the dirty tricks.

Adam, Plano, TX   July 6th, 2008 3:53 pm ET

poor mccain, it appears his entire campaign has alzheimers.

rom, NY   July 6th, 2008 3:53 pm ET

McFart is done !
Mark my words

THE O   July 6th, 2008 3:53 pm ET

Of course he would he has nothing else to run on no policy other then recycled old bush policy's. All he has been doing is to attack Obama on everything but has nothing to offer america but more of the same.

P.S VIG and these are the guys that brought us bush you simpleton!!

BARACK THE VOTE!!!!!!

BARACK SEBELIUS 08

David Peter   July 6th, 2008 3:54 pm ET

McCain is attacking Obama's word because McCain has nothing good to propose to the American people.

Hank   July 6th, 2008 3:54 pm ET

Why is it always one of Mccain's advisors making comments? Why never Mccain? Too busy sleeping, grandpa?

Walt, Belton,TX   July 6th, 2008 3:56 pm ET

When Obama chose the word "CHANGE" as the theme for his campaign, what he left off was that's what the average tax payer is going to have left over after paying Obama's new taxes. His other use of the word meant what he stoody for today will change tomorrow and change the day after, etc., etc., etc………….

Texas for Obama   July 6th, 2008 3:56 pm ET

McCain shut up. You flip flop so much that your own supporters dont know what you stand by. They only support you because you are labeled a republican.

NOTIEE   July 6th, 2008 3:57 pm ET

When will all these politicians stop these attacks on each others and focus on the issues affecting the American people?

THE MORE I HEAR, THE SICKER I GET.I am tired of hearig these politicians tear themselves apart just to get votes.

What we need to be hearing rigth now is how we are going to end the war in Iraq, cut down gas prices, creat more jods and protect the ones we already have, provide better health care, e.t.c.

Enlighten us more on how you are going to help solve these problems and let us decide who is best qualified to get our votes

THE O   July 6th, 2008 3:57 pm ET

At this point I would rather vote for a 3 legged beaver rather then vote for any republican. after the mess you guys have gotten us into. You guys should be ashamed of your selves.

BARACK THE VOTE!!!!!

BARACK SEBELIUS 08

Terry   July 6th, 2008 3:57 pm ET

This guy is a joke. I loved Ronald Reagan he was my commander in chief in the armed forces but it would be in justice to this nation if I voted for you. This country can not tolerate 8 more years of hell.

I support Obama.

Lin Lo   July 6th, 2008 3:57 pm ET

Give me a break. Obama said NOTHING different than what he has said numerous times, including during the debates. And he is right - this is the media at work, who is too lazy to do any serious objective reporting.

Timber   July 6th, 2008 3:57 pm ET

I gave the max to John Kerry's campaign for president, what a fool I was. After seeing how Dean, Kerry and Kennedy ganged up to push Hillary out of the primary, I am now an Independent without a choice but to vote for McCain. Obama is not to be trusted and I will never be convinced to vote for that guy who talks the talk but has never walked the walk. McCain is right that you cannot trust Obama, at least he is honest and not afraid to say what other politicians are thinking.

Bitter Tommy Hussein in St. Louis   July 6th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

Vig July 6th, 2008 3:21 pm ET
McCain has brought into his campaign a kick-butt operative. You are going to see a new and improved McCain campaign that will shake-down Obama at every turn. Before they are done with Obama, write-in's for Hillary will dominate the ballots in November.

—————————————————————————

Vig, you had me almost taking you seriously, until your last sentence which shows everyone what your true agenda is. If McCain's campaign does such a fabulous job this fall, why does it follow so naturally that people will write in Hillary's name? Why would they not just vote for McCain? I'm talking about mainstream voters in general, not racist Democrats specifically. Sorry, but if there were enough Obama-hating Democrats like you to put Hillary in the White House in November, then she would have just won her party's nomination, and life would have been as simple as that.

But why even bother with reality? I should just let you have your little fantasy that Hillary can still win in November.

The truth is, when the Republicans nominated McCain, they expected to run him against Hillary, not Obama. McCain could have beat Hillary, but he will have a lot of trouble with Obama. There is only so much McCain's "kick-butt operative" can do, short of replacing the candidate himself.

speeches   July 6th, 2008 4:01 pm ET

Le me make myself pwefectly clear:

Obama is going to give another speech…
demanding that the GE be changed to a CAUCUS format.

He then plans to bus the same 200 Black people to each of the states to "clinch" the election.

Caucus is his forte.

Don't parse my words.

Lisa   July 6th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

16 months is too long to stay in Iraq. We want them home in 60 days, per Hillary's plan.

Nick   July 6th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

What a political SNAKE! And I thought some of the dirt that Hillary was throwing at Obama was bad.

McCain is the BLAME!!!!   July 6th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

Vig ……………..McCain has brought into his campaign a kick-butt operative. You are going to see a new and improved McCain campaign that will shake-down Obama at every turn……….

YES he brought in his TOP GUNS……….IT is too LATE besides they are old just like he is ………everything they attemt to do will back fire he keep changing to no avail…….besides without Lieberman ….McCain doesn't know where he is…….HUH ………McCain needs to FACE UP on the Economy, Iraq War, Healthcare, Energy, Above the Law Administration, Katrina, Foreign Policy failures, and the Out of Touch approach to government…………. THE ONLY CHOICE IS OBAMA!
OBAMA 08/2012

Obama 08/2012

Herman in LA   July 6th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

"The past couple of weeks have been especially difficult when it comes to McCain flip-flops.

* McCain supported the drilling moratorium; now he’s against it.

* McCain strongly opposes a windfall-tax on oil company profits. Three weeks earlier, he was perfectly comfortable with the idea.

* McCain thought Bush’s warrantless-wiretap program circumvented the law; now he believes the opposite.

* McCain defended “privatizing” Social Security. Now he says he’s against privatization (though he actually still supports it.)

Wait, I’m not done with the last two weeks yet….

* McCain wanted to change the Republican Party platform to protect abortion rights in cases of rape and incest. Now he doesn’t.

* McCain thought the estate tax was perfectly fair. Now he believes the opposite.

* He opposed indefinite detention of terrorist suspects. When the Supreme Court reached the same conclusion, he called it “one of the worst decisions in the history of this country.”

Any questions?

NotFallingInLine.org   July 6th, 2008 4:04 pm ET

We Democrats have been questioning Barack Obama's intentions from the beginning and especially since the beginning of March, when Samantha Power, Obama’s foreign policy adviser, told Stephen Sackur of the BBC that Obama ”will of course not rely upon some plan that he’s crafted as a presidential candidate or as a US senator.”

And now, Barack Obama, the candidate who has based his entire campaign on words - on flowery rhetoric and empty slogans - has begun to whine about ”how finely calibrated [his] every single word [is being] measured” by the media and the American people. Obama is whining because he believes that there’s nothing wrong with promising that he will withdraw combat troops from Iraq within 16 months of taking office during the contest for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination and then, after the supposed party leaders secured the nomination for him, saying that he’s “going to refine [his] policies” on withdrawing combat troops from Iraq.

It’s not a flip-flop, exactly. It’s a change we all could have seen coming.

NotFallingInLine.org

Obama2008/2012   July 6th, 2008 4:07 pm ET

Hey Vig what he is doing is shaking down his own campaign and thats whats left of the McBush campaign which is not much .
Your write ins are another joke they are Rebarficans masked as Democrats on here hoping to stir the pot.
Mc Bush can try to mince Obamas words all he wants Mc Bush is a looser he has thought he was tough all his life thats a joke gimmick he just talks and forgets what he has said he also has to have his elbow men to correct his speach flip flops .
Oh and if Lieberman dont watch out he fallows McBush so close he will smooooother . What a laugh that would be .

Ralph   July 6th, 2008 4:08 pm ET

McCain would rather see America fail than make any necessary changes.

speeches2   July 6th, 2008 4:09 pm ET

Apparently I DID NOT make myself clear after all:
Le (uh I meant, let) me make myself pwefectly (perfectly- don't parse my words now) clear:

Obama is going to give another speech…

demanding that the GE be changed to a CAUCUS format.

He then plans to bus the same 200 Black people to each of the states to "clinch" the election.

Caucus is his forte.

Don't parse my words

speeches3   July 6th, 2008 4:10 pm ET

Let me clarify speech1 and speech 2…

Ralph   July 6th, 2008 4:10 pm ET

McCain actually thinks that Obama would let the attacks go unchallenged like Kerry did. The RNC attack machine make work against those with limited funds, but Obama has the money and the will to strike back.

Anne in Texas   July 6th, 2008 4:11 pm ET

A stupid tactic. It's easy to make general accusations about flip floping and not explain them publically. If you look carefully Obama's previous statements, even his biograghy, he has been been consistent of gun rights, the death penalty, and the war. I only hear about Mc Cain in the news when he's accusing Obama of something. I not entirley sure what he stands for, but I know what he stands against. The man is grabbing for straws. The public is so tired of hearing these guys tear each other up, we're so tired of these politicians projecting their issues and faults onto their opponents, and we're tired of the double F word. We're not scared anymore and I doubt this sort of smear will work. Hillary already tried the strategy of making fiat statements and claims and hoping they gained traction. If Obama survived Hillary, he'll survive Mc Cain. My advice to Mc Cain if he wants to win is to focus on himself and his message and not his opponents. He's only giving them a hand.

Will, NJ   July 6th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

Wesley Clark questions John McCain's service record as a qualification for president and he is hit with the full force of the right wing and media. McCain himself needlessly question's Obama's word (multiple times) on an issue Obama has remained firm on, yet hardly a bark of protest.

Srtict Script   July 6th, 2008 4:13 pm ET

Is this the new attack strategy they we're planning? LOL…how can you question anything Obama stands on, especially with regard to Iraq? I can't get over this. LOL…McBush, you want us to stay in Iraq for 100 yrs - that came directly from your own mouth. How dare you question Obama on the fact that he will bring our troops home as soon as he's in office, and carefully. Go home McBush. The GOP's strategy of smearing and fear mongering will not work this time…

Mark   July 6th, 2008 4:13 pm ET

Obama will say anything to get people's votes…even if it means taking both sides of an argument at the same time. Obama is a risky candidate who is not ready to be President.
McCain08, Hillary 2012

Ralph   July 6th, 2008 4:13 pm ET

How can McCain say he is different from Bush when he is now being staffed with Bush cronies?

Roger   July 6th, 2008 4:14 pm ET

Big Mac Attack!

NoBambi!

mitchell hussein martin   July 6th, 2008 4:14 pm ET

liars! twisting his words and lying!i am sick of liars!just like republicans lied about the war in iraq!obama is consistent and they still claim he has changed his position,and he never has!outright lies will not win this election!we are sick of right wing liars!

Bloggers for Obama   July 6th, 2008 4:16 pm ET

Too funny:

Mimi is a shape changer just like her man, Obama….

She morphed from "Mimi de La Cruz for Obama" to her new form: Dr.Mimi De La Cruz…

But by her posts you know she is just a tool for Obama- neither a Dr. nor Latina… just an uneducated black person for Obama pretending to be a supporter from a key demographic whose support Obama lacks.

All CAPS ALL THE TIME ON EVERY BLOG WITH THE SAME EXACT DISJOINTED SYNTAX AS HER OTHER TOOLS- DAVID GOLDMAN AND BIFF BIFFINGTON.

This is the Same ignorant person posting illogical and empty rantings praising Obama as if from different ethnic backgrounds.

Alan Boyer   July 6th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

John McCain is such a loser that he and his campaign spend more time rewriting the dictionary so that they can trump up a few points against Obama.

Ellie in Aurora, CO   July 6th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

Here comes the Republican spin and attack machine. Bring it on! It just proves that McCain is just like the Bush, Cheney, Rove crowd. Americans will not allow this to sway us from finally having a president of hope and change! Yes we can, Obama!!

Wisconsin   July 6th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

The only people who think Obama changed his stance are idiots who can't read!

Obama has stated his stance time and time again, if you do not understand it then read a book that does not have a cat in a hat!

McWar you are a flip-flopping useless scumbag! You are full of lies, who can only run on your lies and the sheer stupidity of the people who support you!

What is this all about? It's because Obama said the word refine. McWar and the media are trying to make it sould like refine means he is going back on his word, but for all the people with an IQ under 20 refine means (Websters Dictionary):

refine
One entry found.

refine

Main Entry:
re·fine Listen to the pronunciation of refine
Pronunciation:
\ri-ˈfīn\
Function:
verb
Inflected Form(s):
re·fined; re·fin·ing
Date:
1582

transitive verb 1 : to free (as metal, sugar, or oil) from impurities or unwanted material 2 : to free from moral imperfection : elevate 3 : to improve or perfect by pruning or polishing 4 : to reduce in vigor or intensity 5 : to free from what is coarse, vulgar, or uncouth intransitive verb 1 : to become pure or perfected 2 : to make improvement by introducing subtleties or distinctions
— re·fin·er noun

So this means that you have to be an idiot and it helps to be racist to be a Republican these days!!!

McWar can have my flag pin and I'll even tell him where to stick it!

Ralph   July 6th, 2008 4:19 pm ET

If the GOP think Obama is an easy target like Kerry was then they are in for a rude awaking. Obama beat the Clinton machine. If the GOP could not beat the Clintons then what makes them think they can beat Obama.

Bob   July 6th, 2008 4:19 pm ET

Mccain said no time table for pullout in Iraq but then suggested that the troops would be home in 2013 after saying maybe 100 years. And yet I have not seen whisper about that. That is what I call getting a free ride from the mainstream media

Bloggers for Obama   July 6th, 2008 4:22 pm ET

Come on….

BIFF (with…' I TOLD YOU' rants for Obama)

Mimi de la Cruz for Obama a.k.a. Dr.Mimi de La Cruz ( with ' I LOVE OBAMA HE IS A GIFT)

David Goldman ( with pure drivel every time- all caps)

The 58 white old ladies for Obama- was just one person- and she apparently died over the last 7 days.

Darth Vadik, CA- more drivel.

Come one you lazy thugs- Obama not paying you enough?

Eric-PA   July 6th, 2008 4:23 pm ET

I'd hate to admit it, but the McCain camp is right. It now sounds like we might stay in Iraq, depending on the conditions on the ground, if Obama is our president. How is this different from McCain's stance? Last week, according to an article on the political ticker, Obama said McCain would like to keep the warm going for more than 25 years. Obama criticized this comment. I'm no Republican, but it's clear McCain was talking about a presence in Iraq for a very long time, just like the presence we have in many other countries around the world. Either Obama doesn't realize this, which shows he's not qualifed for the job, or he's being a typical politician.

Puzzled   July 6th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

I am surprised that Obama isn't ahead in the polls by 20%. Of course, I was surprised W was elected the first time, and totally blown away he was elected the second time.

I'm not sure the Dems can actually make changes but this nation can not afford 4 more years of Bush's policies, so there is no other choice but give the Dems a shot at it.

Rob indetroit   July 6th, 2008 4:26 pm ET

oBAMA'S WORDS AT LEAST HE KNOWS WHAT DAY IT IS CAN JOHN MCCAIN SAY THE SAME THING.

Independant   July 6th, 2008 4:26 pm ET

Ahh man, y'all done f'ed up. Now Obama is trash and Hillary is gone. It's over now.

Amy   July 6th, 2008 4:26 pm ET

Democrats, don't be stupid, Bring Hillary back!! Obama is just the presumptive nominee. There is still a chance to make things right at the Convention.

strategist   July 6th, 2008 4:26 pm ET

WOW McCain, are you sure the new staff you recently hired (including Schmidt) isn't actually now working for Obama?? Rep bloggers are going to start abandoning ship with such a title…lol

Draft builds strong character   July 6th, 2008 4:26 pm ET

Maybe if someone re-instates the draft - then all these youngsters for Obama will have bigger worries and responsibilities than blogging hate for Obama 24/7.

Serve your country and grow up.

Jewel - Hallsboro NC   July 6th, 2008 4:26 pm ET

Why does McCain always take Liberman with him?

To help him and tell him what to say.

bk   July 6th, 2008 4:28 pm ET

NO one is allowed to attack Obama. He will play the race card on you, like he has done from the beginning. What a fraud.

for pay only   July 6th, 2008 4:29 pm ET

The Obama folks only blog during their work week… on company time.

On the weekends and holidays, they take a break from hate… don't want to volunteer any of their own time to the Obama cause.

Interesting commitment.

AJ   July 6th, 2008 4:29 pm ET

Obama's positions swing with the political wind. How many times does he need to be caught in a lie or a flip-flop before the Democratic electorate sees what a bill of goods they have been sold? There are none so blind as those that have eyes but will not see. Obama is a con man. I have been a democrat for thirty years and never been so ashamed of my party. The MTV generation who have done nothing and experienced nothing ore now choosing a man just like them for president. What a disaster waiting to happen.

Anonymous   July 6th, 2008 4:31 pm ET

The general election has not officially started and McCain's campaign is already wearing on everyone's nerves.

William J.   July 6th, 2008 4:31 pm ET

ANOTHER SORRY EXCUSE FOR JOURNALISM, NEWS MEDIA. YOU GUYS ARE PATHETIC.

58-year-old white woman   July 6th, 2008 4:32 pm ET

McCain thinks with a war/military approach to issues. War is a last-try option, and other things should be tried first. People DIE.

He is also getting an alarming number of things confused and I fear the confusion will get worse with his age. The media seems afraid to talk about this, but it affects our entire country and should be talked about.

He knows little about the economy and will likely continue with Bush's failed policies; same with education. He favors vouchers and No Child Left Behind. Ask any teacher what he/she thinks about NCLB.

Anonymous   July 6th, 2008 4:32 pm ET

McShame is a JOKE! Just worry about keeping your word you BUM!

sarah   July 6th, 2008 4:33 pm ET

mccain will decimate the hot air vendor in november.

Obama 08: Female, 60, white   July 6th, 2008 4:33 pm ET

What about McCain's judgment in going to war with Iraq in the first place? He had more access than Obama did to the faulty intelligence, has no offered anything new except "stay the course" and didn't support the new veterans' bill.

What a phoney to whine and complain when he is criticized stating that Obama isn't running a clean campaign when 90% of his campaign's rhetoric is negative and misleading.

tigerakabj   July 6th, 2008 4:34 pm ET

McCain, it is clear that all you are going to do is sit back and wait for Obama to say something that can be spun or twisted. Your whole campaign is becoming increasingly, "Lookie, lookie, Obama said this, Obama said that!" Pathetic. Truly pathetic.

Instead of talking about why we should elect you, you talk about why we shouldn't elect Obama.

All Obama has to do (but he won't b/c he will talk about the issues) is point out and call out your 100 lobbyists running your campaign, make videos of YOUR 180 DEGREE CHANGE ON ISSUES (i.e. Bush tax cuts), call out your wife, and argue to bring up your hidden military record.

I can't wait until Obama pushes all your buttons in those debates and you react violently for all America to see, effectively killing your campaign. Look at what he did Alan Keyes in Illinois, who was another idiot, and look at the ensuing landslide.

Keep attacking him. You make him (and Democrats in general) look better.

McWar!!!!   July 6th, 2008 4:35 pm ET

McCain MIss Piggy is Calling U…………She said you stole her receipe for NO MO WAR!!!!!!……….NOW when you discover there are no dirty tricks- no lies- no SCUM BAGS- no Out of Touch approach- no my Friends- no say anything to win and no BUSHES ……it will be too late MR Obama will be President of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA

NOW Mr McCain can raise your arms up above your head…come on Now ……if you can't when ask by the police and you can't …… they will take you to JAIL

HA! HA!

Ralph   July 6th, 2008 4:35 pm ET

McCain seems to attack everything Obama says and does lately. If not the Iraq statement, then McCain would have attacked him on something else. McCain used to be a lot more honorable than that. What happened? Did power finally currupt McCain?

Iam4mycountry   July 6th, 2008 4:36 pm ET

When did the word "refine" mean reversing. It means to fine tune. if he wasn't refine his ideas all the time I think we would have something to worry about

Legal Immigrant   July 6th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

McSame campaign doesn't have any theme to campaign on. They're trying to grab on anything to stay afloat. It's not gonna work.

mollygonz   July 6th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

Give me a break! Obama already called out the press on this one and of course McSame, having no other ammo, has to jump on the bandwagon. What a Godforsaken loser!

Ilona Hussein Proud Canadian   July 6th, 2008 4:39 pm ET

Have you folks forgotten that, less than a month ago, McCain said to his Town Hall gatherings, MY FRIENDS, I WILL NEVER GIVE UP IN IRAQ, AND I WILL ONLY BRING THE TROOPS HOME WITH HONOUR AND VICTORIOUS! This was his promise almost WORD FOR WORD.

I wonder if anyone can remember ALL OF THE STAFF CHANGES AND SHAKE-UPS that Hillary's people continued to do, while running for the primary, and even after all of the changes, Hillary could not pull it off, I am not bashing Hillary here, I am just making the point that it would seem this is the avenue down which McCain is travelling, now let's all sit back and see what hurdles crop up for McCain!

aware   July 6th, 2008 4:40 pm ET

Right!

Obama has been wrong on Iraq from his first before he could vote speech until now!

Hillary Clinton and John McCain were right on Iraq from the beginning!

We are winning the war in Iraq!

Watch Obama keep moving closer to McCain's position! :)

eam   July 6th, 2008 4:41 pm ET

HEY I HEARD A RUMOR OF OBAMAS NEW SLOGAN " JUST SAY YES"
HE SAYS YES TO EVERYTHING AND NEVER SAYS HOW HE'S GONNA DO IT.

OH HEY rationla view : WHY DOESN'T OBAMA EVER TELL US HOW HE IS GOING TO PAY FOR ALL THE THINGS HE IS GONNA DO, HE ACTS LIKE THE MONEY WE'RE SPENDING ON IRAQ IS MONEY THAT IS JUST SITTING AROUND AND HE CAN JUST DIVERT IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. THAT IS HIS INEXPERIENCE AND LACK OF WISDOM. I ALSO THOUGHT THAT THE IRAQ WAR WAS A BAD IDEA I SHOULD RUN FOR PRESIDENT ALSO. OBAMA IS JUST ANOTHER RAT LIEING LAWYER ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Michael, Los Angeles, CA   July 6th, 2008 4:41 pm ET

Wow, doesn't McCain have any real issues to focus on then trying to let people know that the person he's running against does what ALL politicians do, including McCain.
McCain's politics are old and tired and his temper toward others who disagree with his ideas feels very similar to the last eight years of Republican based corporatocracy.
But I guess that's why I am now a Democrat. At least in this election.
MT

Ralph   July 6th, 2008 4:41 pm ET

I think the McCain of 2000 would do a lot better in this election than the McCain of 2008.

Molly   July 6th, 2008 4:42 pm ET

obama is a FRAUD!!!! Obama has NO plans of his own - so he Copies the other - more experienced leaders - like McCain, and Hillary Clinton. Obama is NOT qualified to lead this country - or anything. Obama is an empty suit who can read from the teleprompter a well prepared speech. His entire campaign is like a Stage Show - and we are the props! But - don't dare question a thing on obama - you are then a racist for even asking!

JG from MA-Obamabot and proud of it   July 6th, 2008 4:43 pm ET

Let me get this straight. McCain wants us to stay in iraq, which he knows is making many americans not vote for him. So instead of giving the majority of the population what they want from their government, he has decided to say, falsely, "Obama sometimes agrees with me." so that we'll think that both these candidates don't represent us, and vote 3rd party.

??????????

When you attack your opponent by saying "he has my opinion" something is very very wrong.

Obama/Common sense 08

Ralph   July 6th, 2008 4:44 pm ET

I think if Obama does admit that the surge is working then he will use it as a reason to pull the troops out.

Barack Obama IS Our 44th president!   July 6th, 2008 4:44 pm ET

McCain is the number one flip-flopper of ALL time, but since his ego won't allow him to see this clearly, he tends to shift focus to Obama in this very childish out-of-touch way.

Just as long as he is incapable or refuses to deal with the real issues of the American people, he will have nothing but old, failed policies of the past to offer.

It's time for REAL change in Washington, it's time to elect Barack Obama for president !

Jack   July 6th, 2008 4:44 pm ET

obama is the MASTER of his SPIN campaign.
This guy is a Joke - hardly Presidential Material.

Vote McCain - good 2nd Choice - NEVER obama

Hispanic For McCain   July 6th, 2008 4:47 pm ET

Once again for all the MORONS that are for OBAMA FLIP FLOP, FLIP FLOP, FLIP FLOP. I have been saying the Latinos people don't trust Obama. He is a fruad, flip flop, now he for the Iraq war, NAFTA, more more will come out from this Big Loser!!!!!!!!! with a capital L. Listen to all my Hispanic (Latinos) Brothers and Sisters OPEN YOUE EYES this obama is a FRUAD. That is why the latinos will vote for McCain we know better. LATINOS are NOT STUPID you morons that is why Hispanic will band together and vote for McCain. Ya ves OBAMA no es para los Latinos, and for all you Latinos for OBAMA SHAME ON YOU for wasting your vote. By the way DON'T HATE because Latinos are true winner!!!! The Hispanic community in PA, OH, FLA, MI, NY, NY will vote for McCain. All of my Latinos friends are going to a true American Hero and that is John McCain. America before party those are the quotes of John McCain!!!!! So Liberals Dem don't hate!!!!!!!

Puertorican, Mexican, Cuban, Colombian, and Dominican are for McCain!!!!! Remember this in Nov08

Hispanic for McCain

Ralph   July 6th, 2008 4:47 pm ET

Sounds like the GOP is just grasping for the few straws that are left. The GOP had tons of dirt on the Clintons, but still could not bring them down. How do they expect to beat Obama with just a few rumors and made up scandals?

aware   July 6th, 2008 4:47 pm ET

Give it up Obama fans! Insulting Senator McCain can't change the facts.

The presumptive nominee, Obama, was has been wrong about Iraq from the beginning and all his obfuscating can't change his flip-flopping words.

We are winning in Iraq! :)

McCain   July 6th, 2008 4:47 pm ET

Just an observation: I think he has a tumor right under his left cheek.

aware   July 6th, 2008 4:48 pm ET

Give it up Obama fans! Insulting Senator McCain can't change the facts.

The presumptive nominee, Obama, has been wrong about Iraq from the beginning and all his obfuscating can't change his flip-flopping words.

We are winning in Iraq! :)

The Independent One   July 6th, 2008 4:48 pm ET

McCain is just playing the game. He can run but he can't hide FROM HIS ruinous policy. Obama of course still intends for our troops to leave Iraq AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Of course he wants to do so as carefully as possible. Now I am not going to sit here and say Obama is an angel, because he's not. He fouled up on his position with NAFTA, and he backed out of public financing. He is not going to be our savior that delivers America from all its woes. But he's better than Kerry, he's better than Clinton, and folks he is much much much better than McCain! He will start to mend the bs that Bush has left us. Our country is in critical condition and Obama is our only choice to stop the bleeding. McCain will simply keep the wound flowing. We need to give Obama his four years so that Bloomberg can make up his mind by then and become our president in 2012.

Obama '08!…………………………………..Bloomberg '12!

The Idependents Strike Back!

saga4obama   July 6th, 2008 4:49 pm ET

ARE YOU WILLING TO DIE FOR THE GOP LIE?
what does John have to hide? The USS Forrest… 1967, Keating 5, his fight AGAINST getting POWs home, how many of his homes did this $100,000,000.00 man not pay taxes on? why did the other POWs call him " SONGBIRD MCCAIN"? how could he be SO far removed from reality that he STILL WITH ALL OF HIS " EXPERIANCE" not know anything about the ECONOMY?
to those few desperate "wanna be" Clinton supports….this is the man you want running our country at this time of PERIL? seriously? and by the way i have searched and searched trying to find where and how Obama was sexist, used the race card or was otherwise disrespectful to Mrs. Clinton…please let me know where to find such FACTS…
OBAMA 08 OR GOD HELP AMERICA!!

Ralph   July 6th, 2008 4:49 pm ET

The GOP pounces on everything Obama because they have little or no real dirt on him. They failed to beat the Clintons despite the fact they had tons of dirt on them.

The Independent One   July 6th, 2008 4:51 pm ET

McCain is just playing the game. He can run but he can't hide FROM HIS ruinous policy. Obama of course still intends for our troops to leave Iraq AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Of course he wants to do so as carefully as possible. Now I am not going to sit here and say Obama is an angel, because he's not. He fouled up on his position with NAFTA, and he backed out of public financing. He is not going to be our savior that delivers America from all its woes. But he's better than Kerry, he's better than Clinton, and folks he is much much much better than McCain! He will start to mend the bs that Bush has left us. Our country is in critical condition and Obama is our only choice to stop the bleeding. McCain will simply keep the wound flowing. We need to give Obama his four years so that Bloomberg can make up his mind by then and become our president in 2012.

Obama '08!…………………………………..Bloomberg '12!

The Independents Strike Back!

Ralph   July 6th, 2008 4:51 pm ET

I think the media just hates the front runner.

The Independent One   July 6th, 2008 4:52 pm ET

please omit the version that spells "Independents" incorrectly

Alex   July 6th, 2008 4:53 pm ET

I can see McCain camp strategy. I am so angry beyond words… Obama should come back on Mccain and talk about his temper issues… the most sensitive thing he got…hurt him bad…

NotFallingInLine.org   July 6th, 2008 4:54 pm ET

If the Democrats can't trust him, can you?

Mnay of us have been questioning Barack Obama's intentions since the beginning of March, when Samantha Power, Obama’s foreign policy adviser, told Stephen Sackur of the BBC that Obama ”will of course not rely upon some plan that he’s crafted as a presidential candidate or as a US senator.”

Now Barack Obama, the candidate who has based his entire campaign on words - on flowery rhetoric and empty slogans - has begun to whine about ”how finely calibrated [his] every single word [is being] measured” by the media and the American people. Obama is whining because he believes that there’s nothing wrong with promising that he will withdraw combat troops from Iraq within 16 months of taking office during the contest for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination and then, after the supposed party leaders secured the nomination for him, saying that he’s “going to refine [his] policies” on withdrawing combat troops from Iraq.

It’s not a flip-flop, exactly.

It’s a change we all could have seen coming.

NotFallingInLine.org

not important   July 6th, 2008 4:54 pm ET

Obama is the only one who can end the Iraq war. McNixon everybody remembers what Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger said about the Vietnam war in 1969. We wont get fooled again McBush.

Kim   July 6th, 2008 4:54 pm ET

Here we go! First CNN's Yellin does a sloppy story that makes it look like Obama changed his Iraq stance when nothing could be further from the truth. Now McBush whose side fed Yellin the story in the first place, jumps all over it. McBush knows America hates this stupid Bush war so he will do any desperate thing to not let Obama have the high ground on this vital issue.

Arron   July 6th, 2008 4:55 pm ET

John Keating 5 McSame has flip flopped on so many issues that it is laughable for him to accuse Obama, or anyone for that matter, of "flip flopping" on Iraq (which he actually hasn't if you look at what he has said for the past few years on the subject).

The bottom line is Iraq is the biggest foreign policy blunder in U.S. history that has undermined the mission in Afghanastan, empowered Iran, destabalized the Middle East, ballooned the national debt, destroyed our economy and jacked up oil prices. McCain has been a big time cheerleader of this fiasco, has been wrong on every projection he has made (remember all his glowing prediction about success in Iraq before the war started when he was leading the charge and banging the war drum the loudest), McSame will continue the Bush foreign and economic policies and leave us in Iraq for decades costing tax payers trillion of dollars. Obama was smart enough to know we shouldn't have gotten involved in this fools errand at the git-go and will pull the troops out in a responsible way as soon as humanly possible.

Iraq has had almost 7 years to get their act together and times up. Since the "surge", American casualties have escalated, Afghanastan has deteriorated, and the Iraqi government is still a disfunctional mess. Get our troops home ASAP and let's start using our resources on this country for a change. I am sick of having my tax dollars wasted on this mess.

Ralph   July 6th, 2008 4:55 pm ET

hey Amy. Have you forgotton that the GOP attacked the Clintons even worse in 92, but the Clintons won anyway. The Clintons have way more dirt and scandals for the GOP to exploit than Obama has. But despite that, the GOP could never beat the Clintons, but Obama has beaten the Clintons. If the GOP could not handle the Clintons then what makes you think they can handle Obama?

David Goldman   July 6th, 2008 4:56 pm ET

MCMORON CAN'T GET OFF HIS AIRPLANE WITHOUT HELP,

LET ALONE REMEMBER WERE OR WHAT HE IS.

OBAMA'S POSITION ON THE WAR EXACTLY THE SAME,

FORE THOSE THAT CAN READ & UNDERSTAND THE

ENGLISH LANGUAGE, WHICH APPARENTLY MCSLEAZO

IS NOT ONE. HIS HOPE IS THAT WE ARE AS IGNORANT.

Gary Chandler in Canada   July 6th, 2008 4:57 pm ET

It's like if Obama vacillates 2 times, and he is just as bad as McCain who flop flipped 30 times!!!?? that's good math duh
I don't get the GOP tactic, 'he is just as bad as our guy' ???
Google 'McCain King' holiday, When he finally agreed for his State, for political reasons, he still opposed it nationally.
google 'rhinestone hero'
If he wasn't born into an Elite military family he would have been booted out of the Academy, instead of bottom 5. His daddy got him into flight school, his daddy got him a promotion to Captain, and his own daddy signed him up for a WHACK of medals.
Too bad his supporters don't know what Wikipedia or Google is.

Peter E   July 6th, 2008 4:58 pm ET

What the heck? My comments won't even make it to the point where I can see that CNN received them? What is this a new pre-filter that looks for key phrases like 'Obama 08′ now?

eam   July 6th, 2008 4:58 pm ET

HEY words to die by: he is changing a successful strategy cause he lacks experience and wisdom! that is the person you are voting for.

OBAMA'S NEW SLOGAN " JUST SAY YES " HE SAYS YES TO EVERYTHING BUT NEVER SAYS HOW HE'S GONNA DO IT !

Ralph   July 6th, 2008 4:59 pm ET

Obama has not changed his mind on Iraq. The McCain camp is just grasping for straws over a phrase over refine the policy. Obama still intends to pull the troops out in 16 months, but may change how to do it if it is necessary.

So A man THINK IT SO is HE !!!!   July 6th, 2008 4:59 pm ET

Dave…….. Obama is hard to figure out. He does talk out of both sides of his mouth.
Hillary seemed to imply he was just a guy who gave some speeches
Hillary is the GAL that lied ….Remember BOSNIA
I am not necessarily a fan of McCain, but I think he is raising a valid point by calling Obama's words into question.I think you call it flip flop
Now McCain took the Flop out of Flip…….and if weren't for Lieberman
he would be LOST!!!

Texans for Obama   July 6th, 2008 5:00 pm ET

America should have never waged a war on a third world country on a pretense of a big fat lie! John McCain was for this ugly war that has killed many of our young men and women of the armed forces. Obama has not changed his stance on the war. John McCain and company, the RNC needs to shut-up. They started this war and wants to continue this mess for another 100 years. The war has not made use safer from Al Queda. Yes, the bombings has slowed down in Iraq but in Afganistan the war is raging worse than before. The RNC has no plan to get us out of Iraq. People, lives are at stake everyday in Iraq. Young kids 18-22 yrs old fighting, and dying for what? Oil?

By the way, where is Osama Bin Laden? The person we were after in the first place. McCain can't answer that question or the lousy Bush administration either. Forget McCain and his old school cronies. I am tired of hearing about the war . This war must end. The economy is too bad to continue. We are not winning anything in Iraq. Bring our soldiers home now!!!

ZIUS BRAD NY   July 6th, 2008 5:00 pm ET

HILLARY WILL NEVER COME BACK SHE HAS THE PUMA STAIN FOR LIFE

jimtranr in Oregon   July 6th, 2008 5:00 pm ET

John McCain is not Barack Obama's worst enemy. That dubious honor belongs to Obama himself and the false expectations raised by a cynical primary campaign strategy that seduced Democrats (and, where they could vote in Democratic primaries and caucuses, Republicans and independents) hungry for a "change" candidate.

When push comes to shove, the only "change" we can expect from him is a turnabout in policy positions whenever he senses that's what he needs to make himself electable. He's done it on Iraq, on the Patriot Act, and on the death penalty, shedding his earlier positions the way he's had to divest himself of policy and spiritual advisers whenever they got too hot for him to handle in the political kitchen. In this household he's known as "Backpedaling Barack."

Please, No Obama   July 6th, 2008 5:01 pm ET

To the rabid dogs who support Obama blindly. Making inflammatory comments about McCain, tasteless age jokes, blogs filled with CAPITAL letters and exclamation points will not win the election this fall. They actually failed to win the nomination against Hillary since it was handed to BHO on a platter. Obama is going down, fast. He is flip-flopping so badly now on issues about which he once spoke stridently. By the time the Republicans are finished with him, he won't find a job waiting tables. Please, Dems bring back Hillary and save us the disgrace.

Peter E   July 6th, 2008 5:01 pm ET

People PLEASE read Obama's website before you propagate myths about what he plans to do. The biggest myth is that he plans to withdraw all our troops from Iraq. His own site says that we plan to keep some troops there to combat al Quaeda.
Combating terrorists is precisely what Bush uses as our current excuse to keep our troops there. So the bttom line is that Obama's plan isn't anything new that we aren't already doing in Iraq. It's change in name only!

Lou R   July 6th, 2008 5:01 pm ET

When we hear, "The McCain campaign says . . " anything, you can be sure it is a character attack. When it is not from the campaign it comes from FOX commentary, Rush Limbaugh or right wing Bloggers. I for one have grown tired of this overused Karl Rove divide to conquer strategy that quite frankly now causes me to yawn. I guess this is the very best the Republican party can offer John McCain and is minions.

McWar!!!!   July 6th, 2008 5:04 pm ET

McWar!!!! July 6th, 2008 4:35 pm ET
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
McCain MIss Piggy is Calling U…………She said you stole her receipe for NO MO WAR!!!!!!……….NOW when you discover there are no dirty tricks- no lies- no SCUM BAGS- no Out of Touch approach- no my Friends- no say anything to win and no BUSHES ……it will be too late MR Obama will be President of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA

NOW Mr McCain can raise your arms up above your head…come on Now ……if you can't when ask by the police and you can't …… they will take you to JAIL

CNN PLZ POST ND TRY!

ZIUS BRAD NY   July 6th, 2008 5:10 pm ET

BIG MAC IS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH

Ron. Toronto Canada   July 6th, 2008 5:11 pm ET

Mccaine and the the Republicans have no platform so they jump on everything that Obama say's to get on CNN's headline news.

eam   July 6th, 2008 5:13 pm ET

THE PROBLEM WITH AMERICA IS THAT WE ARE ALL SLAVES TO A TWO PARTY SYSTEM THAT HAS FAILED. THE TRUTH IS THAT WE NEED TO GET RID OF BOTH PARTIES, VOTE GREEN, OR INDEPENTANT, OR LIBERTARIAN ! BUT NOOOOOO! ALL YOU SLAVES EVERY 4 YEARS DO THE SAME THING VOTE FOR THAT 2 SAME STUPID PARTIES THAT HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS COUNTRY IN FOREVER.

David Goldman   July 6th, 2008 5:17 pm ET

I HEAR SOME REALLY GOOD LADY FRIEND OF MCNUTS'

ARE GETTING THEIR MAKE UP READY FOR THE CAMERAS.

TURNS OUT "HONORABLE" GUY HAS EVEN LESS

HONOR WITH LADIES THAN WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS.

AND THAT NO HONOR AT ALL.

Reality Check Richmond Virginia   July 6th, 2008 5:17 pm ET

look, Obamas position is to get the troops out. I'm sure he would like to get them out as quick as posssible but in a situation such as this you cannot set a hard date but instead a target date.

If only McCain could see this mess in Iraq.

Franky   July 6th, 2008 5:19 pm ET

No offense to the Reps but aren't they as well changing positions(they've flip flop as many times as Joe Lieberman himself)??? And plus, what are they gonna talk about in Iraq??? How complicated it is??? Or how difficult to understand it is??? Go ahead, talk about how we might be there the next couple of years or talk about how what next decision it is…

If I were you Reps, I wouldn't worry much Iraq because quite frankly, you guys are the ones responsible for it. Focus on things you need to improve. If staying in Iraq is gonna help our economy or talking about our economy is gonna help Iraq, I don't know what you guys are reading at…

Ellie in Aurora, CO   July 6th, 2008 5:20 pm ET

Amy, you are either a Chaos member stirring up trouble, or you should be barred from making blog comments because of your stupidity! Hillary is not coming back - she will not be trying to take over the party at the convention - she will continue to support and campaign for Obama, as will her husband. This is politics for big boys and girls now - stop the HRC BS.

Rick FL   July 6th, 2008 5:20 pm ET

Words into question? For a candidate I used to admire in 2000, how many positions has McCain shifted to align with Bush's policies? McCain has reversed on torture, tax cuts for the wealthy, offshore drilling, agents of intolerance, privatization of Social Security, etc.

Obama has not changed his position on Iraq, no matter how they try to spin it.

Dem '08

CITIZENS FOR AMERICA FIRST   July 6th, 2008 5:21 pm ET

SCUM BAG & FRIENDS GOT US IN IRAQ

SCUM BAG & FRIENDS PLAN TO STAY THERE A 100 YEARS.

SCUM BAG & FRIENDS LIED ABOUT IRAQ.

WE GOT IT.

Ethnic back ground   July 6th, 2008 5:22 pm ET

Hi mr BLOGERRS,every body this country are Ethnic back ground,except NATIVE AMERICAN OR INDIAN'S second HISPANIC.
Wise up and learn more American histroy.and iam sure you are what MRS clinton calls working american,what i call unaducated people
21 century.it's not too late to aducate your self.

Cnn please post this coment.

Satcy   July 6th, 2008 5:24 pm ET

How many times Mc Cain itself had change position?
Obama has not change position on the war in Iraq because from the beginning of it he opposed it.
I think Mc Cain has to be more creative.

Jack Mehoff, LA   July 6th, 2008 5:25 pm ET

Obama is the king of flip flop. He also needs lessons in pandering—he trys hard enough but can't pull it off. Michelle, however, can pull it off.

James KY.   July 6th, 2008 5:26 pm ET

Obama "CHANGE' you can believe in. Obama is always changing, and changing and changing. New word for change "REFINING. Refining you can believe in. By the way amen to all the Hillary supporters comments.

TOMIWA OBAMAISHOPE   July 6th, 2008 5:26 pm ET</